UNITED KINGDOM
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12 Feb 19. MCL contracted to supply Electronic Systems to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). Cohort plc, the independent technology group, today announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL) has been awarded a five-year, sole-source contract to provide Electronic Systems for the MOD. The contract is valued at £15.1m across an initial five-year period, with an option of a further two years.
TECHNOLOGY
14 Feb 19. MASS confirms contract signing for £50m UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract. Cohort, the independent technology group, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, MASS Consultants Ltd (“MASS”), has signed the contract for an eight-year contract valued at over £50m, following our announcement in October that they were selected as the preferred bidder. Under the 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
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12 Feb 19. EXPAL Mortars For Switzerland. The Swiss procurement office armasuisse has ordered 81mm mortars for the Swiss Army from EXPAL Systems in Spain. In 2015 armasuisse initiated the programme with market analyses and technical comparisons to replace the 81 mm mortars. After final validation, EXPAL was awarded the contract. EXPAL has improved its renowned mortar system in terms of accuracy, reliability and speed and offers it as a complete solution. In addition, the EIMOS fire control system, the Mini-UAV Sheperd-mil as an unmanned forward observer and a simulator for training are offered. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
SEA
12 Feb 19. HENSOLDT, the leading independent sensor house, will equip the second batch of the German Navy’s K130 corvettes with its TRS-4D Rotator naval radar and its MSSR 2000 ID friend-or-foe identification system (IFF). The company was awarded a corresponding order for seven systems of each type from the German procurement authority BAAINBw, which are to be delivered by 2022. The TRS-4D is already being used on board the new F125 frigate, in a configuration comprising four fixed planar arrays. Moreover, HENSOLDT has previously equipped the first K130 batch with its TRS-3D radar. For the second batch of five ships, the TRS-4D has now been ordered to be supplied in a version comprising a mechanically rotating antenna (TRS-4D Rotator), which, for example, is also under contract for the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS). This radar system is part of a family of products which also include a ground-based air defence radar, TRML-4D, and thus benefits from continuous product improvements and advantages with regards to spare part management and training. The TRS-4D has been designed to be used for anti-aircraft and anti-surface operations. Its rotating antenna combines mechanical and electronic azimuth scanning, which allows targets to be detected and tracked very quickly. Thanks to the increased sensitivity of the radar system’s AESA technology it is possible to detect small and manoeuvring targets more precisely and to confirm the targets more quickly, which means that the ship crew has more time to respond to threats. As the system’s characteristics can be defined via its software, the radar can be specifically programmed and its parameters set according to the customer’s requirements and can also be adapted to any new or modified threats that may arise over the useful life of the ship. The system also includes an MSSR 2000 I secondary radar for friend-or-foe identification (IFF), which complies with all IFF standards, even the latest “Mode S / Mode 5”. At present, all NATO troops and their allies are in the process of converting their IFF systems to Mode 5 as this standard is required for joint operations with NATO and other allied forces.
14 Feb 19. SAS 260 Antennas from PPM Systems. Shrivenham-based PPM Systems has received a second order for SAS 260 antennas, for a European naval wideband electronic surveillance application. One of the key customer requirements was a high resistance to vibration. These extremely durable dual band antennas can withstand shock and vibration up to 20 G and are specifically designed for deployments in demanding military and governmental applications in the harshest of environments. The dual band integral antennas are designed for a range of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) applications covering a wide range of receive signal levels and mounting options from land mobile to naval platforms. Product features include dual low noise amplifiers, limiters and by-pass switches with antenna frequency ranges from 20 MHz -1 GHz in the low the band with 20 dB gain, and 1 GHz-6 GHz for high band with 28 dB gain. The SAS 218 version is also available with the same low band coverage and with an extended high band coverage from 1 GHz -18 GHz. These antennas are omni-directional in azimuth and vertical polarisation with an operating temperature range of -32°C to +55°C, and are encased in a rugged radome. They are available in a wide range of radome colours.
12 Feb 19. Danish Navy Uses NATO Standard BRASS EO. Rohde & Schwarz is to supply HF communications to the Royal Danish Navy, where the new NATO architecture Broadcast and Ship Shore Enhancement One (BRASS EO) will be used for the first time. The procurement and maintenance contract with the Danish Defence Acquisitions and Logistics Organisation (DALO) provides for delivery and installation of the system solution for twelve ships and three shore stations, including maintenance, service and support over 15 years. The new architecture offers simplified routing and thus faster transmission of military information to STANAG 4406 between coastal stations and seagoing units. IP services can be provided over short wave to STANAG 5066. Backward compatibility with NATO BRASS Initial Core Capability (ICC) and NATO Legacy systems ensures interoperability with other branches or NATO units. The Rohde & Schwarz system solution is based on the R&S M3SR Series4100 RF radios with new interfaces for broadband applications, the R&S MMHS message handling system and other key components of the R&S NAVICS integrated communications system. Cybersecurity solutions according to current NATO Information Assurance standards will be integrated into the IT infrastructure. The Rohde & Schwarz radio equipment also offers pre-equipment for broadband RF applications (RF wideband) and increased data throughput of the radio communication lines. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
USA
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12 Feb 19. US Navy to develop China Lake to support CPS weapon testing. The US Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) on 8 February confirmed the award of a USD12.3m contract modification to Jacobs Technology Inc “for the retrofit of existing test equipment, design and development of new testing equipment, and test support for Air Launch Testing and Underwater Testing of a conventional prompt strike weapon [CPS]”. The award follows a 22 January sources-sought notification issued by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for potential tenders for the upgrade of the Launch Test Complex (LTC) at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California, to support the CPS weapon programme. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Feb 19. Saab on Tuesday has announced that the U.S. Army ordered additional M3E1 weapon systems. According to statement, Saab and the U.S. Army have signed a multi-year framework agreement for delivery of the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system, designated M3E1 in the US. The company added the first delivery order amounts to $9m with deliveries expected in 2019. The recently signed framework contract has a duration of 3 years and gives the U.S. Army the opportunity to place orders for M3E1 systems for a total value of approximately $9m. The M3E1 84-mm recoilless rifle is a combat-proven system capable of operating in demanding environments that provides soldiers with clear overmatch capability needed to dominate in the battlespace. (Source: Google/https://defence-blog.com/army)
SEA
13 Feb 19. The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $43,000,000 fixed-priced-incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6307 for the fabrication, test, and delivery of four Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs) and associated support elements. The Orca XLUUV will be an open architecture, reconfigurable Unmanned Undersea Vehicle. The Orca XLUUV will be modular in construction with the core vehicle providing guidance and control, navigation, autonomy, situational awareness, core communications, power distribution, energy and power, propulsion and maneuvering, and mission sensors. The Orca XLUUV will have well-defined interfaces for the potential of implementing cost-effective upgrades in future increments to leverage advances in technology and respond to threat changes. The Orca XLUUV will have a modular payload bay, with defined interfaces to support current and future payloads for employment from the vehicle. The competition for XLUUV requirements is still in source-selection, and therefore the specific contract award amount is considered source-selection sensitive information (see 41 U.S. Code 2101, et seq., Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101 and 3.104) and will not be made public at this time. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (29 percent); Virginia Beach, Virginia (27 percent); Waukesha, Wisconsin (8 percent); East Aurora, New York (7 percent); Concord, Massachusetts (7 percent); Camden, New Jersey (5 percent); Smithfield, Pennsylvania (4 percent); Attleboro, Massachusetts (3 percent); City of Industry, California (3 percent); El Cajon, California (3 percent); Fairfield, New Jersey (2 percent); Ontario, California (1 percent); and Farmingdale, New York (1 percent), and is expected to be complete by June 2022. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $43,000,000 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.
11 Feb 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $211,996,197 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-18-C-5105 for incorporation of remaining Baseline J7 scope for new-construction DDG Aegis Weapon System J7 Baseline development and integration in support of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This modification will provide for continued JMSDF Aegis Combat System J7 Baseline development and integration. These efforts include full operational capability at the development test sites, execution of J7 Baseline development and integration activities, integration of Japanese domestic ship systems, in-country integrated test team support and provision of technical manuals, logistics and staging activities. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (73 percent); Yokohama, Japan (11 percent); Mount Laurel, New Jersey (6 percent); Kawasaki, Japan (3 percent); Nasu, Japan (3 percent); Nagoya, Japan (2 percent); Tokyo, Japan (1 percent); and Washington, District of Columbia (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2021. Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $211,996,197 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.
11 Feb 19. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) continues to support the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and warships with advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $184m firm-fixed-price modification to exercise options for full rate production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 systems. SEWIP is an evolutionary acquisition and incremental development program to upgrade the existing AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare system. SEWIP Block 2 will expand upon the receiver/antenna group necessary to keep capabilities current with the pace of the threat and to yield improved system integration. Under this full-rate production contract, Lockheed Martin will continue providing and upgrading the AN/SLQ-32 systems on U.S. aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other warships with key capabilities that determine if the electronic sensors of potential foes are tracking the ship. The U.S. Navy awarded the company an initial $148.9m contract for full rate production of SEWIP Block 2 systems in 2016 with four additional option years to upgrade the fleet’s electronic warfare capabilities so warfighters can respond to evolving threats. Lockheed Martin has provided the U.S. Navy with SEWIP Block 2 development, production and engineering services since 2009 and has been delivering and supporting the installation of SEWIP Block 2 systems as the Navy upgrades electronic warfare defenses against anti-ship missile threats fleet wide. Additionally, AN/SLQ-32(V)6 Design Agent Engineering Services are being performed at the Electronic Warfare Center of Excellence in the Syracuse, New York, facility.
AIR
12 Feb 19. USAF AWACS Aircraft Upgrade. IDE (INTRACOM Defense Electronics) announced the signature of a contract with the American company Boeing for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft upgrade programme. Boeing will therefore benefit from one of the largest multinational technology groups of Greece. IDE possesses know-how in design, development and manufactures products and systems that incorporate leading own-developed technologies in tactical military communications, information security, command and control systems (C³I), surveillance, reconnaissance and security systems, hybrid electric power systems, various unmanned vehicles (UAVs and USVs), missile electronics, and military software applications. IDE participates in several other international development and production programmes, as well as in international cooperations for the production and export of defence equipment and is a registered NATO supplier. Customers and end-user include Czechia, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Lithuania, Luxemburg (NATO/NSPA), Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
12 Feb 19. Logos Technologies’ sensors for Insitu’s UAS. Logos Technologies has been selected to provide its wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) sensors for Insitu’s line of UAS, the company announced on 4 February. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two companies follows the selection of Logos Technologies’ RedKite-I WAMI sensor for the payload bay of the Insitu’s Integrator tactical UAS. With a weight of less than 25lb, the RedKite-I sensor has a coverage area of 4km in diameter, flying at 12,000ft above ground level. The sensor operates a 50-plus megapixel electro-optical camera; carries an onboard edge processor for real-time image processing; streams real-time imagery to mobile devices on the ground; and records up to eight hours of imagery onboard for real-time forensic analysis. Logos Technologies also plans to develop an infrared WAMI system similar in size to the RedKite-I for night operations. (Source: Shephard)
12 Feb 19. NAVAIR studies GQM-163 chaff kit to replicate multistage supersonic threats. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital Sciences, Orbital ATK) has been contracted by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to study the integration of a deployable chaff system into the GQM-163A Coyote supersonic target vehicle. The modification is intended to support the emulation of multistage supersonic missile threats, such as the Novator 3M54 Klub (SS-N-27A ‘Sizzler’), at the point where the vehicle bus stage and supersonic terminal stage separate. Consideration of the chaff kit modification follows the cancellation of an earlier MSST target development in 2015. Originally developed by Orbital Sciences to meet the US Navy’s (USN’s) requirement for a high-fidelity Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target to meet anti-ship cruise missile threat simulation requirements, the GQM-163A uses a first-stage Mk 70 solid-rocket booster to accelerate off a rail launcher and achieve supersonic speed. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Feb 19. The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $59m contract for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) /Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Modernization, or EGI-M, technology. The approval to proceed to the EMD phase follows the Department of Defense’s Milestone B approval in October 2018. During the EMD phase, Northrop Grumman will develop the critical hardware and software design for the EGI-M, build hardware for integration and qualification, generate safety and civil certification documentation, qualify the new EGI-M systems to rigorous military standards, and build production units for platform testing. Based upon modular and truly open systems architecture, the EGI-M system will support the rapid insertion of new capabilities and adaptability based on unique platform requirements. Additionally, the modernized navigation system will incorporate new generation GPS receivers, which will be capable to securely and accurately transmit the new military signals for space (M-Code). The EGI-M will be integrated into multiple platforms across all of the services and exportable versions will be developed for international customers. The lead platforms for EGI-M are F-22 and E-2D.
14 Feb 19. Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) won a $406m Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract award from the U.S. Army for ARC-231A radio systems. The contract, which will be performed over the next five years, includes upgrades, production and support for up to 5,000 radios. Because the ARC-231A is software-defined, it can accommodate rapid upgrades without requiring the radio to be removed from its platform. The latest version of the system recently gained NSA Type 1 certification and delivers secure, classified communications on the battlefield. The radios will be installed on a variety of Army platforms, including the UH-60 Black Hawk, UH-72 Lakota utility helicopter and the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
REST OF THE WORLD
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13 Feb 19. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS to Israel. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) is notified the Congress that the Government of Israel has requested to buy two hundred forty (240) Namer Armored Personnel Carrier (APC-MT883) Power Packs, Less Transmission (NPPLT) in Full Configuration; thirty (30) Namer Armored Personnel Carrier (APC-MT883) Power Packs, Less Transmission (NPPLT) in Light Configuration; and one hundred seventy-nine (179) Control and Diagnostic Systems (CDS). Also included is an Integrated Logistics Support package that includes: special tools for C-Level maintenance; oil spray nozzle test bench; preservation and packaging; containers; configuration management; technical manuals, spare parts catalogs, other documentation and publications, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $238m. The prime contractor will be MTU America, Novi, MI. MTU America is the North American subsidiary of Rolls Royce Power Systems. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
14 Feb 19. SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the Government of India, Ministry of Defense has officially contracted with SIG SAUER to build and deliver 72,400 SIG716 rifles for its frontline infantry soldiers. The Indian Army, the second largest standing army in the world with more than 1.2 million active troops, is currently undergoing a comprehensive firearms procurement process to advance the capabilities of the Indian Army’s infantrymen.
SEA
11 Feb 19. CMS 330 selected for Canadian JSS. Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat Management System (CMS) 330 has been selected by Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future Protecteur-class ships, the company announced on 6 February. Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards is the prime contractor for Canada’s Protecteur-Class Joint Support Ships (JSS). The CMS 330 system integrates a ship’s weapons, data, sensors and other equipment into a single operating system. It provides situational awareness by collecting information about the surrounding environment through radars and sensors; converts the data into actionable intelligence; presents information in an intuitive format; and directs ship systems to engage and respond to incoming threats. The system will enable the vessel to counter threats faster and more efficiently while operating in an international threat environment. JSS are being built to conduct missions in both open-ocean and littoral environments. The vessels will provide re-supply of fuel, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies between ships at sea and will be capable of transporting cargo, supporting operations ashore and responding to threats in challenging environments. (Source: Shephard)
11 Feb 19. KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today that its global government services business, KBRwyle, has been awarded two contract modifications to continue providing base operating support services (BOSS) to the U.S. Navy in Djibouti and the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, awarded both contract extensions. KBRwyle won a one-year contract modification to continue providing a full spectrum of services at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and other locations within Africa. With this extension, KBRwyle will support a base population of thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen. This work will include everything from management and administration to air operations and galley services. The contract modification is the first of a possible seven option years on a $441m firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract originally won in 2017. The services will primarily be performed at the Naval Support Facility, as well as at two forward operating locations Chabelley Air Field in Djibouti and Camp Simba in Manda Bay, Kenya. KBRwyle has provided base operating support services at Camp Lemonnier, the largest U.S. base in Africa, since 2013. Its work in the region dates back to 2003. KBRwyle also received a one-year contract modification to continue support services at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. KBRwyle will provide a full range of services, including galley, security operations, and facilities, waste and utilities management. This is the first of a possible seven options years on a $91M indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract originally won in 2017. These awards follow a recent $62M BOSS contract modification awarded to the company to support Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory.
14 Feb 19. Raytheon Australia has been selected by Defence to act as its Australian Aegis systems integration agent. Minister Pyne confirmed that the Aegis system, battle-proven through its use with the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class destroyers, will also be fitted to the Hunter Class frigates. Centred around the AN/SPY-1 radar, Aegis is a fully integrated combat system, providing full 360 degree, 3D tracking capacity, Aegis is capable of simultaneously defending against attack from land targets, submarines and surface ships while automatically protecting the fleet against aircraft cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
09 Feb 19. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of 777 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Self-Protection Suites to India. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the Congress that the Government of India has requested to buy two (2) Self-Protection Suites (SPS) consisting of AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), ALQ-211(V)8 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS), and AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) to protect two (2) Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft. This potential sale would include: twelve (12) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (6 installed and 6 spares); eight (8) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (2 installed and 6 spares); twenty-three (23) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) for AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (12 installed and 11 spares); five (5) AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) (2 installed and 3 spares). Also included in this sale are Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS), LAIRCM CIURs, SCAs, HCCs, and UDM cards, initial spares, consumables, repair and return support, support equipment, Self-Protection Suite (SPS) engineering design, integration, hardware integration, flight test and certification, selective availability anti-spoofing modules (SAASM), warranties, publications and technical documentation, training and training equipment, field service representatives; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $190m. The prime contractor will be Boeing Company, Oklahoma City, OK. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. (Source: glstrade.com)
14 Feb 19. Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan has confirmed plans to acquire more Su-30SM (Flanker-H by NATO classification) multirole combat aircraft from Russia. Defense Minister stated during Wednesday’s briefing that Armenia is considering the procurement of the more Su-30SMs in addition to four recently ordered aircraft. (Source: Google/https://defence-blog.com)
TECHNOLOGY
12 Feb 19. Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo announced Leidos Australia as the prime system integrator to deliver the first tranche of Joint Project 2096 Phase 1.
Defence has approved $500m for the acquisition and sustainment of the first tranche of Joint Project 2096, which will ensure the integration of selected intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data and applications. (Source: Defence Connect)