EUROPE
SEA
16 Aug 17. QinetiQ has signed a £4.5m contract to lead phase four of the Maritime Autonomous Platform Exploitation (MAPLE) project for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The MAPLE project, spearheaded by QinetiQ in partnership with BAE Systems, SeeByte and Thales, seeks to demonstrate and de-risk the integration of multiple unmanned systems into the combat system of a Royal Navy warship. In MAPLE phase three, QinetiQ, with its partners, led the development and build of a technology demonstrator called Autonomous Control Exploitation Realisation (ACER), a deployable prototype which is based on Dstl’s Open Architecture Combat System (OACS). ACER provides the means by which the output of MAPLE work can be effectively demonstrated in a variety of situations. Phase four will continue to evolve this design, validate its architecture and extend it to include communications. Advances in capability will be demonstrated through a series of synthetic experiments at QinetiQ’s Portsdown site and a number of live exercises. The project will build on the success of Unmanned Warrior 2016, which saw the successful integration of data sourced from 25 unmanned air, surface and underwater vehicles from 12 organisations through ACER.
AIR
15 Aug 17. CAE has subcontracted Rockwell Collins to deliver visual display systems for the French Air Force’s Formation Modernisée et Entrainement Différencié des Equipages de Chasse (FOMEDEC) programme. FOMEDEC is the French training programme that seeks to train future French Air Force fighter pilots and weapon systems officers. CAE was originally awarded a contract by Babcock France in January to support pilot training for the French Air Force. Under the subcontract, Rockwell will supply two Spectraview visual display systems for integration on the French Air Force’s Pilatus PC-21 simulators. CAE will integrate the systems into its facility in Montreal, Canada, with the final installation in France. The deal also covers providing training for maintaining and operating the systems, as well as spares. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
USA
LAND
14 Aug 17. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been named prime contractor of U.S. Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) next-generation logistics and sustainment support program. The Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services (SOF GLSS) program is the competitive follow-on contract to the Special Operations Forces Contractor Logistics Support Services (SOF CLSS) contract awarded in 2010 and managed by Lockheed Martin. SOF GLSS is USSOCOM’s largest service contract vehicle, providing the full scope of logistics services required to support the U.S. Special Operations community. It is a 10-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with an $8bn ceiling. Under the SOF GLSS contract, U.S. Special Operations Forces will receive a wide variety of advanced logistics, maintenance and sustainment services across aviation, ground and maritime platforms. In addition, the Lockheed Martin SOF GLSS team will provide USSOCOM with total global logistics support services.
USSOCOM’s Program Executive Office for Special Operations Forces Support Activity oversees the contract. Lockheed Martin will continue to execute day-to-day activities and conduct sustainment and life cycle management of:
• Global supply chain of parts, warehouses and depots;
• Aircraft, vehicle and equipment repair, maintenance and modifications; and
• Critical infrastructure support and business process transformation
16 Aug 17. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been awarded a maximum $26,107,953 firm-fixed-price contract for various motor vehicle parts and accessories. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S Code 2304 (c)(1). This is a three-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Maximum dollar amount is for the life of the contract, including options. Location of performance is Wisco