EUROPE
LAND
19 Dec 18. Czech MoD to order more CZ BREN 2 rifles. Czech Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar informed the cabinet of ministers on 17 December about plans by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to sign a CZK2.1bn (USD92.6m) framework agreement with indigenous small-arms maker Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod to supply 34,000 small arms to the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR). Under the agreement, Česká Zbrojovka will supply 14,000 CZ BREN 2 assault rifles chambered in 5.56×45 mm NATO standard. The CZ BREN 2 (CZ 806 BREN) is a modified and improved version of the original CZ 805 BREN first adopted by the ACR in 2010 as its standard service rifle. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
20 Dec 18. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann supports the modernization of the Hungarian Army. NATO and EU member state Hungary is modernizing its land forces and seeking a European alliance for its equipment. As part of this modernization process, Hungary signed a contract for the procurement of 44 new Leopard 2 A7+ main battle tanks and 24 new PzH 2000 howitzers with German defense technology company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) on December 19th, 2018. In addition, Hungary is procuring 12 used Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks from KMW’s inventories for training purposes. The project represents a further step toward greater interoperability between European armed forces. Hungarian Defense Minister Tibor Benkő emphasized that the contract would strengthen the smooth and extensive cooperation between the German and the Hungarian Armies.
18 Dec 18. Rheinmetall to retrofit Germany’s fleet of Bergepanzer 3 armoured recovery vehicles with battlefield recovery equipment. Rheinmetall is modernizing the Bundeswehr’s fleet of Bergepanzer 3 armoured recovery vehicles, the BPz3. The move is in response to altered operational requirements. A contract to this effect has now been signed at the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support (BAAINBw). From 2019 to 2024, 69 of Germany’s BPz3 vehicles will be fitted with battlefield recovery equipment and universal transport platforms. The order is worth around €30m, including value added tax. The battlefield recovery equipment (GFB) and universal transport platforms (UTP) will be fabricated for all 69 vehicles by Rheinmetall in Kassel, where they will also be integrated. The contract also includes accessories and documentation. The battlefield recovery equipment will be relocated from the front of the vehicle to the back. This will make it possible to safely tow disabled combat vehicles like the Leopard 2 tank in forward drive, removing them from the battlefield at high speed. Furthermore, the rear section of the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 will be fitted with a universal transport platform. This highly versatile platform can be used, for example, for carrying additional equipment for recovering other vehicles. Four Bergepanzer 3 armoured recovery vehicles have already been fitted with GFB and UTP kits for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Two other vehicles, previously deployed by the Canadian Army in Afghanistan, have already undergone the same modification. The equipment has proven highly effective. This new modernization contract underscores once again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive experience and expertise when it comes to the Leopard 2 family of vehicles, which includes the Bergepanzer 3, an inhouse Rheinmetall development. Its expertise extends from maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced main armament concepts, and from the production know-how required from an original equipment manufacturer to complete technical and logistic support of entire vehicle fleets, including service support during deployed operations. Specializing in the twin imperatives of mobility and security, the high-tech Rheinmetall Group’s portfolio also embraces training and simulation technology for sharpening the skills of Leopard 2 crews.
18 Dec 18. Saab Receives RBS 70 NG Order for the Czech Republic’s Armed Forces. Saab has signed a contract to supply The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic with RBS 70 NG, the latest generation of the RBS 70 man-portable air defence system. The order is valued at 365 MSEK and deliveries will take place in 2020 and 2021. In addition to the system itself, the order also includes integration with Czech Air Defence, test equipment and training. The Armed Forces of the Czech Republic is already a user of RBS 70, the preceding version of the system. (Source: ASD Network)
18 Dec 18. Ireland orders RBS 70 missiles. Saab has received a $5.81m order from the Irish Defence Force for its RBS 70 Bolide missiles, the company announced on 12 December. Bolide is a fourth generation, all-target very short range air defence missile. With a range of over 9km and with altitude coverage of up to 5,000m, Bolide gives the RBS 70 the ability to provide protection from a wide range of threats including fixed and rotary wing aircraft, cruise missiles and UAS. Delivery of the systems will take place in 2019-2022. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
14 Dec 18. The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has ordered 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters equipped with the HForce weapon management system. Together with the helicopters, Airbus will also provide an extensive training and support package to ensure the highest level of operational availability. The H225Ms selected by Hungary will be equipped with state-of-the-art communication capabilities and will be used for transport, combat search and rescue, and special operations missions. Its state-of-the art avionics and four axis autopilot, exceptional range and payload capacities, combined with a large cabin designed to carry up to 28 troops and powerful air-to-ground and air-to-surface armament as well as electronic warfare systems allow the H225M to carry out the most demanding missions. The helicopter has an all-weather capability supported by its night vision goggle compatibility.
14 Dec 18. Poland exercises option for four more M-346 jet trainers, to upgrade existing fleet. Poland has signed for four more Alenia M-346 Master advanced jet trainers and is upgrading the 12 already received. The procurement and upgrade contract, announced by the manufacturer on 14 December, is valued at EUR130m (USD147m) and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2022. As noted by Leonardo, as well as an expansion of the Polish Air Force’s M-346 fleet, this deal will see its already-delivered aircraft upgraded to the latest NATO STANAG 4193 Edition 3 identification friend or foe (IFF) standard. Having placed its original order of eight M-346s in 2014, Poland received its first aircraft in November 2016. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
17 Dec 18. Scisys (SSY), the supplier of software to the space, media and broadcast, government, defence and commercial sectors, has won an €11.2m contract with Thales Alenia Space France – the prime contractor to the European Space Agency. The deal is for the “continuation and further enhancement” of four Galileo Ground Mission Segment (GMS) elements. The contract is under a programme funded by the European Union, and it will begin this month – lasting until June 2020. (Source: Investors Chronicle)
17 Dec 18. A real breakthrough in aircraft connectivity: successful flight tests with Thales’s ANTARES-LP active array satcom antenna. To develop satellite connectivity solutions meeting the evolving needs of armed forces, the French defence procurement agency (DGA) has called on Thales’s expertise and placed an order for an ANTARES-LP (low profile) airborne active array satcom antenna prototype. The ANTARES-LP antenna operates in the Ka frequency band using sovereign and/or commercial satellites. Armed Forces need complete high-throughput satellite communication solutions to meet aircraft connectivity requirements and maintain communications in some of the world’s most isolated theatres. The ANTARES-LP active array antenna is specifically designed to fulfil this role, using a beam-forming technique that’s unmatched in the marketplace today. The DGA has conducted trials with the first ANTARES-LP prototype installed on a testbed aircraft at Cazaux in southwest France. This technologically innovative solution from Thales features an optimally low-profile active antenna to facilitate integration on the aircraft, make the product more resilient and deliver improved connectivity performance in the air. In addition, ANTARES-LP offers global coverage while reducing operating costs for Armed Forces customers. The tests, conducted in real-world conditions, clearly demonstrated the performance of the miniaturised Ka band technology and its compatibility with aircraft operations. The success is an endorsement of Thales’s advanced expertise in this segment and the credibility of our smart connectivity solutions, which are compatible with France’s Syracuse IV sovereign satellite network. Developed under an advanced study, ANTARES-LP is a low-profile antenna specially designed for air missions. It meets the ambitious requirements of future aircraft programmes.
USA
LAND
17 Dec 18. BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $375,932,453 hybrid (firm-fixed-price and fixed-price-incentive) contract for Mobile Protected Firepower middle tier acquisition and rapid prototyping effort with low-rate initial production options. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2025. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $175,974,048 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-C-0035).
17 Dec 18. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $335,043,086 hybrid (firm-fixed-price and fixed-price-incentive) contract for Mobile Protected Firepower middle tier acquisition and rapid prototyping effort with low-rate initial production options. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2025. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $175,011,179 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-C-0036).
18 Dec 18. Lockheed Martin Corp., Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $585,206,351 fixed-price incentive delivery order for the Homeland Defense Radar – Hawaii (HDR-H). The contractor will design, develop, and deliver the HDR-H radar providing autonomous acquisition and persistent precision tracking and discrimination to optimize the defensive capability of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and counter evolving threats. This award is the result of a competitively awarded acquisition in which one offer was received. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $51,389,757 are being obligated at time of award. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey; and Oahu, Hawaii. The exact location in Oahu, Hawaii, will be determined at the conclusion of the ongoing site selection and National Environmental Policy Act processes. The period of performance is from Dec. 18, 2018, through Dec. 17, 2023. The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-19-F-0018).
14 Dec 18. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $30,358,753 modification (P00001) to contract W56HZV-18-F-0153 for procurement of Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and Liverpool, New York, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $30,358,753 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity
18 Dec 18. SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the Philadelphia Police Department has adopted the SIG SAUER M400 Pro Rifle for their SWAT officers. The Philadelphia Police Department is the fourth largest police department in the United States with over 6,300 sworn officers protecting over 1.5 million citizens across 140 square-miles.
SEA
14 Dec 18. Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, has been issued a fixed-price-incentive firm target modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-2301) to exercise options for the construction of two fiscal 2019 littoral combat ships (LCS). The Navy has not completed the competition for fiscal 2019 LCS class ships, therefore, the specific contract award amount for these ships is considered source selection sensitive information (see 41 U.S. Code 2101, et seq., Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101 and FAR 3.104) and will not be made public at this time. Austal USA will perform and oversee all necessary design, planning, construction, and test and trials activities in support of delivery of these ships to the Navy. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (50 percent); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (24 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (5 percent); Henderson, Washington (2 percent), Kingsford, Michigan (1 percent); Bristol, Connecticut (1 percent), Slidell, Louisiana (1 percent); and various other locations of less than 1 percent each (totaling 16 percent), and is expected to be complete by September 2025. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
19 Dec 18. Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded a $46,471,808 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1047) that exercises an option to procure 15 full-rate production Lot 13 GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea skimming target base vehicles, 14 for the Navy and one for the Army. The Army procured target vehicle will be used to test and evaluate the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, Limited User Test target system. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona (50 percent); Camden, Arkansas (37 percent); Vergennes, Vermont (6 percent); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (5 percent); Hollister, California (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $46,471,808 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($43,378,169; 93 percent); and the. Army ($3,093,639; 7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
14 Dec 18. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $32,162,533 cost-only contract for long lead material in support of fiscal 2019 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 low-rate initial production requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (43 percent); and the governments of Canada, Australia, Germany, Norway, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Denmark under the NATO Sea Sparrow Consortium. Work will be performed in Raufoss, Norway (47 percent); Mississauga, Canada (32 percent); and Richmond, Australia (21 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 and 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); and non-expiring Other Funds funding in the amount of $21,991,327 will be obligated at time of award and funds in the amount of $216,649 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with the authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5418).
14 Dec 18. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $24,717,120 cost-only contract for long lead material in support of fiscal 2019 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 1 production and spares requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. This contract includes foreign military sales to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Raufoss, Norway (44 percent); Mississauga, Canada (34 percent); and Richmond, Australia (22 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2021. Foreign military sales funding in the amount of $23,846,439 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with the authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5410).
14 Dec 18. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $149,435,507 cost-plus-incentive contract for the engineering, manufacturing, and development of Standard Missile-2 Block IIIC. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (85 percent); Wolverhampton, England (6 percent); East Aurora, New York (6 percent); Middletown, Ohio (2 percent); and Englewood, Colorado (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2022. Fiscal 2019 and 2018 research, development, testing and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amounts of $50,090,148 and $234,663 respectively will be obligated at time of award. Funding in the amount of $234,663 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) – only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5412).
19 Dec 18. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $114,065,820 cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price, cost only contract for air and missile defense radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. The work to be performed is the integration and production support for continued combat system integration and test, engineering, training, software and depot maintenance, and field engineering services, as well as the procurement of spare parts. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $357,827,708. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64 percent); Kauai, Hawaii (18 percent); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8 percent); San Diego, California (7 percent); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2 percent); and Moorestown, New Jersey (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $46,221,947 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $6,887,511 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract was procured under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) – only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5501).
14 Dec 18. Textron Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, is awarded a $314,288,369 modification to previously awarded letter contract N00024-17-C-2480 for the procurement of additional long lead time material (LLTM) for the Ship to Shore Connector program, Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 100 Class Craft 109 through 118, for the continuation of pre-fabrication activities for LCAC 109 through 112, and for the initial procurement of LLTM for LCAC 119 through 123. The SSC Program is the functional replacement for the existing fleet of vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an Air Cushion Vehicle designed for a 30-year service life. The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of Operational Maneuver from the Sea, at over-the-horizon distances, while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms. SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions, as well as improvements which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana (46 percent); Leesburg, Virginia (18 percent); Mandal, Norway (8 percent); Gloucester, United Kingdom (7 percent); Livonia, Michigan (7 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (4 percent); Eatontown, New Jersey (2 percent); Gold Beach, Oregon (2 percent); Riverdale, Iowa (2 percent); Huntington Beach, California (2 percent); Metairie, Louisiana (2 percent), and is expected to be complete by July 2023. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the combined amount of $235,716,277 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
AIR
19 Dec 18. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today it has been selected by Boeing to provide the FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HDc EO/IR surveillance sensor for the United States Air Force (USAF) UH-1N replacement contract. The replacement program will replace the current fleet of USAF UH-1N helicopters, which support the service’s nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. The aircraft will also be used for training, test and operational support airlift missions. The initial contract award to FLIR is for the first four helicopters, with the total contract up to 84 MH-139 helicopters and valued at more than $40m to FLIR. Boeing was awarded a $375.5m firm-fixed-price contract for the non-developmental item integration of the four aircrafts to replace the UH-1N. This was a basic award of a contract (including options) valued at approximately $2.38bn, which will provide for the acquisition and sustainment of up to 84 MH-139 helicopters, training devices, and associated support equipment. If all options are exercised, the work is expected to be completed by September 2031. FLIR has provided the surveillance component for the current UH-1N helicopters in use by the U.S. Strategic Command since the mid-1990’s. FLIR has been part of EO/IR surveillance system upgrades on these aircraft and recently contracted to upgrade a set of aircrafts to the FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HDc prior to fielding the new aircraft.
17 Dec 18. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $91,250,000 modification (P00069) to contract W31P4Q-15-C-0102 for procurement of Joint-Air-to-Ground missiles under the initial phases of the Low-rate Initial Production 3. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2022. Fiscal 2017, and 2018 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $91,250,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
17 Dec 18. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has been awarded a $3,600,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures (LAIRCM) equipment and support. This contract provides for LAIRCM line replaceable units, support equipment, logistics support related activities, systems and sustaining engineering, program management, and other efforts necessary supporting efforts specified in each task/delivery order. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. This contract involves numerous foreign military sales requirements and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8638-19-D-0001).
19 Dec 18. Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $16,666,821 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Precision Real-Time Engagement Combat Identification Sensor Exploitation (PRECISE) program. The program will primarily develop technologies that continue to advance combat ID for warfighters. PRECISE will leverage current efforts supporting the Air-to-Air Hydravision program, and is principally focused on radar-based identification of air and ground targets for airborne platforms, both tactical and reconnaissance. The effort may investigate other sensors to include electro-optical, infrared, and multi-and hyperspectral. Improvements in these areas may include technical assessments; prototype hardware and software modifications and development; systems engineering development; performance simulations; system integration; laboratory demonstrations; flight demonstrations, and participation in large demonstrations/exercises. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed March 27, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-1673).
18 Dec 18. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $141,447,329 firm-fixed-price contract (FA8672-19-C-0010) to exercise an option to previously awarded contract FA8672-10-C-0002 for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II. The contractor will provide low-rate initial production for 1,260 SDB II Lot Five munitions, 389 single-weapon containers, 344 dual-weapon containers, 20 production reliability incentive demonstration effort captive vehicles, 20 production reliability incentive demonstration effort tests, 36 weapon load crew trainers/conventional munitions maintenance trainers and data. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition resulting from follow-on to competition. Fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds in the amount of $141,447,329 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
20 Dec 18. Rolls-Royce to Power the MQ-25 Stingray. Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis has been selected to build the jet engine to power the MQ-25 Stingray, a new unmanned aircraft that promises to catapult the Navy toward revolutionary combat capability and the companies that build the sleek system toward a potential $20bn prize. Missouri-based Boeing Defense, Space & Security, the U.S. military’s second-largest supplier, is teaming with Rolls-Royce to produce the MQ-25, the Navy’s first unmanned aircraft for its aircraft-carrier fleet. The MQ-25 will refuel fighters, allowing strike aircraft to remain aloft longer and fly farther from a carrier—and possibly set the stage for unmanned combat jets to be launched and recovered at sea. (Source: UAS VISION/Indianapolis Business Journal)