UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
02 Dec 19. UK opts to keep it real for IEDD training. Last month the UK MoD issued its latest contract for the procurement of second-hand vehicles to be used for Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) training, which takes place around the Felix Training Area (FTA) Kineton and locations around Bicester. Issued on a three-yearly basis with an option on an extension year, these contracts provide up to 50 vehicles a month depending on the training requirements. Typically, these vehicles will be at the end of their useful life and clean of any lubricants or fuel. The MoD contract notice stated that on a typical IEDD training day 15-20 vehicles will be moved around FTA Kineton and ‘rotated through various scenarios’ until they can no longer be used, ahead of disposal. Additionally, the MoD notice states that the vehicles need to be ‘in visually serviceable condition’ and to include ‘all doors, windows, boot bonnet and internal fittings’. Also, the vehicles must be capable of being moved around on four wheels and include ignition keys. The training is provided by the DEMS Training Regiment of the British Army. The £420,000 contract ($543,000) for the training vehicles would commence on 3 March 2020 and run through to 2 March 2024. It is interesting to note that in an era of increasing use of simulation and VR for training purposes in order to replicate situations that UK EOD operators might face there appears to be no alternative to real-life training. Other areas where the British Army could look to utilise simulated training environments include armoured vehicle training, which in other services has allowed trainee and experienced drivers to learn or maintain key skills without risking the potential damage of tracks or transmissions. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
03 Dec 19. Cobham has been awarded a contract to deliver Operational Readiness Training for RAF Lakenheath, as part of a four year deal. The training, which begins later this year, will include exercises in Aerial Gunnery (live fire) and Electronic Attack to prepare USAFE/UK personnel for the increasingly complex front-line threats which they face whilst conducting global operations. (Source: Defence Online)
02 Dec 19. Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced its Cubic Global Defense (CGD) business division was contracted by BAE Systems to deliver the P5 Combat Training System (P5CTS) as part of a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft delivery to an international customer. The order includes P5CTS airborne subsystems (pods), associated ground subsystems and logistics support. Cubic’s P5CTS provides high-fidelity, live mission training capabilities for advanced weapons and tactics training. The P5CTS enhances U.S. and coalition air combat training and allows warfighters to train as they fight. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Dec 19. Permali Gloucester Limited has been contracted by Leonardo Helicopters to supply a comprehensive ballistic protection solution for the Royal Navy’s new Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters. The requirement, valued at over £2m, will create and sustain skilled composite manufacturing jobs at Permali’s factory in Gloucester, U.K. The Commando Merlin is an advanced battlefield helicopter designed for amphibious operations, and will be tasked with delivering troops and supplies into conflict zones as well as supporting humanitarian operations. Permali’s ballistic solution will protect the crew and passengers against small arms fire. Following earlier work on the Merlin Mk2 & Mk3, as well as the previous Commando Sea King fleet, Permali worked closely with Leonardo Helicopters to define the requirement for the Mk4 and will supply a comprehensive package of ballistic protection panels, attachment hardware and custom storage cases. The new Commando Merlin provides a versatile lift capability with exceptional speed and range, and is also equipped with an advanced Defensive Aids Suite in addition to ballistic protection.
TECHNOLOGY
02 Dec 19. Techmodal, the Bristol and London based data specialists, have been successful in their bid to deliver positive transformational change in people, analytics and associated digital communications for the Royal Navy. Supporting Navy Command’s senior leadership in their programme to transform the Navy in 1000 days, under this framework contract Techmodal will build, deliver and support data science, analytics and digital solutions underpinned by support from industry leading governance and assurance subject matter experts including Karmarama, Kainos, PA Consulting, PwC, Deloitte, Oliver Wyman, Havas and Palantir. Techmodal has previously delivered disruptive change in the form of tailored Digital People Analytics Solutions to Navy Command HQ over the last two years and have built an expanded team around their proven Data Science led capability.
EUROPE
LAND
05 Dec 19. Israel agreed to sell Iron Dome aerial defence systems to the Czech Republic, the Israeli Defence Ministry said. Under a $125m worth deal signed between the two allies on Thursday, Israel will supply eight Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) systems with air surveillance, air defence, and artillery capabilities to a Czech security program called Mobile Air Defence Radar (MADR). The MMR systems are manufactured by Elta Systems, an Israeli provider of defence products and a subsidiary of the Israel Aerospace Industries. “The systems will be delivered, tested, licensed and accepted in operational condition during 2021-2023 in the Czech Republic,” a spokesperson for the Israel Aerospace Industries said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported. Upon their arrival, the systems “will be adapted to operate in accordance with Czech and NATO command and control systems,” the spokesperson added. The contract was signed on Thursday in Prague by Czech Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar and head of the Israeli Defence Ministry”s International Defence Cooperation Directorate Yair Kulas. MMR systems are known also as Iron Dome, an aerial defence system that can intercept rockets and short-range missiles. Israel uses it to intercept rockets occasionally fired by Palestinian militants in the besieged Gaza Strip. According to Yoav Tourgeman, CEO of Elta, there are currently over 100 Iron Dome systems contracted worldwide, including NATO countries. (Source: https://www.outlookindia.com/)
06 Dec 19. Switzerland to uy Eagle V 6×6. General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag (GDELS-Mowag) announced on 5 December that it has signed a contract with the Swiss army on 18 November for the delivery of 100 protected Eagle V 6×6 reconnaissance vehicles. The company says that the Eagle 6×6 was selected after an international competition conducted by the Swiss federal office for defence procurement. This first order of the Eagle 6×6 is a milestone for the latest development of the vehicle family. The 100 Eagle V 6×6 vehicles will be the vehicle platform for the country’s new tactical reconnaissance system TASYS. It will be used to gather intelligence for the Swiss Armed Forces including support of civil authorities. It consists of an Eagle V 6×6 carrier vehicle, a multi-sensor system mounted on a telescopic mast, and a data processing system. For self-protection, the highly-mobile Eagle V 6×6 TASYS is armoured and equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station. The vehicle offers sufficient payload reserves to allow for future improvements, such as the integration of additional sensors. The Eagle V 6×6 TASYS starts production in 2020 and will be fielded between 2023 and 2025. Besides the Swiss Army the Eagle V 4×4 is also extensively used by both Denmark and Germany. The further development of the Eagle V 4×4 into the Eagle V 6×6 was inspired by operational experience according to the company. The need was identified for a vehicle with increased useful volume, more payload, very compact exterior dimensions, as well as constant high mobility and maximised protection. (Source: Google/Shephard)
02 Dec 19. Kongsberg has won a contract worth 230MNOK ($25.06m) to supply the Swiss army with Protector Remote Weapon Station (RWS). Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract with Armasuisse (Federal Office for Defence Procurement) for delivery of the KONGSBERG PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station (RWS) to the Swiss Army worth 230 MNOK. (Source: Google/https://www.defenseworld.net/)
04 Dec 19. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has entered into a contract with Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) to deliver a Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) based on the PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station. The contract worth 250 MNOK was won in an international bidding process. Germany is the first country to acquire a C-UAS solution with the PROTECTOR as a kinetic effector. The emergence of inexpensive, small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also referred to as drones, poses a relatively new threat to both military units as well as civilian infrastructure and events, such as airports, government buildings, power plants, political gatherings and sporting events. The PROTECTOR RWS C-UAS has a rapid deployment and reaction time, and is highly mobile. (Source: Google/https://www.kongsberg.com/)
04 Dec 19. The Latvian Armed Forces will procure additional shoulder-launched disposable AT4 weapon systems under a new delivery order awarded to Saab. The order calls for deliveries in 2021. It is the third order under the framework agreement reached between the Latvian Armed Forces and Saab in 2017. The framework agreement is designed to enable the Latvian Armed Forces to acquire AT4 systems through delivery orders. The single-shot AT4 weapon system is designed to provide the forces with confined space and night capabilities. To date, Saab has delivered the AT4 to over 15 countries across the world. The company’s AT4 family of weapon systems comprises multiple man-portable, lightweight and fully disposable weapons, including anti-structure, anti-armour and anti-personnel/high-explosive weapons. Weighing less than 7kg, the AT4 HEAT system is a shoulder-launched anti-armour weapon that provides defence against infantry-fighting vehicles. (Source: army-technology.com)
05 Dec 19. Saab inked a deal for a mid-life upgrade program of the German Army’s AGDUS combat vehicle simulators. The contract is valued at $18.9m. The deal means that the German Army’s AGDUS BT 46 system is being upgraded to the latest generation technology. The upgrade includes high fidelity training, wireless technology and augmented reality injected into sights. It also integrates with fire control systems, provides true vehicle silhouette and full ballistic laser simulation. The system is configurable for different vehicle platforms and fully compatible with previous generations.(Source: defenseindustrydaily.com)
SEA
06 Dec 19. Lockheed Martin Corp, announced on Thursday that it recently signed a contract with Navantia to equip five new F-110 multimission frigates and their land-based test site (Centro de Integración de Sistemas en Tierra or CIST) – with Lockheed Martin’s first naval installation of its solid state S-band radar. The new F-110 frigates will be built by Spain’s national shipbuilder, Navantia. Recently designated by the U.S. Government as AN/SPY-7(V)1, this technology is derived from current radar programs and significant Lockheed Martin investment. Variants of the SPY-7 radar will also be utilized on programs with Japan’s Aegis Ashore, the Royal Canadian Navy for the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the U.S. Government. The F-110 will host the first-ever naval solid state S-band radar for the Spanish Navy. To foster the growth of Spain’s defense and technology industries, Lockheed Martin and Spanish company, Indra, will jointly provide the radar. It will go to sea as part of the Aegis Weapon System, which will be integrated with the ship’s combat management system SCOMBA, when the first frigate deploys in 2026. (Source: News Now/https://defence-blog.com/)
29 Nov 19. Agreement with Navantia for the Development of F110 Frigates. The Council of Ministers has authorized the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to sign an agreement with the entity Navantia S.A., for the development program of the F110 Frigates. The amount, consisting of zero-interest loans without guarantee requirements, amounts to a maximum of 1,638m euros over 7 years (from 2019 to 2025). The F110 frigates project will allow Navantia to be digitized through the Shipyard 4.0 program, and will contribute to place the company as a world leader in the frigate market, giving continuity to Spain’s technological and industrial commitment in this segment. The signature of this agreement guarantees the acquisition of five F110 frigates by the Ministry of Defense from Navantia, a company selected for its capabilities and experience in the construction of high-tech naval ships. The F110 Frigate program involves a high technological and industrial content from which Navantia benefits as well as its supply chain of Spanish suppliers of materials, telecommunications, defense systems, propulsion, etc. The program represents a contribution to Spanish GDP of 590m euros per year and an impact of approximately 7,000 jobs. It will guarantee workload to Navantia for 10 years. The frigates will incorporate cutting-edge technology in the following areas: hydrodynamic tests of the ship to reduce consumption and reduce detectability, hybrid motorization with electric motor and gas turbine, integrated on-board information system (including ship maintenance), integrated combat system, cybersecurity, integrated mast with VHF systems, radar, electronic warfare, communications, navigation, etc. The Joint Commission for Monitoring and Control of defense-related industrial technology programs has been designated to monitor the terms of the agreement. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Spanish Government)
AIR
03 Dec 19. Airbus Helicopters and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement / Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) have signed a tri-lateral Global Support Contract aimed at boosting the availability rate of the Tigers in service in the French, German, and Spanish Armies. With this long-term support agreement, Tiger readiness and supportability will be secured for the next decade and beyond. The contract covers critical items such as continuous improvement and obsolescence treatment as well as securing repair and spares capabilities with all vendors involved. In addition, it provides for the individual needs of each customer in line with their operational and deployment scenarios. For instance, in France, the agreement guarantees parts availability up to 98% and provides for the simplification of logistics as Airbus Helicopters will also directly take over the provisioning of new parts, as well as repaired parts and other expendables.
TECHNOLOGY
02 Dec 19. Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a global developer of advanced military simulation and training software, announces the Swedish Armed Forces and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace as the first military and industry partners contracting to extensively utilize VBS4. VBS4 is a whole-earth virtual desktop trainer and simulation host that allows you to create and run any imaginable military training scenario anywhere on Earth. VBS4 offers a massive step change in modularity, openness and ease-of-use as well as the performance and terrain enhancing capability of BISim’s new engine, VBS Blue. VBS4’s new workflow and capabilities enable users to start training faster, make edits and updates to scenarios and terrains with greater ease and collaboration, and simulate training scenarios anywhere on the virtual Earth. The Swedish Armed Forces has awarded BISim a multi-year enterprise license contract that will upgrade its VBS3 tactical training software to VBS4, making the Swedish Army the military launch customer for BISim’s newest virtual desktop training product. (Source: Google/BUSINESS WIRE)
USA
LAND
05 Dec 19. Allison Transmission, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial and military vehicles, is proud to partner with the U.S. Army’s Tank-automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) to provide the Allison X200-4A propulsion solution for the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier family of vehicles. The upgraded Allison X200 provides superior propulsion for the United States Army’s tracked vehicles. The X200-4A is a cross-drive transmission featuring a hydraulic torque converter in combination with a range planetary package for propulsion, differential steering and integral hydraulic brakes. The M113 remains the Army’s single largest armored vehicle fleet with nearly 5,000 vehicles across the Active and Reserve Components. These vehicles provide armored brigades critical capability in medical, combat engineering, command and control, and indirect fire. Allison Transmission anticipates providing the Army with more than 300 transmissions through 2021 to support the Army’s mission of improving combat readiness. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Dec 19. Envistacom announced a $47.8m, three-year award to support the Deployable Ku Band Earth Terminal (DKET) program managed by the U.S. Army’s Product Manager Satellite Communications (PdM SATCOM). The task order was awarded under the Deployable Adaptive Global Responder Support (DAGRS) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $480m over five years. Envistacom will provide installation, training, relocation, integration, and upgrades for new, legacy and existing DKETs, DKET LT (“Lite” version) and mobile DKET (MKET). PdM SATCOM is responsible for the Army’s tactical multi-channel satellite ground and commercial terminal programs and Envistacom will help upgrade existing terminals, as well as spares, new terminals, installation, relocations and necessary interface equipment and services. Additionally, the new deployable SATCOM terminal antennas provided by Envistacom will be multi-band capable, operating in Ku, Ka and X-Band frequencies. The DKET is the backbone of long-haul transmissions for the U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), with over 80 DKETs deployed to support multiple areas of operation (AOs). DKET provides intra-country communications within and between regional commands globally, and inter-theater communications with reach back capabilities to other countries and continents. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Dec 19. FLIR Wins U.S. Army Heavyweight Robot Contract Worth Up to $109m. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced that its Kobra™ robot has been chosen for the United States (U.S.) Army’s Common Robotic System-Heavy (CRS-H) program. The five-year production contract to build upwards of 350 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) is worth up to $109m. The CRS-H program will give the Army a ‘program of record’ to build and sustain a fleet of large UGVs for years to come. The CRS-H platform calls for a robot weighing up to 700 pounds. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units will use the system to perform a range of missions, such as disarming vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), unexploded ordnance, or related heavy-duty tasks. A variety of sensors and payloads also can be added to the UGV to support other missions.
03 Dec 19. KBR’s (NYSE: KBR) Government Solutions U.S. business has been selected by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) to install shore-based command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems at locations worldwide. NAVWAR chose KBR as one of eight awardees on the Shore Global C4ISR Installations multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract which has a maximum ceiling of $986m and includes an initial five-year base plus a five-year option. KBR is standing by to perform a range of services on this contract, including C4ISR maintenance, modernization and new system installation. These services can include decommissioning and modernization of existing shore facilities, program and project management, engineering designs and training as well as installation design and installation of integrated C4ISR systems.
02 Dec 19. Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it was awarded multiple contracts from Cubic Global Defense, a business division of Cubic Corporation, to deliver its advanced air combat training system pods to U.S. and allied air forces around the world. Under the contracts, worth a total of $60m, the company will deliver more than 250 P5 Combat Training System (P5CTS) pods and associated services. As the principal subcontractor to Cubic Global Defense, the Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems business unit designs, produces and supports the P5CTS pods for the Air Combat Training System. Leonardo DRS is responsible for performance in all areas related to the P5 Combat Training System airborne instrumentation subsystem to include real-time weapon simulation, a high fidelity instrumentation data link, and onboard data recording to support real time training operations and post mission debriefing.
29 Nov 19. General Dynamics Mission Systems has secured a $731.8m contract from the US Navy for the ground system sustainment of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). MUOS is a next-generation satellite communications system that provides secure voice and data communications for US forces worldwide. The system consists of an array of geosynchronous satellites that will provide global satellite communications (SATCOM) narrowband connectivity for use by the US at data rates of up to 384kbit/s. Five satellites, four ground stations, as well as a terrestrial transport network will be delivered under the programme. The system provides increased communications capabilities to newer, smaller terminals while enhancing interoperability with legacy terminals. It supports users who require greater mobility, higher bit rates and improved operational availability. MUOS, which will replace the legacy UHF Follow-On (UFO) system, will provide new capabilities and greater mobility, access, capacity, and quality of service. General Dynamics Mission Systems provides the integrated ground segments for MUOS, which will provide secure mobile phone-like communications for ships on the move. (Source: naval-technology.com)
29 Nov 19. PathFinder Digital has secured multiple follow-on contracts from General Dynamics Mission Systems for the production and delivery of BAT-750 MVSAT terminals for use on the US Army Prophet Program. The company also won follow-on contracts from General Dynamics Mission Systems for upgrades and resets to terminals that were deployed earlier. BAT-750 is a fly-away and / or vehicle-mount satellite communications terminal that operates in Ku band. BAT-1214 and BAT-850 terminals from PathFinder operate in Ka, Ku and X bands. The company said that its BAT product line is protected under US Patent #8,867,986 B1. Prophet is a 24-hour, all-weather, near-real-time, ground-based, tactical signals intelligence/electronic warfare capability for the brigade combat team (BCT), Stryker BCT (SBCT), and battlefield surveillance brigade. Prophet comprises Prophet Enhanced sensors and a Prophet Control (PC). The platform-independent Prophet Enhanced modular system for easy integration onto a vehicle supports stationary, on-the-move (mobile) and manpack operations. Prophet provides actionable intelligence, situational understanding, and force protection. Its tactical mobility allows supported units to easily reposition its collection capability on the battlefield to support evolving situations. PC/Prophet Analytic Cell (PAC) is the analytical node that tasks the Prophet Enhanced for data collection and reporting. PathFinder Digital’s mobile satellite communications ground terminals are designed to meet the unique needs of each project, primarily for military and government agency programmes. (Source: army-technology.com)
03 Dec 19. Rheinmetall StrikeShield active close-in protection system selected for substantial testing by U.S. Army. The U.S. Army has awarded a contract valued at US$11m (roughly €10m) to the team of Rheinmetall Protection Systems and Unified Business Technologies (UBT) for significant testing of the StrikeShield Active Protection System to begin in October 2020 at Redstone Test Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The Army’s recently formed Vehicle Protective Systems (VPS) program office will evaluate StrikeShield as part of a larger effort to characterize APS performance against a wide variety of anti-armor threats. This significant contract award represents the first funded APS testing the Army will undertake of the StrikeShield system. It provides a pathway to potential utilization of the system on vehicles in the current Army vehicle fleet as well as vehicles fielded in the future. The StrikeShield APS is a distributed, real time system which was developed to protect the carrying platform against anti-tank rockets and missiles. It therefore can operate in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle to be protected. Additionally in StrikeShield the technical requirements of large calibre Kinetic Energy (KE) defeat are addressed, which is a unique combination of threats to protect against and reason for the promising overall outlook. The Army will carry out extensive live fire testing of the StrikeShield system that will take place over a period of several months. The objective of the Army tests will be to gather performance data that can inform future selection of APS technologies best suited for any particular platform. The Army expects the test results will inform APS pursuits for both its fielded vehicle fleets and new vehicle programs like Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) and the Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).
SEA
04 Dec 19. US Navy contracts Fairbanks Morse to provide engines for ESB 7 ship. Under the contract terms, Fairbanks Morse will supply four main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) for ESB 7. ESB 7 is the seventh ship set to be built for the US Navy under the Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD)/Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) programme. General Dynamics NASSCO won a contract in August to construct the sixth and seventh ships of the EBS programme. The potential $1.63bn contract also includes an option for an addition ESB ship. Fairbanks Morse will build the engines for the ship at its Beloit, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. The four FM | MAN 6L48/60 engines will provide a combined installed power of 25,920kW. The engines use common rail (CR) fuel injection technology to increase efficiency and enable lower fuel emissions. The CR system will enable fuel savings over the lifetime of the ESB ship. It uses different equipment, including high-pressure pumps, electronic governing systems, control system, and a common high-pressure fuel header. (Source: naval-technology.com)
02 Dec 19. The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded a nine-ship — eight with Virginia Payload Module (VPM) — Block V contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) Dec. 2. The contract includes an option for one additional submarine with VPM. The Block V contract is a $22.2bn fixed-price incentive fee, multi-year procurement contract for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/US Naval Sea Systems Command)
04 Dec 19. L3 Technologies Inc., Insight Technology Division, Londonderry, New Hampshire, is awarded a $37,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for precision aiming lasers (PAL). This is a first-time buy for PAL. The PAL combines a range finder with a ballistics and environmental sensor/processor to provide the operator with a ballistic solution for increased likelihood of first-round hit. This procurement is in support of U.S. Special Operations Command, Visual Augmentation Systems Weapons Accessories Program. Work will be performed in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by November 2024. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $902,451 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 Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-20-D-JQ56).
AIR
29 Nov 19. Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $218,749,892 modification (P00006) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPRPA1-20-F-CD01) with four one-year option periods for performance based logistics and engineering support for the V-22 platform. This is a firm-fixed-price requirements contract. Locations of performance are Texas and Pennsylvania, with a Nov. 30, 2020, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Foreign Military Sales to Japan. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, Navy and FMS appropriated funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
03 Dec 19. The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a ten-year contract extension to Collins Aerospace to continue providing support for the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. Collins Aerospace has been providing sustainment support for around two decades. The contract extension will allow the company to help the USAF maintain the training system for the E-8C JSTARS. The JSTARS training system comprises full flight simulators and navigator training terminals located at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, US. The contract will maximise uptime of the training system by providing cybersecurity updates and onsite logistics, as well as maintaining hardware. It will contribute to maintaining aircrew readiness. The Collins Aerospace full-flight simulators and navigator training stations allow pilots and crew to train simultaneously. Collins Aerospace also provides simulation and training systems for the B-52 Stratofortress, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, E-6B Mercury and other platforms. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
05 Dec 19. The US Army has selected Infoscitex (IST) to support a programme to develop and demonstrate manned and unmanned teaming. IST has received a contract to help the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Aviation Development Directorate, Ft Eustis, VA (CCDC AvMC ADD-E) in the programme known as Advanced Teaming Demonstration Program (A-Team). A-Team intends to showcase teaming operations of manned and unmanned army aircraft. The idea is to enable the assets to work in tandem with minimal human intervention. As part of the contract, IST is required to work in two subsystems technology development and integration tasks in support of the programme. The award will support the army’s pursuit of human-machine interface and operations management autonomy systems to integrate platforms across multiple domains to work together in missions in dangerous, denied environments. The company will leverage its Tasking and Execution of Collaborative Unmanned and Manned Systems with Autonomy (TECUMSA) software suite and manned-unmanned teaming research conducted as part of the US Army’s Synergistic Unmanned Intelligent Teaming (SUMIT) programme. (Source: army-technology.com)
23 Nov 19. Kratos RT Logic has been awarded a $39,110,705 firm-fixed-price contract for Global Geolocation Support Service (GGSS). GGSS is to provide Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Managers with EMI Resolution Services. These services include bandwidth monitoring, EMI notification, geolocation, aid in resolution and space situational awareness. The company is contracted to provide 24 hours/7 days per week, 365 days per year services in C- (4 – 8 GHz) and Ku- (12 – 18 GHz) bands for all global areas between 70 degrees north latitude and 70 degrees south latitude. The company will accomplish continuous bandwidth monitoring services for government leased bandwidth on commercial satellites and bandwidth on Military Satellite Communication including bandwidth identified by the CSpOC. Timely EMI notifications and responses to assist the government in resolving interference events will be provided. Additionally, Kratos RT Logic is required to operate and maintain an approved Secret Internet Protocol Router Network voice and data system, as well as other Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC)-approved secure voice and data systems to achieve timely transmission of classified data. A Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure web portal capable of providing CFSCC timely and complete unclassified situation awareness of all assets being monitored to accommodate contractor and government real time communication and sharing of digital data products will be provided by the firm. Work will be performed at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by November 30, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,856,126 are being obligated at the time of the award. The 30th Contracting Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA4610-20-C-0003). (Source: Satnews)
03 Dec 19. L-3 Technologies receives AN/SRQ-4 contract modification. L-3 Technologies is to supply data link systems for the US Navy’s MH-60R aircraft, the US Department of Defense announced on 2 December. Under a $9.9m contract modification issued by the US Naval Air Systems Command, the company will supply eight Common Data Link Hawklink AN/SRQ-4 systems for the MH-60R helicopter. Work will be completed in December 2022. (Source: Shephard)
29 Nov 19. Lockheed Martin has received a major boost for its Hercules Training Center (HTC) with the award of a not-to-exceed $87m firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity single contract ‘for a multi-country C-130J aircrew and maintenance simulator training’. The company will provide C-130J aircrew and maintenance training to support the US government and US Air Force Security Assistance Training international partners’ training requirements. The training will be conducted at Marietta, Georgia, the home of the HTC as well as the C-130J production line, and is expected to be completed by December 2023. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Featuring a FAA Level D CAE-built reconfigurable C-130J/L-100J full flight simulator that can accommodate C-130J Block 6 or Block 8.1 variants, the HTC provides initial qualification, refresher courses, instructor qualification, and mission training depending on customer requirements. In addition to the CAE-built FMS, equipped with LMCO’s SAGE image generator, LMCO has integrated a Multifunctional Training Aid (MFTA) that provides part task training. (Source: Shephard)
02 Dec 19. Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $988,832,126 definitization modification (PZ0010) to previously-awarded contract FA8681-18-C-0021 for Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon critical design review, test and production readiness support. The contract modification will definitize the contract terms, specifications and price. Work will be performed at Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $988,832,126. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being obligated in the amount of $23,000,000 at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
02 Dec 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected as one of four Other Transaction Authority awards for the Phase IIa Prototype Payload Design and Signal-chain Processing Demonstration of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program. The 12-month HBTSS Phase IIa will demonstrate the payload design for a proposed satellite constellation to detect and track hypersonic and advanced missile threats. Phase IIa retires technical risk through the demonstration of critical technologies required to track advanced weapons like hypersonic missiles from space. The award continues Northrop Grumman’s longstanding partnership with the Missile Defense Agency and broader space and missile defense community on solving critical national security challenges. Northrop Grumman will demonstrate its agile and affordable approach to producing space-based sensors in large quantities for proliferated, global operations.
TECHNOLOGY
03 Dec 19. BAE Systems awarded DARPA ACK contract. BAE Systems has been selected by DARPA to develop software that will enable semi-autonomous multi-domain mission planning, the company announced on 3 December. DARPA is seeking technology that enables military operators to leverage battlespace resources from across various domains, such as space, air, land and sea, for more effective, efficient missions under its Adapting Cross-Domain Kill-Webs programme. BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development organisation will work with teammate Carnegie Mellon University to create software called Multi-domain Adaptive Request Service (MARS). MARS aims to help operators make informed decisions by automatically identifying available capabilities across domains, and then rapidly assessing the costs and benefits to use those capabilities when adjusting mission tasks. The software also includes a visual interface that will allow the exploration of available asset options, helping operators arrive at the best course of action to deliver the desired effect on targets. (Source: Shephard)
03 Dec 19. CACI International has received a contract to provide services to help the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in advancing its Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) programmes. The five-year task order has a ceiling value of around $438m and will also see the company supporting the AFRL in other functional areas. CACI was awarded the task order through the Network-Centric Solutions-2 (NETCENTS-2) contract vehicle. The contract requires the company to develop emerging technology and sustain the US Air Force’s Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) weapons system and other C4ISR programmes. The contract also includes providing mission expertise on ‘multi-domain integration of intelligence and operations across air, space, and cyberspace’. CACI will also provide support in areas such as advanced geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), artificial intelligence / machine learning, and signals intelligence (SIGINT). The firm will leverage SAFE Agile processes to help AFRL improve operational and mission effectiveness, as well as information security. It will also execute new methods to analyse, access, and disseminate information across intelligence community and airforce domains. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
29 Nov 19. CAE USA Mission Solutions Inc (MSI) has secured a seat on the US Department of Defense indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide advisory and assistance services. The company was chosen along with two other firms for the advisory and assistance services IDIQ. The selected companies will be able to compete for task orders under the contract. The IDIQ contract has a potential value of $95m over a period of seven years. Under the contract, CAE will provide technical and analytical services to support the US Air Force in management, policy development, administration, systems operation, and decision-making. CAE USA president and general manager Ray Duquette said: “We are proud to be selected as one of only four successful offerors to support advisory and assistance services. The company will perform the work under the contract at Headquarters US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and USAFE bases globally. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
02 Dec 19. KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it has been awarded a $216m task order to provide cybersecurity services for the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic awarded the four-year, cost-plus-fixed-fee task order under the SeaPort Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) contract. KBR has held a seat on this multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract since earlier this year. It also won a seat on its predecessor contract, SeaPort Enhanced, in 2005. The company has provided cybersecurity services to DHA since the agency’s inception. Under this task order, KBR will assist NIWC Atlantic with cybersecurity and risk management framework initiatives and provide support to the DHA Assessment and Authorization Division. DHA works closely with government agencies to deliver medical service to more than 9.4 million active duty personnel and their beneficiaries. Supplying a broad spectrum of IT services, KBR’s work will include addressing independent validation and verification results, helping prepare an Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service authorization package, and supporting the implementation of federal IT security regulations, directives and guidance. KBR will support all DoD Military Health System sites, which vary in size from 1,500 to over 60,000 servers and workstation assets and assist with as many as 430 programs of record systems. The company will provide these services at locations around the world.
REST OF THE WORLD
SEA
29 Nov 19. Berendsen Fluid Power and H&H Machine Tools have been selected as the first Australian partners for major equipment design contracts that will support the build of the Attack Class submarine. The two companies will deliver and sustain the medium-capacity press, high-capacity press and large-capacity milling machines (LCMM) for the Attack Class submarines. The announcement was made by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price. Under the deal, Seven Hills-based Berendsen Fluid Power and Melbourne’s H&H Machine Tools will partner with Pinette Emidecau Industries and Starrag Group Holding AG to become the design authority and manage the local manufacture of medium-capacity presses and a large-capacity milling machine. (Source: Defence Connect)
04 Dec 19. Future Korean submarine rescue capability to be supported by Sonardyne. Underwater positioning and tracking technology from Sonardyne International Ltd. is to be used to support search and recovery operations undertaken by the Republic of Korea Navy’s (RoKN’s) new auxiliary submarine rescue ship (ASR-II). Through a contract with GE’s Power Conversion business, the ASR-II will be fitted with Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system. This will interface onboard the vessel with GE’s class leading Seastream™ Dynamic Position (DP) control system providing accurate and fast position reference updates during critical station keeping activities. The Ranger 2 onboard the ASR-II will also be used to simultaneously track the position of, and communicate with, Sonardyne instrumentation fitted to the new, untethered Deep Search Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) that is being built to operate from the ship when it comes into service. Ranger 2 is installed on a global fleet of DP vessels operating within defence, offshore energy, ocean research and commercial survey. Its success in meeting the diverse operational requirements of these sectors is built around Sonardyne’s versatile 6G hardware and Wideband 2 signal technology platforms. This combination enables underwater targets to be tracked beyond 11km, position updates to be acquired every second, and for a vessel to work in any water depth, shallow or deep. The ASR-II and its moonpool-deployed DSRV are being built under South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration as a replacement for the submarine rescue ship RoKS Cheonghaejin. The 5,200-tonne ASR-II is expected to be delivered to the RoKN by the end of 2022. Sonardyne’s order from GE’s Power Conversion business includes everything the ASR-II will need to achieve the best performance from its Ranger 2 USBL during exercises or in the event of a submarine rescue operation. This includes a seabed-deployed 3,000 m-rated Dynamic Positioning Transponder 6 (DPT 6) with recovery floatation collar to provide high accuracy USBL positioning for reliable station keeping, even when operating near sources of potential noise interference such as other naval vessels. The control room software will be fitted with a Ranger 2 Marine Robotics Pack, which unlocks an additional range of features to enable the vessel crew to both track the DSRV and also communicate with it by sending and receiving status messages. Finally, Sonardyne will also supply a deployment machine and gate valve, through which the Ranger 2 HPT 5000 USBL transceiver will be deployed through the hull of the ASR-II. The HPT 5000 enables underwater targets to be tracked over a wide range of water depths and elevations so is perfect for vessels needing to undertake different tasks on a regular basis.
AIR
02 Dec 19. Ecuador orders six H145M helos. The Ecuadorian Air Force has ordered six H145M multipurpose helicopters for defence and security missions, Jane’s learnt on 28 November. Together with the helicopters Airbus will provide a training and support package. No contract value or delivery timeline for the helicopters was disclosed. The new helicopters will be assigned to the 22 Fighter Wing at Guayaquil and will be tasked with transport, search and rescue, combat, medical evacuation, surveillance, and security missions. The service is replacing its Indian-built HAL Dhruv helicopters with this new platform. Ecuador bought seven such helicopters a decade ago, four of which were lost in accidents with the remaining three being grounded. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
05 Dec 19. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), the world’s leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), has been advised that the Australian Government has selected GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® variant to provide the Armed RPAS for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under Project Air 7003. This follows the Government’s announcement in November 2018 that GA-ASI would provide Armed RPAS to the ADF. The ADF expects to take first delivery in the early 2020s. The ADF joins other top-tier military forces in choosing a GA-ASI RPAS because of its proven multi-role combat performance. MQ-9B is part of GA-ASI’s Predator® series of RPAS, which is the world’s most trusted and capable armed Medium-altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) RPAS, and hails from a family of aircraft that has flown more than six million flight hours. GA-ASI announced its intention to offer a MALE RPAS to the ADF during AVALON 2017 with the launch of Team Reaper Australia, a robust group of Australian industry partners. The team currently consists of ten world-class Australian companies providing a range of innovative sensor, communication, manufacturing and life-cycle support capabilities including Cobham (lead industry partner), CAE, Raytheon, Flight Data Systems, TAE Aerospace, Quickstep, AirSpeed, Collins Aerospace, Ultra, and SentientVision.