UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
23 Nov 18. Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL), the UK-based military technology company, has been awarded a 2.5-year in-service support contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) as the preferred supplier of Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) support and test solutions. The contract, which is valued at nearly £750K, renews MCL’s previous two-year contract with the MOD, which ran from 2016. Under the support contract, MCL will repair and maintain ECM capabilities and associated ancillaries that were designed, manufactured and delivered into services by MCL over the last 10 years. The contract will include support and testing for MCL’s specialist technical ECM capabilities, including:
- Secure Environmental Storage Units for ECM equipment. The units are designed with integrated thermoregulation to protect high powered, mission critical electronic equipment in hostile environments
- GPS timing devices that provide GPS to multiple ECM pieces of equipment in GPS denied environments. MCL supply and upgrade existing systems in line with the latest technologies
- ECM equipment test kits that include frequency exciters and spectrum analysers and confirm capabilities before deployment in hostile environments.
SEA
26 Nov 18. Rolls-Royce to supply MTU generator sets for Type 45 PIP. Rolls-Royce has confirmed a contract to supply 18 MTU Series 4000 diesel generator sets to BAE Systems as part of the Power Improvement Project (PIP) for the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Type 45 destroyers. The PIP implementation will see each ship receive three 3 MW-rated 20V 4000 M53B diesel alternators to increase electrical generation capacity on board. The 20V 4000 M53B is the same diesel power plant already specified for the RN’s new Type 26 City-class frigates. Designed to provide greater resilience in the Type 45 power and propulsion system, the PIP has been established to change the original integrated electric propulsion (IEP) architecture by installing upgraded diesel generators to increase the electrical generation capacity such that the system can deliver cruise speeds (covering the major part of the Type 45 operating profile) on diesels alone. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
TECHNOLOGY
26 Nov 18. Cohort plc, the independent technology group, today announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary MASS Consultants Ltd (“MASS”) has been awarded a contract to supply Electronic Warfare Operational Support software and services valued at £20m. The contract will include the development of countermeasures to protect combat aircraft against missile threats. Delivery will take place over the next 7 years.
EUROPE
LAND
29 Nov 18. Finland to procure fire control system upgrade kits. The Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command has received a mandate from the Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) to conclude a contract with the US government to procure fire control system upgrade kits, the MoD announced 23 November. The Universal Fire Control System upgrade kits will enable the use of new munitions with a heavy rocket launcher. This is a joint procurement with the US that will see Finland procure approved upgrade kits of the fire control system in production. The kits will be manufactured by Lockheed Martin in the US, and deliveries will start in 2020. (Source: Shephard)
22 Nov 18. Saab Receives Order for Carl-Gustaf M4 to Slovenian Armed Forces. Saab has received an order for deliveries of the new Carl-Gustaf® M4 multi-role weapon system to the Slovenian Armed Forces. Deliveries will take place during 2018-2020. Slovenia is a new customer of the Carl-Gustaf system, and Saab’s ninth customer for the Carl-Gustaf M4 version since its launch in late 2014. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
29 Nov 18. Schiebel, the market leader in Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Systems (UAS), was awarded the coveted maritime surveillance service provision contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS was selected based on its impressive service record in the maritime domain, as well as its proven maritime surveillance expertise. Payload capabilities and VTOL abilities from shore and from vessels were further qualifying factors. In fulfillment of this contract, Schiebel will be able to provide simultaneous maritime surveillance services at several sites. The S-100 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) will be equipped with an L3 Wescam MX-10 Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera gimbal and an Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch payload, as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.
USA
LAND
26 Nov 18. The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $383,421,855 cost-plus-incentive-fee, award-fee contract for the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service. This contract provides for a joint ground system to provide tactical satellite communications with enhanced anti-jam and low probability of intercept to tactical warfighters in contested environments. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $17,234,485 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, California, is the contracting activity (FA8808-19-C-0001).
23 Nov 18. National Security Solutions provider Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has secured a new contract to support the US Army’s Directed Energy (DE) systems. Valued at $29m, the contract has been awarded to the company’s Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services (KDRSS) division. The company will commit to developing prototype technologies, components and subsystems to support the advancement and upgrade of the existing or new DE systems. It will help expand the DE system capabilities of counter rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM), counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), and / or counter intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C-ISR) missions. The enhanced capabilities will help support the operations of the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Army Forces Strategic Command (USA SMDC/ARSTRAT). (Source: army-technology.com)
29 Nov 18. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) received a $6.9m award from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) to enhance the ONYX™ exoskeleton for future soldier demonstrations. ONYX is a powered, lower-body exoskeleton with artificial intelligence (AI) technology that augments human strength and endurance. Under the two-year, sole-source agreement, Lockheed Martin will optimize ONYX components. The improvements will be evaluated by the University of Florida in advance of NSRDEC soldier demonstrations scheduled for 2019. Developed by Lockheed Martin through a license from B-TEMIA, ONYX counteracts overstress on the lower back and legs. Using electro-mechanical knee actuators, a suite of sensors, and an AI computer, ONYX learns user movements and delivers the right torque at the right time to assist with walking up steep inclines, lifting or dragging heavy loads. An independent study by the University of Michigan confirmed these benefits by showing how ONYX users exerted less energy while walking up an incline with a 40-pound backpack.
29 Nov 18. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $13,746,496 modification (P00168) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle fielding. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2019. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 procurement, Marine Corps; Office of Army Reserve; and other procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $13,746,496 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
28 Nov 18. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $20,103,984 modification (P00113) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle fielding. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $20,103,984 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
27 Nov 18. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $1,698,639,588 modification (P00163) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to exercise available options for 6,107 JLTV vehicles and 22,166 kits. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds; and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,698,639,588 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
AIR
27 Nov 18. Harris Corp., Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a $217,670,998 hybrid (cost, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for monitoring, configuring, and maintaining of the wideband satellite communications operational management system network. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Detrick, Maryland; Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Wahiawa, Hawaii; Fort Buckner, Japan; and Landstuhl, Germany, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2027. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $7,912,428 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W91260-19-C-0001).
26 Nov 18. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) received a contract for phase II of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block II Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program for the U.S. Navy, awarded by aircraft prime contractor Boeing. Under this contract, Lockheed Martin will complete development, platform integration, flight test, and qualification of the IRST21® Block II sensor system. These efforts will further enhance IRST21’s proven detection, tracking and ranging capabilities in radar-denied environments. The IRST21 sensor system uses state of the art infrared search and track technology to passively detect and track airborne threats in radar-denied environments. Contributing to both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, IRST21 will deliver a critical warfighting capability to meet any threat and directly support U.S. Combatant Commanders’ operational demands. Currently, IRST21 is mounted in the nose of the F/A-18E/F’s centerline fuel tank and in Legion Pod® for other fighter and on-fighter platforms. Lockheed Martin’s IRST sensor system is in full rate production and has logged more than 300,000 flight hours on the U.S. Navy’s F-14 and F/A-18E/F, international F-15 platforms, and the U.S. Air Force’s F-15C and F-16.
26 Nov 18. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) secured two contracts from the F-15 prime contractor, Boeing, for the integration and production of Legion Pod®. These include a 28-month Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract and a Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract to produce 19 systems. Under the EMD contract, Lockheed Martin will integrate, test and qualify Legion Pod for the U.S. Air Force’s F-15C fleet. The first EMD units will be available in early 2019. The first production and spares deliveries will begin in 2020 supporting the U.S. Air Force’s Initial Operational Capability and fielding. In 2017, Legion Pod was selected as the Infrared Search and Track system for the U.S. Air Force’s F-15C fleet. Transportable between platforms, future expansion plans for Legion Pod include the F-15E, F-16, as well as unmanned systems. Flexible by design and production-ready, Legion Pod is set to serve as the next sensor system of choice for fixed-wing aircraft.
TECHNOLOGY
29 Nov 18. The U.S. Army said on Wednesday that it has awarded Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) a $479.2m contract to supply prototypes for the Army’s augmented reality systems helping soldiers in training and combat missions. The Army posted the contract award on its website. Bloomberg, which earlier reported the deal, said the contract went though a bidding process with key tech companies including Magic Leap participating in the auction. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
27 Nov 18. Egypt – 120MM Tank Rounds. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of forty-six thousand (46,000) M831A1 and M865 rounds and ten thousand (10,000) APFSDS-T rounds for an estimated cost of $201m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. This notification supersedes and replaces Transmittal No. 18-05 delivered to Congress on September 17, 2018. The descriptions and quantities of all defense articles and services are unchanged. The dollar values are updated with this new transmittal. The Government of Egypt has requested to buy forty-six thousand (46,000) 120MM Target Practice – Tracer (M831A1) and 120MM Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot – (M865) rounds and ten thousand (10,000) 120MM 4th-Generation Kinetic Energy-Tungsten (KE-W) A4 Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APFSDS-T) rounds. Also included are four thousand five hundred (4,500) 120MM Insensitive Munitions High Explosive with Tracer (IM HE-T) tank rounds, field implementation, testing inspections, spares and repair parts, support and test equipment, field support publications and technical data, U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, personnel training and training equipment, quality assurance team support services, preparation of ammunition for shipment, ammunition delivery, component improvement program and repair, other associated equipment and support, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $201m. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
28 Nov 18. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Egypt for an estimated cost of $1bn. Under the potential deal, the Government of Egypt has requested the acquisition of ten AH-64E helicopters, in addition to 24 units of the 1700-GE-701D engines with containers, 12 modernised target acquisition designation sights / pilot night-vision sensors, and 24 Honeywell embedded global positioning systems (GPS) with inertial navigation system. In addition, the sale includes the possible delivery of 24 M299 Hellfire launchers, 135 Hellfire missiles, five M36E9 captive air training missile AGM-114R and 12 AAR-57 (V) common missile warning systems. Approved by the US State Department, the sale also covers M230 30mm automatic guns, AVR-2 B laser detecting sets, AN/ARC 201E single channel ground and airborne radio systems, AN/APR- 39D radar warning receivers, AN/AVS-6 night vision goggles, and AN/ASN doppler radar systems. Furthermore, Egypt has requested US Government contractor technical assistance, quality assurance and construction services, and other associated elements of logistics and programme support. Delivery of the AH-64E Apache aircraft and other equipment will enable the country to expand its existing fleet of multi-mission heavy attack helicopters to address US-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emerging from the Sinai Peninsula region, as well as to further improve interoperability between Egypt, the US and other allies. Implementation of the deal will require 25 US Government contractor representatives to carry out a 12-week visit to the country to carry out equipment checks and training. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Electric Company, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, and Raytheon will serve as the primary contractors for the proposed sale. (Source: army-technology.com)
28 Nov 18. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) with related equipment and support to Qatar. With an estimated cost of $215m, the possible sale has been requested in support of a direct commercial sale of the national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS). Under the potential deal, Qatar will acquire 40 AIM 120C-7 AMRAAMs, one spare AIM 120C-7 AMRAAM guidance section, one spare AIM-120C-7 control section, and eight AMRAAM captive air training missiles CATM-120C. Delivery of the NASAMS capability is expected to provide the country with a complete range of protection from imminent hostile cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft threats. Raytheon Missiles Systems will serve as the principal contractor and integrator for the potential deal. Jointly designed and developed by Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, NASAMS is a medium-range, network-centric air defence system that can be deployed to identify and engage enemy aircraft, and to protect high-value assets and mass population centres against air-to-surface threats. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
28 Nov 18. Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $329,076,750 undefinitized contract action (UCA) for 12 A-29 aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force. The total not-to-exceed amount of the UCA is approved at $344,727,439 to include a Forward Looking Infrared System for six of the aircraft. This piece is projected to be funded soon after UCA award. In addition to the 12 aircraft, this contract provides for ground training devices, mission planning systems, mission debrief systems, spares, ground support equipment, alternate mission equipment, contiguous U.S. interim contractor support, outside of continental U.S. (OCONUS) contractor logistic support, and five field service representatives for OCONUS support for three years. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed May 2024. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $220,167,735 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8637-19-C-6009).