EUROPE
LAND
10 Mar 16. General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited has been awarded £135m contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to provide enhanced Bowman tactical communications systems to the British Armed Forces. The BCIP5.6 contract will allow for the Bowman tactical communications equipment currently used by the UK military to receive a series of enhancements and upgrades. These include the roll-out of approximately 12,000 new data terminals and an updated version of the Battle Management System. The contract creates 50 new jobs as well as sustaining the jobs of 20 highly-skilled engineers at the General Dynamics UK’s headquarters in Oakdale, South Wales, with further roles being secured in the company’s wider supply chain.
SEA
09 Mar 16. Airbus to equip French Navy vessels with Comcept broadband communication system. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has contracted Airbus Defence and Space and Actia Telecom to equip its navy vessels with the Comcept broadband communication system. Comcept is an ‘all internet protocol’ (IP) technology broadband satellite communication network that complements DGA’s Syracuse satellite system with new satellite transmission capacities provided by the Ka band. The network comprises two redundant mission centres to manage the network and teleports, ensuring transfer of data between the satellite and terrestrial networks of the French Ministry of Defence. Under the contract, 17 French Navy vessels will be equipped with new navalised satcom terminals. The 17-year contract will also require Airbus to install teleports both in mainland France and in the territories overseas to ensure connection to the French Ministry of Defence’s terrestrial networks. Installation of Comcept on-board vessels will meet all satellite broadband needs within a global, unified system, the company said. DGA has selected Airbus Defence and Space to take responsibility of system engineering and the supply of network core equipment, as well as through-life support services. Actia Telecom, a Brittany SME specialised in satellite communications and supplier to the French Ministry of Defence, will provide engineering, integration and through-life support services for user ground stations. (Source: naval-technology.com)
USA
LAND
10 Mar 16. Avon Protection has received an order for 166,623 M50 respiratory protection mask systems from the US Department of Defense (DOD). The $42m order demonstrates the US DOD’s continued confidence and reliance on Avon to supply product of the highest quality and performance to protect its war fighters. With over 1,500,000 Avon M50 mask systems delivered to date to US military personnel, Avon is the dominant supplier of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear respiratory protection masks to the US military.
AIR
09 Mar 16. BAE Systems has been selected to provide critical survivability and situational awareness technology for the U.S. Air Force’s HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter. The company will supply its Identification Friend or Foe technology known as the AN/DPX-7 Reduced Size Transponder (RST) and its Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). These contracts mark the first time that a U.S. Air Force platform will benefit from the RST system and from CMWS, a highly automated and tightly integrated infrared countermeasures suite. (Source: Yahoo!/BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Mar 16. Lockheed Martin, Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $116,820,526 modification (P00007) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA8682-16-C-0005 for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program. Contractor will provide JASSM production, system upgrades, integration, sustainment, management and logistical support. Work will be performed at Troy, Alabama, and is expected to be complete by June 29, 2019. Fiscal 2016 missile procurement funds in the amount of $116,820,526 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycl