UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
25 Oct 18. Thales has won a £93m order for Starstreak missiles from the Ministry of Defence. French-owned Thales, a defence and aerospace firm, said the deal would protect the jobs of 100 workers at its Northern Ireland operation. The equipment will be used by the Army and Royal Marines. (Source: Google/BBC)
SEA
24 Oct 18. The joint Raytheon Anschütz/Terma naval radar solution selected for the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ships recently obtained the important IMO certificate. The Terma and Raytheon Anschütz certified solution comprises Terma’s world-leading SCANTER radar and Raytheon Naval Radar NX software, the latest in tactical navigation software. This solution enables customers to operate any radar-related task from navigation to missions such as SAR, policing, surveillance, and more. One of the key benefits is that the solution can be used for both high resolution 360° navigation and situation awareness radar, which helps to save space, cost, and training efforts for the customer. In 2015, Terma was selected by Raytheon Anschütz to supply the SCANTER radars of the type 6000 for the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ships. Raytheon Anschütz is selected by BAE Systems to provide the Integrated Navigation and Bridge System (INBS) including radar sensors. Terma supplies two SCANTER 6000 radars for each vessel including trackers and 12 feet compact antennas plus a land-based test site. Raytheon Anschütz is under contract to deliver the Integrated Bridge and Navigation System for the first three ships, including customer-specific design and development, a land-based integration facility, and a wide range of services up to completion of sea trials.
AIR
21 Oct 18. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of H-47 Chinook (Extended Range) Helicopters to the UK. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the Congress that the Government of United Kingdom has requested a possible sale of sixteen (16) H-47 Chinook (Extended Range) helicopters; thirty-six (36) T-55-GA-714A engines (32 installed, 4 spares); forty-eight (48) embedded GPS inertial navigation units (32 installed, 16 spares); twenty (20) common missile warning systems (16 installed, 4 spares); twenty-two (22) radio-frequency countermeasures (16 installed, 6 ); nineteen (19) multi-mode radars (16 installed, 3 spares); nineteen (19) electro-optical sensor systems (16 installed, 3 spares); forty (40) M-134D-T mini guns, plus mounts and tools (32 installed, 8 spares); and forty (40) M240H machine guns, plus mounts and tools (32 installed, 8 spares). This sale also includes communications equipment; navigation equipment; aircraft survivability equipment; initial training equipment and services; synthetic training equipment; support package including spares and repair parts; special tools and test equipment; aviation ground support equipment; safety and air worthiness certification; technical support; maintenance support; technical and aircrew publications; mission planning system equipment and support; and, project management and governance; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistic and program support. Total estimated cost is $3.5bn. The principal contractor of this sale will be Boeing Defense and Space, Ridley Park, PA. There is no known offset agreement associated with this proposed sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
TECHNOLOGY
25 Oct 18. Cohort, the independent technology group, is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, MASS Consultants Ltd (“MASS”), has been selected as preferred bidder for an eight-year contract valued at over £50m, following a highly competitive tender process. The contract award remains subject to final negotiation and MOD approval. Under the proposed contract, MASS will provide in-service support for the UK Ministry of Defence (“MOD”), including operational analysis studies, IT infrastructure management, modelling and simulation and software engineering. This is a continuation of work undertaken by MASS since 2000. The contract is expected to run from April 2019 until March 2027 with a break point in March 2023. It also includes four optional one-year extension periods that, if exercised, could extend the contract until 2031.
EUROPE
LAND
22 Oct 18. The sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT will modernise the Austro Control surveillance landscape in Austria. The contract awarded includes the delivery of two high-performance radar systems, which guarantee not only reliable detection offered by the new “Mode S” air traffic control standard, but also safe management of air traffic even in the “radar shadow” of wind farms. If you take into account the radar systems already delivered, HENSOLDT has now equipped the entire surveillance landscape in Austria.
24 Oct 18. Meprolight (1990) Ltd. , a member of the SK Group and a leading manufacturer of electro-optical systems, thermal and night vision equipment, self-illuminated sights, and Laser Range Finder systems for military, law enforcement and civil applications – was awarded a contract to supply a follow-on order of its field-proven MEPRO M5 sights and MEPRO MINIMON (L) multifunctional night vision monoculars to a Western European Federal Police Force Special Unit. The advanced and unique capabilities of these high quality sights – much appreciated by satisfied customers – make them ideally suited to the needs of these special police units. Among their features are a ruggedized design that withstands extreme weather and conditions, their light weight, low power consumption enabling extended operation time while requiring only a single AA commercial battery and featuring a unique power-saving system extending operating time without compromising target acquisition.
25 Oct 18. Mercedes-Benz LAPV For Montenegro. The German Government has handed over six LAPV 6.1 (Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle) − called Enok in the Bundeswehr − worth €2.2m to the Republic of Montenegro. The vehicles produced by Mercedes-Benz in cooperation with ACS with a gross vehicle weight of 6.1 tons will be powered by a 135 kW diesel engine. A free payload of at least one tonne is available for mission equipment. With its outstanding bad-road characteristics, the LAPV is suitable for use under the most difficult conditions. The light ballistic protection covers fire with infantry ammunition and against threats from anti-personnel mines or IEDs. A payload of one tonne might be added. Montenegro became a member of NATO in June 2017 and is a candidate for accession to the European Union. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
24 Oct 18. Saab Receives Latvian Order for Carl-Gustaf Ammunition. Saab has received an order from the Latvian Ministry of Defense for Carl-Gustaf® ammunition. The total order value is MSEK 170. The order is placed under a Framework Agreement signed with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration where Latvia has the possibility to place orders on grenade ammunition from Saab. The Armed Forces of Latvia has been a user of the Carl-Gustaf weapon system for more than 20 years. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
23 Oct 18. The French Navy has awarded a contract to Atos to deliver the latest generation of electromagnetic speed logs for installation on ships. Known as the LMN6, the speed measurement solution will provide the navy with a tool that complies with Information Systems Security (ISS) standards and will help meet the operational maintenance needs. The new generation of electromagnetic speed log helps measure the ships’ speed more accurately and securely support the digital transition of combat ships, while remaining compatible with previous versions. Equipped with two-speed sensors (single or double axis), the LMN6 will be able to measure longitudinal and transversal speeds, as well as transmit speed, distance information and ensure continuity. (Source: naval-technology.com)
24 Oct 18. CONTROP Precision Technologies Ltd., a company specializing in the field of Electro-Optics (EO) and InfraRed (IR) defense and homeland security solutions – provides Latvian Navy the iSea-30HD system to enhance the Navy’s maritime surveillance capabilities. The system was designed for various maritime vessels and is already in operational use by the Latvian Navy as well as other navies worldwide. The iSea-30HD features a unique, cutting-edge stabilization system that enables a stable, continuous and uninterrupted line-of-sight (LOS) – ensuring a very clear picture- even in the roughest of seas. This robust system withstands the harshest environmental conditions including fog, salinity, and moisture. Offering a full solution for naval maritime operations, the iSea-30HD easily interfaces with other onboard systems, including the vessel’s radar system providing slew-to-cue functionality. The system comprises the payload electronics box, a Control Unit (CU), a display, DVR and UPS. As part of the contract, CONTROP provided the Latvian Navy a complete ILS package, including training, operator and technical manuals and spare parts.
24 Oct 18. Naval Group and ECA Group signed the letter of intent for a contract worth more than €12m for the supply of equipment (electric propulsion and variable speed drives), as well as associated spare parts, for submarines 5 and 6 of the Barracuda program, led by French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA). The contract will run for 53-month period and will end in 2023. Resulting from contracts successfully completed for the first four submarines of the program (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, Tourville and De Grasse), this contract reinforces the position of ECA Group as supplier of electrical solutions for submarines and secures the supply of important equipment for the Barracuda program. ECA Group’s recent commercial successes in this sector, both in France and abroad (see press release of 06/18/2018) position ECA Group for next tenders of the future 3rd generation nuclear ballistic missile submarines and the Australian submarines programs. Paris, 24 October 2018, 6:00pm Compatible with any type of sub
AIR
25 Oct 18. Belgium has officially selected the F-35 as its next-generation fighter, becoming the 13th country to join the program, the Belgian government announced Thursday. With that decision, Lockheed Martin has defeated a bid by the governments of Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom for the Eurofighter Typhoon, as well as an informal offer by France for the Dassault Rafale and an option for Belgium to upgrade its existing F-16s. Belgium plans to buy 34 F-35As to replace F-16 inventory, which numbers about 54 jets. The U.S. State Department has already approved the deal, which has an estimated value of $6.5bn. (Source: Defense News)
USA
LAND
25 Oct 18. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a contract to AirBoss Defense for the production of extreme cold vapour barrier boots (ECVBBs). Under the deal, the company will manufacture up to 198,240 pairs of ECVBBs to be used by the US military in extreme cold weather environments. Comprising an initial base year and one option year, the indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract is expected to be valued up to an aggregate amount of $51.5m, assuming all pairs of boots are sold. Commonly known as bunny boots, the ECVBBs provide waterproof and mildew-resistant capabilities with encapsulated thermal insulation and extreme thermal ratings of -54°C (-65°F). Currently, the new barrier boots are manufactured in a total of 36 size options, with 13 different sizes available in three widths. AirBoss Defense has developed and produced the ECVBB that features an air valve design to relieve pressure when airborne. (Source: army-technology.com)
25 Oct 18. Blighter Surveillance Systems Ltd (www.blighter.com), a British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning (e-scan) radars and surveillance solutions, announced today that it is supplying its counter-UAV radar technology to Liteye Systems as part of a multi-million-dollar contract with the United States Department of Defense. Liteye is contracted to deliver numerous containerised anti-unmanned aircraft systems (known as C-AUDS) to the US Department of Defense by the end of the fourth quarter of 2018. See below the link to the contract announcement press release from Liteye Systems. Blighter is supplying its A400 series air security/drone detection radars to Liteye for the US Defense Department. The Blighter A400 series radars are modular non-rotating, electronic-scanning (e-scan) systems using power efficient PESA (passive electronically scanned array) and FMCW (frequency modulated continuous wave) technologies to provide reliable, small and slow drone detection even in complex environments.
22 Oct 18. Raytheon advances to ‘Extended Range’ TOW. The US Army has awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a USD21m contract, via the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC) mechanism, to develop a new insensitive munition (IM)-compliant rocket motor for the BGM-71 Tube-Launched, Optically-tracked Wireless-guided (TOW) Command Line of Sight (CLOS) heavy anti-armour missile. The DOTC contract deliverables provide for the development of an improved propulsion system to reach the demonstration phase over the next 36 months. Raytheon will work with Northrop Grumman to mature and integrate the new system with TOW 2; Northrop Grumman, in turn, will work with the US Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) to package the propulsion system with a more IM-compliant propellant, previously developed by Orbital ATK (now part of Northrop Grumman). (Source: IHS Jane’s)
SEA
19 Oct 18. Alion Science and Technology has secured a multiple-award contract (MAC) worth $794m from the US Department of Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport, Rhode Island. Under the agreement, the company will be responsible for development, construction and support of the US Navy’s unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) family of systems (FoS). The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract covers the delivery of systems and subsystems required to support the advancement of UUV FoS, including current and future UUV systems and subsystems. Under the project, Alion will support development of the US Navy UUVs, as well as fabrication, testing and delivery of rapid prototype material solutions associated with the products, systems, and subsystems. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
24 Oct 18. Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded an estimated $1,036,726,575 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for support of the following platforms: Ground Start Carts, C-130 Auxiliary Power Units (APU), B-2 APU, F-15 components, A-10 APU, E-3 APU, B-1 APU and F-16 turbine power units. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year, six-month base contract with one three-year option, and one three-year and six-month option period. Using military service is Air Force. Location of performance is Utah, with a July 31, 2028, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2029 Air Force working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPRPA1-18-D-001U).
19 Oct 18. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $62,016,768 cost-plus-incentive-fee option (P00012) to contract FA8675-16-C-0044 for the Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) program. This modification provides for the exercise of options for Phase 5 activities and foreign military sales (FMS) drawings for the form, fit and function refresh of the AMRAAM guidance section. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 21, 2020. This contract involves FMS to Norway, Turkey, Japan, Romania, and Australia. FMS funds in the amount of $6,072,542 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
TECHNOLOGY
19 Oct 18. Army makes more RS3 awards. The Army has made a second round of awards against its 10-year $34.5bn “RS3” contract vehicle for professional support services one year after the initial batch. This time around, the Army issued 198 awards for the first on-ramp of the massive Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services contract alongside the 55 made in the first cut. That comes out to 253 total awards so far after the latest group was announced in the Pentagon’s Thursday awards digest. Notably in the large business track, several large incumbents from RS3’s predecessor contracts were chosen for the on-ramp. That group includes CACI International, Leidos, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Science Applications International Corp. But just like with phase one, all is not lost for disappointed bidders that have not won a spot on this massive vehicle. An on-ramp is planned for year three of RS3 followed by another in year six. All RS3 awardees will vie for task orders for services to support C4ISR systems — command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The goal is to more rapidly support the lifecycles of those systems. RS3 is a consolidation of a pair of predecessor vehicles: Strategic Services Sourcing also known as S3, and Rapid Response – 3rd Generation that goes by the acronym R2-3G. (Source: Defense Systems)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
26 Oct 18. Melbourne-based specialist vehicles company Supacat Asia-Pacific has signed a partnership agreement with Rheinmetall for the design and manufacture of sub-systems for the Australian fleet of Boxer armoured vehicles. This follows Rheinmetall signing a multibillion-dollar LAND 400 Phase 2 contract with the Commonwealth government in August to deliver the armoured 8×8 cCRVs for the Australian Army, a nation-building project, producing high-tech, highly-skilled jobs and a capability that will protect Australian soldiers in combat. (Source: Defence Connect)
SEA
24 Oct 18. IAI wins USD777m contract to supply additional Barak-8 LRSAM systems for Indian Navy. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has secured a contract from Indian state-owned company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of additional air- and missile-defence systems for the Indian Navy (IN). The USD777m contract will see Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) systems being provided for seven IN vessels, the company announced on 24 October. IAI’s statement comes after BEL announced on 5 September that it had been awarded orders worth INR92bn (USD1.28bn) from two Indian shipyards to supply seven Barak-8 (also known as Barak LR) systems to be fitted onto an equal number of frigates currently under construction for the IN. BEL pointed out at the time that the orders were placed by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilder Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
25 Oct 18. Pakistan approves Nigerian JF-17 production. The Pakistani government’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a USD184.3m sovereign guarantee covering the production of three PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder fighters for Nigeria under a recently signed contract, the Pakistan Express Tribune reported on 24 October. This is the first confirmation from Pakistan that Abuja has signed a contract for the JF-17, although payments totalling NGN19.7bn (USD54bn) were put aside for the aircraft in Nigeria’s 2016 and 2018 budgets. (Source: IHS Jane’s)