UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
05 Sep 19. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BCB a contract to provide an environmentally friendly ration heating fuel. The FireDragon fuel has so far helped to reduce the British Army’s carbon footprint, BCB says, and its associated foldable cooker will be yet again issued to British soldiers to help them heat food and drink. The fuel is manufactured in the UK by Cardiff-based BCB International, and has a high purity of ethanol, is clean, and burns quickly with a reduced cook time compared to other solid fuels, the company says, noting that it is primarily made from renewable waste vegetation. The MoD used some 2 million packs of FireDragon fuel in the first years of the contract, and has managed to reduce its carbon footprint compared to the previously used toxic hexamine fuel in the process. ‘Hexamine emits cyanide and a lot of noxious fumes such as formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides when it burns,’ Ben Harrison, a chemist at BCB, said. ‘Formaldehyde and ammonia are also used in its production, bringing their own hazards. Hexamine produces a lot of carbon monoxide, especially when compared to FireDragon. FireDragon by contrast emits no formaldehyde or cyanide.’ The new contract will run for four years, and BCB notes that other European militaries are currently evaluating the fuel. (Source: Shephard)
05 Sep 19. Lincad launches Four Channel Caravel Mk2 charger with orders from UK Ministry of Defence. Lincad, a leading provider of batteries and charging systems to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), has launched an enhanced capability version of its world leading Caravel Mark 2 charger. Representing the very latest in battery charger technology and design, Lincad’s new Four Channel Caravel Mk2 charger is set to join a line of Caravel charger products which have seen front-line service with British and international armed forces for over 18 years. Lincad has already received significant orders for the new four channel version from the UK MOD.
04 Sep 19. BAE Systems has selected Xerox’s Intelligent Workplace Services to secure and transform its print infrastructure while creating a more efficient work environment. Throughout the five-and-a-half-year agreement, Xerox will utilise analytics software to manage and optimise BAE Systems’ print infrastructure, reducing costs and bolstering document security. Xerox will also introduce multifunction printers (MFPs) embedded with the ConnectKey platform and productivity apps to transform printing devices into smart, connected workplace assistants. Xerox Intelligent Workplace Services exceeds the stringent security requirements set by the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense, and Xerox is the only provider to earn U.S. FedRAMP authorisation for this service.
SEA
04 Sep 19. Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it has won a U.S. Navy contract for the development, integration, and production of hardware solutions for various Navy platforms. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a base award of more than $382m. With options, the cumulative value of the contract is estimated at more than $830m. Under the contract, Leonardo DRS 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 U.S. Navy, the government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales program, as well as under a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth of Australia.
30 Aug 19. The Royal Navy has awarded QinetiQ an £18.7m Operational Assessment of Signatures Informing Susceptibility (OASIS) contract to reduce the acoustic and electromagnetic signatures of ships and submarines. Maritime vessels are susceptible to detection due to the ambient signature given off by machinery such as ship’s engines, propellers and pumps. Bubbles created by propellers and water displaced by the hull of a ship as it travels also give off acoustic signatures. Reducing the noise signature will make vessels less easy to detect and help to protect them from a range of attacks. QinetiQ will provide ‘over a dozen services’ through an existing long-term partnering agreement (LTPA), a 25-year contract to provide the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide support for the development of new technologies. QinetiQ and the MOD this year signed a £1.3bn amendment to the LTPA to ensure further development and investment. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
04 Sep 19. Eurofighter Typhoon DASS enhancement study contract awarded. The four-nation European defensive aids subsystem (EuroDASS) industry consortium has been contracted to explore potential upgrades for the Praetorian DASS equipping the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, Eurofighter announced in a press release on 4 September. Lasting 18 months, the Praetorian Long Term Evolution (LTE) study activity will characterise the future threat environment and identify technologies and techniques intended to enhance the survivability of Typhoon out to 2050 in the face of these evolving threats. Developed by the Leonardo-led EuroDASS consortium – also comprising Elettronica, Indra, and Hensoldt – the Praetorian DASS is designed to provide Typhoon with threat detection, evaluation, and countermeasures against both air-to-air and surface-to-air threats. The system includes electronic support measures, an active missile approach warner, electronic countermeasures, towed decoys, and initiation of chaff/flares. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
EUROPE
LAND
03 Sep 19. Bittium has received a purchase order for the software-defined Bittium Tough SDR™ radios and Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system’s products to be delivered to the Estonian Defence Forces. The Bittium Tough SDR radios, which are intended for soldier use and vehicle installations, and Bittium TAC WIN products, will complement the tactical communications system that has been delivered to the Estonian Defence Forces already previously. The purchase order continues the reform that aims to improve the Estonian Land Forces’ IP (Internet Protocol) data transfer capability and availability. Bittium’s tactical communications system ordered already previously is based on the Bittium TAC WIN system and contributes to the reform as part of a bigger system entity. The system will now be complemented with the next generation software-defined Bittium Tough SDR radios, which are compatible with the wideband and mobile Bittium TAC WIN system. Bittium’s tactical communications system will be used to modernize the IP data transfer, improve the performance of the tactical data network, and diversify the wireless and wired connectivity of the system entity used by the Estonian Land Forces. Bittium TAC WIN system together with the Bittium Tough SDR radios enables bringing broadband data and voice to all mobile troops starting from brigade level and all the way across the battlefield. Together with the Bittium Tough SDR radios, Bittium will also deliver waveforms, including the wideband Bittium TAC WIN Waveform™ and the Bittium Narrowband Waveform™, as well as accessories. Using several waveforms, even simultaneously, improves the compatibility of the radios to different networks and enables operations on different levels and missions. The product deliveries will commence during the year 2019. The value of the purchase order will not be disclosed. The order will not change Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2019, published on August 8, 2019 in Bittium’s Half Year Financial Report January-June 2019.
03 Sep 19. Portuguese military communications technology company EID has been awarded a €16.7m contract to supply its PRC-525 tactical radios and ancillary equipment to the Portuguese Army. Deliveries will start in 2019 and will go through to 2026. The PRC-525 Combat Net Radio (CNR) is currently the standard man-pack and vehicular radio system used by the Portuguese Army. The flexible, software-based system supports high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) ranges and enables frequency hopping and a wide range of waveforms. The tactical radio offers high performance across portable, vehicular and stationary applications. The contract also includes supply of further systems and components manufactured by EID, including deployable base systems, power amplifiers for vehicular use and antenna tuning units.
SEA
03 Sep 19. BAE Systems has been selected by the vessel contractor to provide the German federal police force, Bundespolizei, with three 57mm naval guns for its three new 86m Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) built by Fassmer shipyard. The gun systems, known as the Bofors 57 Mk3, will support the maritime arm of the Bundespolizei that monitors the country’s North Sea and Baltic coastlines. The 57 Mk3 is a flexible, highly versatile gun system designed to react quickly for close-to-shore operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
06 Sep 19. CAE has received a contract to upgrade the Swedish Navy’s Naval Warfare Training System (NWTS) at the Swedish Naval Warfare Centre (NWC) in Karlskrona. The contract was awarded by procurement agency Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). CAE developed the Swedish Navy’s NWTS under a contract awarded to the company in 2014. The comprehensive, simulation-based NWTS entered into service with the navy in 2016. The system meets the training needs of the navy in sensor operations, command, control, communications, and computers (C4), and weapon systems. CAE’s trainer suite provides the Swedish Navy with 52 student stations and 13 instructor operator stations to carry out training and rehearsals. The student stations feature simulation systems for sonar, radar, and communications. Under the contract, CAE will conduct NWTS upgrades to support active sonar training and additional electronic warfare training capabilities. The enhancements will enable improved training scenarios. (Source: naval-technology.com)
05 Sep 19. Orbit Communications Systems has received an order to provide additional dual-band OceanTRx 4 systems for installation onboard the Polish Navy’s Cormorant-class minehunter vessel. The order was awarded by systems integrator THESTA on behalf of PGZ Group. OceanTRx 4 is a rugged dual-band maritime satellite communications platform designed to support the mission-critical broadband needs of naval ships. The communications platform can be used for one-day deployment. THESTA technical director Cezary Majchrowicz said: “We offer a wide range of products and services to the entire naval sector in Poland.Orbit Communications has stated that the system is designed to deliver high performance and low maintenance costs. The maritime satcom terminal can easily switch between X and Ku bands. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
04 Sep 19. OnTime Networks, a global leader for rugged, time-synchronized Ethernet solutions for the aerospace and defense industries, today announced the selection by Airbus Defence and Space GmbH to provide its military-grade, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), CloudberryMIL CR-6900 Series Gigabit Ethernet Switch, Router and GPS Time Server solution for a mobile and all-terrain Air Defense Tactical Operation Center (TOC). OnTime Networks Rugged Military CR-6900 Series GbE/10GbE Switch, Router and GPS Time Synchonization Server. The Airbus Defence and Space Air Defense TOC is part of a larger air defense system provided by several major defense systems companies, with the primary mission of providing highly versatile battle management, as well as effective and reliable space for the execution of battlefield command and control activities. Contractual deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2019. The CloudberryMIL CR-6900 Series Gigabit Ethernet Switch, Router and GPS Time Server solution stands up to the harsh environmental conditions and will be at the heart of the new Air Defense solution, which will be deployed on fixed and mobile ground platforms. (Source: Google/PR Newswire)
USA
LAND
05 Sep 19. Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Co., Simsbury, Connecticut (W52P1J-19-D-0065); and Chemring Ordnance Inc., Perry, Florida (W52P1J-19-D-0066), will compete for each order of the $320,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
05 Sep 19. Honeywell International Inc., Clearwater, Florida, was awarded a $37,851,458 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of the commercial Tactical Advanced Land Inertial Navigator 5000 Inertial Navigation Unit. 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 Sept. 8, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0082).
05 Sep 19. Maryland Industrial Trucks, Linthicum Heights, Maryland (SPE8EC-19-D-0043), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for commercial trucks and trailers, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0008, announced April 20, 2017.
06 Sep 19. Nalu Scientific and Space Micro team wins USAF SBIR funding. A team of Nalu Scientific and Space Micro has been selected by the US Air Force (USAF) to support the service’s efforts to protect space-based assets and enhance situational awareness on the ground. The joint research proposal will receive funding under the Small Business Innovation Research programme that is aimed at selecting startups to address national security challenges. The space system proposed by Nalu Scientific and its partners Space Micro and Rhea Space Activity is known as ILLUSTRO. Nalu Scientific is contributing its single-photon detection technology for the research proposal. ILLUSTRO integrates the technology into Space Micro space-qualified computing architectures. The solution is designed to support commercial and military satellites to enable space situational awareness. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
30 Aug 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $77,609,835 modification (P00251) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and installed kits. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; defense procurement and other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $77,609,835 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
04 Sep 19. Raytheon-FlexRadio team win OTA contract. The OTA is on behalf of Consortium for Command, Control and Communications in Cyberspace, in support of requirements from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The new radio will provide beyond line-of-sight, long distance communications for aircrews. The Raytheon-FlexRadio team is one of two recipients for this development program. After the 31-month period of performance, one team will be named to move on to production.
SEA
30 Aug 19. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract. The total value of this contract is $326,998,037. Under this follow on contract, the contractor will design, develop, integrate, test and certify the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 6.0 capability. Aegis BMD 6.0 provides an increased BMD capability by incorporating the Air and Missile Defense Radar, now designated SPY-6, for introduction on the first DDG Flight III. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of December 2025. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $14,999,999 will be obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0276-19-C-0001).
30 Aug 19. Raytheon, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded $246,495,123 for an undefinitized contract action, performance-based logistics requirements contract for repair, upgrade, or replacement, required availability, required reliability, configuration management, inventory management and obsolescence management in support of the Close-In Weapon System, Land-based Phalanx Weapon System, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and SeaRAM. This contract includes a two-year base period with one three-year option, which if exercised, will bring the contract ceiling value to $466,395,931. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky, and work is expected to be completed by August 2021; if the option is exercised, work will be completed by August 2024. Annual working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-VP01).
AIR
06 Sep 19. AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial airlines and governments worldwide, has secured a new $118.6m contract with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to deliver two 737 aircraft and associated support equipment to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). The firm-fixed price contract, estimated to last two years, entails the acquisition, modification, acceptance and delivery of two 737-700 Increased Gross Weight (IGW) series commercial aircraft. The aircraft will meet USMC C-9B replacement medium lift requirements and be designated as C-40A aircraft when delivered. AAR leveraged expertise across its Government Programs, Parts Supply and MRO activities within the Aviation Services segment to deliver this innovative solution to NAVAIR.
05 Sep 19. CPI Aerostructures (CPI Aero) has received an initial $2m in funding to start a new phase of the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) programme. The company will begin the production of pod structures and air management system (AMS) components for the NGJ-MB’s system demonstration and test article (SDTA) phase. CPI Aero will deliver the pod components from August next year to support Raytheon’s NGJ-MB programme for the US Navy. Raytheon has issued a binding notification to CPI Aero authorising the company to proceed with the SDTA phase. CPI Aero expects to receive orders worth up to $23.3m under this phase and anticipates a contract to this effect by the end of the year. Deliveries are expected to continue until the first half of 2021. Raytheon is designing and manufacturing the NGJ-MB system for the US Navy’s EA-18G Growler aircraft. (Source: naval-technology.com)
30 Aug 19. Frequentis Defense has received an $8.45m contract from the US Navy to provide a voice communication system for the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The Boeing-built MQ-25A Stingray is designed to provide aerial refuelling capabilities for the US Navy. The unmanned aircraft will help enhance the combat range of F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35C fighter jets. The aircraft will also provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Under the contract, which was awarded by the US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Frequentis is required to provide engineering and logistics for the design, development, test, manufacture and sustainment of the MD-5A Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS). The UMCS is part of the MQ-25 aircraft programme’s Control System & Connectivity (CS&C) segment. Frequentis will provide the IP-based voice communications system for the MD-5 UMCS control station. UMCS will be used to control the MQ-25A aircraft. In a contract announcement, the US Department of Defense said: “The integrated computer system will transport voice communications from carrier-based air vehicle operators to local audio switches, local radio terminals and remote radio terminals.” The UMCS programme is responsible for the management of infrastructure-related modification work onshore and on board carriers. In addition, the programme also covers integration with existing network, command and control communications systems. (Source: naval-technology.com)
06 Sep 19. Northrop Grumman wins US Navy contract for all-electronic bomb fuse. Northrop Grumman will manufacture a new all-electronic bomb fuse for the US Navy to provide a uniform solution for general purpose bombs. The US Navy has awarded the first production order to Northrop Grumman for the FMU-139D/B bomb fuse. The company stated that the fuse is suitable for general purpose bombs used by the US and its allied countries. In January, the navy decided to authorise the firm to go ahead with full-rate production of the FMU-139D/B. The FMU-139D/B is designed to provide improved performance and reliability and reduced cost. The all-electronic bomb fuse is a replacement for FMU-139C/B, FMU-152 and most FMU-143 bomb fuses. The company said that there is a key difference between the manufacturing of the three legacy bomb fuses and the FMU-139D/B. The manufacturing of the FMU-139C/B, FMU-152, and FMU-143 bomb fuses involves mechanisms for each fuse, whereas the manufacturing of FMU-139D/B uses electronics. (Source: naval-technology.com)
TECHNOLOGY
04 Sep 19. The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded three AFWERX Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts to ARES Security. Under the three awards, ARES Security will provide the AVERT suite of physical security solutions to enable the USAF to be better equipped to tackle security challenges. The company will provide security assessment and help establish training and response systems to enhance security at USAF bases and reduce operational costs. ARES Security is supporting USAF Air Mobility Command and Global Strike Command Security Forces at Travis Air Force Base (AFB) and Dyess AFB. The USAF intends to leverage the AVERT suite’s technology to increase protection of assets and personnel. The technology will assist the USAF Security Forces in meeting challenges in complex threat scenarios. AVERT features quantitative modelling and simulation engine to help analyse threats against response forces. The technology also provides the data to increase the effectiveness of USAF security. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
02 Sep 19. KBR wins US Navy contract to support SAIL testing laboratory. KBR has secured a contract to provide services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Surface/Aviation Interoperability Laboratory (SAIL). The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract is valued at $41m and requires KBR to provide engineering, technical, operational, test and logistics services. It will also cover facilities testing and maintenance of laboratory equipment, installed avionics and ship-combat systems. SAIL is a shore-based lab that functions as an operational US Navy vessel. It is used as a military test asset to test aircraft and shipboard systems before they are fielded. The test platform is used for several aircraft, including MQ-4C Triton, MQ-25 Stingray, P-8A Poseidon, F-35B/C Lighting II, MQ-8B/C Fire Scout, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, E-2C/D Hawkeye, EA-18G Growler and MV-22 Osprey. The lab features shipboard combat systems, including the ones used on US Navy aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers and littoral combat ships to assist it in the testing. The company noted that the contract services will be delivered to support SAIL for the conduct of research and development (R&D) programmes for the navy and other US military branches. In addition, services will support systems integration, simulation and stimulation systems development, test planning and conduct, as well as other efforts such as C4ISR systems interoperability, and technology demonstration programmes. KBR will perform the work within the contract at NAWCAD, Patuxent River, Maryland. Completion of the work is expected in July 2024. (Source: naval-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
02 Sep 19. Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has begun working with its first undisclosed customer on a 2020 delivery of the company’s latest-generation Miniature PLGR Engine – M-Code (MPE-M) GPS receiver. The new MPE-M, announced this summer, is ideal for lightweight, ground-based applications such as radios, blue force trackers, targeting devices, vehicle LRU’s and small unmanned aircraft. The MPE-M has the same Type-II small form factor as the MPE-S and is designed to be easily integrated into platforms that utilize the MPE-S today. According to independent testing, the MPE-M is the lowest Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) small Type II form factor ground receiver available and incorporates Collins Aerospace’s recently certified Common GPS Module (CGM).
30 Aug 19. PAE Government Systems Inc., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $122,830,985 modification (P00013) to Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan) contract W56HZV-17-C-0117 for ground vehicle support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Kabul, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 Afghanistan Security Forces, Army funds in the amount of $122,830,985 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
30 Aug 19. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $129,811,367 modification (PZ0017) to Foreign Military Sales (Oman and Taiwan) contract W31P4Q-17-C-0194 to procure missiles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2021. Fiscal 2010 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $129,811,367 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
SEA
05 Sep 19. UUV Aquabotix Ltd (ASX:UUV) (“Aquabotix” or the “Company”) today announces that it has received an order for its SwarmDiver EDGE™ hybrid micro unmanned underwater vehicle (“UUV”) / unmanned surface vehicle (“USV”) product from a military agency of a major Asian country aligned with Australia and the United States. The order is for an amount of US$350,000 (approximately A$520,000). There are no conditions precedent in the contract, and it is anticipated that these units will be delivered in Q1 2020 with associated services to be rendered through Q2 2020.
AIR
03 Sep 19. Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, today announced that it has signed a delayed contract renewal in its Imagery segment with an International Defense and Intelligence customer, as described in the second quarter 2019 earnings call presentation. The contract renewal encompasses services that Maxar began providing on Feb. 1, 2019, and will provide through Jan. 31, 2020. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)