UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
19 Sep 19. BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is being awarded a $19,867,103 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00007) to a previously awarded and announced contract (N00030-19-C-0007) to provide logistics engineering and integration support of the U.S. Ohio-class and UK Vanguard-class Strategic Weapon System (SWS) platforms, including support of future concepts. Work will be performed in Saint Mary’s, Georgia (47.8 %); Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (30.9 %); Rockville, Maryland (11.7 %); Silverdale, Washington (3.2 %);Portsmouth, Virginia (1.07 %); Mount Dora, Florida (1.07 %); NewMarket, Maryland (1.07 %); Carlisle, Pennsylvania (1.07%); Mooresboro, North Carolina (1.06 %); and Mesa, Arizona (1.06 %), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2020. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $3,652,728, are being obligated on this award. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,214,375 will be obligated. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1)(4). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting Activity.
18 Sep 19. Rohde & Schwarz showcases NAVICS, reveals T26 involvement. Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) announced at the 2019 Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition (DSEI 2019) in London inform 10 to 13 September that it had been awarded a contract by prime contractor BAE Systems to supply integrated communications systems (ICS) for the UK Royal Navy’s new Type 26 (T26) frigates. These systems will be built around the R&S IP-based naval ICS, called NAVICS. The systems interconnect the distributed onboard voice terminals as well as all other subsystems for internal and external communications via a uniform IP network, using ruggedised, conventional IT technology with accreditable security provided by R&S. This enables the number of voice terminals to be reduced and ATEX smartphones to be employed within security-critical environments. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
19 Sep 19. The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a new order to mission-critical solutions provider TP Group for the supply of oxygen generating equipment to the Royal Navy. TP Group will deliver 750 multi-purpose oxygen generators under the £1m order. The equipment is expected to be delivered to the Royal Navy during the fourth quarter of the year. The company already supplies its combined oxygen generating system (COGS) to the MoD. The latest order was awarded under an existing £22m framework contract signed between TP Group and the MoD in 2017. The framework contract pertains to the management of equipment availability and the provision of spares for air purification systems. It involves the delivery of eight COGS systems and ancillary items to upgrade Royal Navy submarines. In February this year, the firm won a contract from the MoD to supply Extendair lithium hydroxide curtains for managing carbon dioxide contamination on-board submarines. TP Group was also awarded a contract in May last year to deliver submarine atmosphere equipment for Royal Navy submarines. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
16 Sep 19. Airbus to develop high-resolution technology for UK MOD. Airbus has won a design study from the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to develop the technologies for a cluster of ultra-high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites for the UK Ministry of Defence. The satellites will also have the ability to collect radio frequency (RF) signals. Called ‘Oberon’, the project will see Airbus develop the technologies that could lead to an in-orbit demonstration in 2022 and potentially an operational capability as early as 2025. The innovative techniques and technologies developed within the project will allow the ground to be seen in outstanding detail regardless of darkness, or of cloudy weather conditions. (Source: Space Connect)
TECHNOLOGY
13 Sep 19. Defence Innovation Fund announced GBP3m for investment. Major General Jeremy Bennett, the British Army’s Director of Capability, announced in a DSEI briefing on 12 September 2019 that the British Army has teamed with the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to invest GBP3m for the development of six Manned-Unmanned Teaming demonstrators for the Army Warfighting Experiment 19 (AWE19). The six projects are led by Leonardo, General Dynamics (UK), QinetiQ, Horiba-Mira, SCISYS, and Tekever. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), will lead AWE19 on behalf of the army, in addition to providing technical partnership for each of the six projects. The British Army will work with Leonardo and General Dynamics UK to integrate the control stations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) into these platforms. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
EUROPE
LAND
17 Sep 19. The Dutch Army has selected BAE Systems to integrate the Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) solution into its fleet of CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles following successful testing to integrate it onto the platform. Iron Fist is an advanced technology that automatically detects, tracks and neutralizes incoming threats to protect the vehicle and its crew. The Royal Netherlands Army has been working closely with BAE Systems Hägglunds to study the implementation of the Iron Fist APS onto the CV9035NL since 2015. The first phase evaluated the feasibility of five systems. The second phase focused on the inherent performance and high level integration of the APS. With the first layer of soft-kill technology integrated onto the Dutch Army’s CV9035NL fleet, plans are underway to add the Iron Fist’s final layer. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
18 Sep 19. Swiss Air2030 – New Airspace and Air Operations Monitoring System Elected. The evaluation of the three candidates for the new airspace and air operations monitoring system for the Swiss Army concluded with the selection of the winning candidate. The management of the Air2030 program has followed the recommendation of the team of experts in favor of the French candidate, Thales with its Skyview system. The acquisition will be the subject of a request to Parliament in the 2020 weapons program. The “C2Air” project involves the replacement of the Ralus/Lunas subsystems of the Swiss Air Force’s current airspace surveillance and flight operations system. Over the last twelve months, specialists from armasuisse and the Swiss Army have tested three replacement systems from three different countries in Switzerland, evaluated the offers received and made a recommendation to the Air2030 program management in an evaluation report. The Director General of Armaments has now followed this recommendation and awarded the contract to the French candidate Thales with the Skyview system. Thales was chosen because of its best value for money. In addition, Skyview is the system that proves to best meet the requirements. The C2Air project (Air Command and Control) is part of the Air2030 program, as are the next combat aircraft (PAC), long-range surface-defense (Bodluv) and Radar projects. The C2Air and Radar projects are older in time and will be the subject of a request to Parliament in separate weapons programs. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Swiss Dept. of Defence, Civil Production and Sport)
AIR
18 Sep 19. Airbus Helicopters and the Romanian Ministry of Interior have signed a contract for the purchase of three H135 helicopters and associated support and services for air medical services and search and rescue (SAR) missions in the country, following a four-year framework agreement signed at the end of July 2019 that foresees the procurement of up to ten H135s.
TECHNOLOGY
18 Sep 19. OnTime Networks, a global leader for rugged, time synchronized Ethernet solutions for the aerospace and defense industries, today announced the selection by Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG to provide its military-grade, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), CloudberryMIL CR-6900 Series Gigabit Ethernet Switch and Router solution for a mobile and all-terrain ground based air defense system (GBAD). OnTime Networks Rugged Military CR-6900 Series GbE/10GbE Ethernet Switch, Router and GPS Time Synchonization Server. The Diehl Defence ground based air defense system is based on a modular design and open-system architecture, providing maximum flexibility for new weapon systems as well as for modernization of legacy equipment. 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/https://www.prnewswire.com)
USA
LAND
18 Sep 19. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $148,271,911 modification (P00018) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0242 for M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $148,271,911 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
17 Sep 19. US Army orders Javelin weapon systems. The Raytheon-Lockheed Martin joint venture, Javelin JV, has been awarded a $185.6m contract for Javelin weapon systems by the US Army. The order includes Javelin weapon system full rate production, all up rounds, command launch unit retrofits, battery coolant units, Javelin outdoor trainers, outdoor trainer instruction station, tripods, Javelin vehicle launcher and electronics. Work will be completed by 31 August, 2023. (Source: Shephard)
16 Sep 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $12,244,296 firm-price-incentive contract for M984A4 wrecker and self-recovery winch on the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 National Guard and Reserve equipment funds in the amount of $12,244,296 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0511).
SEA
17 Sep 19. BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (BAE), San Diego, California, was awarded an $86,117,104 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of USS Decatur (DDG 73) fiscal 2019 extended dry-docking selected restricted availability (EDSRA). This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Decatur. This is a Chief of Naval Operations scheduled EDSRA. The purpose is to maintain, modernize and repair USS Decatur. This is a “long-term” availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel’s homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Decatur. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $88,816,552. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $86,117,104 was obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $72,807,997 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirement was competitively solicited using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4455). (Awarded Sept. 7, 2019)
17 Sep 19. BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (BAE), San Diego, California, was awarded an $84,595,351firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of USS Stethem (DDG 63) fiscal 2019 extended dry-docking selected restricted availability (EDSRA). This is a Chief of Naval Operations scheduled EDSRA. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization, and repair of the USS Stethem. This is a “long-term” availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel’s homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Stethem. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $96,183,466. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $84,595,351 was obligated at time of award, and funding in the amount of $72,805,698 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirement was competitively solicited using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4459). (Awarded Sept. 7, 2019)
17 Sep 19. General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has awarded a contract to QinetiQ North America (QNA) to design equipment to support the Virginia-class submarine programme. QNA will design, test and qualify an electronic grounding unit (EGU) for the submarines. The EGU is a submarine engine room component used in the active shaft grounding (ASG) system of the Virginia-class ships. An ASG system is designed to lower the resistance between the rotating shaft and the hull. It can be installed to reduce electromagnetic fields external to the hull. The ASG also helps in reducing corrosion. QNA was previously awarded a contract by Electric Boat in December 2017 to design and develop a cradle lock ElectroMechanical Actuator Power Conditioner / Controller (EPCC) replacement. The EPCC replacement was intended for the Virginia-class Block V Weapon Stowage and Handling System (WSHS). The company will design, develop and test the EGU under the contract at its facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
17 Sep 19. The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $1,084,529,525 modification (P00017) to previously awarded contract FA8802-19-C-0001 for systems engineering and integration support for the National Space Community. This contract modification provides for the exercise of Option Year One for fiscal 2020 services being procured under the multiple year contract. Work will be performed at El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,158,348,065. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, California, is the contracting activity.
19 Sep 19. BAE Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Totawa, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $494,879,892 contract modification (P00015) against a five-year contract (SPE4AX-15-D-9441) with one five-year option period adding two national stock numbers for receiver/processors and high band receivers in support of the ALR-56C Digital Upgrade. This is a fixed-price, cost-reimbursement incentive fee, and cost-reimbursement no fee requirements contract. Locations of performance are New Hampshire and New Jersey, with a Dec. 27, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio.
15 Sep 19. Elbit confirmed as large-area display cockpit supplier for Boeing-Saab T-X trainer. Elbit Systems of America has confirmed that it is providing the large-area display (LAD) cockpit and other items for the Boeing-Saab T-X trainer. The announcement on 16 September notes that the US-based subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems will provide the LAD to be fitted in the front and rear cockpits, datalinks, and other embedded training capabilities. “Elbit Systems of America will provide a number of key components including: large-area displays, engine fuel indicators, upfront control panels, and head-up displays and their associated line replaceable units. In addition, the company will supply air and ground datalinks enabling the T-X’s onboard virtual avionics and the Integrated Live/Virtual/Constructive capability. This capability simulates the advanced avionics, sensors and weapons utilised by fifth-generation fighter aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35, enabling T-X pilots to virtually operate those systems while flying the lower cost-to-operate T-X aircraft,” Elbit said in a statement. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Sep 19. Iridium Communications wins $738.5m contract from US DoD. Iridium Communications has received a contract from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to provide unlimited satellite services from its low Earth orbit (LEO) communications constellation of 66 cross-linked satellites. The seven-year, $738.5m contract was awarded to support the US Air Force Space Command’s (AFSpC) Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) programme. The contract will provide DoD and associated subscribers with access to global voice, broadcast, and other services, including netted or Distributed Tactical Communications System (DTCS). Iridium won a five-year EMSS contract in 2013 to provide satellite airtime services for DoD. The company has highlighted that a 145% rise was witnessed in the number of DoD subscribers over the course of the five-year contract. The number now stands at 125,000. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
19 Sep 19. The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $141m indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) task order for new LITENING advanced targeting pods and upgrades that will bring existing pods up to the current configuration. LITENING features high definition video, 1K FLIR sensors, laser imaging sensors and multiple plug-and-play data link options. Any LITENING pod can be upgraded to the latest configuration. LITENING is in service with major components of the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Marine Corps and several international customers. It has been integrated on a wide range of platforms, including AV-8B, A-10, B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and MQ-9.
TECHNOLOGY
16 Sep 19. Technica has secured a Defensive Applications and Network Support (DANS) task order from the US Air Force (USAF) to support mission readiness and lethality. The task order was awarded under the USAF’s Network-Centric Solutions-2 (NETCENTS-2) Small Business (SB) contract and has a potential of up to $74m. It is a consolidation of the Defensive Cyber System Engineering (DCSE) contract, the Maintenance System Support (MSS) contract, and the Defensive Cyber Information Assurance and Network Support (DCIANS) contract. The task order includes helping the USAF in sustaining the Cyberspace Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter (CVA/H) weapon system. Under the contract, Technica will provide services such as operational support, cybersecurity engineering, product solutions, cyber training, risk management framework (RMF) expertise. The task order also covers quality assurance and testing, and service desk support. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
15 Sep 19. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract to Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) to supply additional surface-to-air Akash missile systems. Under the turnkey contract, which has a potential value of about Rs53.57bn ($752.89m), BEL will deliver seven squadrons of Akash missile system for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The state-owned aerospace and defence company is expected to deliver the systems in the coming three years. The IAF will commission the medium-range Akash missile systems at seven different locations across the country. BEL previously delivered six squadrons of the surface-to-air missile defence system to the IAF in 2015-16. The procurement of the additional squadrons for the IAF was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in September 2015. The Akash system is developed locally by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is the principal integrator of the missile. BEL produces electronics and Rajendra fire-control radar for the surface-to-air missile. Earlier this month, the Indian Government approved the purchase of six squadrons of the missile system. The procurement decision is seen as a move to counter recent aggressive posturing by Pakistan. India carried an airstrike earlier this year inside Pakistan’s territory targeting a terrorist camp. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
19 Sep 19. Navistar Defense LLC, Lisle, Illinois, was awarded a $19,847,322 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for cargo trucks (6×6 General Transport Trucks, 6×6 Ton Recovery Wrecker and GTT spares). Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Lisle, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of May 15, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $19,847,322 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0622).
18 Sep 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) U.K.-based air traffic communications subsidiary, Park Air Systems Limited, has again been selected to upgrade Chile’s airspace communications equipment. This is the third consecutive time that Park Air has been selected by Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) to upgrade their equipment to the latest VHF and UHF radios. Building on the existing use of the Park Air T6 Sapphire portfolio within 23 sites across Chilean aerospace, Park Air will upgrade 10 additional sites with the latest voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology. Park Air will work closely with Aerotech, a leading Chilean company in airport systems as its partner for the contract. Working with local experts better enables Park Air to improve customer response times and give support and assistance in the local language. “Both Park Air and Aerotech teams have worked well on this project together, providing the customer with a solution they can trust and support that they can rely on,” said Anais Venet, international sales manager for Americas at Park Air. The T6 is at the heart of the Park Air Sapphire portfolio, products which are designed to work hand in hand, and flexible enough to suit single radio installations and remote locations, as well as country-wide operations. It gives customers the integration, flexibility and security that they can depend on in today’s air traffic management environment. Delivery of this solution is possible through the combined efforts of Park Air and Aerotech, who will be providing in-territory support as well as installation and decommissioning expertise.
SEA
16 Sep 19. Indonesian shipyard PT Lundin (North Sea Boats) has completed a contract to supply and assist with the construction of 18 high-speed patrol boats for Bangladesh. Delivery of the final vessels, which have been built to the company’s proprietary ‘X12’ design, were completed in the week of 9 September, PT Lundin announced via an official social media channel. Citing a senior company official, Jane’s first reported in November 2014 that the company has secured a contract to build eight fast patrol boats for the Bangladesh Navy. The contract also includes an option, which has since been exercised, to build 10 more vessels for the Bangladesh Coast Guard. As part of the contract’s technology transfer clause, two of the vessels under the contract were built in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, while the remaining 16 vessels were constructed at the Bangladesh Navy-owned Dockyard and Engineering Works in collaboration with Indonesian engineers. The vessels are based on PT Lundin’s X15 patrol boat concept, which in turn derives its design from the Royal Swedish Navy’s Combat Boat 90 (CB90) fast patrol craft. It has an overall beam of 3.5m, has a length of 11.7m, draws 0.84m of water, and displaces 10.2 tonnes when fully loaded. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
19 Sep 19. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $156,911,600 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity bilateral contract modification (P00020) to previously awarded contract FA3002-13-D-0012 for the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F-15SA Original Equipment Manufacturer Training Program. This modification adds a two year ordering period to the multi-year basic contract. This modification involves 100% foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed at King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushayt; King Faisal Air Base, Tabuk; and King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2021. Total cumulative face value of the contract is estimated and not to exceed $461,000,000. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $156,911,600 are being obligated at the time of award. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity.
17 Sep 19. Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded a $31,899,999 firm-fixed-price task order against contract FA8134-19-D-0001 for the Gulfstream aircraft order and contractor logistic support (CLS) for Philippines Air Force. This order is for the purchase of one Gulfstream aircraft, parts, tooling and two years of CLS for sustainment of the aircraft. Work will be performed at Manila, Philippines, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to the Philippines. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,070,000,000. Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $31,899,999 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8124-19-F-2500).