EUROPE
LAND
09 Oct 18. WiSENT Engineer Vehicle For Norway. The Norwegian procurement authority NDMA has placed an order with FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG) valued €45m of WiSENT 2 engineer vehicle to be delivered between 2019 and 2021. Three years ago, Norway ordered six WiSENT 2 armoured recovery vehicles, which were handed over to the Norwegian armed forces ahead of sche- dule. WiSENT 2 is a multi-purpose armoured support vehicle on the chassis of the Leopard 2 main battle tank, which can be flexible configured for different tasks − in this case recovery and engineer tanks. The WiSENT 2 pioneer tank is highly digitised and will be delivered with the Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) system from Kongsberg already installed in the Norwegian WiSENT 2 armoured recovery vehicle, a powerful excavator and clearing system as well as FFG’s new Auxiliary Power Booster (ABP) as a replacement for the previously diesel-powered auxiliary power units (APU). As a lithium battery solution, the APB offers a genuine “silent watch”, as the system operates completely noiseless and emission-free. For self-protection, all Norwegian WiSENT 2s will be equipped with Kongsberg’s remote-controlled Nordic Phase 1 weapon station. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
SEA
11 Oct 18. French companies Naval Group and ECA Group have entered a technological and commercial partnership to provide unmanned mine-hunting solutions for Belgian and Dutch naval forces. The first practical application was completed as part of the consultation response launched by Belgium for a Dutch cooperation established for the delivery of 12 new mine hunters. Under the partnership, Naval Group and ECA Group will focus on developing and promoting an offer of military mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels integrating drones, sonars, mine sweep and remotely operated systems. The new mine hunting solution will be able to address emerging threats and progress technology in the areas of staff, equipment, interoperability, organisation, concepts, doctrine, as well as infrastructure and logistics. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
11 Oct 18. The Spanish Ministry of Defence has selected the Aeronautics Orbiter 3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to help monitor its forces’ bases during overseas missions. The Israeli company was up against the Fulmar, designed by Thales’ Spanish arm, but its Madrid-based distributor, Aicox Soluciones, confirmed on 8 October that Aeronautics had won the EUR3.1m (USD3.6m) deal. The Orbiter 3 was tested by Spain’s Brigada de la Legion at the beginning of 2018 as part of the country’s ongoing Rapaz UAV trials programme. The contract will cover two systems comprising three UAVs each, with logistical support provided by Aicox Soluciones. The Orbiter 3 was specially designed for the intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role that the Spanish are seeking to protect their troops on overseas missions. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
08 Oct 18. The Spanish Ministry of Defence (MOD) and TAURUS Systems GmbH (TSG) signed a contract on 26th of September in Madrid for an upgrade and maintenance of the operational capability of the TAURUS KEPD 350 Weapon System used by the Spanish Air Force. The contract value is just below 30 Euros. The TAURUS KEPD 350 has been in the inventory of the Spanish Air force for 10 years. It is today operated on the EF-18 fighter Aircraft. The advanced stand-off missile TAURUS KEPD 350 provides, with its very long range and a unique intelligent warhead, an important strategic and tactical advantage to the Spanish Armed forces. It is optimized for attacking deep buried bunkers, infrastructure and aerial targets even in anti-access and area denied environments. As part of the contract the operational capability of the Spanish TAURUS will be updated by robustification and improvement of the navigation system. This will increase the survivability considerably beyond the original configuration. With the update, the Weapon System is prepared for highly defended modern scenarios and joint operations environments. The project will start immediately.
USA
LAND
08 Oct 18. BAE Systems has received an order to provide 18 additional M777 155mm Ultra Lightweight Howitzers to the U.S. Army under a new contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This order builds on the more than 1,000 M777 gun systems already in service with the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as logistical support contracts received from the DoD. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
05 Oct 18. General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $366,852,050 modification (0002 04) to contract W56HZV-17-D-B020 for upgrade of Stryker flat-bottom vehicles to the Double V-Hull Engineering Change Proposal 1 configuration. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement of weapons and tracked vehicle funds in the amount of $366,852,050 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
05 Oct 18. General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $24,957,920 modification (0001 19) to contract W56HZV-17-D-B020 for upgrade of Stryker flat-bottom vehicles to the Double V-Hull Engineering Change Proposal 1 configuration. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement of weapons and tracked vehicle funds in the amount of $24,957,920 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
08 Oct 18. The United States Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract modification to insert Gallium Nitride (GaN) into the AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) radar as part of the full rate production configuration Lockheed Martin is providing for the Army. The Q-53 is the most modern radar in the U.S. Army inventory and has the flexible architecture to address aircraft, drone and other threats in the future. The transition to GaN will provide the Q-53 with additional power for capabilities including long-range counterfire target acquisition. GaN has the added benefit of increasing system reliability and reducing lifecycle ownership costs.
AIR
10 Oct 18. Blue Origin LLC, Kent, Washington, has been awarded a $500,000,000 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the New Glenn launch system. Work will be performed in Kent, Washington; Huntsville, Alabama; and Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, with launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The work is expected to be completed by July 31, 2024. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $500,000,000. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0001).
10 Oct 18. General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $250,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract (FA8650-19-D-2057) for Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission-Capability (ATTAM) Phase I. The mission of the ATTAM Phase I program is to develop, demonstrate, and transition advanced turbine propulsion, power and thermal technologies that provides improvement in affordable mission capability. This approach extends to a range of legacy, emerging, and future military propulsion, power and thermal technology needs in multiple applications. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by October 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 54 offers were received. No specific funds are obligated on the basic IDIQ, although in conjunction with the basic IDIQ award, the first task order (FA8650-19-F-2087) is incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $25,000 at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
08 Oct 18. L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) announced today that it has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract valued at up to $454m from the U.S. Army for the next-generation WESCAM MX™-10D electro-optical/infrared and laser designator (EO/IR/LD) sensor suite. These modernized ISR systems operate from the Army’s Tactical Unmanned Air Systems Shadow UAV (RQ-7Bv2) and provide an advanced capability to collect critical information for use by all members of an air-ground maneuver team. This is a five-year contract, with an option for the U.S. Army to extend for an additional five years. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
05 Oct 18. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $390,792,959 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) lot 16 production for 360 JASSM-extended range, three foreign military sales (FMS) separation text vehicles, one FMS flight test vehicle-live fire and tooling and test equipment. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This award uses fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds and FMS funds. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8682-19-C-0009).
10 Oct 18. Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Arizona, has been awarded a $791,601,015 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the OmegA launch system. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona; Magna and Promontory, Utah; Iuka, Mississippi; West Palm Beach, Florida; Sandusky, Ohio; and Michoud, Louisiana, with launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $791,601,015. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0002).
10 Oct 18. United Launch Services, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $967,000,000 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the Vulcan Centaur launch system. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado; and Decatur, Alabama, with launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2025. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $967,000,000. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0003).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
08 Oct 18. Indra Australia has been selected to design and manufacture a level 2 deployable forensic lab to be procured as part of LAND 154 Phase 2 in a deal worth $36m. The system supplied by Indra, will equip the Army with an advanced capability that has not previously been configured in similar systems, providing them with leading-edge technology to collect, analyse and document evidence from any IED incident. The system will be used primarily by the Australian Army to provide a forensic support capability for a range of roles including Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (CIED). While providing the Australian Army with state-of-the-art capability, the project has focused on maximising local industrial content. Accordingly, over 90 per cent of the contract will be executed by established Australian equipment manufacturers and distributors. Daronmont Technologies has been selected, as a local South Australian company, for the critical role of manufacturing the laboratory shelters to the exacting operational, environmental and technical specifications required by the Commonwealth. During contract execution, Indra will transfer the appropriate technology to ensure that the systems can be maintained and sustained entirely and independently in Australia. Indra will be responsible for the delivery of key know-how gained from the delivery of similar deployed systems to clients worldwide, including the European Defence Agency; Indra’s first laboratory was deployed in Afghanistan from 2011-2014. (Source: Defence Connect)
09 Oct 18. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) won a contract for conversion of Caterpillar Dozers into autonomous dozers that will be commissioned for complex engineering tasks in threaten areas. This is a significant military robotics contract reflecting the preparations undertaken for the challenges posed by the future battlefield, IAI said. The new autonomous system mounted on the Caterpillar Dozer’s, belongs to a family of robotic solutions developed by IAI. It incorporates the company’s robotic technology, which can be integrated in a range of platforms based on the customer’s operational needs. The new autonomous dozer provides various degrees of autonomy including movement and earthworks for a range of applications: construction, trail blazing in hard off-road conditions and the removal of large or suspicious obstacles efficient and without risking human lives. The system is fitted with object detection and avoidance capabilities and is designed to work in all weather and visibility conditions. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
08 Oct 18. Triple-digit million euro contract for Rheinmetall — international customer orders components for manufacturing Fuchs/Fox armoured vehicles. An international customer has ordered components for manufacturing the Fuchs/Fox 2 wheeled armoured vehicle. The order is worth a figure in the three-digit million euro range. Delivery of the components will take place during the 2019-2020 timeframe. This contract has special significance for Rheinmetall’s Kassel plant, birthplace of the battle-tested 6×6 vehicle. To date, some 1,400 Fuchs/Fox vehicles have been built. The armed forces of numerous nations have multiple variants of the vehicle in their inventories, including an armoured personnel carrier, a mobile tactical operations centre, a field ambulance, and an NBC reconnaissance vehicle. The German Bundeswehr has fielded multiple versions ever since 1979, having deployed over 100 Fuchs/Fox 1 vehicles in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Deriving from it, the Fuchs/Fox 2 is an advanced version of the system, featuring (among other things) a larger fighting compartment, a more powerful engine, updated running gear, improved survivability and digital vehicle electronics. The Bundeswehr is also modernizing part of its Fuchs/Fox 1 fleet. The most advanced version, the Fuchs/Fox 1A8, delivers considerably better protection against landmines and IEDs than its predecessors, coupled with enhanced ballistic protection. Among the principal modifications of the Fuchs/Fox 1A8 are structural changes to the hull, new seating and seat suspension slings in the fighting compartment in order to keep the troops’ feet off the floor, plus reinforced wheel housings, doors and window frames as well as additional storage compartments and a reinforced exterior. In all, Rheinmetall will bring 272 Bundeswehr Fuchs/Fox vehicles up to current 1A8 standard by the end of 2020. Furthermore, Rheinmetall offers an even more advanced version of the vehicle, the “1A8 Plus”, which has a new drive unit, a new transfer case, a new brake system, an improved steering system as well as monitoring and camera visualization systems. This makes the Fuchs/Fox 1A8 Plus even more manoeuvrable in off-road terrain and considerably easier to handle. These measures will make it possible to keep using the Fuchs/Fox even beyond the year 2030.
AIR
05 Oct 18. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $242,109,170 modification (P00021) to foreign military sales (United Arab Emirates) contract W58RGZ-16-C-0023 for the remanufacture of eight, and procurement of nine new-build Apache AH-64E aircraft. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2023. Fiscal 2010 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $242,109,170 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
05 Oct 18. Canada seeks $300m sale of King Air 350ER ISR aircraft from US. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale of King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Canada. Estimated to cost $300m, the proposed sale has been requested by the Government of Canada and approved by the US State Department. Under the proposed deal, Canada has requested three King Air 350ER aircraft with customer unique post-modifications for ISR operations, in addition to three WESCAM MX-15D electro-optical and infrared imaging sensors, and three AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser systems. Other items include three VORTEX Dual RF Ku LOS transceivers, three COMSEC Modules (KGV-135A), two APM-424(V)5 transponder test sets, and six ARC-210 multi-mode voice and data transceivers. Focused on supporting the US foreign policy and national security objectives, the potential deal will help enhance the military capability of Canada and increase its interoperability with US forces and other regional allies. The sale includes spare parts, equipment for communication, navigation equipment, and ground support, as well as other associated elements of logistics and programme support. Canada will use the equipment to defend against threats, support coalition partners overseas, and enhance its homeland and combined North American defence. Textron Aviation brand Beechcraft will serve as the principal contractor for the proposed sale. In February, the US State Department approved an estimated $259m potential sale of four King Air 350ER ISR aircraft to Kuwait with enhanced PT6A-67A engines and one engine spare. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
11 Oct 18. China to Sell 48 Wing Loon UAS to Pakistan. China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its “all-weather ally” Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media reported on Tuesday. The cost of the deal was not revealed. Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, state-run Global Times reported. (Source: UAS VISION/Money Control)