UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
16 Dec 19. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded a $299,886,600 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-20-C-0005) for fiscal 2020 through 2023 U.S. and United Kingdom Trident II (D-5) Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines Fire Control System, Guided Missile Submarines Attack Weapon Control System, and Support Equipment Rework Facility support. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (90%); Kings Bay, Georgia (3.0%); Bangor, Washington (2.0%); Dahlgren, Virginia (2.0%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (1.0%); Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington (1.0%); and Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia (1.0%). Work is expected to be completed Dec. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,061,163, fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $14,907,880, fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,006,230, and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $8,890,232 are being obligated on this award. Of this amount, $10,067,393 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded to the contractor on a sole source basis in accordance to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and (4) and was previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
AIR
18 Dec 19. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $564,505,720 modification (P00044) to Foreign Military Sales (Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom) W58RGZ-16-C-0023 for the remanufacture of Apache AH-64E aircraft. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2025. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales funds in the combined amount of $564,505,720 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
12 Dec 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $18,055,674 modification (P00055) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0004). This modification provides for the maintenance and operation of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL). This effort includes sustainment support for all ACURL systems to include consumables for the F-35 aircraft in support of the governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Eglin, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2021. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $18,055,674 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
LAND
16 Dec 19. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that following a contract signed between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro, it was awarded approximately $35m to supply the Montenegrin Armed Forces with Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (“RCWS”) for the new Oshkosh Defense (“Oshkosh”) 4X4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (“JLTV”). In this contract Elbit Systems will perform full integration of the RCWS onboard, the JLTV over a three-year period and will provide logistic support for a seven-year period. Elbit Systems 12.7mm RCWS is lightweight, low silhouette, dual axis and stabilized, mounted externally onboard armored vehicles. The RCWS offers accurate firing on-the-move and is operated via handles and Smart Displays by the gunner from within the vehicle, providing full protection for the vehicles’ crew who are safely located inside.
17 Dec 19. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has signed a contract with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) for delivery of the KONGSBERG PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station (RWS) to the Danish Army worth 270 MNOK. The system will be integrated on Denmark’s new fleet of Piranha V 8×8 vehicles. The contract was won in an international competitive bidding process. The PROTECTOR RWS is the world’s most fielded RWS with close to 20,000 units delivered to customers around the globe. Denmark is the 23rd country to select a KONGBERG PROTECTOR RWS.(Source: ASD Network)
19 Dec 19. Rheinmetall modernizing a further 21 Bergepanzer 3 armoured recovery vehicles for the Dutch Army, bringing them up to the latest standard. The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have awarded Rheinmetall an order for the second phase of the modernization of their fleet of Bergepanzer 3-Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles. The operational effectiveness of twenty-one vehicles will be upgraded. The order is worth a mid-double-digit euro million figure. Now launched, Phase 2 follows a first order awarded in April 2019, when the Royal Netherlands Army contracted with Rheinmetall for the modernization of four Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo ARVs. Starting immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul another 21 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs of the Royal Netherlands Army, bringing them up to the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles – developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis – through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.
19 Dec 19. Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement, armasuisse, belonging to the Federal Department of Defense, have chosen after an international competition Safran Vectronix AG, the Swiss subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, to provide the country’s armed forces with its next generation of infrared handheld multifunction binoculars and night vision goggles (NVG),. The corresponding federal budget was approved by the Swiss Parliament at the end of September 2019. The contract concerns the supply of more than 1,000 multifunction infrared googles (JIM Compact™, MOSKITO TI™) and more than 8,000 stereoscopic night vision goggles (NYX™). Switzerland’s selection confirms Safran’s position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of handheld optronic equipment. The equipment to be delivered will expand the operational capabilities of the Swiss Confederation’s Armed Forces. They will cover a broad spectrum of operational needs, including day/night observation, target acquisition, including in GNSS denied environment, artillery and firing corrections, for forward observation and Joint Tactical Air Controller, under any weather conditions. Through its strategic partnership with Theon Sensors, Safran Electronics & Defense demonstrates its key positioning in the night vision goggles, with a mass production contract and the long term support of the fleet.
17 Dec 19. Systematic has received a contract from the German Armed Forces to provide its SitaWare Frontline for the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force 2023 (Land) (VJTF (L) 2023) programme. The SitaWare Frontline will create a battle management application framework in support of the VJTF (L) 2023. The software will meet the programme’s battle management system (BMS) requirements. It is designed for installation on different military vehicles operating under VJTF (L) 2023. In addition to serving as an ecosystem for the land forces, the application framework will support the integration of current and future capabilities. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
16 Dec 19. Indra receives F110 radar component contract. Indra has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to supply the main components of the AESA S-band anti-air radar antenna for the Spanish Navy’s F110 frigates, the company announced on 12 December. The €150m, seven-year contract falls within the framework of Lockheed Martin’s S-band radar contract and covers the supply of critical elements to support the digital transmission and reception of each of the radar elements. The S-band anti-air warfare radar is a key sensor for the frigates. The fully digitised system is composed of hundreds of small independent blocks or tiles. Its flat facets laid out around the mast minimise the ship’s radar profile. The system has a multitasking capability, enabling it to operate as a long-range radar and integrate missile control, as well as setting tracking on multiple targets. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
16 Dec 19. Ireland’s Department of Defence has announced the acquisition of two Airbus C295 medium airlifters in a maritime surveillance configuration. With this new order, the Irish Air Corps will become the 33rd C295 operator worldwide. Both aircraft will be equipped with the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) and specific state-of-the-art mission sensors together with the recently announced Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics.
16 Dec 19. The Czech Air Force has signed a contract for the acquisition of two additional Airbus C295 medium airlifters. The aircraft, equipped with winglets and ordered in transport configuration, are due to be delivered in the first half of 2021. The agreement takes the Czech Air Force’s total C295 fleet up to six aircraft. Together with this agreement, an additional contract was also signed for the upgrade of the four C295s currently in operation with the Czech Air Force. With this new order the number of global orders for the C295 rises to 214 aircraft.
USA
LAND
18 Dec 19. Ace Electronics Defense Systems Inc., Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (SPRBL1-20-D-0010); CND LLC, Stilwell, Oklahoma (SPRBL1-20-D-0011); DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC, Melbourne, Florida (SPRBL1-20-D-0012); Joint Venture Interconnection Cable LLC, McLean, Virginia (SPRBL1-20-D-0013); Tabet Manufacturing Co. Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (SPRBL1-20-D-0014); and Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc., Harrisonburg, Virginia (SPRBL1-20-D-0015), are sharing a maximum $808,113,426 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPRBL1-19-R-0042 for the interconnection equipment contract. This was a competitive acquisition with 10 responses received. These are five-year base contracts with five one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Maryland, Oklahoma, Florida and Virginia, with a Dec. 17, 2024, performance completion date. Using customer is Department of Defense. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2025 Army working capital funds and other procurement funds as necessary. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
12 Dec 19. BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $249,152,760 modification (P00042) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for the Self-Propelled Howitzer and carrier, ammunition, tracked vehicles and their associated support under the production contract to build and deliver M109A7s and M992A3s. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $249,152,760 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
17 Dec 19. FLIR Systems to support US Army sensors. FLIR Systems has been awarded a five-year IDIQ contract to support US Army sensors, the company announced on 16 December. The IDIQ vehicle has a ceiling value of $92.9m, with an initial order of $5.2m. The award covers repair, refurbishment and logistics support of EO and IR sensors used by the US Army’s Product Manager Force Protection Systems programmes, including Base Expeditionary Targeting Surveillance System-Combined (BETSS-C), Combat Outpost Surveillance Force Protection System and Foreign Military Sales. BETSS-C entails a combination of cameras and surveillance equipment mounted on deployable towers and used to monitor wide areas around important military locations and bases. FLIR provides high-definition sensors for the BETSS-C programme as well as radars capable of detecting vehicles, people or other moving objects at range. (Source: Shephard)
12 Dec 19. Invisio logs new US DoD order. Invisio has announced that it has gained a new customer within the US Department of Defense. The company has received a $2.98m order to provide a suite of hearing enhancement devices that will enable users to communicate in critical situations while at the same time protecting their hearing. Deliveries will take place in the first half of 2020. (Source: Shephard)
12 Dec 19. Leidos awarded GSM-O II contract. Leidos has been awarded an IDIQ contract worth up to $6.5bn for Global Solutions Management – Operations II, to manage the US Department of Defense Information Network/Defense Information System Network. The company will provide support services for the operation, defence and sustainment of the network across the US, along with support services at multiple locations outside the US. The period of performance includes a base period of five years through to December 2025, with two two-year option periods, and one one-year option period, for a total period of ten years to December 2030. (Source: Shephard)
12 Dec 19. Lightforce USA Inc., doing business as Nightforce Optics,* Orofino, Idaho, is awarded a $53,735,930 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for Precision-Variable Power Scopes (P-VPS). This procurement is for the P-VPS Standard and the P-VPS Standard, Long Range. The P-VPS is a precision direct view optic with continuously variable magnification ranging from 3x to less than or equal to 7x and greater than or equal to 25x continuous zoom for U.S. Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Orofino, Idaho, and is expected to be complete by December 2024. Fiscal 2020 defense procurement funding in the amount of $2,351,124 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current continuing resolution period. 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-JQ57).
18 Dec 19. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded an $803,904,196 modification (P00277) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for the procurement of 2,721 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and 16,714 associated packaged or installed kits. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 other procurement, Army; 2020 procurement, Marine Corps; 2019 and 2020 procurement, Navy; 2019 and 2020 procurement, Air Force; and 2020 foreign military sales (Montenegro) in the combined amount of $803,904,196 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
16 Dec 19. ViaSat Inc., Carlsbad, California, has been awarded a $93,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide AN/PRC-161 Handheld Link 16 radios, ancillaries and associated training to special warfare operators. Work will be performed at Carlsbad, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. This contract is awarded on a non-competitive basis. Fiscal 2020 other procurement funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8629-20-D-5000).
SEA
16 Dec 19. US Navy Selects Fairbanks Morse to Power T-AO 209 Replenishment Ship. T-AO 209 Lucy Stone to rely on Fairbanks Morse engines when delivering fuel to the deployed global fleet. Fairbanks Morse, an EnPro Industries company (NYSE: NPO) and leading provider of solutions that are powering the world forward, has been selected by the US Navy to provide the main propulsion diesel engines for the T-AO 209 Lucy Stone. The Lucy Stone is the 5th fleet replenishment ship of the new John Lewis Class designed to service ships and aircraft at sea. Two FM | MAN 12V 48/60 CR engines, rated at just over 19,000 bhp each, will be built at the Fairbanks Morse facility in Beloit, Wisconsin and will be delivered to General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego in 2022. The engines will be equipped with the latest diesel engine technology: a common rail fuel injection system, engine control systems, and will meet the latest emission requirements with an exhaust after-treatment system. Contracts for the design and construction of six John Lewis Class Fleet Replenishment Ships—like the Lucy Stone—have been granted by the US Navy to a sum of $3.2bn. The Navy has announced plans to procure an additional 14 ships of the John Lewis Class in future contract awards. The Fairbanks Morse engines will serve as critical elements in ensuring that the ships operate safely and reliably and will aid in fueling critical missions over the long term. Fairbanks Morse will also provide auxiliary equipment and commissioning services. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
18 Dec 19. U.S. Navy Awards Contract to BAE Systems for Thousands of APKWS® Laser-Guided Rockets. Following a U.S. Department of Defense announcement in September 2019, BAE Systems announced that the U.S. Navy has signed a $2.68bn indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the purchase of thousands of additional APKWS® Laser-Guided Rockets, the company’s combat-proven, low-cost precision munition. The contract demonstrates continuing demand for precision strike capabilities that empower and protect warfighters while reducing collateral damage. APKWS rockets fill the gap between unguided rockets and large precision munitions, and are the U.S. government’s only program of record for 2.75” laser-guided rockets. APKWS guidance kits are compatible with new inventories of rocket motors, warheads, and launchers, and easily transform unguided rockets into precision munitions with little training. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract enables the Navy to purchase APKWS guidance kits over a five-year period, representing full-rate production lots 8-12. To meet growing demand, BAE Systems has ramped up production at its advanced manufacturing facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire and Austin, Texas and established a robust supply chain. The APKWS laser-guided rocket is used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army, and is available to allied nations via Foreign Military Sales. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Dec 19. Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $815,000,040 for an indefinite-delivery, performance-based logistics requirements contract for the repair, upgrade or replacement of 35 items used on the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopter, along with inventory management, warehousing and establishing supply response time metrics. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (80%); and Cherry Point, North Carolina (20%). This contract includes a five-year base period with no options. Work is expected to be completed by December 2024. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $163,000,008 will be obligated for delivery order (N00383-20-F-0W20) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company 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 (N00383-20-D-W201).
16 Dec 19. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $835,737,596 modification (P00105) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPRPA1-14-D-002U) with one five-year option period for performance-based support of consumable items for various aviation platforms. This is a fixed-price-incentive firm contract. Location of performance is Missouri, with a Sept. 16, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
12 Dec 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $15,547,894 modification (P00084) to contract W31P4Q-15-C-0102 for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile production line for a rate ramp increase of 50 to 100 missiles per month. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement of ammunition, Army funds in the amount of $15,547,894 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
18 Dec 19. Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $50,161,071 modification (P00026) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-18-C-1048). This modification exercises an option to procure unique F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System hardware and support equipment for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (25%); Orlando, Florida (20%); Windsor, Connecticut (16%); Rome, Italy (12%); Fort Worth, Texas (11%); Bend, Oregon (6%); Long Island, New York (4%); Pharr, Texas (2%); Riverside, California (2%); and Farnborough, United Kingdom (2%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,161,071 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
19 Dec 19. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $1,008,327,355 definitized modification (PZ0012) to previously awarded contract FA8615-17-C-6047 for Active Electronically Scanned Array radars of Air Force F-16 aircraft. This modification is for the definitization of all three programmatic phases to include development and production of up to 372 radars. Work will be performed at Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by May 2027. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $291,167,746. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $679,659 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter Bomber Directorate, F-16 Division, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
16 Dec 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will support and sustain the sensor and processor for the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System 2-A under a $217m U.S. Air Force IDIQ. Work will be performed through 2024. ASARS-2A provides the U-2 aircraft with long-range, high-resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities over large areas, from as high as 70,000 feet above Earth.
TECHNOLOGY
17 Dec 19. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has awarded BAE Systems a prime contractor position on Solutions for Intelligence Analysis 3 (SIA 3), a ten-year multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) with a combined ceiling value of over $17bn. Through this contract, the company will provide worldwide coverage, support and assistance to DIA, delivering timely, objective and cogent military intelligence to warfighters, defense planners and policy makers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Dec 19. BAE to Develop New Cyber Tools for DARPA to Improve Security of Electronic Data Formats. BAE Systems will develop new cyber tools designed to help prevent vulnerabilities in electronic files that can lead to cyber attacks. BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop new cyber tools designed to help prevent vulnerabilities in electronic files that can lead to cyberattacks. Development of these tools will be part of DARPA’s Safe Documents (SafeDocs) program, which aims to more effectively identify and reject malicious data in a variety of electronic formats. Every day, individuals and organizations in military, government and commercial industries receive electronic content, such as Portable Document Format (PDF) and digital media files, from unauthorized or potentially compromised sources, which creates security risks. As part of the SafeDocs program, BAE Systems’ FAST Labs™ research and development team will create two different cyber tools. The first tool seeks to recover, simplify, and automatically select safe feature subsets within electronic data formats to help encode the data safely and unambiguously, while the second is a toolkit to help software developers avoid vulnerabilities in the software they create to process complex electronic data. The research for Phase 1 of the SafeDocs program, which is being developed with funding from DARPA, adds to BAE Systems’ cyber technology portfolio. Work for the program will be completed with teammate American University and will take place at the company’s facilities in Arlington, Virginia and Burlington, Massachusetts. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Dec 19. Raytheon Co., Largo, Florida, has been awarded a ceiling of $611,500,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus, fixed-fee, cost reimbursable no fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Command and Control Switching Systems (CCSS). This contract provides electronic digital telecommunications system developed for military command and control. The CCSS is the key component of the Defense Red Switch Network, enabling secure and non-secure voice and data telecommunications at multiple levels, large scale voice conferencing capabilities and is inter-operable with other secure devices. CCSS switches are accredited by the Defense Intelligence Agency for top secret/sensitive compartmentalized information multi-level security. The life-cycle logistics support for operational CCSS provide program management, product configuration management, data management, quality control and assurance, contractor logistics support, spare parts replenishment and management, hardware and software support and engineering and technical services. Work will be performed at multiple government facilities and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2032. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of at least $452,034 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8218-20-D-0001).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
12 Dec 19. AM General LLC, South Bend, Indiana, was awarded a $15,118,831 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Jordan) contract for hardware support to reset and upgrade a fleet of 200 M998 High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work will be performed in Amman, Jordan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 13, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $15,118,831 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-C-0037).
10 Dec 19. Colombian Air Force selects Cerbair mobile counter-drone system. The Colombian Air Force has selected French manufacturer Cerbair’s mobile counter drone system to protect air bases in Colombia. The supplier announced the contract award at a reception taking place at Expodefensa in Bogota in the first week of December 2019. The equipment delivery will feature the company’s RF spectrum technology combined with jamming capability to protect against individual and swarms of drones according to CerbAir CEO Lucas Lebell. (Source: https://www.unmannedairspace.info)
16 Dec 19. The Department of Defence and Canberra-based EOS Defence Systems have signed a $49m contract to supply remote weapon systems for the Army’s $5.2bn LAND 400 Phase 2 program. The contract, valued at $49m for the supply of remote weapon systems (RWS) to the LAND 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle project was previously announced on 24 August 2018. The contract signature marks the commencement of the formal contract. EOS will provide extensive development, integration and testing activities on the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) followed by the delivery of 82 R400S-MK2-D-HD remote weapon systems commencing in 2022. The R400S-Mk2-D-HD RWS is the latest high precision product from EOS Defence Systems and is capable of mounting a variety of weapons from small calibre machine guns through to lightweight cannons and anti-tank guided missiles. (Source: Defence Connect)
16 Dec 19. Indian Army acquires Spike LR ATGMs. India has procured the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike LR (long-range) anti-tank guided-missile (ATGM) system to meet Indian Army (IA) operational requirements. Naik did not specify the number of ATGMs procured or provide any details regarding the delivery schedule or contract value, but official sources told Jane’s on 16 December that the deal included the import of 260 Spike LR missiles and 12 launchers. They were purchased under the newly enhanced financial powers of India’s Vice Chiefs of Staff that permit them to acquire goods and materiel worth INR5bn (USD70m) without prior Ministry of Defence (MoD) approval to meet “urgent operational requirements”. The procurement announcement comes more than two years after the MoD scrapped a USD1bn tender in November 2017 to import more than 5,500 Spike missiles and 275 launchers via an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) between Tel Aviv and New Delhi. The terminated IGA also included a transfer of technology to India’s state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to licence-build 30,000 ATGMs to meet the IA’s overall requirement for 68,000 ATGMs to arm its 360-odd infantry battalions. (Source: Jane’s)
18 Dec 19. New field equipment for the ADF. The Australian Department of Defence has signed a $30m agreement with Sea to Summit for field equipment for the Australian Army. Under the Standing Offer Deed, Sea to Summit will provide equipment including shelters, sleeping bags, non-lethal force, adventure training, hand tools, and personal protective equipment to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations. (Source: Shephard)
SEA
18 Dec 19. IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces that Austal, Australia’s global shipbuilder and defence prime contractor, has selected IFS Applications™, deployed in the IFS Managed Cloud, as a key enabler of its digital transformation programme to support the company’s global and domestic expansion. Austal designs, constructs and supports revolutionary defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators. By consolidating data previously held in a number of separate applications, sharing information across the business, and taking advantage of IFS Applications’ integrated functionality, Austal expects to improve efficiency. Cost savings and increased throughput, resulting in fewer delays, are expected to deliver value to customers more quickly. Improved forward visibility in the procurement of materials – a large part of Austal’s project costs – will both aggregate demand and ensure that the right materials are delivered to the right place at the right time. Improved work execution is also expected to substantially improve labour productivity, allowing Austal to expand more rapidly than before. The solution will be deployed in the IFS Managed Cloud, a fully managed service hosted on Microsoft Azure. This will offer Austal reduced system administration costs compared with its current systems, flexible capacity as the company expands, and easy upgrades to take advantage of regular functionality enhancements.
AIR
17 Dec 19. AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded an $8,584,734 firm-fixed-priced Foreign Military Sales (Tunisia) contract for procurement of eight Unmanned Aircraft Systems and initial spares package with operating software. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tunisia with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $8,584,734 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-20-C-0004).
19 Dec 19. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $1,461,384,102 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) Foreign Military Sales (Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates) contract for support services for AH-64D/E Apache helicopters. 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 Dec. 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-D-0005).
16 Dec 19. Boeing Defence Australia has been awarded a 12-month extension, as well as increased government investment, for the CH-47F Chinook integrated support services contract. The existing contract, providing support arrangements for Defence’s Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, will be extended to 2024 – increasing the contract value from around $44m to $53m. (Source: Defence Connect)