UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
31 Jul 19. L3Harris to supply T7 EOD robotic systems to UK MoD. L3Harris Technologies has received a contract modification from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide T7 robotic systems to support explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) missions in the country.
The MoD has exercised a $46m contract option under a $70m contract awarded to L3Harris in 2017 for T7 robotic systems for the British Army’s overseas EOD missions. The L3Harris T7 robotic system is expected to provide advanced EOD capabilities to the UK security forces.
Equipped with a user-friendly interface, the robot provides operators with ‘human-like dexterity and haptic force feedback from the robot arm to the remote-control handgrip’. The T7 robot reduces task completion time and improves mission effectiveness. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
31 Jul 19. Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence company, has secured a 3.5 year Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) contract. Working in collaboration with Lockheed Martin UK – Integrated Solutions, this programme will deliver in-service support for Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control systems (TTWCS) and associated auxiliaries for the UK Ministry of Defence (Defence Equipment & Support). Utilising Babcock’s expert capability, the team – led from Plymouth – will be responsible for 12 TTWCS across the remaining Trafalgar class and Astute class submarines, including land based facilities). Babcock’s proven expertise, including project & configuration management, special to type test equipment maintenance and detailed strip and survey activities will support a range of critical tasks over the duration of the contract.
29 Jul 19. DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $382,535,170 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the development, integration, and production of hardware solutions. This contract will provide design, procurement, production, sparing, test, installation, and support of displays, workstations, processors, and network systems; the production of subsequent systems, kits and enclosures; and engineering and technical services. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (92.7 percent); and the government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales program (4.6 percent), and per a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth of Australia (2.7 percent). Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania (82 percent); Burnsville, Minnesota (15 percent); Germantown, Maryland (1 percent); Largo, Florida (1 percent); and Chesapeake, Virginia (1 percent), and is expected be complete in July 2025. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to an estimated $830,711,796, and be complete in December 2026. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $296,895 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 Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, Keyport, Washington, is the contracting activity (N00253-19-D-0004).
TECHNOLOGY
01 Aug 19. Frazer-Nash, has been awarded a leading role on the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) SERAPIS framework. The six-year, £220 to £300m research framework has been set up to manage all Dstl’s research in command, control, communications, computers, information/intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C4ISR) and space systems, synthetic environments and simulation technology. The framework is split into six lots, each titled with its core purpose. Frazer-Nash will lead Lot 6, titled ‘Understand’, in collaboration with its partners: world-class innovator in science and engineering, Roke Manor Research; Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation centre; and academic centre of excellence, the University of Birmingham. The team will work proactively with Dstl to shape its requirements, convert these to tasks, and ensure their delivery, providing strong, responsive and consistent framework management that enables Dstl to get a better return on its investment in research.
EUROPE
LAND
31 Jul 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., doing business as Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $799,955,939 firm-fixed-price incentive contract for F-16 aircraft production. This contract provides for the production and support of 14 Slovak Republic F-16 block 70 aircraft. Work will be performed at Greenville, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2024. This contract award involves 100% foreign military sales to the Slovak Republic. This award is the result of a Slovak Republic conducted competition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $799,955,939 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-19-C-6053).
29 Jul 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is upgrading Germany’s Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense System to the most current configuration available under a $105.5m direct commercial sales contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. The contract award was first announced on Raytheon’s earnings call on July 25th. The contract comes shortly after the Defense and Budget Committees of the German Federal Parliament approved the upgrade, ensuring Germany remains aligned with five other EU and NATO allies that rely on Patriot for their air and missile defense. All countries – including the U.S. – benefit from being part of the 16 nation consortium through:
- Cost sharing for upgrades
- Enhancements to stay ahead of the growing threat
- Interoperability with other partner nations
Patriot has been successfully used more than 250 times in combat to defend allied forces and civilian populations against hostile aircraft, drones and tactical ballistic missiles.
SEA
31 Jul 19. HENSOLDT has orders for seven radars which are intended for five ships and two land-based systems and are to be delivered by 2022. The company had previously equipped the first K130 batch with its proven TRS-3D radar. For the second batch, the TRS-4D has now been ordered to be supplied in a version comprising a mechanically rotating antenna (TRS-4D Rotator), which is also under contract for the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS). On board the new F125 frigate, the TRS-4D is used in a configuration comprising four fixed planar arrays. This radar system is part of a family of products which also include a ground-based air defence radar, TRML-4D. It thus benefits from shorter production cycles, continuous product improvements as well as advantages in stock levels of spare parts and training. The TRS-4D Rotator 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 its higher sensitivity, the AESA radar allows more precise detection, especially of small and manoeuvring objects, as well as faster confirmation of the target, which means that the ship crew has more time to respond to threats. The radar can be specifically programmed according to the customer’s needs, and its characteristics can be changed via the software to match new requirements that arise during its useful life. 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”. This is all the more important as all NATO troops and their allies are currently in the process of converting their IFF systems to Mode 5. The Mode 5 capability enables the troops to take part in joint and combined operations with NATO and other allied forces.
AIR
01 Aug 19. German Navy selects NH90 to replace Sea Lynx. The German Navy (Deutsche Marine: DM) has selected the NHIndustries NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) to replace its ageing Westland Mk 88A Sea Lynx anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare (ASW/ASuW) helicopters, the Bundeswehr announced on 1 August. Having previously selected the German-specific Sea Lion variant of the NH90 NFH to replace its Westland Mk 41 Sea King maritime helicopter, the DM is to now receive a German version of the French NFH Caiman, named Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter (MRFH). “This ensures a smooth transition and synergies in later operations,” the Bundeswehr said. As noted by the Bundeswehr, the helicopter selection was made at the end of 2018 with the support of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). The representative of the Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Joachim Rühle, approved this proposal on 29 July, and the new helicopters are to be delivered from 2025. Although no prospective contract value or numbers were given, a Germany Navy source has disclosed that 31 NH90 helicopters will replace the 21 Sea Lynxes. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
USA
LAND
30 Jul 19. BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, York, Pennsylvania, was awarded an $88,000,000 modification (P00024) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for long lead material associated with the build of the Self-Propelled Howitzer, Carrier-Ammunition Tracked Vehicle, as well as the gathering of parts associated with the total package fielding package in relation to Option 2. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $88,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
31 Jul 19. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, was awarded a $242,251,919 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee) contract for systems engineering, integration, logistics, and other technical support services for the OT-225 Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures System and the AN/AAR-57(V) Common Missile Warning System. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2026. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-D-0102).
31 Jul 19. L3 Technologies Inc., Muskegon, Michigan, was awarded a $36,031,861 modification (P00077) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0119 for hydro-mechanically propelled transmissions. Work will be performed in Muskegon, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $36,031,861 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
31 Jul 19. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, was awarded a $481,576,687 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for Common Infrared Countermeasure Quick Reaction Capability 3. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-D-0110).
01 Aug 19. Navistar Defense LLC, Lisle, Illinois, was awarded a $7,766,045 firm-fixed-price contract for 4×4 cargo trucks, 6×6 general transport truck, 6×6 30 ton recovery wrecker and medium tactical vehicles general transport truck spares. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Lisle, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $7,766,045 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0455).
01 Aug 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) today announced that it has received new orders totaling $24.8m from the U.S. Army for medium-caliber ammunition. Orders were placed for 30 X 173mm PGU 46/B HEI rounds under the company’s supply contract with the U.S. government. The ammunition order will be manufactured at Northrop Grumman-operated facilities in Virginia and West Virginia, and processed through the company at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. Earlier this year, the U.S. Army ordered $194m of small-caliber ammunition produced at Lake City.
01 Aug 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been awarded a maximum $27,537,300 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for pneumatic tire wheel assemblies. 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 three-year contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Wisconsin and New Jersey, with a July 29, 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-0130). (Awarded July 30, 2019)
31 Jul 19. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Fullerton, California, was awarded a $160,814,850 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical services to support the Sentinel Radar. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2019. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-D-0030).
31 Jul 19. Viasat Inc., Carlsbad, California, has been awarded a maximum $28,379,192 firm‐fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite‐quantity contract for small tactical terminals. 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 California, with a May 30, 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 Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-19-D-0070).
SEA
30 Jul 19. ThayerMahan has received a four-year contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to perform unmanned systems development and testing. The $19.4m contract forms part of the ‘Development, Testing and Application of Unmanned Maritime Systems to Produce Innovative Maritime Autonomous Cross-Domain Capabilities’ programme. The programme seeks to advance the use of technologies in support of cross-domain awareness initiatives within the two military branches. ThayerMahan is required to develop innovative autonomous systems under the contract. The company will also use the funding from the contract to continue the improvement of its acoustic and electronic search systems. Founded in 2016, ThayerMahan is involved in the development of autonomous maritime solutions for the US Navy and other government agencies. Last year, the company participated in the navy’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise that demonstrates the future of navy technologies. At the event, the company demonstrated its SeaScout expeditionary system for seabed mapping and intelligence. ONR functions within the department of the navy and provides technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the navy. The organisation is focused on promoting the development and deployment of unmanned maritime systems to meet the mission needs of the navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
30 Jul 19. Ultra Electronics Advanced Tactical Systems Inc. Austin, Texas, is awarded a $39,920,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the sustainment and upgrade of the Common Aviation Command and Control System Virtual Air Defense System Integrator. The program is managed within the portfolio of Program Executive Officer Land Systems, Quantico, Virginia. Work will be performed in Austin, Texas, and is expected to be completed by July 29, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,188,092 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award, and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code § 2304(c)(1). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-19-D-0001).
AIR
29 Jul 19. Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems Inc., Northridge, California, is being awarded a $167,338,657 firm-fixed-price contract for 263 full-rate production Lot 8 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM). This contract provides for conversion of U.S. government-provided AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles into 260 AGM-88E AARGM all-up-rounds and 3 Captive Air Training Missiles, including supplies and services required for manufacture, spares, and fleet deployment. Work will be performed in Northridge, California (80%); and Ridgecrest, California (20%), and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Fiscal 2017, 2018, and 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $167,338,657 will be obligated at time of award, $1,319,319 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-5. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001919C0049).
29 Jul 19. Armtec Countermeasures Co., Coachella, California, has been awarded a $90,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for MJU-53/B countermeasure flare. This contract provides an infrared countermeasure flare which is a magnesium based flare utilized on Air Force Air Mobility Command C-17 and C-5 aircraft. Work will be performed at Camden, Arkansas, and is expected to be completed by July 2023. This contract involves foreign military sales, however, the countries are unknown at this time. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with two offers received. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $3,000 is being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8213-19-D-0013).
25 Jul 19. The US Air Force awarded AX Enterprize, a small business enterprise, a USD7,753,015 modification to previously awarded contract FA8750-16-C-0293 for the integration of collaborative low-altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) on 17 July 2019. The contracting authority is the Air Force Research Laboratory – Information Directorate’s Information Grid and Systems Contracting Branch, Rome Research Site, Rome, New York. The objective is to research the needs and challenges of the integration of unmanned aircraft operations in the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) as well as the relevance and impact of UTM on manned and unmanned aircraft operations. Work will be performed at Yorkville, New York, and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2020. The award covers fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funding. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
29 Jul 19. Kilgore Flares Co., Toone, Tennessee, has been awarded a $90,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for MJU-53/B countermeasure flares. This contract provides an infrared countermeasure flare which is a magnesium based flare utilized on USAF Air Mobility Command C-17 and C-5 aircraft. Work will be performed at Toone, Tennessee, and is expected to be completed by July 2023. This contract involves foreign military sales, however, the countries are unknown at this time. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with two offers received. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $3,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8213-19-D-0012).
25 Jul 19. Lockheed Martin Receives Award from NGC to Produce More APY-9 Radars for US Navy’s E-2D program. Lockheed Martin’s Radar Sensor Systems market segment has been awarded a contract from Northrop Grumman worth over $600m for multi-year production (MYP) of 24 additional APY-9 radars for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D aircraft program. It’s also known as the Advanced Hawkeye program. The APY-9 radar program is nearing completion of a current five-year production contract in 2020, and this new award calls for another five years of production – with deliveries spanning from 2021 to 2025. The latest radar order will include Lockheed Martin’s new Advanced Radar Processor. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Aug 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a contract award with a potential value of $482m from the U.S. Army for Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) systems and support services. The award expands CIRCM production and strengthens the logistics support infrastructure necessary to support the program as it moves toward full rate production. The initial task order is for $82.8m. CIRCM is a lightweight system that uses laser energy to defend aircraft against infrared threats. Its modular, open systems architecture allows it to be integrated with systems and sensors to address current and emerging threats.
30 Jul 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced it has been awarded a $167m contract by the U.S. Navy for Lot 8 Full Rate Production of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). This contract includes options for increased quantities for the Department of the Navy, missiles for the Italian Air Force and missiles for foreign military sales. AARGM is a U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as the executive agent. AARGM is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps on the F/A-18C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. AARGM is also integrated on the Italian Air Force’s Tornado Electronic Combat aircraft.
TECHNOLOGY
01 Aug 19. Block MEMS to support DARPA SIGMA+ programme for CBRNE threats. Block MEMS has secured a contract to support the US Defense Advanced Research Agency’s (DARPA) SIGMA+ programme for improved defence against chemical threats. SIGMA+ programme aims to develop a real-time, early detection system for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats in urban environments. Under the $3.5m contract, Block will work in partnership with SRI International under a programme known as Localization and Characterization of Chemical Anomalies in Urban Settings (LOCCUS). Block MEMS is a developer of quantum cascade laser (QCL) based infrared detection systems. The LOCCUS programme will bring together SRI’s point sensing technology and Block’s standoff sensing technology. Together, the companies will focus on building an adaptive, high-sensitivity, ruggedised detection capability. (Source: army-technology.com)
01 Aug 19. US Army awards contract to Carahsoft for commercial Cloud solutions. The US Army has awarded a basic ordering agreement (BOA) to Carahsoft Technology for commercial Cloud solutions. The BOA for the Army Cloud Computing Enterprise Transformation (ACCENT) will support the army’s transition from enterprise systems / applications to commercial Cloud environments. The agreement covers all Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)-authorised Cloud service offerings in Carahsoft’s portfolio. It is applicable to the solutions with provisional authorisation from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), including software-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service and infrastructure-as-a-service solutions from a list of vendors. (Source: army-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
26 Jul 19. Thailand – Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of 60 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles with equipment and support for an estimated cost of $175m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 26, 2019. The Government of Thailand has requested to buy sixty (60) Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV); and sixty (60) M2 Flex .50 cal machine guns. Also included are spare parts, Basic Issue Items (BII), Components of End Items (COEI), Additional Authorized List (AAL) (specific items for operations and maintenance), Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE), technical manuals, OCONUS Deprocessing Service, M6 smoke grenade launchers (4 per vehicle) and associated spares, AN/VAS-5 Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE), AN/VIC-3 vehicle intercommunications system, contractor provided training and Field Service Representatives (FSR), and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $175m. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Jul 19. Kongsberg Defence Australia has announced it has selected Daronmont Technologies to provide shelter and shelter equipped solutions for the NASAMS system’s Fire Distribution Centre. Along with Raytheon Australia, Kongsberg will deliver LAND 19 Phase 7B – a ground-based surface-to-air missile system with beyond-visual-range capability for the Australian Army. NASAMS is a state-of-the-art weapons system selected by 10 other nations that will enable the Army to quickly detect, engage and destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missile threats.
This announcement comes following the contract signing on 20 June for the Australian government’s LAND 19 Phase 7B program. The system will be assembled in Mawson Lakes, South Australia, at a new Centre for Joint Integration that will become Australia’s newest purpose-built, defence-systems integration facility. The selection of Daronmont Technologies into the LAND 19 Phase 7B supply chain marks the first of several Australian industries to be involved in the design and production of NASAMS for Australia. It follows the successful completion of an extensive testing and evaluation process, including an assessment of Daronmont’s product range, technical expertise and production management systems. (Source: Defence Connect)
01 Aug 19. In June 2019, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) concluded the tender process of phase 2 of its spectrum management and monitoring system, placing an order with Rohde & Schwarz for the extension of the system the company already placed in service in February 2016. Phase 2 comprises systems design, proposal, delivery, installation and training, as well as implementation and maintenance services for the following new stations: Three control centers in Nyeri, Kisumu and Eldoret to remotely control the already existing stations, one V/UHF fixed monitoring station in Nyeri, one direction-finding (DF) base in Kitale and three mobile monitoring stations. Delivery includes a fixed HF monitoring station and three new mobile monitoring and DF stations. Phase 2 will be implemented by mid 2020. The mobile monitoring stations will have pickup trucks as platform, providing them off-road capabilities. These will be acquired locally, while the system itself will be integrated into special truck-mounted shelters at the Rohde & Schwarz factory. After delivery, these smart system shelters will be mounted on off-road vehicles, guaranteeing system integration with high quality standards and common local platforms for easy maintenance. Moreover, they are agnostic to pick-up manufacturers, and are, just like the platform, inconspicuous, as their DF antenna is mounted directly on a concealable extendable mast. Retracted, the mast with the DF antenna remains hidden, so that the vehicle does not appear as a mobile monitoring station. The elevated antenna results in higher system sensitivity, making it possible to precisely take bearings even on weak signals and expand the detection range.
In order to offer a standardized user interface, Rohde & Schwarz will update the existing system. The new control centers and monitoring stations will be able to interact with CA’s already existing spectrum monitoring network, and the authority is then able to run both, old and new systems, seamlessly.
SEA
30 Jul 19. Egypt – Follow on Technical Support (FOTS) for Ships.
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for various ships for an estimated cost of $554m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 29, 2019. The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of Follow on Technical Support (FOTS) that provides for material and labor services in support of Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates (FFG-7 class ships), Fast Missile Craft (FMC), Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC) ships, Coastal Mine Hunter (CMH) ships, and 25 Meter and 28 Meter Fast Patrol Craft (FPC). The estimated cost is $554m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to provide a strategic partner with critical support for multiple type ships responsible for Egypt’s maritime security. The proposed sale is essential to maintain Egypt’s national security, regional stability, and the free flow of worldwide commerce via the Suez Canal. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
31 Jul 19. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed deals with Russia worth about USD700m for an additional 1,000 air-to-air missiles (AAMs) to arm its fleets of MiG and Sukhoi combat aircraft. Military sources in Moscow and New Delhi told Jane’s on 30 July that the order for the AAMs, which was placed in early July, is for about 300 R-27 (AA-10 ‘Alamo’) infrared-guided (IR) or semi-active radar-guided, medium-to-long-range missiles; 300 R-73E (AA-11 ‘Archer’) IR-guided, short-range missiles; and 400 R-77 (AA-12 ‘Adder’) active radar-guided, medium-range missiles.
The sources said the R-27R1/ER1 and R-27T1/ET1 variants, which are fitted with semi-active and passive infrared seekers, would arm the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI and upgraded MiG-29M fighters. Moreover, they said that the R-77 and R-73 AAMs would also be carried by the IAF’s MiG-21 ‘Bison’ fighters.
Some of the R-73s might also arm the IAF’s fleet of Mirage 2000H fighters, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Military sources in New Delhi said the missiles were being acquired under the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) 10-I (Intense) provision, which mandates that all three military services stockpile ammunition and stores for 10 days of “intense warfare”. The AAM procurements are being carried out under the recently enhanced financial powers of the three services, which enable them to make ‘emergency’ materiel purchases of up to INR5bn (USD72.7m) each time to maintain prescribed war wastage reserves (WWR)
29 Jul 19. India requests C-17 support. The Indian government has requested follow-on support for its C-17 fleet under the US government’s foreign military sales programme. In a package worth $670m, India has requested equipment for C-17 support, including spares and repair parts; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; and support and test equipment. India needs this follow-on support to maintain its operational readiness and ability to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief assistance in the region. The prime contractor will be Boeing. (Source: Shephard)
26 Jul 19. UAE to replace lost Apache. One of the defence sales that the Trump administration invoked an Iran-related emergency to deliver to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) covers a single new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter, according to a notification released by the US Federal Register on 24 July. The emergency was declared on 24 May to ensure that 22 sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan did not require Congressional approval by Congress. A previously released list included “AH-64 equipment” as one of the sales to the UAE. The 24 July Federal Register notification was actually an amendment to one released in December 2016 covering the remanufacturing of 28 of the UAE’s Apache attack helicopters to the AH-64E standard and nine new AH-16Es. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
31 Jul 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., doing business as Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $315,604,174 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, for F-16 Contractor Logistics Support Phase IV. This contract provides the contractor logistics support and establish a training detachment at Balad Air Base, Iraq, for the government of Iraq. Work will be performed at Balad Air Base, Iraq; and Greenville, South Carolina, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2022. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to the country of Iraq. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $29,819,883 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-19-C-6051).
26 Jul 19. Bolivia announces possible Iranian UAS purchase. Bolivia is set to procure unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) from Iran following a meeting between high-ranking government officials from both countries on 23 July. Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Diego Pary announced that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed for academic and technological transfers between both countries, related to the areas of defence technology, following a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Bolivian President Evo Morales. Pary announced the establishment of a nanotechnologies research laboratory at the military-run university Escuela Militar de Ingeniería (EMI) and a postgraduate academic exchange between both countries. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
26 Jul 19. Pakistan – Technical Security Team (TST) in Continued Support of the F-16 Program. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for Technical Security Team (TST) in continued support of the F-16 program for an estimated cost of $125m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 26, 2019. The Government of Pakistan requested a continuation of technical support services; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support to assist in the oversight of operations in support of the Pakistan Peace Drive advanced F-16 program. The total estimated program cost is $125m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by protecting U.S. technology through the continued presence of U.S. personnel that provide 24/7 end-use monitoring. (Source: ASD Network)
30 Jul 19. US Department of State approves potential logistics support contracts for South Korea’s RQ-4 UAVs. The US Department of State has approved a potential logistics support contract for the four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were ordered by South Korea in 2014. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 30 July that Seoul had requested to purchase contractor logistics support (CLS), programme management, depot and organisational level maintenance, technical and logistics services, and other related elements of logistics and programme support, adding that the total estimated programme cost is USD950m. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
01 Aug 19. The U.S. Army Contracting Command has selected Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) to train the Afghanistan Air Force in aircraft maintenance. Raytheon will develop a new training program for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation under the $108m contract, called Afghanistan Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Training, or AMT. Raytheon will provide maintenance training for aircraft flown by the Afghanistan Air Force. The new training program will be directed by the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan and Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air. The AMT contract is awarded under the previously announced Enterprise Training Services Contract vehicle. ETSC provides core training services to combatant commands and their training of security cooperation partners.