BATTLESPACE Updates

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CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF

by

Sponsored by Teledyne FLIR

 

www.flr.com

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UNITED KINGDOM

 

AIR

 

19 Apr 24. The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered a further six Airbus H145 helicopters as the next step in renewing its rotary fleet and cutting the number of different types in service. The new aircraft will be deployed to Cyprus primarily for emergency response duties and to Brunei to support UK military training in jungle warfare and will replace Airbus Pumas currently performing those roles.  The latest version of Airbus’ best-selling H145 adds an innovative five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission H145, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150 kg. The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design eases maintenance operations, improves serviceability and reliability, and enhances flight comfort for both passengers and crew.

 

EUROPE

 

LAND

 

18 Apr 24. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been awarded a contract to provide a Multi-Sensor Multi-Mission Radar (MS-MMR) system for a European country’s air defence system. The MS-MMR is an ESM-enhanced air defence radar sensor developed and produced by IAI’s ELTA Systems. MS-MMR comprises an Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system (ELL-8385) integrated into the MMR (ELM-2084). The passive ESM sensor greatly enhances the radar’s ability to detect and recognise airborne threats. By identifying the threat’s electromagnetic signature, ESM classifies and identifies the targets that the radar detects. In addition, it assists in discriminating between multiple targets that are too close to each other, and can also sense emitting targets with a low radar cross section (RCS). ESM effectively increases the radar’s range and detection performance. By combining radar and ESM data, tracking accuracy can also be improved. The MS-MMR thereby provides the air defense system with a richer and more effective Air-Situational Picture (ASP). It shortens operators’ response times to unidentified targets and prevents errors that could arise from incorrect identification of neutral parties. (Source: Google/APDR)

 

12 Apr 24. Ovzon has received an order for renewal of Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service from its Spanish partner Aicox Solutions. The 6-months extension will mainly be delivered during the first half of 2024. The order is for Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service Plus solution, a fully integrated solution that includes satellite bandwidth, Ovzon T6 mobile satellite terminals and Ovzon’s dedicated customer service and support. The order is for a demanding end-customer within the Civil Defense sector that started using Ovzon’s services in January 2023. (Source: ASD Network)

 

15 Apr 24. Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT), the Dutch military procurement organisation, has signed an agreement for the acquisition of seven additional Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C), with an option of two additional systems. The contract follows nine GM 200 MM/C radars previously ordered in 2019. Troops today face a multitude of ever-evolving threats in the battlefield, including advancements in the area of indirect fire (observation, range, speed, accuracy), threatening a radars’ capacity to detect targets in a very short time span while potentially becoming a target itself. To protect high-value assets and troops, Thales offers time-on-target solutions from the Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission family – radars that are able to detect smaller, faster, more agile targets at longer ranges, while retaining a very high tactical mobility and a very short deployment time

 

12 Apr 24. TT Electronics has announced that its Fairford UK business has been awarded a new contract with long-standing customer Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (Kongsberg) for the production of complex cable harness solutions. Kongsberg is a leading global technology corporation delivering mission-critical solutions with extreme performance for customers that operate under extremely challenging conditions. TT Electronics will provide engineering and production for cable harness and housing assemblies for Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) in an agreed contract to the end of 2026. (Source: Google/https://www.aero-mag.com/)

 

USA

 

LAND

 

15 Apr 24. AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California (M67854-24-D-1027); Anduril Federal, Washington, D.C. (M67854-24-D-1026); and Teledyne FLIR Detection Inc., Stillwater, Oklahoma (M67854-24-D-1028), were each awarded a hybrid, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production, delivery, test, and maintenance support of the Organic Precision Fires – Light system, up to a combined value of $249,000,000. AeroVironment Inc. was awarded $8,931,148; Anduril Federal Inc. was awarded $6,458,187; and Teledyne FLIR Detection Inc. was awarded $12,084,866. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California (86%); and Corinne, Utah (16%), for M67854-24-D-1026; Washington, D.C. (10%); Costa Mesa, California (40%); Santa Ana, California (10%); and Mountain View, California (40%), for(M67854-24-D-1027; Stillwater, Oklahoma for (M67854-24-D-1028). The work is expected to be completed by April 2026. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $27,474,201 will be obligated on the first delivery orders immediately following contract awards. The requirement was competitively procured through full and open competition and solicited through the System for Award Management website, with eight offers received in response to solicitation number M67854-23-R-1037. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 9, 2024)

 

18 Apr 24. AeroVironment (AV) was selected by the U.S. Marine Corps for the first phase of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program of record. AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition system (LMS) will provide the Marine Corps with organic, anti-armor/anti-personnel, precision fires capability at the tactical level. AV was awarded an initial order of $8.9m on a contract with a maximum potential value of $249m. AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 supports the OPF-L program’s request for an individually operated, man-portable loitering munition with a lightweight, precision-guided capability against beyond- line-of-sight adversaries. Switchblade 300 will ensure that Marines are properly equipped and sustained with a lethal, reliable, organic capability for rapid target engagement while minimizing collateral damage and exposure to threat weapon systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

15 Apr 24. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $296,861,979 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for M10 Booker system technical support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W912CH-24-D-0001).

 

15 Apr 24. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) received a $256m order from the U.S. Army for continued production of the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B). This is the first order for the ENVG-B’s Program of Record full-scale production IDIQ, which will total nearly $1bn over 10 years. The L3Harris ENVG-B systems enhance situational awareness at greater distances at night and in low-light environments with industry-leading Figure of Merit levels. L3Harris has delivered more than 13,000 ENVG-B systems to the Army to date. The company has also delivered more than 20,000 advanced vision goggles to warfighters worldwide, including the company’s Binocular Night Vision Device – Fused solution. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

15 Apr 24. Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a Fortune 500® innovation leader, was recently awarded a follow-on prime contract to provide the U.S. Army with technology-enabled services, including hardware sustainment, modernization, refresher training, and logistics support. The Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3), indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) task order, has a base period of 11 months, and a maximum value of $267m, if all four one-year options are exercised. Under the task order, Leidos experts in Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (C5ISR) will assess Army hardware capabilities against performance parameters, build out hardware configurations, and implement upgrades. Leidos will also help to coordinate equipment warehousing, shipping, and warranty repair. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

15 Apr 24. MSI Defense Solutions LLC has been awarded a not-to-exceed USD24,186,464, firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract for the procurement of five Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System Counter Unmanned Aerial System modular systems as well as associated engineering and maintenance support, support equipment, initial spares, initial training materials, and technical manuals in support of emerging and persistent Unmanned Aerial System threats in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/1898f4bd6bdf4501a1fb2bd90e919028/view (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

12 Apr 24. Renk America LLC, Muskegon, Michigan, was awarded a $101,135,946 modification (P00049) to contract W56HZV-20-C-0124 for hydro-mechanically propelled transmissions. Work will be performed in Muskegon, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2026. Fiscal 2024 Army working capital funds in the amount of $101,135,946 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

 

15 Apr 24. Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), announced that it has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $249m by the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command for its Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program. The initial delivery order is valued at $12 m. As described in Marine Corps solicitation statements, Organic Precision Fires-Light is a new system designed to provide rifle squads and platoons with a man-packable “organic, loitering, precision strike capability to engage the enemy beyond the line of sight.” Teledyne FLIR’s advanced small Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) loitering munition solution has proven highly successful in tests against both moving and stationary armor, vehicles, and dismounted targets. The ability to recover and reuse the new system will lighten the pack load for Marines while increasing their warfighting effectiveness. (Source: ASD Network)

 

SEA

 

17 Apr 24. Micro Systems Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is awarded a $23,971,170 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to produce, test, and deliver a maximum quantity of 375 airborne transponders; 150 ground radio frequency units; 75 airborne relay and 15 test sets. This contract also includes the testing, teardown, and evaluation for a maximum quantity of 625 system of naval targets control and 375 AN/DSQ-50A as well as the repairs of up to 100 airborne transponders; 100 ground radio frequency units; 100 airborne relay; 30 test sets; 120 low rate initial production airborne transponders; 100 AN/DSQ-50A (L-Band) and 100 AN/DSQ-50A (S-Band) in support of target mission support systems for the Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is expected to be completed in April 2029. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001924D0004).

 

AIR

 

16 Apr 24. Aircraft Readiness Alliance JV LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded an $176,313,168 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide depot-level maintenance support services for aircraft, aircraft engines and associated components and material including rework of existing aviation end items, systems, and components and the manufacture of items and component parts for the Navy. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (76%); and Oceana, Virginia (24%), and is expected to be completed in April 2029. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; one offer was received. Commander, Fleet Readiness Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N6852024D0001).

 

18 Apr 24. Electra.aero, Inc. (“Electra”), a next-gen aerospace company committed to decarbonizing aviation and opening new air transportation markets, today announced a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the U.S. Army valued at $1.9m that funds powered wind tunnel testing of Electra’s hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The award enables the U.S. Army to explore Electra’s unique blown wing aircraft technology potential to broaden U.S. military capabilities, especially for fuel-efficient, resilient logistics in contested environments. Electra’s eSTOL represents a new category of aircraft capability, combining helicopter-like operational flexibility with superior fixed wing-like performance and operating costs. The innovative combination of blown lift and eight distributed electric motors significantly increases wing lift, enabling ultra-short takeoffs and landings from spaces as small as a soccer field, and dramatically reduced noise and fuel use compared to conventional aircraft and helicopters. Hybrid-electric power ensures ranges beyond 1,000 miles for national security applications without the need for battery charging stations. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

15 Apr 24. On April 15, the Missile Defense Agency selected Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to deliver the nation’s new homeland missile defense capability, the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). Lockheed Martin, as the MDA’s NGI prime contractor, will provide the most modern, reliable, and technically advanced interceptor in the history of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system. The multiple-kill vehicle interceptor is designed to protect the homeland against long range ballistic missile threats from rogue nations.

 

15 Apr 24. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”) today announced that it has been selected for a $32m U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) contract to deliver the VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission. The mission will see Rocket Lab design, build, launch, and operate a rendezvous proximity operation (RPO) capable spacecraft. The mission was contracted under Rocket Lab National Security, a wholly owned subsidiary that serves the U.S. and its allies with responsive and reliable launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, and space systems capabilities. SSC’s Space Safari’s VICTUS HAZE mission will be an exercise of a realistic threat-response scenario and on-orbit space domain awareness (SDA) demonstration. Rocket Lab and a second performer, True Anomaly, will both demonstrate the ability to build rendezvous and proximity operation (RPO) capable space vehicles and command and control centers. The mission is targeted for launch in 2025. Once the spacecraft build is complete, Rocket Lab will be entered into a Hot Standby Phase awaiting further direction. Once the exercise begins, Rocket Lab will be given notice to launch the spacecraft into a target orbit. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft will be rapidly commissioned and readied for operations. Rocket Lab will configure a Pioneer class spacecraft bus to meet the unique requirements of the VICTUS HAZE mission and launch the spacecraft on Electron from either Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, NZ or Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, VA. Once on orbit, the spacecraft will conduct a variety of dynamic space operations to demonstrate SDA characterization capabilities with True Anomaly’s spacecraft, the Jackal autonomous orbital vehicle. (Source: ASD Network)

 

18 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that uAvionix announced this week that its FlightLine ADS-B surveillance and situational awareness system has been chosen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an approved product for use in Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations to enhance airport situational awareness and mitigate the risk of runway incursions. FlightLine offers a cost-effective solution for deployment in Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) to deliver essential surface situational awareness to facilities lacking current surface surveillance systems, including 44 airports. While the FAA will oversee the procurement of FlightLine towers, airports or Federal Contract Towers can also directly acquire them. The FAA secured the initial FlightLine deployments by uAvionix for the Indianapolis International Airport (KIND) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) towers, with full operational capability expected by June 30, 2024. https://cuashub.com/content/uavionix-system-chosen-to-enhance-airport-situational-awareness/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9NJliZnBUypL9OEBFsNwg0YbSNRDNDR8i48JZIZT770nIDpHJhv9cJw0NexYBeHABY7TkBXR-ne9laJ9_U3C892lRpwNw6OTs7EVikVY1Lt8KwcqA&_hsmi=303241743#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=303241743&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

17 Apr 24. DOD Announces Next Round of Projects to Receive Funding From Pilot Program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT). The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) announced the next round of projects to receive funding via the pilot program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT). This is the second tranche of projects to be selected during Fiscal Year 2024, and the first tranche awarded after the Department received a full appropriation for FY 2024. The purpose of the APFIT pilot program is to expeditiously transition technologies into production, and to accelerate the fielding of needed technologies to the warfighter, with priority given to technologies developed by small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors. The benefits of this pilot program will be to deliver war-winning capability earlier than scheduled, while contributing to the viability of small business and nontraditional defense contractor vendors. APFIT is an additional tool the DoD can use to propel innovative capabilities across the “Valley of Death” and accelerate fielding into the hands of warfighters. The National Defense Authorization Act of FY22 established APFIT under the Secretary of Defense as a competitive, merit-based program for innovative and mature technologies and products that can meet warfighter demands but lack the necessary funding to transition the capability into the production phase. The U.S. Congress funded $100m for APFIT in FY 2022, $150m in FY 2023, and $300m in FY 2024. In the past two years, twenty-one DoD programs were selected to receive APFIT funding to procure innovative technologies from these small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors. The APFIT program expects to award up to 19 total projects in FY 2024, with four awards previously announced in February. The 13 projects awarded in this tranche are:

  • Communications Mobile Gateway Buoy, $12.940m, U.S. Navy
  • Family of Systems for Assured Movement and Maneuver, $15.950, U.S. Transportation Command via U.S. Army
  • Gladius Micro-High-Altitude Balloon Deployed Glider, $10.000m, U.S. Army
  • High Efficiency Phase Modulator, $11.000m, Missile Defense Agency
  • Installation Resilience Operations Command and Control, $20.000M, U.S. Air Force
  • Majestic Alpha, $18.500m, U.S. European Command and U.S. Special Operations Command
  • Project 711: Containerized Secure Units, $15.200m, U.S. Marine Corps
  • Classified, $13.650m, U.S. Special Operations Command
  • Rack Mounted Optical Clocks, $22.000m, DARPA and multiple Services
  • Radome Operational Performance Evaluation, $10.000m, U.S. Air Force
  • Reducible Height Gunner Protection Kit, $19.721m, U.S. Marine Corps
  • Resilient Networking for Space Domain Awareness, $15.375M, U.S. Space Force
  • Ultra Long Endurance – Perpetual, $20.406m, U.S. Army

About USD(R&E)

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E) is the Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Defense. The USD(R&E) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the United States military’s technological advantage. Learn more at www.cto.mil, follow us on Twitter @DoDCTO, or visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre.

 

12 Apr 24. Carahsoft Technology, Corp., Reston, Virginia, is awarded a five-year multiple award, firm fixed-price Department of Defense (DOD) Enterprise Software Initiative blanket purchase agreement (BPA) using the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule. The overall estimated value of this agreement is $261,190,000. This BPA reduces costs and increases efficiency for DOD ordering activities that have a requirement for Forescout network access control products and incidental services. The Coast Guard is also authorized to use this agreement under the provisions of 14 U.S. Code Section 3 and Section 145; 10 U.S. Code Section 2571; and 31 U.S. Code Section 1535. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated via delivery orders. Future requirements will be procured in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 8.405-3(c)(1). This requirement was competitively procured via the GSA Electronic-Buy website, whereby five quotes were received, and one was selected for award. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-24-A-0003).

 

16 Apr 24. The Department of Defense today announced an award of $14.4m via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program to 5N+ Semiconductors (5N Semi) to sustain and expand the capability to produce germanium substrates used in solar cells for defense and commercial satellites. This effort supports the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy to continue and expand support for domestic production within the resilient supply chains strategic priority area.

 

18 Apr 24. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, today announced a production agreement with BlueHalo, the company transforming the future of global defense, to support the U.S. Space Force (USSF)’s Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program. Within the scope of the agreement, Mercury will provide a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based common signal acquisition and digital beamforming solution for BlueHalo’s BADGER system, a multi-band deployable ground communications system that simplifies mission operations through agile and re-configurable beamforming tiles. BlueHalo was awarded the $1.4 bn SCAR contract in 2022 by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), a direct reporting unit of the USSF. Last Fall, BlueHalo successfully demonstrated target tracking and processing of signals using Multi-band Software Defined Antenna (MSDA) tiles deployed on its BADGER product. Mercury is currently delivering hardware, based on its Quartz RFSoC and Navigator® Design Suite commercial product offerings, against an initial contract award received from BlueHalo in 2023. Under the new production agreement, finalized in January, Mercury will deliver subsystems for additional BADGERs systems throughout 2024.

 

17 Apr 24. SRC Inc., North Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $60,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders for research and development. This contract provides for exploring new and emerging concepts related to development, integration, assessment, evaluation, and demonstration of cyber security, open system architecture, novel avionics and sensor technologies, and multi-domain technologies focusing on the electric warfare piece of the avionics. Work will be performed in New York, Virginia, Ohio, and Texas, and is expected to be completed by April 1, 2031. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $150,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA2377-24-D-B001, FA2377-24-F-B001). (Awarded April 16, 2024)

 

REST OF THE WORLD

 

LAND

 

14 Apr 24. The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $101.1m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 10. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy fifty (50) Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) Block Upgrade 2 (BU2) Terminals and one hundred (100) additional MIDS-LVT BU2 Retrofit Kits that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case, valued at $12.6 m, included thirty-five (35) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) and twenty-four (24) MIDS-LVT BU2 Retrofit Kits. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also requested a new FMS case that includes one hundred ninety-four (194) MIDS JTRS and thirteen (13) MIDS-LVT BU2 Terminals. This notification is for a combined total of two hundred twenty-nine (229) MIDS JTRS; sixty-three (63) MIDS-LVT BU2 Terminals; and one hundred twenty-four (124) MIDS-LVT BU2 Retrofit Kits. Also included are TacNet Tactical Radios; Low Volume Terminal Cryptographic Modules; other communications equipment; support equipment; engineering and technical support and assistance; training; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $101.1m. The principal contractor has not been determined as there will be a competitive contractual award process after case implementation. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: Defense Arabia)

 

16 Apr 24. Milrem Robotics awarded contract to deliver THeMIS UGVs to Japan. Milrem Robotics, Europe’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, has been awarded a contract to supply the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces with THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles. The company will supply Japan with three THeMIS UGVs configured for various tasks, including supply transportation and intelligence gathering. The vehicles are equipped with Milrem’s Intelligent Functions Kit (MIFIK), enabling them to execute on- and off-road operations independently. MIFIK allows UGV operators to plan missions using waypoint navigation and set en-route vehicle behaviours. MIFIK is used strictly for vehicle mobility.

 

SEA

 

18 Apr 24. HHI will build four ships for the Peruvian Navy under a $463m contract signed this week. The vessels are part of Peru’s ambitious program to modernize its naval surface fleet, which may involve the construction of 23 ships of different types, an effort potentially worth more than $3bn. The South American country’s primary focus is to acquire six advanced multipurpose guided-missile frigates to replace the six aging frigates that currently serve as the Navy’s main surface combatants. The finalized deal, which follows Peru’s pick of Hyundai Heavy Industries in March, will see the company provide both the designs and support for the construction of the vessels, with the delivery deadline set for 2029. (Source: Defense News)

 

AIR

 

15 Apr 24. Boeing secures $139.5m contract to upgrade RAAF Poseidons. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has announced a AU$139.5m contract with Boeing Defence Australia to upgrade the software, systems, and sensors of the Royal Australian Air Force‘s P-8A Poseidon fleet. The contract will support 50 Australian jobs including six Certificate IV aircraft maintenance engineering apprentices, 38 Certificate II aerospace workers and several supply chain trainees at the RAAF Base Edinburgh as part of the Increment 3 Block 2 software, systems, and sensor upgrades designed to enhance the anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and intelligence collection capabilities of the Poseidon fleet. Australia‘s first two aircraft to undergo the Increment 3 modification will be upgraded in Jacksonville, Florida, with the remainder of the fleet of 12 to be completed by Boeing Defence Australia at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. (Source: Defence Connect)

 

12 Apr 24. The AH-64E Apache program has reached an important milestone with the recent establishment of a $306m Apache initial support contract with Boeing Defence Australia. The contract will provide maintenance, engineering and logistics support, as well as aircrew and technician training for the Apache fleet.   The first seven Boeing Defence Australia employees have commenced work in locations across Queensland, focused on the development of Apache training materials and establishing a logistics and maintenance site in Townsville. This paves the way for growth in the logistics and engineering disciplines within the Attack Helicopter systems program office.   Director General of Army Aviation Systems Branch, Brigadier Andrew Thomas, said the workforce would continue to grow, with an initial 71 positions to be filled by January 2025. (Source: ASD Network)

 

16 Apr 24. Argentina inked a deal for 24 F-16 jets for its air force from Denmark for some $300m, the government said on Tuesday. President Javier Milei and Defense Minister Luis Petri announced the purchase in a video posted on X. (Source: Google/Reuters)

 

15 Apr 24. The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of aircraft contractor logistics support and training to Iraq for an estimated cost of $140m, the Pentagon said on Monday. The training and support apply to Iraq’s C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft fleet, the Pentagon said in a statement. The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman Corporation, it added. (Source: Reuters)

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

16 Apr 24.  Australia announces $3.47m in small business grants. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has announced $3.47m worth of grants to support eight “cutting-edge” Australian defence SMEs delivering priority capabilities for Defence. The Defence Global Competitiveness (DGC) and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) grant programs have helped Australian businesses boost manufacturing, harness their expertise, and increase jobs and are expected to be replaced by the Defence Industry Development Grant program expected to be launched in June. This new program, which is aligned with the Defence Industry Development Strategy, will have dedicated streams for supporting eligible Australian businesses to develop their capabilities in relation to sovereign industrial priorities, exports, skilling, and security.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said, “Small to medium-sized businesses play an important role in developing and sustaining the capabilities the Australian Defence Force needs to protect us and our national interests.”

In total, 239 grants worth more than $104 m have been awarded to Australian businesses through both programs, with the latest eight recipients:

  • South Australian-based QPE Advanced Manufacturing will receive $1 m to acquire and commission a five-axis computerised numerical control (CNC) mill, CNC cylindrical grinder and optical scanning system. These systems will assist the manufacturing and maintenance of components used in submarine and aerospace domains.
  • Western Australian company Hexion Australia will receive $1 m to establish a hexamine production facility for use in explosives ordnance and munitions manufacturing.
  • Queensland‘s Gilmour Space Technologies will receive $715,000 to design, build, and commission a facility for production of high-test peroxide as a propellant for use in hybrid rocket motors in space vehicles.
  • Elexon Electronics based in Queensland will receive $338,000 to acquire and commission a solder paste inspection system and a computed tomography X-ray machine for automated inspection of printed circuit boards for defence radar and communications systems.
  • Tasmanian-based Betaserv will receive $146,000 to acquire and commission a suite of scanning capabilities to allow phased array ultrasonic testing of armour-plating in self-propelled howitzer artillery vehicles.
  • Sentient Vision Systems based in Victoria, will receive $108,000 to acquire and integrate enhanced data-processing capabilities which support the development of artificial intelligence models for image-based surveillance and reconnaissance solutions.
  • NSW-based Reach Robotics will receive $104,000 to acquire and commission a hydrostatic pressure chamber to conduct product validation of underwater robotic arms to a depth of 6,000 metres as well as a coordinate measuring machine, lathe and vacuum pump for validation of precision components.
  • NSW‘s Droneshield will receive almost $59,000 to acquire two spectrum analysers for use in developing radio frequency (RF) detection and RF finding sensors used in anti-drone and electronic warfare systems.

(Source: Defence Connect)

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* Thermography

* Aerospace and Astronomical

* Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

 

THE TELEDYNE FLIR ADVANTAGE

 

Integrating Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules is now easier with our library of how-to-videos, application notes, and our comprehensive support center with product drawings, datasheets, and more!

 

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