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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
24 May 24. Major order for ammunition: NATO customer orders artillery ammunition from Rheinmetall – worth almost €300m. A NATO customer has placed an order with Rheinmetall for the supply of artillery ammunition. The order comprises several tens of thousands of artillery shells and several hundred thousand propellant charge modules. The total gross value of the orders booked in the second quarter of 2024 amounts to almost €300 million. The deliveries will take place between 2024 and 2028. The need to replenish the armed forces’ ammunition stocks resulting from the war in Ukraine has brought Rheinmetall major orders in the field of artillery ammunition. The new orders once again emphasise Rheinmetall’s leading technological position in ammunition development and production in Europe.
AIR
16 May 24. NATO Support and Procurement Agency – Alliance Ground Surveillance Program Equipment and Support. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency of Alliance Ground Surveillance Program Equipment and Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $250.2m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has requested to buy radar equipment spares and additional items and services that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales case, valued at $40.26m, included Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system equipment and support, including: AN/APG-68 radar processors; Global Hawk engine controllers; classified and unclassified spare components and parts; consumables and accessories; repair and return support; facilities support including storage; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This notification is for the combined non-MDE AGS system equipment and services, including: AN/APG-68 radar processors; Global Hawk engine controllers; communications equipment spares; classified and unclassified spare components and parts; consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; facilities support including storage; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $250.2m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of NATO partners that are a force for political stability and economic progress in the North Atlantic region. The proposed sale will improve NATO’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving and sustaining Allied intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. NATO will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman located in Mojave, CA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to NATO. (Source: ASD Network)
EUROPE
LAND
17 May 24. ARQUUS wins the contract for the French DGA’s new generation of tankers. On April 28th, 2024, the French Procurement Agency (DGA) officially awarded Arquus for a contract to develop and produce the new generation of tankers (CCNG*) to renew its current fleet. This contract confirms Arquus as a major player in the design and production of the French Army’s armored logistical vehicles. The first batch of 70 vehicles is scheduled for delivery started in 2026, as part of a broader program aiming to provide 376 new generation tanker by 2030, in accordance with the current military programming law (2024-2030).
21 May 24. BAE Systems has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for new CV9035 MkIIIC vehicles, as well as associated integrated logistic support. This new contract will provide new-build CV90s to help replenish the Swedish Army’s fleet. These new CV9035 MkIIICs will replace CV9040 vehicles donated to Ukraine by the Swedish government. In addition, the Swedish government is procuring more new-build CV90 vehicles to expand Ukraine capabilities. The contract will provide the opportunity for other nations to join in the procurement of CV90MkIIICs. The new CV9035 MkIIIC is built to the same standard as the newest CV90 mid-life upgrade program for the Netherlands. The vehicles will be equipped with a new turret which provides a leap forward in design and functionality. It also offers significant ergonomic improvements to benefit the vehicle’s crew. The vehicle is built on years of combat-proven experience, continuous improvements, and data gathering from the CV90 User Club, which comprises the nations operating CV90 fleets.
17 May 24. Bittium has received a purchase order from the Finnish Defence Forces for tactical Bittium Tough SDR™ handheld and vehicular radios. The purchase is the second optional additional purchase related to the purchase agreement signed on December 12, 2018. The value of the purchase order is approximately EUR 3.5m and the radios will be delivered during the year 2024. Bittium Tough SDR handheld and vehicular radios will replace the Finnish Defence Forces’ existing stock of analogue tactical radios with modern software-defined radios enabling broadband tactical communications. The radios will also offer significantly better performance for the Finnish Defence Forces compared to the earlier generation digital tactical radios. The field tests and preparations for deployment of the radios is proceeding as planned. The Tough SDR radios are compatible with the software-defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system already used by the Finnish Defence Forces. Part of the performance of the software-defined radios is created with the software used in the radios. Thus, software development enables performance enhancements for the radios throughout their whole life cycle. Bittium issued a stock exchange release on December 12, 2018, on the purchase agreement for Bittium Tough SDR radios signed by the Finnish Defence Forces and Bittium. The purchase agreement includes terms for additional purchases, according to which, the Finnish Defence Forces have an option to purchase additional tactical radios and related accessories, training, and system management for the Army, Air Force, and Navy based on the prices agreed in the purchase agreement.
22 May 24. Marshall has secured a contract valued at over £100m to design and produce an extensive suite of command and control (C2) shelters, modular workspaces and ancillary equipment for the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Having formally joined NATO in March, Sweden is embarking on a rapid digital defence modernisation programme to support integration with alliance partners and enhance the overall readiness of its full-time and reserve forces. In addition to delivering a critical upgrade to core C2 capabilities, Marshall’s highly manoeuvrable and rapidly deployable systems will transform the operational resilience and survivability of the Swedish Armed Forces’ critical infrastructure in open, littoral and urban operations. Over the next four years, with the option to extend a further three thereafter, Marshall will deliver up to 500 shelters as well a range of ancillary equipment including power units, battery boxes and mast trailers. Production will be shared across facilities in the UK and Canada, demonstrating the efficiency and capacity benefits made possible by Marshall’s growing operational footprint around the world.
22 May 24. MBDA signs enhancements for Italian air defence systems based on CAMM-ER with OCCAR. MBDA has signed a contract amendment with OCCAR (the organisation for joint armament co-operation) to increase the technical capabilities of the Italian air defence systems based on CAMM-ER for the Italian Army and Italian Air Force, namely Grifo and MAADS (Medium Advanced Air Defence System). The contract will also see a new multi-role and multi-purpose Fire Control Unit (FCU), developed and designed by MBDA to significantly increase the command-and-control capabilities of the Grifo system. This evolution, implemented to the benefit of the Italian Army, introduces comprehensive evolutions that have been designed over the past 12 months, within the main production contract to strengthen the Italian Armed Forces’ operational capabilities. The agreement also includes the operational validation and the production of the new FCU. The Grifo system utilizes CAMM-ER – the extended-range missile of the new generation CAMM family – jointly developed in the United Kingdom and Italy for land and naval air defence. The CAMM family can be easily integrated with customer’s choice of radar and C2 to form an Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solution (EMADS). CAMM-ER, equipped with a state-of-the-art active seeker and a new motor – designed by AVIO – to provide an extended range, was successfully qualified last year and it will replace the Aspide missile used by the SPADA system of the Italian Air Force and by the Skyguard system of the Italian Army. CAMM-ER is also integrated into Albatros NG, the new generation naval based air defence (NBAD) system, already sold abroad, that optimises the naval surface-to-air capabilities of fleets. The activity following this new agreement will further enhance the industrial capabilities at MBDA’s Italian sites, especially in the Fusaro one in Bacoli (near Naples), already boosted thanks to recent contracts for CAMM-ER and Aster missiles, supporting the company’s technological and industrial growth.
22 May 24. Poland’s Ministry of National Defence announced it has signed a deal to buy four aerostat-based early warning radar systems from the United States under a deal worth almost $1bn. The U.S. Army uses aerostats under its Persistent Surveillance System – Tethered program, according the service’s website. (Source: Defense News)
23 May 24. Rheinmetall MAN contracted for delivery of 48 HX 8×8 Protected Military Trucks for Swedish Archer Artillery System. Rheinmetall has been contracted by the Swedish company BAE Systems Bofors AB to deliver 48 all-terrain HX Cab Chassis with protected cabins. The highly mobile 8×8 military vehicles from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) will serve as carriers for the Swedish Armed Forces’ Archer artillery systems. The contract, which was concluded in March 2024, has a volume of around €71m. Deliveries are foreseen to start in the third quarter of 2024 and to be completed by the end of 2027. Besides the vehicles the order also includes additional service and maintenance scope. The robust HX vehicles are specially adapted to the requirements of a 155mm wheeled howitzer, for example to withstand the pressure wave when firing, and provide the operator with the highest level of off-road mobility. The particular hardened Rheinmetall integrated armoured cabin contributes significantly to the protection of the crew during deployment in high-risk scenarios. This contract constitutes the first series integration of Archer system on the HX truck family. The integration of the system is done by BAE Systems Bofors AB. The Archer wheeled artillery system is currently being used by the Swedish Armed Forces on a 6×6 platform, which will now be replaced by the new HX-8×8 systems. High-mobility trucks from RMMV’s HX2 series are already in service with the Swedish armed forces in large numbers – as logistics trucks and as carrier vehicles for the Patriot air defence missile system, for example. Thanks to the ‘family concept’ of the HX vehicle family, the new artillery system can be seamlessly integrated into the existing logistics of the Swedish armed forces. With the current order, Rheinmetall is making a further contribution to increasing interoperability within NATO. Vehicles of the HX family have been introduced in a growing number of armed forces of the defence alliance and allied nations. In addition to Sweden, other nations such as Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Denmark, Austria and Norway are also using HX military trucks in large numbers and in various configurations. The use of similar systems offers synergy potential in the areas of training, deployment, maintenance and repair.
23 May 24. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) has ordered additional units of the mobile encryption system Sectra Tiger from international cybersecurity and medical imaging IT company Sectra (STO: SECT B). The NCI Agency has also extended its support contract with Sectra for another five years. Sectra Tiger is a quantum-resilient secure communications solution, used by a large number of user organizations across many NATO and EU countries. Visit Sectra’s website to read more about our approved solutions.
23 May 24. Senop Oy has signed a letter of intent on May 23, 2024 with the Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command on the further development of new night vision devices. The letter of intent is related to the improvement of the Army’s night fighting capability. The aim of this R&D partnership is to provide the Finnish Defence Forces with the option of procuring domestic night vision devices that combines high performance, security of supply, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with the existing and future Finnish soldier systems. The letter of intent covers the development of the following products for the Finnish Defence Forces:
- A next-generation night vision goggles based on M20 technology, with improved ergonomics and a new helmet mount.
- A tactical thermal binoculars based on uncooled thermal camera technology, utilizing both existing and new software solutions developed specifically for the Finnish Defence Forces.
- A next-generation multipurpose fire control system based on smart sight technology for several weapon platforms e.g. support weapons and anti-tank weapon systems.
Other countries will also be able to join the development of the night vision devices at a later stage.
17 May 24. SRC Awarded Contract to Supply SR Hawk Radars to Poland. In February 2024, the Polish military announced a contract to upgrade 15 more of their BWR-1D/S Reconnaissance Fighting Vehicles with SRC, Inc.’s SR Hawk surveillance radar. This follows a previous contract from 2021 where 25 BWR-1 vehicles were upgraded to include SR Hawk radars. The addition of SRC’s SR Hawk ground surveillance radar to reconnaissance fighting vehicles modernizes their ability to monitor and track activity. SRC’s SR Hawk radar can detect personnel, land vehicles and marine vessels, making it ideal for a wide range of applications including border surveillance and artillery spotting. SRC continues to improve this system with hardware and software updates that enhance usability and performance. The SR Hawk radar is manufactured and supported by SRC in the USA. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
22 May 24. European Defence Fund awards further funding to European Patrol Corvette project. The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project has been awarded funding under the European Commission’s European Defence Fund (EDF) 2023. In the announcement of results of the EDF’s 2023 calls for proposals on 16 May 2024, the EPC2 project is to receive a maximum European Union (EU) contribution of EUR154.5m (USD167.9m) in funding. The project, selected under the ‘Development actions focused on naval combat’ EDF call, has a 48-month duration with activities to include studies, design, system prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification. (Source: Janes)
AIR
24 May 24. Czech Republic to Equip Army with FPV Drones. The Czech Republic is planning to equip ground units with small FPV drones for reconnaissance and strikes. The new Concept for the Construction of the Army of the Czech Republic (KVAČR) was approved in February of this year, however, there is little and vague talk about the massive deployment of drones and protection against this technology. That has now changed. The war in Ukraine is a battle of technology and, above all, of unmanned vehicles. The Czech army is also aware of this and therefore plans to use small drones for soldiers in the field and not just for special forces and paratroopers. It has therefore started experimental training courses and plans a massive deployment within three years. An integral part will also be the protection of existing and future military equipment against these means. (Source: UAS VISION/iDNES.CZ)
21 May 24. Germany’s Parliamentary Budget Committee has approved the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) request to purchase Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) under Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US on 17 May 2024. Currently, the US State Department has yet to process the decision, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has yet to notify Congress of the possible sale to a European ally and Nato member. While the number of missiles remains undisclosed, the MoD calculate the total value of the order to be approximately €178m ($193.4m). The agreement on the procurement of additional guided missiles of this type is scheduled for September 2024. The German Air Force will deploy these missiles, manufactured by the US defence prime Raytheon, an RTX subsidiary, onboard its Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. According to GlobalData intelligence, the Air Force currently have 141 Typhoon aircraft in service. The number and type of missiles that a Eurofighter deploys depends on the combat missions they are tasked to perform. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
USA
LAND
17 May 24. BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $57,585,343 modification (P00172) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for the production and delivery of M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer and M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracker ground combat vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2027. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, defense-wide funds and weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $57,585,343 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. (Awarded May 16, 2024)
22 May 24. Cuashub.com said today that BlueHalo Awarded $95.4m Directed Energy Technology Contract. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) has awarded BlueHalo a $95.4m contract for advanced Directed Energy (DE) technology prototype development under the Laser Technology Research Development and Optimization (LARDO) program through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC). This contract allows BlueHalo to continue designing and building state-of-the-art laser weapon systems for the warfighter. The initiative will deliver multiple prototypes featuring enhanced automation, efficiency, performance, and ruggedization, along with improved size, weight, and power (SWAP) characteristics. The LOCUST system integrates precision optical and laser hardware with advanced software, artificial intelligence (AI), and processing to optimize the directed energy “kill chain.” This includes tracking, identifying, and engaging a wide range of targets with its hard-kill High-Energy Laser (HEL).
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
17 May 24. Colt’s Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $57,216,428 modification (P00004) to contract W15QKN-19-D-0116 for production for the M4 and M4A1 carbines. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 18, 2024. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. (Awarded May 16, 2024)
21 May 24. Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“the Company”), a global technology leader, today announced that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved executing a contract with Comtech for continued operation and maintenance of the state’s Next Generation 911 (“NG911”) system. The new contract will have an initial five-year term from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029, and includes one (1) option to renew for a five-year period through July 31, 2034. Including the option period, the total contract value could potentially exceed $250 m. Since 2014, Comtech has been developing, implementing and operating a secure, IP-based NG911 system for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The NG911 system processes emergency service requests from existing public networks through new and emerging modes of communications and devices. Built on a secure cloud architecture, the Comtech NG911 system provides superior reliability, redundancy, and sustainability to accommodate emergency communications for the state.
22 May 24. DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (DroneShield or the Company) is pleased to announce it has received a repeat order of A$5.7m from a U.S. Government customer for a number of its C-UxS (Counter-UxS) systems. C-UxS refers to counterdrone systems targeting multi-domain aerial, ground and maritime surface drones. The delivery, involving multiple DroneShield product lines, is expected to be completed in several stages throughout the remainder of the year.
21 May 24. iDirect Government (iDirectGov), a leading provider of satellite communications to the U.S. military and government, has won a contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to build an operational 5G co-channel interference mitigation solution prototype, leveraging iDirectGov’s leading Communication Signal Interference Removal (CSIR™) technology. The award builds momentum for the recently established iDirectGov Engineering Center of Excellence where iDirectGov specialized engineers work on the most advanced, secure and resilient satellite ground systems and functionality. iDirectGov’s 5G co-channel solution will mitigate interference for DIU mission partners, providing a critical capability to Department of Defense (DOD) users who experience 5G co-channel interference. This solution is an extension of iDirectGov’s CSIR technology that delivers uninterrupted secure communications on any radio frequency to government users, allowing them to thwart electronic warfare challenges.
22 May 24. Lockheed Martin Space, Littleton, Colorado is awarded a not-to-exceed $99,000,000, cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost-plus-fixed-fee unpriced letter contract modification (PH0043) to a previously awarded contract (N00030-22-C-1025) to provide systems engineering, test planning, and long lead material in support of missile production. Work will be performed in Denver, Colorado (63%); Huntsville, Alabama (6%); Sunnyvale, California (7%); Michoud, Louisiana (2%); Stennis, Mississippi (1%); East Aurora, New York (9%); and various other locations (less than 1% each, 12% total). Work is expected to be completed Feb. 2, 2027, once the contract is definitized. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $29,680,000; and fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $18,830,000 will be obligated on this award for an overall total of $48,510,000. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded to the contractor 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.
17 May 24. Lockheed Martin Space, Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $756,807,861 modification (PZ0014) to contract W31P4Q-23-C-0008 for Long Range Hypersonic Weapon ground support equipment. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2028. Fiscal 2023 missile procurement, Army funds in the amount of $275,270,424 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
17 May 24. Mistral Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, is being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H9240324D0003) which has a maximum value of $73,552,208 and a minimum ordering guarantee of $5,000. Mistral Inc. is a small woman owned business and is being awarded a contract for GOLAM II munitions, spares, engineering change proposals, new equipment training, conversion from organic precision fires–mounted to medium range precision strike system and field service representative in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The work will be performed in Bethesda, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by May 16, 2029. This contract was awarded through other than full and open competition (Sole Source) via 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
SEA
23 May 24. Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wisconsin, is awarded a $1,044,529,113 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-20-C-2300) to exercise options for detail design and construction of two Constellation-class guided-missile frigates, FFG 66 and FFG 67. Work will be performed in Marinette, Wisconsin (51%); Camden, New Jersey (17%); Chicago, Illinois (7%); Green Bay, Wisconsin (4%); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (3%); Hauppauge, New York (3%); Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (3%); Cincinnati, Ohio (3%); Kaukauna, Wisconsin (2%); Charlotte, North Carolina (2%); Bethesda, Maryland (2%); Millersville, Maryland (2%); and Atlanta, Georgia (1%), and is expected to be completed by April 2030. Fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,044,529,113 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
20 May 24. Australian autonomous vessel developer Ocius has announced it has sold two of its Bluebottle USVs to United States prime contractor ThayerMahan, signing a teaming agreement to continue collaborating with the company on the development of its passive array system. Under the agreement, the US prime contractor will acquire two Bluebottles from Australian autonomous solutions provider Ocius for AU$2.4m, with Ocius helping to deploy the capabilities off the coast of Connecticut for marine mammal monitoring. The announcement comes as Ocius demonstrated two of its Bluebottle USVs off the US West Coast, with Bluebottle Bonnie operating in San Diego Harbour undertaking intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities and Bluebottle Beth operating 15 nautical miles off the coast. Beth utilised the ThayerMahan Outpost passive array system throughout the test activity, with both vessels relying on renewable energy across the five days. The announcement came as the Royal Australian Navy accepted delivery of their sixth Bluebottle system, BB706. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
21 May 24. DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences for Phase 1B of SPRINT programme. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Aurora Flight Sciences to move into the next phase of the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) programme, the company announced on 20 May, with a USD25 m contract modification. The SPRINT programme is intended to result in an experimental vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) craft capable of reaching jet-like speeds. SPRINT’s Phase 1B is meant to advance designs from conceptual design review through preliminary design review, in which designers detail the component parts and specifications needed for the design. DARPA selected four companies for Phase 1A of the programme in November 2023: Aurora Flight Sciences, Bell Helicopters, Northrop Grumman, and Piasecki Aircraft Corporation. The agency declined to specify whether additional competitors besides Aurora Flight Sciences were selected for Phase 1B. SPRINT seeks designs capable of lifting off vertically from unprepared surfaces and cruising between 400 and 450 kt at up to 30,000 ft altitude with a 5,000 lb payload, according to the programme’s initial solicitation. The programme was tendered in co-operation with US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). (Source: Janes)
22 May 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) was awarded a $94,808,020 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research, development, test, and evaluation of Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Smart Sensor Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) prototype. The work was awarded by the Army Contracting Command on April 30, 2024, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2026. The Smart Sensor System is being developed by the Chief Digital AI Office (CDAO) with a goal of creating a platform-agnostic AI and autonomy system that enables autonomous surveillance and reconnaissance operations in contested environments, as well as being able to communicate with other platforms.
22 May 24. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the next design phase of its autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, as part of the AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program.
- DARPA’s ANCILLARY Phase 1b air vehicle design and system technology maturation award will have a 10-month period of performance to increase modeling fidelity, perform critical subsystems testing, and reduce key technical risks.
- Northrop Grumman will leverage its industry-leading expertise in the development and integration of autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems and highly efficient long-endurance aircraft to advance its ANCILLARY air vehicle design for DARPA.
- One step closer to building a flight demonstrator, in this phase Northrop Grumman will lead a collaborative team, including Leigh Aerosystems and Near Earth Autonomy, to meet project goals and transition an affordable near-term capability to the warfighter community.
22 May 24. Preligens, the global leader in Geospatial Artificial Intelligence for Aerospace, Defense and Government, was awarded a new contract to provide AI analytics software on high volumes of government satellite imagery. This award by a new leading Asia Pacific customer is another proof point of Preligens’ cutting-edge AI analytics performance and further advances the expansion and internationalization of the company’s customer base. This award is a new milestone in Preligens’ continued growth path, that will allow the company to become the first Aerospace, Defense and Government AI pure player to reach critical mass and profitability in Europe. (Source: PR Newswire)
23 May 24. Rolls-Royce wins contract for US military’s nuke-proof ‘doomsday plane.’ Rolls-Royce has been chosen to supply technology for a new version of the American military aircraft nicknamed the “Doomsday plane” for its ability to survive a nuclear blast. The engineering giant is joining a group of aerospace companies working on the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project, which aims to develop a successor to the US Air Force’s E-4B planes – militarised versions of the Boeing 747-200 jumbo jet that have been in service since the 1970s. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
23 May 24. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $227,350,165 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide depot level repairs, logistics support, sustainment engineering, software support, integration support, failure analysis, configuration management, technical data, diminishing manufacturing sources, and material shortages management, training, field support, spares predictions, ordnance assessment, reliability, and management of government property to support AIM-9X and AIM-9X Block II missile sustainment efforts for the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (93%); Cheshire, Connecticut (3%); Indianapolis, Indiana (2%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (2%) and is expected to be completed in May 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001924D0114).
TECHNOLOGY
17 May 24. The Department of Defense announced today a $20m award to South32 via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program. The award is for South32’s Hermosa Project, which will sustainably produce battery-grade manganese in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. This award also supports the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy to continue and expand support for domestic production to increase supply chain resilience. Manganese is an essential material used in batteries for DoD and civilian applications. DPA funds will enable the company to accelerate the Hermosa Project to deliver ore up to two years earlier than originally planned. Upon successful completion of this effort, South32 will be the first sustainable, domestic producer of battery-grade manganese. This is the latest of 16 awards made by the DPAI program across multiple areas totaling $356m since the beginning of fiscal year 2024. DPAI is overseen by the ASD(IBP)’s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) program, in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
21 May 24. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it was selected by the Canadian Armed Forces to deploy counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) that will defeat uncrewed aerial vehicle threats, including small drones, which have increasingly become more sophisticated and deadly. As part of the contract, CACI will provide dismounted omnidirectional systems (DODS) that are easy to field quickly and ready for use. The company’s counter-uncrewed technology suite, SkyTracker®, includes integrated platforms that are low in size, weight, and power (SWaP); fixed, mounted, and dismounted; and operationally proven against a wide range of threats. Specifically, Canadian soldiers will employ a critical man-packable component of CACI’s SkyTracker suite called BEAMTM as part of their layered defense solution to detect, track, and defeat drone threats. CACI’s counter-uncrewed technologies are developed and fielded based on decades of operational experience and are supported by top engineers, analysts, operators, and maintainers who are focused on the operator’s safety and security, and the mission’s overall success. (Source: ASD Network)
23 May 24. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that it was awarded a contract to supply systems to an international customer, in an amount of approximately $260m. The contract will be performed over a period of 2 years.
21 May 24. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today, further to the report in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 28, 2024, that it was awarded a group of contracts in an aggregate amount of approximately $760m for the supply of ammunitions to the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD). The contracts will be performed over a period of two years. As previously reported by the Company, since the beginning of the Swords of Iron war, Elbit Systems has experienced a material increased demand for its products and solutions from the IMOD compared to the demand levels prior to the war. Subject to further developments, which are difficult to predict, the IMOD’s increased demand for the Company’s products and solutions may continue and could generate material additional orders to the Company.
23 May 24. Cuashub.com said today that Visionary Machines Wins Multi-Domain Counter Drone Contract. Visionary Machines has been awarded an innovation contract to develop their PandionTM multi-domain Counter Drone and Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Passive 3D Multispectral Perception Sensor technology following a winning submission to Army Innovation Day 2023. This Australian Department of Defence initiative, in collaboration with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and the Australian Army, aims to challenge the industry to solve complex problems for the Land Forces. Visionary Machines successfully secured a Phase 2 Technology Demonstration contract, applicable across all C-RAS capability themes: Counter Aerial, Counter Ground, Counter Littoral, and Riverine RAS. https://cuashub.com/en/content/visionary-machines-wins-multi-domain-counter-drone-contract/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–gk6eZ-swsZIqpXIHaDZRWb6VWrXeBQicWQT0SqwqaC3U129OPeSHnFsis2swkgNyeGW66fMPck65DMDO4RYFtsH7OEpZ9HxZCVgM_WVEqatsOFfY&_hsmi=308397680&utm_content=308397680&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
SEA
23 May 24. Thailand announces USD77.6m upgrade for Pattani-class OPVs. Thailand has announced plans to carry out a major upgrade programme for its two Pattani-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). An announcement on this was released by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) via its official website on 17 May under a section on procurement plans. While the service has not given specific details of what the upgrade programme would entail, the work across the two vessels would cost THB2.83bn (USD77.6m), according to the announcement. The RTN’s two Pattani-class OPVs, HTMS Pattani and HTMS Narathiwat, were commissioned in December 2005 and April 2006 respectively. Pattani was laid down in 2003 by China’s Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai while Narathiwat was laid down by the same shipbuilder in 2004. The class displaces about 1,400 tonnes at full load and has an overall length of about 95.5 m with an overall beam of 11.6 m. (Source: Janes)
20 May 24. The United Arab Emirates’ coast guard has signed a €400m (U.S. $435m) deal to acquire 10 offshore patrol vessels from both a domestic defense conglomerate and an Italian shipbuilder, the companies announced Monday. The deal follows the creation of a joint venture in February between the UAE’s Edge Group and Italy’s Fincantieri. The companies will produce the 51-meter-long vessels as upgraded versions of Saettia-class ships, a type Fincantieri previously supplied to the Italian coast guard. Edge Group holds a 51% stake in the joint venture, dubbed Maestral, but is leaning on Fincantieri’s shipbuilding expertise. The firms announced in February that they would market vessels to non-NATO countries. (Source: Defense News)
AIR
23 May 24. Quaze Technologies and Rheinmetall Canada sign contract to take Drone Swarm Tactical OverWatch (DSTOW™) to the next stage of development. Quaze Technologies, a Canada-based technology company building solutions to recharge any robot anywhere without human intervention and the creator of wide-surface wireless power transfer, has signed a contract with Rheinmetall Canada to progress the innovative Drone Swarm Tactical OverWatch (DSTOW™) from concept stage to product development. Mounted on the Rheinmetall Mission Master CXT Uncrewed Ground System (UGS), the DSTOW™ capability will see Quaze integrate its wide-surface wireless power transfer technology to make truly autonomous drone operations a reality. Following a successful joint demonstration showcasing the DSTOW™ capability at DSEi 23, Quaze and Rheinmetall Canada have now elevated their collaboration, moving the capability from a compelling concept to a fully operational product. Since its introduction at DSEi 23, DSTOW™ has captured the attention of defence specialists and technologists alike, promising a new era of persistent, autonomous surveillance and target acquisition. The forward-thinking demonstrator is now set to become an integral part of defence capabilities, enhancing the operational effectiveness of military forces globally.
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