UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
28 Mar 19. The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has awarded £2.5m to a consortium led by Blue Bear Systems Research Ltd to develop drone swarm technology. The “Many Drones Make Light Work” project is the largest single contract awarded by DASA to date. The funding will steer the project for around 20 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the final stage of development, which will ultimately be managed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). UAS are currently in widespread use around the world, but the ability to employ a swarm of these systems to operate collaboratively to achieve a common goal will be of great benefit to Defence. A swarm could support lower operating costs, greater system efficiency as well as increased resilience in the following areas:
- Situational awareness
- Medical assistance
- Logistics resupply
- Explosive ordinance detection and disposal
- Confusion and deception
- (Source: Warfare.Today)
26 Mar 19. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $9,211,561 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the United Kingdom (UK) MQ-9 Reaper contractor logistics support effort. This contract provides for ongoing sustainment of the UK MQ-9 fleet. Work will be performed at multiple stateside and international locations, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and involves 100 percent foreign military sales to the government of the United Kingdom. Foreign military sales funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-15-G-4040 0017 21).
26 Mar 19. The Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded $39,718,809 for modification P00036 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0116). This modification exercises an option for the procurement of three APY-10 Radar System production kits for the Navy, four for the government of the United Kingdom, and five for the government of Norway, as well as related services in support of P-8A Poseidon Lot 10 production aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (77.1 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (7.2 percent); Chelmsford, Massachusetts (3.4 percent); Woodland Park, New Jersey (3.3 percent); Black Mountain, North Carolina (1.8 percent); San Carlos, California (1.7 percent); Ashburn, Virginia (1.6 percent); Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada (1.4 percent); Simsbury, Connecticut (1.3 percent); and Clearwater, Florida (1.2 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $39,718,809 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 ($9,168,076; 23 percent); and FMS ($30,550,733; 77 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
LAND
27 Mar 19. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $1,135,410,156 modification (P00010) to Foreign Military Sales (Poland, Bahrain and Romania) contract W31P4Q-18-C-0049 for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket systems full rate production. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 foreign military sales; and other procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $1,082,536,179 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
AIR
21 Mar 19. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, Calif., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $123,293,911 undefinitized contract action for MQ-9 Block 5 procurement. This contract provides for four MQ-9 unmanned air vehicles, four Mobile Ground Control Stations, spares, and support equipment. Work will be performed predominately in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales to the Netherlands. Foreign military sales funds in amount of $38,928,607 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-19-F-2310). (Source: defense-aerospace.com/US Department of Defense)
USA
LAND
25 Mar 19. The US Army has awarded a contract to light tactical vehicles manufacturer AM General to supply new M1152A1 high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV). Under the $89m contract, the company will deliver a total of 739 HMMWVs to the US Army National Guard. The vehicles are being procured as part of the US Army National Guard’s modernisation initiatives. The new order is an addition to the 740 HMMWVs ordered in October 2018. Additionally, the company was awarded a $121m five-year contract to provide systems technical support services for the HMMWVs. Under the contract, the company will provide support for engineering, logistics, and quality assurance projects. (Source: army-technology.com)
25 Mar 19. Avon Protection Systems Inc., Cadillac, Michigan, was awarded a $245,961,250 firm-fixed-price contract for production of M53A1 Chemical Biological Protective Mask systems. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 24, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911SR-19-D-0005).
22 Mar 19. The Boeing Co., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded $4,141,315,338 (contract modification HQ0147-19-C-0004 P00001), partially definitizing the $6,560,000,000 undefinitized contract action (UCA) issued Jan. 31, 2018, on contract HQ0147-12-C-0004, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Development and Sustainment Contract (DSC). The UCA extended the DSC period of performance from January 2018 through December 2023, and added the requirements to execute the GMD portion of the presidential mandated and congressionally enacted Missile Defeat and Defense Enhancements. This effort includes delivery of a new missile field with 20 silos and two additional silos in a previously constructed missile field at Fort Greely, Alaska. The MDA is deferring the production of the 20 additional Ground Based Interceptors (GBIs) (estimated not to exceed (NTE) value of $1,300,000,000) at this time due to the delay associated with not meeting the entrance criteria for the Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV) critical design review. A portion of the effort to deliver 11 boost vehicles for flight tests and spares (estimated NTE value of $474,000,000) will remain under the UCA at this time. This modification brings the total cumulative value of the contract, including options, to $10,799,794,123. The definitized scope of work includes technical capabilities to expand and improve a state-of-the-art missile defense system to ensure defensive capabilities remain both relevant and current, to include but not limited to: Boost Vehicle (BV) development; providing GBI assets for labs and test events; development, integration, testing and deployment of ground systems software builds to address emerging threats; development and fielding of upgraded launch support equipment; expanded systems testing through all ground and flight testing; cyber security support and testing; and, operations and support via performance based logistics approach. Work will be performed at multiple locations, including Huntsville, Alabama; Fort Greely, Alaska; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; Schriever AFB, Colorado; Peterson AFB, Colorado; Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, Colorado; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tucson, Arizona; other contractor designated prime, subcontractor, and supplier operating locations; and other government designated sites. The definitized effort will be performed by an industry team consisting of The Boeing Co., Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Raytheon Co., and many other subcontractors. This acquisition was executed on a sole-source basis under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Boeing, as the GMD DSC prime contractor, along with its subcontractors, collectively have demonstrated special capabilities and/or expertise and that no other companies would have been able to satisfactorily perform the required services without unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $26,951,213 were obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
27 Mar 19. Chess Dynamics awarded contract to supply US Department of Defence. Cohort plc, the independent technology group, today announces that its subsidiary Chess Dynamics Ltd (Chess) has been awarded a sub contract to provide electro optical (EO) tracking and control systems to be incorporated in to ten ISO containers as part of a counter-UAS solution to the US Department of Defence (US DoD). The order secured through its US partner Liteye is worth in excess of £3m and will be delivered in 2019.
25 Mar 19. General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Taunton, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $92,900,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 1 system. 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 five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with a March 24, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland (SPRBL1-19-D-0027).
27 Mar 19. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a $58,911,077 modification (P00019) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0024 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm M865 recap cartridges for 120mm tank training ammunition. Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 12, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $58,911,077 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
26 Mar 19. Leonardo DRS Awarded $67m U.S. Army Contract for Second-Generation Infrared Sights for Combat Vehicles. Leonardo DRS Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a $67m U.S. Army contract to provide vehicle-based infrared sensors for surveillance and fire control systems for a variety of ground combat vehicles. Under the fixed-price contract, the Leonardo DRS Electro-Optical & Infrared Systems business unit will provide Horizontal Technology Integration Second Generation-Forward Looking Infrared (SG-FLIR) Block 1 A/B-Kits, a key infrared sensor supporting fire control and surveillance on a range of critical U.S. Army ground combat vehicles, including M1A1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker vehicles.
26 Mar 19. Leonardo DRS Announces U.S. Army Contracts for Ruggedized Next-Gen Maintenance and Testing systems. Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to provide ruggedized next-generation maintenance and testing systems to assess and verify the functions of vehicles, communications equipment and complex weapons systems. The contract, a five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity award for the Maintenance Support Device (MSD), Version 4 Rugged & Semi-Rugged systems, is worth up to $292m. The systems deliver at-platform automatic test equipment for harsh environments, such as tactical motor pools, where hardened equipment offers consistent performance. The contract was announced by the U.S. Army Product Director Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment; Leonardo DRS teamed with Dell to provide a family of ruggedized commercial, off-the-shelf systems to provide the Army with the latest portable, lightweight computers for the program. The system is the Army’s next generation of standard general purpose, at-platform automatic test equipment for a wide variety of mission critical systems, including wheeled and tracked vehicles, communications systems, aviation, missiles, artillery and other complex weapons systems. Additionally, the system can be used to host Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals and Electronic Technical Manuals to enable operators to troubleshoot and diagnose performance faults in real-time while conducting scheduled maintenance. Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will provide the complete MSD V4 kits, including computing hardware, cables, connector accessories, software and Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals to Army-wide level 1 maintainers. Assembly of the systems will be done at the Leonardo DRS Land Electronics facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
26 Mar 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., Sunnyvale, California, was awarded a $30,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00015) to a previously awarded HQ0277-18-C-0001 contract. The value of this contract is increased from $36,000,000 to $66,000,000. Under this modification, the contractor will complete their laser scaling and beam control critical design review in support of the Low Power Laser Demonstrator risk reduction. The work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California. The period of performance for this effort is Oct. 6, 2017, to Sept. 6, 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $29,951,935 are being obligated on this award. The Missile Defense Agency, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity.
26 Mar 19. Liteye Systems Ramps Up C-UAS Systems Production. Liteye Systems Inc, received an early 2019 multi-million-dollar follow-on order for their Containerized Anti-UAS Defense System known as C-AUDS; a one-of-a-kind commercial product in operation with the US DoD protecting lives and critical infrastructure around the world. This is the fourth order received overall in a short amount of time for these systems, demonstrating the affordability, trust and confidence customers have with Liteye and the C-AUDS technology. Liteye’s combat proven technology is highly effective in the Detect, Track, ID, and Defeat kill-chain widely known and associated to the DoD Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) war-time mission; however, increasing use of commercial drones in the US, around non-DoD restricted areas, shed light on a state-side need for Counter-Drone/C-UAS technology, not associated to the DoD. (Source: UAS VISION)
28 Mar 19. Meggitt (MGGT) has been awarded a $37m contract by military vehicles manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems to provide system provides both auxiliary cooling and exportable power to the Abrams tank with its main turbine engine shut down. (Source: Investors Chronicle)
27 Mar 19. Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded a $36,815,048 modification (P00011) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0025 to procure 120mm tank training ammunition M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm tank training ammunition M865 recapitalized cartridges. Work will be performed in Plymouth, Minnesota, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $36,815,048 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
22 Mar 19. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $245,048,211 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6327 to exercise options for the Joint Counter-Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) Increment 1 Block 1 (I1B1) systems full-rate production in support of the Expeditionary Warfare Program Office. CREW systems are designed to provide protection for foot soldiers, vehicles and permanent structures. The JCREW I1B1 system is the first-generation system that develops a common open architecture across all three capabilities and provides protection for worldwide military operations. This integrated design maximizes commonality across all capabilities, reduces life cycle costs and provides increased protection against worldwide threats. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Foreign military sales funding from the government of Australia in the amount of $2,159,560 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.
27 Mar 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $15,580,588 modification (P00159) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to incorporate Engineering Change Proposal OSKW8215R1 low velocity aerial delivery A1 transmission support plate, mid-power pack, and mounts, rails and mid-power pack into the baseline configuration of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle family of vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army; procurement Marine Corps; research, development, test and evaluation; Navy procurement; and Air Force procurement funds in the amount of $15,580,588 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
26 Mar 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been awarded a maximum $11,789,305 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for diesel engines. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. This was a sole-source acquisition, using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Wisconsin, with a March 26, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-D-0084).
SEA
25 Mar 19. Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is being awarded a $261,776,539 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-2227 for the detail design and construction (DD&C) of the 13th and 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships, and to definitize the long-lead-time material undefinitized contract actions for EPFs 13 and 14. This modification will award the DD&C effort for EPF 13 and EPF 14 and definitize and subsume the long-lead-time material undefinitized contract actions for EPFs 13 and 14. Note: the funding obligated covers the DD&C award and also definitizes the UCAs — which results in a total greater than the face value of the award. The EPF class provides high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $370,733,399. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (54 percent); Novi, Michigan (13 percent); Fairfax, Virginia (7 percent); Houston, Texas (4 percent); Franklin, Massachusetts (3 percent); New Iberia, Louisiana (3 percent); Kingsford, Michigan (2 percent); Chesapeake, Virginia (2 percent); and Theodore, Alabama (1 percent), with other efforts performed at various locations throughout the United States below one percent (7 percent) and at various locations outside the U.S. below one percent (4 percent). Work is expected to completed by July 2022. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $134,609,225; and fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $161,815,453 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
28 Mar 19. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Armament Systems Division, Louisville, Kentucky, is awarded a $70,672,462 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for five overhauled/upgraded Mk 45 Mod 4 gun mounts and their associated components, to include Mk 63 Mod 1 weather shields, Mod 4 manufacture kits, and Mod 4 machine parts kits. The 5-inch Mk 45 Light Weight Gun Mount System provides an effective weapon for anti-surface, naval surface fire support, and anti-air warfare missions, and is installed aboard DDG 51- and CG 47-class ships. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky, and is expected to be completed by July 2023. Fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $70,672,462 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 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) – only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00174-19-C-0004).
27 Mar 19. The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $46,700,000 fixed-priced-incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6307 for the Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) program. The Feb. 13, 2019, contract announcement for the XLUUV program occurred while source selection was ongoing, and therefore the specific contract award amount was considered source selection sensitive information and was not made public. This contract modification award completes the XLUUV competition and brings the total awarded amount for five XLUUVs and associated support elements to $274,400,000. 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 completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,000,000 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.
26 Mar 19. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, was awarded a $1,471,290,677 fixed-price-incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2406 for the procurement of the detail design and construction of Landing Platform Dock (LPD) 30, the first LPD 17 Flight II ship which will meet all the capabilities and capacities requirements for the Amphibious Ship Replacement. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (82 percent); Crozet, Virginia (3 percent); Beloit, Wisconsin (2 percent); and New Orleans, Louisiana (2 percent), with other efforts performed at various sites less than one percent throughout the U.S. (11 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2025. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,369,362,790 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. (Awarded March 25, 2019)
TECHNOLOGY
26 Mar 19. Navy awards $446m market research contract. Three business and market intelligence providers have been awarded places on a 10-year, $446m blanket purchase agreement awarded by the Navy for IT research and informative services. Fedmine LLC, Forrester Research and Gartner will vie for firm-fixed-price task orders over the duration of the contract that aims to connect agencies with commercially-available tools and services, DOD said in its Monday awards digest. All defense and intelligence agencies, plus the Coast Guard have access to the BPA that was issued as part of DOD’s Enterprise Software Initiative that consolidates IT product and service agreements. The Navy awarded this pact through the GSA Federal Supply Schedule vehicle and received three offers out of 679 eligible vendors. Work will take place through March 24, 2029. DOD has awarded several other contracts over the past 12 months as part of the ESI effort that aims to leverage its buying power and consolidate acquisitions of brand name IT products and services.
Here are some of those examples:
- Navy awards almost $1bn SAP software supply contract
- DOD gives Microsoft $1.7bn sole source support contract
- Navy picks six for $3bn Microsoft software supply pact
(Source: Defense Systems)
25 Mar 19. DoD Announces Fiscal Year 2019 Research Equipment Awards. The Department of Defense announced awards to 185 university researchers totaling $56m under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These grants will be provided to 95 institutions across 36 states in fiscal 2019. The Department of Defense has long championed the country’s scientific ecosystem. Through DURIP, DOD supports purchases of major research equipment to augment current and develop new capabilities. This effort enables universities to perform cutting-edge research that boosts the United States’ technological edge while ensuring that our future science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce remains second to none. The annual DURIP award process is highly competitive. The program is administered through a merit competition jointly conducted by the Army Research Office, Office of Naval Research, and Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The department seeks specific proposals from university investigators conducting foundational science and engineering research of importance to national defense. For the fiscal 2019 competition, the service research offices received 669 proposals, requesting $259m in funding. Selections made by the service research offices are subject to successful completion of negotiations with the academic institutions. The list of winning proposals is available online: https://media.defense.gov/2019/Mar/25/2002105399/-1/-1/1/FY19-DURIP-WINNERS.PDF.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
27 Mar 19. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that it was awarded an approximately $125m (NIS 460m) contract from the Israeli Ministry of Defense (“IMOD”) to supply fully automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems to the Israeli Defense Forces (“IDF”). The contract, which also includes the supply of training simulators, will be performed over a 12-year period. The IMOD and Elbit Systems intend that further part of the automatic howitzer gun systems program, under an additional contract to the Company in an amount that is expected to be material, will be performed by various U.S. companies including Elbit Systems of America, LLC, subject to completion of the receipt of applicable governmental approvals for the U.S. content. The new automatic howitzer gun system is based on know-how and experience the Company accumulated over decades of supplying artillery systems to numerous armed forces. The new howitzer gun system is capable of automatic loading and laying. According to the applicable mission, the new gun system automatically selects the required projectile, propellant and fuze, loads them and lays the gun to optimally engage targets. The new howitzer gun system will enhance the effectiveness of the artillery formation of the IDF while reducing the number soldiers in each platform and significantly reduce life-cycle costs.
27 Mar 19. L-3 Technologies, Greenville, Texas, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $142,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for the procurement of Group B material and the Ground System Integration Lab. Work will be performed in Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2023. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $69,580,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-16-G-3027/FA8620-19-F-4872).
27 Mar 19. Adelaide-based company REDARC has been chosen by Thales to supply a dual power solution for the Hawkei Protected Vehicle. Over the past year, REDARC has helped to finalise a dual power solution (DPS) for the vehicle based on its off-the-shelf technology. The REDARC DPS is a DC power supply that provides constant and regulated power for “all sensitive load requirements”, featuring a wide input voltage range of nine to 32 volts and selectable voltage output for several loads, such as critical automotive control systems, radios, computer and communications. The DC power supply can be mounted externally on the vehicle and used in marine applications, due to it being encapsulated in REDARC’s silicone elastomer. (Source: Defence Connect)
25 Mar 19. Rheinmetall Canada Awarded a Major Land C4ISR Program Support Contract by the Government of Canada. The Government of Canada has recently awarded Rheinmetall Canada a major support contract pertaining to Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR). The frame contract is currently worth up to CAD 57m. The contract will take place over the next five years and will be expensed using a task mechanism over this period. The contract is part of the sustainment of the Land Command, Control, Communication, Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) program and as the prime contractor, Rheinmetall Canada is to provide ISTAR in-service support services (ISS). The goal of the ISTAR ISS contract is to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with an ISTAR Command and Control Information System (C2IS) capability. Rheinmetall Canada will maintain and enhance the specialized capability through the support contract. Rheinmetall Canada was selected under a competitive process where Value Proposition and the Industrial and Technological Benefit Policy (ITB) were applied. As one of the few companies to have reached over 1bn dollars in ITB transactions since the inception of the policy, Rheinmetall Canada has put forward an outstanding Value Proposition. The Canadian supply chain of Rheinmetall Canada will benefit from this contract over the next years.
AIR
25 Mar 19. Morocco to Purchase, Upgrade F-16s for $4.77bn. The State Department has approved two possible foreign military sales to Morocco: one of F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated $3.787bn, and another to upgrade the nation’s existing F-16 aircraft to the F-16V configuration for an estimated $985.2m, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Monday. The prime contractor for these sales is Lockheed Martin [LMT]. Morocco wants to buy 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft as well as related equipment, including: 29 Pratt & Whitney [UTX] F100-229 engines; 26 APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars; 26 Modular Mission Computers; 26 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems – JTRS (MIDS-JTRS) with TACAN and ESHI Terminals; 26 LN260 Embedded Global Navigation Systems (EGI); 40 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS); 26 Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG); 30 M61 Al Vulcan 20mm Guns; 50 LAU-129 Multi-Purpose Launchers; 40 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); 40 AIM-120C-7 Guidance Sections; three GBU-38/54 JDAM Tail Kits; 50 MXU-650 Air Foil Group, GBU-49; 50 MAU-210 Enhanced Computer Control Group (CCG), GBU-49,-50; 36 FMU-139 D/B Fuzes; six FMU-139 D/B (D-l) Inert Fuzes; two GBU-39 (T-l) GTVs; 60 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB I); 10 MAU-169L/B Computer Control Group, GBU-10,-12,-16; 10 MXU-650C/B Air Foil Group, GBU-12; 12 MK82 Bombs, Filled Inert; four BLU-109 Practice Bombs; 10 MAU-169 CCG (D-2); and 26 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Pods. Also includedare 26 AN/ALQ-213 EW Management Systems; 26 Advanced Identification Friend/Foe; Secure Communications, Cryptographic Precision Navigation Equipment; one Joint Mission Planning System; 26 AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS; six DB-110 Advanced Reconnaissance Systems; communications equipment; spares and repair parts; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; support and test equipment, simulators; integration and test; U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The requested F-16V upgrade will encompass all of the nation’s current 23 F-16s, and includes the purchase of 26 APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radars, 26 Modular Mission Computers, 26 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System – JTRS (MIDSJTRS) with TACAN and ESHI Terminals, 26 LN260 Embedded Global Navigation Systems (EGI), 26 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems II, 26 Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG), 50 LAU-129 Multi-Purpose Launchers; and 26 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Pods. Also included are 26 AN/ALQ 213 EW Management Systems; 26 Advanced Identification Friend/Foe; Joint Mission Planning System; 26 AN/ALQ 211 AIDEWS; six DB-110 Advanced Reconnaissance Systems; secure communications, cryptographic precision navigation equipment; spares and repair parts; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; support and test equipment; simulators; integration and test; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. According to the State Department, the proposed sales will contribute to Morocco’s self-defense capabilities and improve interoperability with the U.S. and other regional allies. (Source: Defense Daily)