UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
14 Jan 20. Link Microtek wins £750,000 order to supply secure optical mobile local communications for Type 26 frigates. Link Microtek, the manufacturer of optical, RF and microwave products, has received an order worth approximately £750,000 from Rohde & Schwarz to supply its Azdec secure optical MLC (mobile local communications) systems for installation on the first three of the Royal Navy’s planned class of eight Type 26 frigates, which are due to enter service from the mid-2020s. Rohde & Schwarz is responsible for the supply and integration of all communications systems on board the new Type 26 vessels, having been selected for this task by prime contractor BAE Systems. The Azdec optical MLC system provides naval personnel with totally secure, interference-free voice communications while allowing them to roam away from their base positions, unhindered by any trailing wires. There are no RF emissions and the optical signals cannot be intercepted by any conventional method, so it is impossible for anyone to jam the transmissions or eavesdrop on what is being said. The company will be supplying complete systems for installation on HMS Glasgow, HMS Belfast and HMS Cardiff, together with smaller-scale versions for the land-based integration facility that is being used to test and verify the functionality of the entire Type 26 communications system. Deliveries will be completed by 2021. Each vessel will be equipped with two separate 8-channel Azdec systems, comprising a total of two base stations, 31 fixed infrared antennas, 16 binaural headsets, 32 operators’ belt-mounted battery-pack/control units and four battery-charging units. One system will cater for the bridge and bridge wings while the other one serves the operations room; both will be integrated into the ship’s main communications system. The optical digital encoding technology at the heart of the Azdec system is completely immune to radio, radar and electrical noise – even severe energy pulses – and has no effect on sensitive electronic equipment. Furthermore, the Type 26 system is compatible with the use of night vision goggles and fully satisfies the MoD’s TEMPEST requirements. It also carries a Class 1 product designation as defined by the EN 60825-1 standard, which means it presents no ocular or other health hazard to users.
AIR
16 Jan 20. Tel-Instrument Electronics has secured a $1.87m contract to deliver avionics test equipment T-47/M5 Mode 5 set for the UK. Tel-Instrument will sell the test sets through its European distributor Muirhead Avionics to Leonardo MW, which is handling the Mode 5 upgrade effort for the UK Ministry of Defence. Muirhead Avionics will deliver the avionics test equipment in the 2021 fiscal year. As Tel-Instrument is approaching the deadline for the decertification of Mode 4 IFF on 1 July, the company further expects to increase international demand for Mode 5 test equipment. (Source: army-technology.com)
EUROPE
LAND
09 Jan 20. Advantech Wireless Technologies Receives Millions for a FlyAway SATCOM Terminal Order. Advantech Wireless Technologies has received more than $2m in orders for the company’s satellite communication (SATCOM) Engage Class 1.2 meter and 2.4 meter FlyAway SATCOM Terminal from a NATO member country. The Engage Class Flyaway Terminal Solution includes the most advanced SATCOM technology. This flexible and transportable satellite terminal is a fully integrated tri-band system designed for strategic applications, easy deployment and operation under harsh environmental conditions. The terminal is based on high efficiency, ruggedized tri-band ready 1.2 Meter and 2.4 Meter Flyaway Antennas which can cover X-, Ku-, or Ka- by replacing the feed only. The antenna is fully motorized with an integrated satellite finding controller. The RF section includes Advantech’s Gallium Nitride (GaN) based technology, Solid State Power Amplifiers / Block-Up Converters (SSPAs/BUCs), X-Band from 20W to 100W, Ku-Band from 16W to 125W and Ka-Band from 10W to 40W. (Source: Satnews)
13 Jan 20. Elbit Systems announced today that its subsidiary, IMI Systems, was selected by the Finnish Ministry of Defence (Finnish MOD), following a competitive testing by the Finish Defence Forces (FDF), to provide the Finnish Army with the M339, a NATO compliant 120mm High Explosive Multi-Purpose ammunition, and Data Setting Units, for its Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). Suitable for all NATO 120mm smooth bore gun MBTs, the M339 is a high-accuracy, multi-purpose 120mm tank ammunition that complies with NATO STANAG requirements. The FDF selected the M339 to improve the fire power and the ability of the battle tanks to engage different types of targets.
16 Jan 20. Iveco contract for the purchase of 30 “Freccia” 8×8 Medium Armoured Vehicles (5 in Combat version and 25 in Anti-tank version) with ten years integrated logistics support was signed on 27 December 2019 at Palazzo Guidoni, seat of the General Secretariat of Defence and National Armaments Directorate. The “Freccia” VBM is an 8×8 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) of proven reliability in its various versions (Combat, Anti-tank, Mortar Carrier and Command Post) and represents the result of highly-technological synergies between the Technical Area (General Secretariat of Defence – Directorate of Land Armaments), the Operative Area (Army General Staff) of the Ministry of Defence and the Italian Industry. Thanks to a hull designed to provide maximum protection, a powerful Iveco engine coupled with the traditional H-drive, three steering axles, HITFIST turret with 25 mm cannon and advanced Command, Control and Communications systems by Leonardo, the “Freccia” VBM assures crews excellent tactical and strategic mobility, and force protection combined with adequate firepower in a wide range of operational scenarios. The contract makes use of funds allocated in the Tri-ministerial Convention between the Ministries of Defence, Economic Development and Finance, allocating around 1.5 billion Euros to the “Freccia” VBM project in the coming years (up to 2032), drawn from resources approved by the 2017 and 2018 Budget Bills. The contract marks the resumption of the supply of vehicles to the Italian Army Second Medium Brigade, a unit based on 381 systems in various configurations.
13 Jan 20. Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with another 1,000 trucks – order worth almost €400m. At the end of December 2019, the German Bundeswehr ordered a thousand logistic vehicles from Rheinmetall worth €382m, including valued added tax. The order is the third call-off from a framework contract signed in July 2017 encompassing over 2,200 state-of-the-art military trucks, which the Bundeswehr is purchasing as part of its “Unprotected Transport Vehicles” project. Of the thousand vehicles just ordered, 675 have a five-ton payload, while the remaining 325 have a load-carrying capacity of 15 tons. Starting in January 2020, the trucks will be built at the Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) plant in Vienna, with delivery to be complete by the end of the year. Featuring a basic military configuration, these robust, off-road-capable vehicles will be available to support the Bundeswehr’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) 2023 mission. Awarded by the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) on 5 July 2017, the framework contract, which runs for a period of seven years, encompasses a total of 2,271 vehicles from RMMV’s HX family. As a first step, 558 vehicles were ordered right away. A further call-off of 252 vehicles followed in May 2019, and another 60 in November 2019. Serving the twin modern imperatives of mobility and security, the Düsseldorf-based technology group is thus playing a key role in the project to modernize the Bundeswehr’s fleet of trucks, which includes thousands of vehicles. Most of the principal components – the engines, axles, transmissions and build-ons – are made in Germany. The vehicles are assembled at the RMMV plant in Vienna. Particularly when it comes to multinational operations, the global presence of RMMV vehicles offers major advantages with regard to interoperability and logistics. Among others, current user countries include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark. Norway and Sweden have also placed substantial truck orders with Rheinmetall.
SEA
14 Jan 20. Damen Shipyards Wins Tender for Germany’s Multi-Purpose Combat Ship 180. The German Navy’s new MGS 180 multi-purpose combat ship will be built by the Dutch Damen shipyard, the German blog Augen Geradeaus reported Monday. The information was subsequently confirmed by Reuters, which added that the German government is expected to announce its decision on Tuesday. The Germany Ministry of Defense on Monday informed the relevant Bundestag committees that the Dutch company had won the tendering process, at the end of which only Damen and the German shipyard German Naval Yards (GNY) had submitted offers. Four of these ships are currently planned for just under EUR 5.3bn but the German Navy has already advocated for two more. (Source: defense-aerospace.com)
16 Jan 20. France orders eight diving tenders. France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) has ordered eight new diving tenders from Merré Shipyard for operation by the French Navy, the French Ministry of the Armed forces announced on 15 January. Under the terms of the contract, which was awarded to Merré Shipyard on 18 December 2019, the eight diving tenders (Vedettes de soutien à la plongée – VSP) are expected to be delivered by 2025. The new VSPs will replace nine Dionée-class diving tenders that entered service between 1990 and 1996. They will be used by the French Navy’s three mine countermeasures (MCM) diving groups based in Toulon, Brest, and Cherbourg, as well as the Saint Mandrier diving school. The first six VSPs will be configured for mine clearance missions, a DGA spokesperson told Jane’s. They will be able to carry a complement of 16 divers with a crew of six, and will feature overnight accommodation for longer missions. These vessels will be used largely for MCM operations in shallow waters. Embarked divers will be able to operate to depths of 60 m. The VSPs will also conduct surveillance operations with a towed sonar to a maximum depth of 100 m. The remaining two VSPs will be configured for training use at the Saint Mandrier diving school. These VSPs will be able to carry up to 30 divers for day-to-day sorties, with no overnight accommodation provided. The aluminium-built VSPs will have an overall length of 26.5m, with a 7m beam and a displacement of 87 tonnes. Maximum speed is 13kt. Armament includes three 7.62 machine guns. The VSPs will be equipped with a launching system for a rigid-hull inflatable boat, unmanned systems, or a sonar. The VSP will also feature a 200 kg-capable crane and a hyperbaric chamber. (Source: Jane’s)
AIR
14 Jan 20. On 30 December 2019, the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) awarded Thales and Dassault Aviation the contract to equip the French Army’s future strategic intelligence aircraft with the CUGE universal electronic warfare capability. The contract covers the first two aircraft on the programme. CUGE will ultimately be deployed by three Falcon X aircraft, built by Dassault Aviation, to replace the two Transall C-160 Gabriel aircraft in service with the French Air Force from 2025. Thales, in partnership with Dassault Aviation, the DGA and the armed forces, has developed a new generation of signals intelligence (SIGINT) technologies under several advanced study programmes. Thales will produce all the sensors for the SIGINT payload and integrate the overall system on board Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 8X aircraft.
USA
LAND
14 Jan 20. Intevac Receives $8.1m Delta I Digital Night Vision Goggle Contract Award. , Inc. (Nasdaq: IVAC) announced today it has received an $8.1m contract award from the U.S. Army for the 24 month development of the Delta I fused digital night vision goggle incorporating advanced augmented reality (AR) capabilities. The program is in support of a Coalition Warfare Program for the special operations forces of the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Intevac’s digital night-vision sensors, based on its patented Electron Bombarded Active Pixel Sensor (EBAPS®) technology, provide state-of-the-art capability to the most advanced avionic fighting platforms in the U.S. Department of Defense inventory. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Jan 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, has been awarded a $31,938,845 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to support the Operational Fires Integrated Weapon System Phase 3 program, which will enable capabilities for a mobile, ground-launched tactical weapon delivery system capable of carrying a variety of payloads to a variety of ranges. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $12,920,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas (68%); Huntsville, Alabama (21%); Toledo, Ohio (5%); Elkton, West Virginia (5%); Kirkland, Washington (less than 1%); and Camden, Arkansas (less than 1%) with an estimated completion date of January 2021. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR001120C0038).
10 Jan 20. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract to develop and demonstrate a Software Programmable Open Mission Systems (OMS) Compliant (SPOC) radio terminal for the U.S. Air Force. Northrop Grumman’s SPOC solution will provide the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center with an air-to-ground and air-to-air communications capability across four radio frequency waveforms: Link-16 CMN-4, Common Data Link (CDL), Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Multi User Objective System (MUOS).
10 Jan 20. SIG SAUER, Inc. announced the selection of SIG SAUER Ammunition by the U.S. Army Contracting Command for a $10m firm-fixed priced contract to manufacture the MK 248 MOD 1 and MOD 0 .300 Win Mag ammunition for use in U.S. Military sniper platforms. The U.S. Military sniper.300 Win Mag ammunition will be manufactured at the state-of-the-art SIG SAUER ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
SEA
16 Jan 20. The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit selected L3Harris Technologies to provide the Navy with an underwater drone for use in expeditionary undersea missions, according to a Jan. 14 news release from the company. As part of the contract, L3Harris delivered for testing an Iver4-900 PW unmanned undersea vehicle, which comes with two field swappable modular payload sections that, along with additional sensors, will allow the vehicle to detect, classify, localize and identify targets on the ocean floor, the release said. This drone was delivered in December 2019 and will be modified through 2020, which is the expected duration of the program, according to a company spokeswoman. She would not share the value of the contract. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
16 Jan 20. The U.S. Navy has placed its first production order for 40 WESCAM MX™-10MS electro-optical, infrared (EOIR) sensor suites from L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) in support of their Military Sealift Command Electro-Optical System (MSC-EOS) program. The order is part of a multi-year IDIQ contract awarded to L3Harris in 2017 from the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC). L3Harris’ WESCAM MX-10MS sensor suite will be integrated into a larger systems-based solution by NSWC to provide real-time situational awareness, reconnaissance and surveillance operations; coastal observation; and navigational hazard documentation from a fleet of Military Sealift Command ships.
10 Jan 20. Peraton has received four recompete US Navy unmanned maritime systems support (UMSS) task orders worth a total of $27.45m. The task orders have been awarded by the Naval Information Warfare Center separately since August last year. Unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) operations, UUV support representatives, UUV enhanced software support and COIN software development lead are the four task orders. Peraton has partnered with sub-contractors SeeByte and G2 Software Systems for the delivery of some of the above tasks. Delivery of enhanced software support is the latest of the orders. These task orders focus on providing general support for the MK 18 UUV programme. The company is also offering subject matter expertise, as well as computer, software engineering and information technology services. Work began on the UMSS programme in 2015 following a base contract of $135.6m. The contract included an option for up to $228.5m. Post the contract signing, Peraton has supported navy missions such as mine countermeasures, force protection, anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Additionally, the company has delivered UUV fleet support representatives, UUV operations support, software development and maritime operations support. The US Navy receives Peraton’s support from five prime locations in San Diego, California; Panama City, Florida; Little Creek, Delaware; Stennis, Mississippi; and Bahrain. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
13 Jan 20. AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $176,472,608 firm-fixed-price contract for the production and delivery of 32 TH-73A aircraft, initial spares, peculiar support equipment, flyaway kits, hoists, sling loads, data in excess of commercial form fit function/operations maintenance instructional training data as well as ancillary instructor pilot and maintenance personnel training. Work will be performed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (87%); Mineral Wells, Texas (5%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (8%), and is expected to be completed in October 2021. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $176,472,608 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; five offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N61340-20-C-0007).
10 Jan 20. General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a $318,014,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Engine Component Improvement Program. This contract provides for a list of projects each calendar year to include developing engineering changes to the engines, developing organizational, intermediate and depot level repairs as needed, and designing modifications to existing support equipment as well as initiating new support equipment designs as required by engine driven changes. The program also provides support to resolve service-revealed deficiencies and maintain or extend the life limits of aircraft engines. Work will be performed at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2029. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $503,338 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8626-20-D-0002).
14 Jan 20. Lockheed Martin has secured the US Navy’s contract modification for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye’s AN/ALQ-217 electronic support measures upgrade. The $43m modernisation contract will increase the scope of the existing E-2D electronic support measures. It will also offer upgrades to the receiver/processor, active front end and receiver antenna weapons replaceable assemblies (WRAs). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Advanced Product Solutions vice-president Hamid Salim said: “We are pleased to provide an upgraded AN/ALQ-217 ESM system for our US Navy customer. These upgrades will improve the performance of the vessel in dense littoral and open-ocean environments. The enhanced situational awareness and full autonomy of the system will also reduce operator workload and enable faster reaction times, while also improving survivability. Lockheed will support development and testing until 2023 by delivering several AN/ALQ-217D ESM upgrade kits. The base AN/ALQ-217D contract upgrades include improved Combat Identification (CID) networked-EW for multi-ship geo-location with other Carrier Air Wing (CVW) aircraft and the detection of advanced threat radar systems. Furthermore, the upgrades will improve the antennas and active front ends (AFEs) of the platform. Lockheed will carry out most of the work in Owego, New York. The work is expected to be completed by September 2023. (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Jan 20. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will deliver 50 C-130J Super Hercules to the U.S. government through a C-130J Multiyear III award, which was finalized by the U.S. government on Dec. 27, 2019. The award comes as a delivery order under an existing Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in August 2016. The Department of Defense awarded more than $1.5bn in funding for the first 21 C-130J aircraft on the multiyear award. The overall award, worth more than $3bn, provides Super Hercules aircraft to the U.S. Air Force (24 HC/MC-130Js), Marine Corps (20 KC-130Js) and Coast Guard (options for six HC-130Js). Aircraft purchased through the C-130J Multiyear III award will deliver between 2021-2025, and will be built at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia, facility.
16 Jan 20. Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $442,265,464 cost-plus-incentive-fee undefinitized contract action for the force element terminal (FET) development effort. This contract provides for the design, development, testing, integration, and logistical support of a FET system that will transition the B-52 and RC-135 hardened communication terminals from the Military Strategic Tactical Relay satellite communications satellite constellation to the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite constellation. The majority of the work will be performed at Raytheon’s facilities in Marlborough, Massachusetts; and Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by August 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation 3600 funds, in the amount of $5,812,581, are being obligated at the time of contract award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8735-20-C-0003).
TECHNOLOGY
16 Jan 20. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $95m five-year contract via its Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to artificial intelligence (AI) software provider C3.ai to deliver an application to improve aircraft readiness. The AI-based C3 Readiness for Aircraft software application predicts repair requirements for military aircraft and prepares them for missions. It operates on the C3 AI Suite and uses machine learning algorithms for monitoring high-priority subsystems to predict the requirements for parts at air bases and depots. The C3 AI Suite is an integrated software platform that organisations can use to design, develop, and deploy enterprise-scale AI applications on any public or private Cloud environment. The DoD can use the AI suite to integrate and unify bulk fragmented and disparate data. Machine learning algorithms will make use of the data for insights that improve operations and provide situational awareness. C3 Readiness for Aircraft provides a near real-time view of aircraft health for each tail number and enables the availability of maintainers while preparing them for work. Furthermore, operations personnel can use the application to ensure that the correct parts are available at the right time and at the right locations. C3 Readiness for Aircraft allows organisations to expand the use of existing aircraft and reduces the cost and time associated with unexpected maintenance. (Source: army-technology.com)
16 Jan 20. The Department of Interior awarded CenturyLink a contract potentially worth $1.6bn for network security and IT modernization. Under the contract, a task order award under the GSA’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions program, CenturyLink will provide Interior with managed core network services and managed access services. The contract has a base period of one year, a CenturyLink spokesperson said. According to the news release, there are 11 one-year options through 2032. CenturyLink’s managed core network services includes designing, engineering, building, securing, operating and maintaining Interior’s enterprise network, along with cybersecurity services. The second area, manage access services, included securing cloud connectivity and WiFi services. The EIS program is a 15-year, $50bn multi-award contract vehicle for federal agencies to use to purchased preapproved, secure IT and telecommunication services. CenturyLink was the first supplier given EIS authority to operate last March. In April last year, CenturyLink also won a task order under the contract to provide secure connectivity services to NASA, the first task order under the EIS program. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Federal Times)
14 Jan 20. The US Army has selected advanced and secure communications solutions provider DataPath to support its $5.1bn Global Tactical Advanced Communications Systems II (GTACS II) contract vehicle. The work is expected to occur until 5 January 2030. GTACS II covers information technology services and hardware to support the tactical communications network development for soldiers. It also includes software and hardware engineering, programme management and analysis, systems engineering and supply chain management. The company will continue to provide value-added solutions to the US Army, which include Portable SATCOM Antenna Systems, Transportable Hubs, towable SATCOM Transportable Terminals, and professional services. DataPath will also offer MaxView Network Management Systems and MaxDefense Cybersecurity solutions. DataPath is one among 22 companies that secured the contract from the army earlier this month. Other companies that secured the contract include Advanced Technology Systems, Boeing, CopaSat, Envistacom, GATR Technologies, Kratos Technology & Training Solutions, and Nexagen Network. Quantum Research International, Serco, STS International, and Ultisat are also among those supporting GTACS II. (Source: army-technology.com)
17 Jan 20. Leidos has won a contract to deliver technology refresh and upgrades to the US Army’s common driver trainer (CDT) virtual product line (VPL). The contract has been awarded by the US Army’s Program Executive Officer for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI). Under the single-award contract, Leidos will be responsible for producing CDT VPL based on the current CDT component. It will also develop and update the CDT component architecture for the US Army’s on-site existing CDT systems. Leidos will also perform restructuring of CDT’s hardware / software upgrade capabilities. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) award has a five-year base period, with two one-year options. The contract has an approximate maximum value of $110m and work is set to take place in Orlando, Florida, US. (Source: army-technology.com)
13 Jan 20. Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) is developing a machine learning technology under a $6m contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for the Competency Aware Machine Learning program. Systems will be able to communicate the abilities they have learned, the conditions under which the abilities were learned, the strategies they recommend and the situations for which those strategies can be used. The system will learn from a video game like process. Instead of giving the system rules, the researchers will tell the system what choices it has in the game and what the ultimate goal is. By repeatedly playing the game, the system will learn the most effective ways to meet the goal. The system will explain itself by recording the conditions and strategies it used to come up with successful outcomes. Once the system has developed these skills, the team will apply it to a simulated search and rescue mission. Users will create the conditions surrounding the mission, while the system will make recommendations and give users information about its competence in those particular conditions. For example, the system might say, “In the rain, at night, I can distinguish between a person and an inanimate object with 90 percent accuracy, and I have done this over 1,000 times.”
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
16 Jan 20. Russia to trial Drozd-2 active protection system on T-72BK. The Russian Ministry of Defence has contracted the KBP Instrument Design Bureau (Shipunov) to integrate the TKB-0252 Drozd-2 hard kill active protection system (APS) onto a T-72BK for trials, according to a contract (number 52/23/19) published on the Russian Unified Procurement Information System website in December 2019. The contract, valued at RUB745,443 (USD12,138) appears relatively small but accounts for the installation of a Drozd-2 APS onto a T-72BK, as well as 30 TKB-0252SB 1 effector rounds for the Drozd system. Presumably linked to the Drozd-2 APS is the TKB-0252CH high-explosive fragmentation round, ten of which are included in the itinerary. (Source: Jane’s)
AIR
14 Jan 20. Ecuador orders Grob G 120TP trainer aircraft. The Ecuadorian Air Force has ordered eight Grob Aircraft G 120TP twin-seat turboprops to bolster its fleet of basic trainers. The aircraft will be assigned to the ‘Cosme Renella’ Military Aviation Academy at Salinas, and will join a fleet of Diamond DA20C1, A150L Aerobat, and Cessna T-41A/D Mescalero aircraft performing primary and basic flight training. The deal, announced by the air force in late 2019 and confirmed to Jane’s on 14 January, includes a simulator, as well as logistics support for maintenance and operations. No contract value or delivery timeline was disclosed. Grob Aircraft has developed a G 120TP Training System consisting of computer-based training, virtual and augmented reality, a desktop trainer for the Electronic Flight Instruments System (EFIS), and a G120TP Simulator. (Source: Jane’s)
09 Jan 20. Singapore – F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) Aircraft. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore of up to twelve (12) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.750bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Singapore has requested to buy up to twelve (12) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft (four (4) F-35B STOVL aircraft with the option to purchase an additional eight (8) F-35B STOVL aircraft); and up to thirteen (13) Pratt and Whitney F135 Engines (includes 1 initial spare). Also included are Electronic Warfare Systems; Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence/Communication, Navigation and Identification (C4I/CNI) system; Autonomic Logistics Global Support System (ALGS); Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS); F-35 Training System; Weapons Employment Capability and other Subsystems, Features and Capabilities; F-35 unique infrared flares; reprogramming center access and F-35 Performance Based Logistics; software development/integration; aircraft transport from Ft. Worth, TX to the CONUS initial training base and tanker support (if necessary); spare and repair parts; support equipment, tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The total estimated cost is $2.750bn. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Singapore is a strategic friend and Major Security Cooperation Partner and an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia Pacific region. (Source: ASD Network)
13 Jan 20. Swift Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of Swift Engineering, won a $17m contract to provide Bahamas government agencies and ministries with a comprehensive Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. The multi-agency drone program includes the purchase of 55 short and medium-range drones, immediate surveillance capabilities, training and support, and the establishment of a regional drone academy. The contract was awarded to Swift Tactical Systems more than one year after the government released a worldwide request for drone and services proposals. Swift’s comprehensive plan beat 25 other companies that were part of the multi-agency selection process. All law enforcement agencies, immigration and customs, corrections facilities, and the military will have access to the drones for various activities. (Source: UAS VISION)