EUROPE
LAND
29 May 19. FDF to extend camera surveillance system. The Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opted to extend the Finnish Defence Forces’ (FDF’s) centralised camera surveillance system, the MoD announced on 24 May. The FDF Logistics Command has been authorised to conclude a contract with Caverion Suomi to extend the surveillance system for 2019-2021. The procurement is valued at about €12m. The contract covers all equipment to be connected to the system and related services, such as design and installation services. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
29 May 19. The Czech Ministry of Defence announced during the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair in Brno, Czech Republic, it is awarding a contract for maintenance of 16 L-159 aircraft in four years to AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE. The total value of the so called PP16 contract – maintenance after 16 years of service – is CZK 1.6bn (about €60m). The PP16 is a second regular maintenance check of single seat L-159s, the first check after eight years of service was performed by Aero in 2009–2013. Besides the necessary maintenance, several upgrades are part of the contract. One of them is adjustment for use of NVG (night vision goggles): adaptation of the cockpit and installation of internal and external airplane lighting (positional, anti-collision and formation lights). Aero cooperates with the Czech army to make the whole L-159 fleet NVG compatible. All L-159T2 aircraft, which will come to the service of the Czech Air Force in following days, are prepared for training in night vision; adaptation for NVG is also part of upgrade of L-159T1 to T1+. Another upgrade is installation of ESIS – Electronic Standby Instrument System, able to substitute several standby instruments and provide the pilot with attitude, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed and heading data in the event of a panel failure. Aero installed ESIS already to L-159T1 aircraft operated by the Czech Army. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
29 May 19. BAE Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $39,459,120 undefinitized contract action for the France MQ-9 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Sensor Pod effort. This contract provides for the production of FMS sensor pods, which will be utilized on the French Air Force MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and Block 30 Mobile Ground Control Stations. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2023. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales to France.
USA
LAND
24 May 19. DRS Global Enterprise Solutions Inc., Dulles, Virginia, was awarded a competitive single-award blanket purchase agreement (GS-35F-0148S / HC101319A0003) for the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Deployed Operations telecommunication program. The total cumulative face value of the blanket purchase agreement is $977,000,000 (ceiling amount). Quotations were solicited via the General Services Administration’s Information Technology Schedule 70, and one quotation was received from 39 quotations solicited. Performance will be at Headquarters USSOCOM, Florida. The period of performance is one five-year base period from May 24, 2019, through May 23, 2024, and three one-year option periods. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois is the contracting activity.
24 May 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $13,654,232 modification (P00010) to contract W56HZV-18-F-0153 for procurement of Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 25, 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $13,654,232 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
24 May 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $13,399,355 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and frim-fixed-price) contract for MPL2-95 semitrailers, associated spare parts, kits, and contractor logistics support. One bid was solicited with one received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of May 23, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $13,399,355 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-C-0087).
24 May 19. The US Department of Defense has awarded four-year contracts totalling $7.2m to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University to create an autonomous trauma care system.
This system would fit in a backpack and can be used in treating and stabilising soldiers injured in remote locations. The aim of ‘TRAuma Care In a Rucksack: TRACIR’ project is to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enable medical interventions that go beyond the ‘golden hour’ for treating combat casualties. A team of Pitt researchers with clinicians from emergency medicine, surgery, critical care and pulmonary fields will offer real-world trauma data and medical algorithms. CMU roboticists and computer scientists will incorporate the data for the creation of a ‘hard and soft robotic suit’. An injured person can be placed in this suit, which will be fitted with monitors to help assess the injury. Alongside this, AI algorithms will offer guidance in providing the right critical care interventions and robotically apply stabilising treatments such as intravenous fluids and medications. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
24 May 19. UUV Aquabotix Ltd (ASX:UUV) (“Aquabotix” or the “Company”) has been awarded an approximately US$150,000 contract for the purchase of its SwarmDiverTM system along with training and test support for the United States Military. This hardware and services sale will enable necessary government evaluation activities for the Military’s consideration of operational use of the product in theatre. This award represents the fourth (4th) order placed by the United States Armed Forces related to the SwarmDiver family of vehicles since the product’s launch in April 2018.
AIR
28 May 19. Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, California, is awarded a $25,413,946 firm-fixed-price contract to procure 34 low-rate initial production Lot 3 BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Targets and technical data. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, and is expected to be completed March 2021. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $25,413,946 will be obligated at time of award, none 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-1024).
29 May 19. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a not-to-exceed $65,173,723 advance acquisition contract for long-lead components for the manufacture and delivery of three low-rate initial production Lot 5 M-4C Triton unmanned aircraft for the Navy (2); and the government of Australia (1). In addition, this contract provides equipment and associated materials for three ground stations for the Navy (2); and the government of Australia (1). Work will be performed in San Diego, California (27.7 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (15.5 percent); Baltimore, Maryland (14.7 percent); Waco, Texas (9.3 percent); Bridgeport, West Virginia (8 percent); Red Oak, Texas (6.2 percent); and various locations in the continental U.S. (18.6 percent). Work is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and cooperative partner funds in the amount of $65,173,723 will be obligated at time of award, none 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. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($38,250,000; 58.7 percent); and the government of Australia ($26,923,723; 41.3 percent) under a cooperative agreement. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0008).
TECHNOLOGY
30 May 19. The USAF has awarded a contract to Boeing’s subsidiary Tapestry Solutions to provide weapon planning software (WPS) to US military and allied forces. WPS will be used for aircraft and weapon platforms. Valid for ten years, the contract has a potential value of $259m. The mission planning software can be used for various aspects of mission planning, including routes, threats and points for weapons launches. JMPS is a cooperative development between the USAF and the US Navy. It aims to provide automated mission planning support for aircraft, weapons and sensors used by airforce, navy and marine corps. It has the ability to facilitate collaborative mission planning and data sharing capabilities between military services. The WPS suite supports precision-guided munition planning for a range of USAF bombers and fighter aircraft, including A-10, B-2, B-52, F-15E, F/A-18 and F-35 deployed worldwide. Tapestry has previously delivered mission planning software solutions for F-15, F/A-18, F-22 and T-38. In addition, the company has experience in developing weapons systems software for the Tomahawk missile and Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) programme. According to the US Department of Defence, the contracted work is anticipated to be completed by February 2029. Tapestry will perform the majority of the work at its US locations in St Louis, Missouri, and Niceville, Florida. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
26 May 19. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that it was awarded a $127m contract to supply vehicular tactical radio systems to the Indian Army. The contract will be performed over a three-year period. The radios to be supplied will include several configurations for integration onboard a range of armored fighting vehicles and tanks at the battalion and company levels.
30 May 19. Leonardo to supply PicoSAR radars for CAF’s ISTAR drones. Leonardo has been awarded a contract to provide its PicoSAR active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for new surveillance drones for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The contract was awarded by QinetiQ, which is the prime contractor for the delivery of unmanned intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft to the CAF. Designed and manufactured by Leonardo in Edinburgh, Scotland, PicoSAR is capable of providing ground mapping and surveillance capabilities in all weather conditions. QinetiQ was awarded the unmanned aircraft systems contract earlier this month. The drone will help enhance situational awareness and deliver ISTAR services to the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Leonardo is one of QinetiQ’s four principal partners to deliver ISTAR services. The remaining three partners include Canadian-UAV, UMS SKELDAR and Wescam. (Source: army-technology.com)
24 May 19. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Javelin Guided Missiles. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of Javelin Guided Missiles with support for an estimated cost of $102m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019. The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy three hundred thirty-one (331) Javelin Guided Missiles with container. Also included are System Integration & Checkout (SICO) service; Field Service Representative; U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering and logistics support services’ tools and test equipment; support equipment; publications and technical documentation; spare and repair parts; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total case value is $102m. The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the United Arab Emirates of the above defense articles (and defense services) in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended. The prime contractor will be is Raytheon, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: ASD Network)
24 May 19. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Follow-On U.S. Marine Corps Training. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of follow-on blanket order U.S. Marine Corps training and support to the United Emirates Presidential Guard Command for an estimated cost of $100m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019. The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested follow-on blanket order U.S. Marine Corps training, training support, and other training related services in support of the UAE Presidential Guard Command. The total value for this sale is $100m. The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the United Arab Emirates of the above defense articles (and defense services) in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important partner in the region. The proposed sale will provide the continuation of U.S. Marine Corps training of the UAE’s Presidential Guard for counterterrorism, counter-piracy, critical infrastructure protection, and national defense. This training also provides engagement opportunities through military exercises, training, and common equipment. UAE will have no difficulty absorbing this training. The proposed sale of training will not alter the basic military balance in the region. There will be no principal contractor associated with this proposed sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed amendment to a current sale will allow for the continued permanent assignment of thirty-four (34) U.S. Marine Corps active duty personnel to the UAE. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
29 May 19. CAE has secured a contract from Lockheed Martin Canada to support the design phase of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ship programme. The subcontract requires CAE to support combat systems training needs analysis and training media analysis over the next several years. CAE noted that the services rendered will contribute to the overall CSC training system design. The contract also includes human factors engineering and professional services to input the design of critical spaces on the ship. In addition, CAE will support the establishment of an integrated data environment. Irving Shipbuilding is the prime contractor for Canada’s CSC programme. All 15 ships under the programme will be built at Irving’s Halifax Shipyard. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
24 May 19. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Aircraft Follow-on Support and Services. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of aircraft follow-on support and services for an estimated cost of $1.8bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019. Saudi Arabia has requested to buy follow-on logistics support and services for the Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft, engines, and weapons; publications and technical documentation; support equipment; spare and repair parts; repair and return; calibration support and test equipment; personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support, and other related elements of program support. Equipment and spares will be procured for support of, but not limited to, F-5, F-15, KA-350, C-130, KC-130, E-3, RE-3, and KE-3 aircraft. The total estimated program cost will be $1.8bn. The proposed sale will sustain Saudi Arabia’s operations and maintenance activity, improve sustainability, and ensure capability for near and long term air operations across the fleet. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. There will be various contractors associated with the equipment involved with this case, and there is no prime contractor. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: ASD Network)
27 May 19. US State Department Clears $80m UAE Blackjack Sale. The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible $80m Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the United Arab Emirates of a further batch of RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial surveillance system, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a 24 May statement. The prospective FMS package includes twenty RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). Also included are forty Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Type II (MPE-S); air vehicle support equipment including eight Ground Control Stations (GCS), four launchers, and four retrievers; spare and repair parts; publications; training; and technical support services. The prime contractor will be Insitu, Bingen, WA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Company. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)
24 May 19. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds for an estimated cost of $900m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of twenty thousand four (20,004) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds. Also included is weapon support and test equipment, spares, technical publications, personnel training, other training equipment, transportation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total case value is $900m. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of an important partner in the region. This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key partners in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase security. The APKWS will provide the UAE with flexibility in the use of proportional, precision fires when operating in remote and mountainous regions as well as populated areas. The APKWS will complement the Hellfire II missile as a secondary precision munition with lower collateral damage potential. These aspects make the APKWS, employed in conjunction with UAE’s multiple types of helicopters and Hellfire II missiles, an appropriate munition for the UAE’s counterterrorism operations. UAE will have no difficulty absorbing the APKWS into its armed forces. The prime contractor will be BAE Systems, Nashua, NH. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: ASD Network)
29 May 19. Russia to acquire upgraded Ka-52M combat helicopters. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) will start acquiring 114 upgraded Kamov Ka-52M combat helicopters in 2020, Deputy Defence Minister Alexey Krivoruchko said during a visit to the Arseniev-based Progress plant, a subsidiary of Rostec’s Russian Helicopters, on 28 May. Krivoruchko said the contract would be signed in 2020, adding that development of the Ka-52M would be completed by 2022. Russian Helicopters director-general Andrey Boginskiy told Jane’s the upgraded rotorcraft would incorporate experience gained during the operational employment of the basic Ka-52. “The updated air platform will receive new electro-optical subsystems that will increase the Ka-52M’s ground and aerial target detection and engagement range. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
28 May 19. Saudi Arabia requests tactical air surveillance system. The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of continued tactical air surveillance system aircraft support to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 24 May. In a package worth $136m, Saudi Arabia has requested spare and repair parts, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, along with other related elements of programme support. Additionally, the sale will support rehabilitation of the integrated lab located in the US used for testing and troubleshooting. The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s surveillance capability to counter current and future regional threats and strengthen its homeland defence. If the sale goes ahead, the prime contractor will be L3 Technologies. (Source: Shephard)
23 May 19. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $355,493,640 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM)/Replacement Exchange In-Kind (REIK) for HARM Control Section Modification (HCSM). This contract provides for the refurbishment of live AGM-88Bs and conversion of AGM-88B into Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM-88B) for approved Foreign Military Sales countries. Work will be performed in Tuscon, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by 2027. This contract involves foreign military sales to Qatar, Taiwan, and Bahrain. Additional countries may be added after contract award. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $76,074,315 is being obligated on a delivery order at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Warner Robins, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8520-19-D-0002).