UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
08 Apr 19. Inzpire Limited has been awarded the Defence Operational Training Concept (Air) (DOTC(A)) Interim White Force contract and will manage the transition from the Defence Synthetic Air-Land Training (DSALT) programme over a 42-month period. Inzpire’s current team of 16 synthetic training experts, which makes up part of the company’s Collective Training Division, will all transition to support DOTC(A), with up to 8 new positions set to be established. Delivery of DOTC(A) will enable the RAF to adopt a distributed approach to synthetic collective training, with front-line operators using their mission simulators to access a common immersive synthetic environment within which they can achieve collective training requirements. The Air Battlespace Training Centre at RAF Waddington will become the hub for this capability, housing the DOTC(A) Core Systems and Services and White Force personnel, and connected to Main Operating Bases by a secure network. The distributed training model will allow up to 5 training exercises to be run concurrently. DOTC(A) will continue to use DSALT’s highly successful Whole Force Approach, with training delivered by an expert White Force team made up of full-time serving military instructors working alongside reservists and contractors. Inzpire’s experts will provide a cradle-to-grave service including designing, building and testing exercises before completing rehearsals, exercise delivery and debriefs. Additional DOTC(A) innovation provided by Inzpire will include operations support specialists alongside configuration and information management experts.
EUROPE
LAND
05 Apr 19. Bittium has received a purchase order from the Finnish Defence Forces for the porting of the European ESSOR (European Secure SOftware-defined Radio) program’s OC1 (Operational Capability 1) phase wideband waveform to the Bittium Tough SDR radios that will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces. Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces have signed an agreement on the purchase of the Bittium Tough SDR handheld and vehicular radios in December 2018. The porting of the waveform to the national software-defined radios enables compatibility between radios used in European coalition operations, in accordance with the goals of the ESSOR programme. The ESSOR OC1 phase has continued the ESSOR programme, started in 2009, with the aim of enhancing the operational capabilities of the ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform (HDR WF) meant for joint operations of different national troops. The Bittium Tough SDR products can flexibly use the most suitable and best performing waveform, such as the ESSOR HDR Waveform, Bittium TAC WIN Waveform™ and Bittium Narrowband Waveform™. Using several waveforms, even simultaneously, improves compatibility and enables operations on different levels and missions. The value of the purchase order is approximately EUR 1.1m (excl. VAT) and the corresponding work will be delivered by the end of the year 2019. The purchase order also includes options for the years 2020-2021. The total value of the options is approximately EUR 2.5m (excl. VAT). The purchase order does not affect Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2019 published in the Financial Statement Bulletin 2018 on February 21, 2019.
08 Apr 19. Major Bundeswehr order: Rheinmetall to supply German military with tens of thousands of artillery shells. The German Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to supply it with artillery ammunition. Worth around €109m (including value added tax), the framework contract encompasses the supply of over 32,000 rounds, with an option for a further 11,000 worth around €37m (including VAT). Delivery is slated to begin in 2019. The contract runs for a period of five years. Rheinmetall Waffe Munition will produce the 155mm artillery ammunition in Unterlüß. The ammunition ordered by the Bundeswehr is the 155mm DM121, which can attain ranges of up to 30 kilometres when fired from the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer. Featuring insensitive characteristics, this high explosive round can also be used in training operations and field exercises. Annual consumption will therefore be in the region of several thousand rounds. Just awarded, the order follows a first batch of 30,000 procured by the Bundeswehr in 2009. Developed by Rheinmetall, the DM121 features outstanding performance parameters. The shell, which contains several kilos of high-performance explosive, can reach targets up to 30 kilometres away. It is also highly accurate: at the maximum range, approximately 85% of all shells land within an area the size of a football pitch. Owing to the interplay of high-quality components, the DM121 is capable of penetrating a several-centimetre-thick wall of reinforced concrete before detonating in controlled fashion on the opposite side. Designed to operate safely and reliably at temperatures ranging from -46°C to +63°C, the DM121 attains the same excellent degree of effectiveness in all climate zones worldwide. The insensitive explosive not only produces a devastating effect on and in the target, but also protects friendly forces if the ammunition is hit by hostile fire or exposed to other forms of mechanical stress, etc.
09 Apr 19. Switzerland selects Thales for an image intelligence system.
- Thales signed a contract to supply the Swiss Armed Forces with an IMINT / GEOINT image intelligence system based on the company’s proprietary MINDS multi-sensor image interpretation and dissemination system (the export version of France’s SAIM system).
- This intelligence system will enable the Swiss Armed Forces to optimally exploit still imagery and video feeds from current and future sensors.
- The system’s advanced functionality and innovative built-in artificial intelligence will enable operators to act faster at every decisive moment.
The contract, signed by the end of March 2019 by Thales and the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (Armasuisse) calls for supply of the elements of an IMINT image intelligence centre. Deliveries will begin in early 2020. Built around the Thales MINDS / SAIM system, the platform will enable capture, analysis and optimal exploitation of all types of imagery data. It will be completely virtualised to facilitate integration with the customer’s existing infrastructure, and will incorporate the most advanced AI technologies to take image data analysis to a new level, thus enabling the most relevant intelligence to be distributed to the Swiss authorities, so they can make the right decisions.
SEA
09 Apr 19. Further Development Of RAM MK49. The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has commissioned RAM-System, Germany – the joint venture of MBDA and Diehl – to adapt the MK49 guided missile launch systems of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System to the requirements of the German Navy. The contract is €82.4m. RAM is a small, light, infrared naval missile defence system which, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support facilities, forms the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). It was developed to provide missile defence for multiple ship platforms. The RAM MK 31 guided missile weapon system is an international cooperative development, production and service programme between the US and German governments. The participating governments work within the framework of a series of agreements which define the business principles for programme implementation as well as contract and financial contracts. The contract now concluded also includes the associated on-board hardware and spare parts. The work will take place in Germany and the USA and should be completed by December 2023. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
AIR
08 Apr 19. Poland to acquire AW101 helicopters for anti-submarine duties. Warsaw will sign a production contract with Leonardo Helicopters later this month covering its purchase of AW101s configured for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties with the Polish navy. Polish defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak confirmed the planned buy on 8 April, stating that Warsaw intends to finalise an order during April. The acquisition is believed to include four AW101s. Ahead of the deal being finalised, Leonardo Helicopters and Poland’s defence ministry have signed an offset agreement worth Z400m ($106m) in relation to the order. In addition to meeting Warsaw’s airborne ASW requirements, the 15t-class AW101s will also will be capable of performing combat search and rescue (CSAR) tasks, Blaszczak says. Leonardo Helicopters confirms that the rotorcraft will be assembled at its Yeovil manufacturing site in Somerset, the UK. Warsaw had previously indicated that its naval helicopter requirement would be for up to eight aircraft configured for ASW and CSAR missions. Poland early this year also confirmed an order to acquire four S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky, with the armed rotorcraft to be used in support of special forces operations. Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer records a current active fleet of 149 AW101s, with the type flown by military and government operators in Algeria, Canada, Denmark, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan and the UK. (Source: News Now/Flight Global)
USA
LAND
10 Apr 19. AM General to supply 648 M997A3 ambulances to US Army. Automotive military systems provider AM General has secured a $185m contract to deliver 648 M997A3 high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) ambulances to the US Army Contracting Command. The company will start providing the first chassis systems to the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) as part of their public-private partnership. The shelter fabrication and final assembly of the ambulance will take place at JMTC. AM General plans to deliver the first M997A3 ambulance in the second quarter of this year. The company said it will apply the same quality control processes throughout the entire programme build to achieve the high standards. The HMMWV combat ambulances, which can be heated, ventilated or air-conditioned, are equipped with advanced armour protection and were built to transport causalities from the battlefield to medical aid stations. Last September, AM General received a requirements contract from the US Army Contracting Command for the production of new M997A3 HMMWV ambulances. As the prime contractor for the project, the company will produce up to 2,800 new ambulances. (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Apr 19. Hughes receives CRADA contract for BFT-3. Hughes Network Systems has received a two-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) from the US Army for the third phase of the Blue Force Tracking programme, the company announced on 3 April. Under the agreement, Hughes and other industry participants will conduct studies and deliver a series of recommendations to modernise the BFT system architecture to improve interoperability and resiliency, as part of an Open System Architecture (OSA) consortium working to achieve more flexible network tracking of friendly force locations. Hughes will present recommendations to bolster operational resiliency with a focus on maintaining communications in contested environments. The OSA results under the CRADA will include modular network architecture recommendations for the US Army to integrate various military and commercial networks and services using new standardised interfaces. The final CRADA reports are expected to precede competitive procurements of the next generation BFT system in 2020 or 2021. (Source: Shephard)
10 Apr 19. INVISIO receives new US DoD order. INVISIO has received an $11.93m order from a new customer within the US Department of Defense for its communication and hearing protection systems, the company announced on 5 April. The order has been received through the company’s newly awarded GSA contract. INVISIO’s soldier system is a combination of integrated headsets and control units. The system is designed to protect the hearing of soldiers in the battlefield, while also allowing them to maintain situational awareness and communicate effectively through their radios and intercom systems. The order will be delivered between April and September 2019. (Source: Shephard)
08 Apr 19. O’Gara Armoring said Thursday it has received a five-year, $60.7m deal to produce armor kits for the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) fleet. The new kits are designed to improve the trucks’ capacity to protect soldiers from side and underbody blast and ballistic threats, according to the company. Production of the new FMTV armor kits is expected to begin by late summer. O’Gara Armoring in February was also awarded a five-year, $49m deal to deliver turret systems and platform integration kits (PIKS) to the Army. The PIKS enable Remote Weapon Station installation on a range of Army vehicles, including Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, Humvees and Abrams tanks, according to the company. Officials said the two deals represent an opportunity for the company to reassert itself into the military marketspace. O’Gara’s armoring business was sold to Armor Holdings in 2001, which was then acquired by BAE Systems in 2007. In 2012, BAE Systems then sold back the armor business to O’Gara. (Source: Defense Daily)
08 Apr 19. US Army orders gunner display systems. Palomar Display Products has received a $40.7m contract add-on modification to deliver gunner display systems for the US Army’s M1 Abrams tank, the company announced on 3 April. The modification brings the total value of the contract to more than $78m. The optically coupled display systems have been designed, tested and qualified by Palomar Display Products. (Source: Shephard)
09 Apr 19. U.S. military researchers are asking Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) in Reston, Va., to build a prototype reconnaissance armored combat vehicle to enable U.S. Marine Corps battlefield reconnaissance units to fight through the enemy to gather and disseminate crucial intelligence information from the battle front. Officials of the U.S. Office of Naval Research in Arlington, Va., announced a $19m contract to SAIC on Thursday for a portion of the Armed Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program that involves advanced high-risk technology development called “at the edge.” (Source: https://www.militaryaerospace.com)
09 Apr 19. SLSCO Ltd., Galveston, Texas, was awarded a $789,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for border replacement wall construction. Nine bids were solicited with six bids received. Work will be performed in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 1, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $388,999,999 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (W912PP-19-C-0018).
SEA
08 Apr 19. DRS Laurel Technologies, Chesapeake, Virginia, is awarded a $53,744,086 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity supply contract with cost reimbursable services for the repair station console (RSC) in support of guided-missile destroyer (DDG) modernization. Supplies are to be delivered to continental U.S. locations at various Navy bases, shipyards, repair facilities and contractor facilities. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, is the Navy’s agent for the coordination and planning of all the engineering and technical support services for the DDG Modernization Program. The Navy modernization program provides a full spectrum of technical support encompassing all phases of the alteration/installation process. The RSC installation is accomplished in whole or in phases that minimize interruption in ship operating schedules while maximizing the capacity of type Commander and Naval Sea System Command agencies to upgrade and modernize hull, mechanical and electrical and electronic systems. The installation process consists of several phases, including advance planning, ship check, assessments, fabrication, prototype evaluation and installation, final design shipboard installation, testing and completion. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (85 percent); and various locations to be determined as orders are placed (15 percent), and is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,140,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-19-D-4017).
09 Apr 19. Ultra Electronics awarded NGSSR work. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems has received a $27.98m contract for the development and production of the US Navy’s Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) qualification systems, the company announced on 2 April. The contract, awarded by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, also includes options which, if exercised, would bring its value to $34.56m. The NGSSR programme’s primary objective is to develop a replacement for the US Navy’s legacy shipboard surface search radar systems, which includes all variants of the current AN/SPS-67, AN/SPS73, Bridge Master E series and commercial-off-the-shelf radars. The new radar will provide enhanced performance and situational awareness, and provide ship defence against surface and low-altitude threats. The contract will outline the requirements and approach for NGSSR and provide funding for the development, integration, test, demonstration, product support and systems engineering. Work on this contract is expected to complete by July 2021. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
08 Apr 19. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $91,290,023 modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract FA8634-18-C-2698 for F-15 Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCPII) Low-Rate Initial Production 3. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for the production and integration of the ADCPII boxes into the F-15 platform. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 28, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter/Bomber Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 1, 2019)
08 Apr 19. Harris Corp. [HRS] has received $84m to produce an experimental satellite dubbed Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) that will demonstrate new position, navigation and timing capabilities that could improve the resiliency of the GPS constellation, the company said. April 8. The contract was awarded in December 2018 by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (AFSMC) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the program seeks to leverage Harris’ longtime experience in developing GPS signals and support to see how a small, rapidly launched satellite can augment the capabilities and resiliency of the GPS constellation and assist with coverage in contested environments. Harris will design, develop, integrate and test NTS-3, which will simultaneously broadcast military and earth coverage signals at increased power levels, enabling it to operate in contested environments. It is currently scheduled to launch in 2022. The company will leverage over 40 years of GPS and space antenna experience to support. (Source: Defense Daily)
10 Apr 19. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $3,169,708,972 for modification P00006 to definitize the previously awarded E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) Lot 7 advance acquisition contract (N00019-18-C-1037) to a multi-year fixed-price-incentive-firm contract. This modification provides for the procurement of 24 full-rate production Lots 7-11 E-2D AHE aircraft. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida (20 percent); St. Augustine, Florida (19 percent); Syracuse, New York (19 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (5 percent); El Segundo, California (5 percent); Menlo Park, California (4 percent); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (2 percent); Air-sur-l’Adour, France (2 percent); Owego, New York (2 percent); Woodland Hills, California (1 percent); Greenlawn, New York (1 percent); Edgewood, New York (1 percent); Windsor Locks, Connecticut (1 percent); Marlboro, Massachusetts (1 percent); Independence, Ohio (1 percent); West Chester, Ohio (1 percent); Torrance, California (1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (14 percent). Work is expected to be completed in August 2026. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $943,584,001 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
TECHNOLOGY
09 Apr 19. Falkonry, Inc., the leading provider of predictive operations technology, announced that it has been awarded an AFWERX Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Receiving this contract qualifies Falkonry’s “pre-packaged” machine learning system, Falkonry LRS, to be used by any government agency that wants to deploy predictive analytics without requiring data scientists. Key selection criteria for this contract include technical merit, ability to solve key operational challenges and proven commercial viability and success outside of the government. In the commercial space, Falkonry LRS has already proven to save companies millions of dollars and deliver 5-10 times return on investment (ROI) through improvements in the uptime, yield, quality and safety of their operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Apr 19. US Army awards General Dynamics contract for electronic and cyber warfare capabilities. The US Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) has awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) a contract to provide electronic and cyber warfare capabilities. The contract, known as R4, is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ)-type contract with multiple awardees. It has a ceiling of USD980m over 10 years. Under the contract, the company is required to deliver new cyber capabilities, in addition to upgrades of existing cyber systems, together with training, documentation, and support activities. The contract will serve as the army’s primary source of cyber innovation and delivery, GDMS said in a press release on 27 March. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
08 Apr 19. Arnold Defense, the St Louis based manufacturer of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, is pleased to announce receipt of the first order for their unique FLETCHER Land Based, Laser Guided Rocket Launcher. The FLETCHER 2.75-inch/70mm weapon system was first unveiled just 18 months ago at DSEi in London. Since the launch, FLETCHER has been showcased at a number of international exhibitions, generating exceptional levels of interest whilst Arnold Defense have continued with an ongoing development and investment program to broaden and prove the system’s already revolutionary capability.
08 Apr 19. Babcock Australasia has announced it has been awarded the counter – chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (C-CBRNE) capability tender by the Department of Defence. The agreement will see Babcock work with Defence to “streamline sustainment and acquisition processes for C-CBRNE using Babcock’s industry-leading asset management systems”, and is worth about $26.65m for the initial five-year contract, with a maximum period of 15 years depending on performance. (Source: Defence Connect)
11 Apr 19. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that it was awarded an approximately $30m contract to supply STYLET, a precise Guided Mortar Munition (GMM) to a country in Asia- Pacific. The contract will be performed over a two-year period. With a range of 1000-8500m, STYLET is a multi-mode GPS/INS guided 120mm GMM that is designed for tactical combat units and Special-Forces. STYLET’s high accuracy of less than 10 meters Circular Error Probable (CEP) provides ground forces with an affordable precise solution that is easy and quick to operate, increasing their operational effectiveness while sharply reducing collateral damage.
10 Apr 19. L3-Micreo awarded contract to supply additional Silvershield C-IED systems for ANDSF. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has awarded Brisbane-based company L3-Micreo a contract to manufacture and deliver more than 14,000 additional Silvershield counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) systems to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds said in a 10 April statement that the additional C-IED systems are expected to “make a real difference to the lives of our Afghan partners, providing them with confidence as they continue operations against determined insurgent and terrorist groups”. No information was provided about the value of the contract or the expected delivery dates. An initial 16,000 Silvershield units were delivered to Afghanistan throughout 2018, said the DoD, adding that Australian-developed systems are “tailored for use in the harsh environment of Afghanistan”. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
09 Apr 19. The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan worth $1.15bn for up to 56 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB missiles. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Tuesday. The sale covers the 56 SM-3 IB All Up Round missiles as well as missile canisters, U.S. government and contractor technical assistance, engineering and logistical support services, and other related program support. The primary contractor will be Raytheon [RTN] while the main contractor for the cannisters is BAE Systems. DSCA said this sale will help provide Japan with a greater ballistic missile defense capability to defend Japan and U.S. personnel stationed there. It noted Japan will have no difficulty absorbing the missiles and that it is vital to U.S. national security to assist Japan in maintaining this kind of self-defense capability. (Source: Defense Daily)
08 Apr 19. India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approves procurement of 464 T-90MS tanks. India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the INR134.48bn (USD1.93bn) procurement of 464 Russian-made T-90MS main battle tanks (MBTs) for the Indian Army (IA). Official sources told Jane’s that the move by the CCS, which convened in early April and is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the penultimate step in the process of acquiring the MBTs and will be followed by the signing of a contract between India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Russia’s arms export agency, Rosoboronexport, during the next few months. The MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of the tanks in November 2016. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Apr 19. RADA receives $6m in new orders. RADA Electronic Industries has received new orders totalling more than $6m from new and existing customers, the company announced on 8 April. The orders included $5m from defence customers for the company’s software-defined active electronically scanned array radars for counter UAS solutions. The remaining $1m are follow-on orders for the company’s legacy avionics, including digital video recorders and ongoing maintenance orders for its wide instalment base of core avionics for military airborne platforms. (Source: Shephard)
11 Apr 19. Saab on Thursday has announced that the Australian Army signed a contract for deliveries of M4 Carl Gustaf 84mm multi-purpose rocket system. According to a company’s statement, the total order value is SEK 168m ($18m) and deliveries are expected to take place in 2020. The Carl-Gustaf system is a multi-role, man-portable artillery system that allows the infantryman to defeat armoured vehicles with add-on armour protection, destroy landing craft and bunkers, blast breach holes through brick and concrete walls, knock out concealed troops, deploy a smoke screen, and even turn night into day. The versatility of the system, with several different types of ammunition, allows the soldiers to quickly respond to a wide range of ground threats. Australian Army has ordered the newest version of the system – Carl-Gustaf M4. (Source: Google/https://defence-blog.com)
SEA
07 Apr 19. Australian Attack Class Submarine Subcontract Signed. The first major equipment subcontract for the Future Submarine Program was signed today between Naval Group and MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH (MTU) for the design of the Diesel Generator Rectifier (DGR) for the Attack class submarine to turn mechanised energy into electricity. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said awarding this contract achieves a critical milestone in progress of the Program, with the design of the DGR a critical component of the overall Attack class design. Minister for Defence Industry, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said while the contract is directly with MTU, the company would leverage its existing strategic partnership with Penske Power Systems Australia. (Source: ASD Network/MoD Australia)
08 Apr 19. Saab to deliver Sea Giraffe AMB radars for Canada’s Joint Support Ships. Saab has been contracted by Lockheed Martin Canada to supply Sea Giraffe AMB 3-D surveillance radars for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) two new Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships (JSS). Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd is prime contractor for the JSS programme under the wider umbrella of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The new ships, to be named HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver, are intended to provide underway support (liquids and solids) to naval task groups, limited sealift, and support to operations ashore. The ship design, provided by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Canada, is adapted from that of the German Navy’s Berlin-class replenishment ship. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
08 Apr 19. Jamaica reinforces its Costal Surveillance with Thales’s high technology.
- The Jamaica Defence Force acquires several Coast Watcher 100 coastal surveillance radar, Electro-optical sensors, GMDSS radios and a National Control Center.
- Thales’s high tech systems support Jamaica in achieving their ambition by securing maritime domain and at preventing any illegal maritime activities.
In order to tackle and significantly lower smuggling and other criminal activities in Jamaica, the government is implementing the Maritime Domain Awareness Capability Initiative, a far reaching programme aimed reducing the proliferation of maritime threats. A key component of this initiative is the implementation of a national coastal surveillance system operated by the Jamaica Defence Force. In order to fulfil this big ambition, Jamaica is relying on Thales for the supply of coastal surveillance system built around the Coast Watcher 100 radar.
AIR
10 Apr 19. L3 Technologies has been awarded the prime contract worth an estimated US$1bn to deliver the Royal Australian Air Force’s four next-generation airborne electronic warfare MC-55A Peregrine aircraft. Known as the MC-55A Peregrine, the contract includes four modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft with an integrated mission system that provides the latest EW capabilities. Work on this program was initiated in 2017. Funded orders received on this contract were about US$230m for the 2019 first quarter and about US$700m in total as of 29 March 2019. (Source: Defence Connect)
09 Apr 19. Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $47,378,485 firm-fixed-price contract to procure 99 LAU-115 and 100 LAU-116 guided missile launchers for the Navy as well as 62 LAU-115 and 68 LAU-116 guided missile launchers for the government of Kuwait to enable F/A-18 aircraft to carry and launch AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in July 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $47,378,485 will be obligated at time of award, $17,285,182 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0056).
08 Apr 19. A-29 Training Award. The Air Force on Thursday awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. a $42.7m IDIQ contract for A-29 training for the Afghan Air Force. The contract, which was the result of a sole-source acquisition, provides for A-29 pilot and maintenance training. Work will be performed at Moody Air Base, Georgia, and in Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. Fiscal year 2019 building partner capacity/pseudo-foreign military sales funds in the amount of $5.6m were obligated at the time of award. (Source: Defense Daily)
TECHNOLOGY
09 Apr 19. Additional grant funding for Australian Defence STEM strategy. The Schools Pathways Program has been awarded an extra $1.4m of grant funding, which marks the first step at implementing the Defence Industry Skilling and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strategy. The program aims to inform young Australians about the various pathways and career opportunities that can be offered within the defence industry sector. Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds said the program supported the national effort to improve the take-up of STEM studies and careers at participating schools. (Source: Defence Connect)