UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
07 Oct 19. Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence company, has secured a three year contract, with two year optional extension, for the Gun System Automation (GSA) 9 in-service support contract with the Ministry of Defence supporting the Royal Navy. Operating jointly from our South West facilities at Devonport and Portsmouth – specialising in warship support – this contract will provide support for all aspects of GSA9 support including Electro Optical Gunfire Control System (EOGCS), the Electro Optical Sensor Platforms (EOSPs), the Quick Pointing Devices (QPD) and below decks equipment of six Control Consoles, Gun Allocation Subsystem, Gunnery Check Fire System and two Maintenance and Analysis Facilities (MAF). Through GSA9, Babcock will deliver critical services to the Royal Navy’s T45 Destroyers and manage a portfolio of sub-contractors and suppliers.
EUROPE
LAND
07 Oct 19. Poland orders Flexnet reconnaissance sensor systems. Poland’s Armament Inspectorate announced on its website on 30 September that it had ordered 116 Flexnet reconnaissance sensor system (RSS) sets for PLN67m (USD17m) from Swedish company Exensor Technology. The systems are to be delivered in 2019–20 under a 2015 tender. Exensor Technology Flexnet was selected over proposals from Elbit Systems Land & C4I and WB Electronics. The RSS is planned to be used by reconnaissance patrols at the tactical level in Poland and overseas missions. Flexnet is a networked family of unmanned ground sensors carried by rucksack, combining optical (day and night cameras) and non-optical sensors, relay devices, tripods with height settings for sensor positioning, batteries and chargers, and portable terminals integrated into command-and-control systems. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
SEA
03 Oct 19. Squadron 2020 order marks first for Saab’s SLIM integrated sensor mast. Saab has confirmed that the four new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes being procured by Finland under the Squadron 2020 corvette programme will be the first ships to receive the company’s SLIM [Saab Lightweight Integrated Mast] integrated sensor mast. Finland’s Defence Forces Logistics Command on 26 September awarded Saab a EUR 412m (USD450m) contract to provide and integrate the combat system for the Finnish Navy’s new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes within the Squadron 2020 programme. As well as taking overall responsibility for combat systems integration (including third-party weapon systems being supplied as government-furnished equipment), Saab’s scope of supply also includes the 9LV combat management system, the Ceros 200 radar/electro-optical director, a laser warning system, the TactiCall integrated communications system, and the Trackfire remote weapon station. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
08 Oct 19. The Netherlands to buy nine more F-35s for $1.1bn. The Dutch government on Tuesday announced plans to purchase nine more of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 jets, a move that would bring the country’s inventory to 46. The envisioned €1bn acquisition will “lay the foundation” for a third F-35 squadron in the Dutch air force, a plan that government officials first floated in late 2018, according to a statement posted on the defense ministry website. (Source: Defense News)
USA
LAND
07 Oct 19. Apogee wins prime position on DoD’s GSA OASIS SB Pool 3 contract. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a prime position to Colorado Springs-based small business contractor Apogee Engineering. The prime contract is a follow-on to General Services Administration (GSA) One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) Small Business (SB), Pool 3. The US Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC) announced in May about the potential transition of all Space and Missile Defense Advisory and Assistance Services (SMDA2S) to the GSA OASIS contracts. This contract will expand Apogee’s Space and Missile Defense services across the DoD. Under the multi-billion dollar contract, the company will compete for task orders related to OASIS SB Pool 3 engineering services for DoD weapon systems. Apogee will be able to bid for professional services task orders that have a total maximum value of more than $150m. The company noted that the task orders will be available for re-competition from next year. (Source: army-technology.com)
07 Oct 19. The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a contract modification worth up to $269m for continued production of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV).The award for an additional 168 upgraded Bradley A4 Infantry Fighting Vehicles is part of the Army’s combat vehicle modernization strategy and helps ensure force readiness of the Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT). The Bradley A4 is equipped with an enhanced powertrain that maximizes mobility and increases engine horsepower, providing rapid movement in reaction to combat or other adverse situations. Wide angle Driver’s Vision Enhancer, improved Force XXI Battle Command Bridge and Below (FBCB2) software integration improves friendly and enemy vehicle identification, enhancing situational awareness. The addition of a High Speed Slip Ring, greater network connectivity and Smart Displays that simultaneously display classified and unclassified information also improve situational awareness. Previously awarded funding for initial production of 164 Bradley A4 vehicles allowed BAE Systems to begin production. The award of this option brings the total production funding to $578m. It includes upgrades and associated spares of two Bradley variants: the M2A4 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M7A4 Fire Support Team Vehicle. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Oct 19. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $48,000,000 modification (P00033) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for long lead material associated with the build of the Self Propelled Howitzer, Carrier-Ammunition Tracked vehicle. Work will be performed in York, Maine, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $48,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
07 Oct 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $48m engineering services contract to support the integration and qualification of hand-held devices into platform-mounted WiFi systems secured up to secret. Loaded with situational awareness and mission planning applications, the mobile devices will improve air-to-ground communication between combat teams, enhancing situational awareness as the mission unfolds.
07 Oct 19. Newington, NH Police Department Transitions to SIG SAUER P320 Pistol. SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to announce the Newington, New Hampshire Police Department has transitioned to the SIG SAUER P320 (9mm), as their official duty pistol. The Newington Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the citizens of Newington and the Pease International Tradeport, home to SIG SAUER Worldwide Headquarters.
AIR
09 Oct 19. Hoverfly Technologies has received a contract from a US Government agency to provide LiveSky tethered drone systems. Under the $10m sole-source contract, Hoverfly will deliver both the LiveSky Dismounted and LiveSky SkyBox variants. The contract also includes the provision of installation, training, and support services. It has a performance period of five years, including four one-year options. LiveSky tethered drone is designed to provide aerial monitoring and communications relay solutions. The tactical and mobile intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system is equipped with Hoverfly’s ISR sensor payload to enable full-motion 24-hour day / night video. The company will start deliveries to the US Government in November. (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Oct 19. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has been awarded a contract to deliver up to 33 Oriole Solid Propellant Rocket Motors (SPRMs) to a US Government customer. The prime contract award, received by Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services (DRSS) Division, also includes options. Kratos can exclusively offer Oriole SPRMs for market areas such as missile defence threat representative targets, sounding rockets and suborbital research. Under the exclusive rights agreement, the company delivers rocket motors, systems and solutions to support missile defence, hypersonics, weapon system research and other national security missions. The company will perform the contract work at its facility and vendor locations. It did not provide further details about the contract, citing ‘competitive, customer-related and other considerations’. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
08 Oct 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will develop new space systems and flight software, and provide engineering, training and operations support for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by Caltech, under a five-year, $150m contract. The contract could potentially be worth $300m over 10 years if all options are exercised. Work on the new contract is expected to begin in October, though Raytheon has supported JPL since the 1960s, when the company developed the Mars Infrared Radiometer for the Mariner missions. The company currently manages the lab’s data systems, testing and developing software and providing on-call technical support during critical events like Mars rover landings. As part of the new contract, Raytheon will also be supporting a number of classified missions. In addition to supporting JPL, Raytheon IIS manages a large portfolio of space programs for the U.S. government, including the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, a 6.2 million gallon instrumented pool at NASA Johnson Space Center where astronauts learn to work in space and train on a submerged full-size mockup of the International Space Station. The company manages NASA’s earth science data network — which makes critical climate data available to researchers — and developed and sustains the Joint Polar Satellite System ground station, which tracks storms. Raytheon IIS also operates the United States’ two primary space launch facilities.
TECHNOLOGY
08 Oct 19. L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P., Greenville, Texas, has been awarded a $48,976,531 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Advanced Exploitation of Electronic Intelligence Signals software/hardware. This contract provides for improved detection, collection, characterization and reporting accuracy of emerging emitters, and improved reporting timeliness; improved classification of signal feature characteristics; and research, development and demonstration of technologies and algorithms for automatic detection, measurement, processing and exploitation of radio frequency emissions. Work will be performed at Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by September 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,000,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-20-C-1002).
07 Oct 19. Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, today announced that it has been awarded a $14.2m contract to develop Red Wing, an automated, cloud-based geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) analysis architecture for the Air Force Research Laboratory. While data is the critical fuel for geospatial analysts, the ever-increasing volume of available information requires increased levels of automation and more efficient workflows. Maxar’s Red Wing architecture will enable analysts to focus on addressing some of the most challenging intelligence problems by automating time-consuming workflows. Red Wing will also enhance and optimize the production of actionable insights from raw information through advanced exploitation and visualization services and edge node processing. For ease of use, Maxar is designing the architecture to integrate with legacy systems. Red Wing also expands the use of Amazon managed services through careful assessment of emerging offerings with the goals of improving resiliency, reducing cost and reducing exposure to cyber threats. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
09 Oct 19. EM Solutions has been awarded the Pacific 2019 SME Innovation Grant and highly commended in the Pacific 2019 National Innovation Award at the Pacific Exhibition in Sydney. Both awards are associated with the Cobra X/Ka Tri-Band Maritime Satellite Communications Terminal, which has recently been deployed on numerous vessel platforms by the Royal Australian Navy. The Cobra terminal was developed by EM Solutions in collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence and provides enhanced capability through its ability to operate on both military and commercial satellite systems and use of proprietary satellite tracking technology that ensures robust operation in the harshest of conditions. (Source: Defence Connect)
03 Oct 19. The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of 150 Raytheon Co (RTN.N) Javelin missiles and related equipment worth up to $39.2m to Ukraine, the Defense Department said in a statement on Thursday. The type of missiles was mentioned in a July 25 call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that has prompted a congressional impeachment inquiry against Trump. The sale is to be funded with Ukrainian government funds, not U.S. funds, and was finalised before the leaders’ conversation. (Source: Reuters)
SEA
08 Oct 19. Lockheed Martin Australia, together with the Department of Defence, today announced the appointment of Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia Pty Ltd (Safran) to design three major Combat System components for Australia’s Future Submarine Program. The $36.77m contract, which will be in force until May 2023, will see Safran deliver the preliminary and detailed designs for the combat system’s optronics search and attack mast, navigation radar and navigation data distribution components. The contract scope will also include delivery of prototypes and interface simulators to enable Lockheed Martin Australia, as the combat system integrator, to conduct further test activities and validate the integrated performance of the combat system in its Adelaide-based Combat System Architecture Laboratory (CSAL). While the contract represents the initial phase of development activities (including the development of design up to and including the component-level critical design reviews), it will also see Safran establish sovereign capabilities at its new facility in Botany, NSW, for the build, integration and ongoing sustainment of these components. As part of its delivery of this work, Safran will subcontract two Australian companies, Acacia Systems and Thomas Global Systems, for the design and development of software and hardware, respectively. The contract will result in more than 11 full-time positions being created and sustained locally across Safran and its partners.
AIR
06 Oct 19. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $153m to supply an Army of a country in Southeast Asia with a comprehensive, multi-layered array of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The contract will be performed over a 22-month period. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will supply a networked multi-layered UAS solution, including more than a thousand THOR Multi-Rotor Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) mini-UAS, scores of Skylark LEX, Skylark 3 and Hermes 450 tactical UAS as well as Universal Ground Control Stations.
03 Oct 19. Kratos wins jet target work. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ Unmanned Systems Division has received a $5m contract for mission system integration and test tactical jet target drone work from an undisclosed customer. Work under this contract award will be performed primarily at the division’s facilities in Sacramento, California, and the company says that due to competitive, customer-related considerations no additional information can be provided. (Source: Shephard)
09 Oct 19. Melbourne company to develop maritime UAS. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced a $3.5m contract for Melbourne-based SYPAQ Systems to develop an unmanned aerial system with potential future applications for the Royal Australian Navy. SYPAQ will develop a small unmanned aerial system (UAS) with a hybrid power delivery system and the capacity to operate effectively in harsh environmental conditions, such as those that can be experienced at sea. (Source: Defence Connect)
TECHNOLOGY
09 Oct 19. $3m contract for Sydney-based navy warfare simulation business. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced a $3m contract for Sydney-based Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems to provide additional Tactical Electronic Warfare simulation training systems, after the successful delivery of the capability earlier this year. The new contract awarded to Cirrus proves advanced, world-leading technology can be delivered by Australian businesses. This $3m contract will enable the company to continue its work with the Royal Australian Navy to provide additional Tactical Electronic Warfare simulation training systems. Continuous streaming data is a fundamental requirement of modern information, communications and processing systems. The development of software that provides reliability in the transport and management of this data in real-time is a key issue for many organisations. (Source: Defence Connect)