UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
17 Feb 20. NSPA signs contract with Indra to support air defence radars. Spanish company Indra has been awarded an air defence radar support contract by the Nato Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The performance-based contractor logistic support (PB-CLS) contract will see the company provide complete lifecycle support of surveillance radars in Lithuania. Indra will be responsible for three long-range air surveillance radars that will receive extended life support of 19 years. The contract includes four initial years and three-year options. The value of the contract has not been disclosed. Indra’s performance will be monitored by NSPA through a set of indicators that exhibit the effectiveness of the services provided. The acquisition logistics aspects for the implementation of PB-CLS contract are being led by NSPA, which has experience in executing the performance-based concept in air defence systems of various Nato countries. The concept of this PB contract system is incorporated in the system design right from the early stages of acquisition. Nato Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) serves as the lead for (Source: airforce-technology.com)
19 Feb 20. Lincad has won a contract from Team Leidos to manufacture batteries which will be used by the British Armed Forces. The new contract means that Lincad will manufacture batteries and cells for use by British Forces through Team Leidos. In addition to its own bespoke products, Lincad supplies cells and batteries of various chemistries from other manufacturers, using its in-house testing facilities to approve products and to demonstrate continued product performance over time. This is critical where products are used for mission-critical environments, with many requiring approval to UK Defence Standards. This contract is in addition to the business awarded by Team Leidos to Lincad in June 2018. Lincad will also be employing its capacity to package and label supplied products for all modes of transport, including full adherence with the stringent IATA regulations. The company’s own Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) supports all aspects of product supply. Team Leidos, led by Leidos Europe Ltd, is helping to implement the MOD’s Logistic Commodities & Services Transformation (LCS[T]) programme which is designed to enhance and improve the UK’s defence supply chain. Providing procurement, distribution and storage services for UK MOD material, Team Leidos is aiming to transform the supply chain by integrating a complex mixture of services, at low risk, using a modern suite of systems.(Source: https://www.defenceonline.co.uk/)
EUROPE
LAND
20 Feb 20. Bittium has received purchase orders from the Finnish Defence Forces related to existing Framework Agreements for products included in the Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system and Bittium Tough Comnode™ terminals, which are meant for tactical communications. The value of the purchase order including Bittium TAC WIN system’s products is approximately EUR 5.8m. It is the last purchase order under the Framework Agreement signed by Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces on August 9, 2017. In accordance with the Framework Agreement, Finnish Defence Forces has ordered products included in the software-defined Bittium TAC WIN system during the years 2018-2020. The Framework Agreement has materialized in full and the total value is EUR 30m (excl. VAT). The products ordered now will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces during the year 2020. The purchase order is part of the renewal of the Finnish Defence Forces’ command, control and communications system, where the software-defined Bittium TAC WIN system acts as the backbone network for tactical data transfer. Bittium TAC WIN provides broadband IP network connections for mobile communication stations and command posts. In the reformed combat doctrine of the Finnish Defence Forces, mobility, leading the troops on the move and effective communications play a key role. Bittium issued a stock exchange release on the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 9, 2017. The value of the purchase order including Bittium Tough Comnode terminals is approximately EUR1.7m. The order is based on the Framework Agreement signed by Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces on November 5, 2018. According to the Framework Agreement, Finnish Defence Forces will order Bittium Tough Comnode terminals and related accessories during the years 2018-2022. If materialized in full, the total value of the Framework Agreement is EUR 8.3m (excl. VAT). The Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders in several batches during the validity of the Framework Agreement. The products ordered now will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces during the year 2020. Bittium Tough Comnode will fulfill the data transfer needs of the Finnish Defence Forces’ mobile troops by functioning for example as a VoIP phone (Voice over IP), an IP router (Internet Protocol), and an SHDSL repeater (Symmetrical High-speed Digital Subscriber Line). The terminals will be used by all three military branches. Bittium issued a stock exchange release on the signing of the Framework Agreement on November 5, 2018. The purchase orders do not affect Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2020 published in the Financial Statement Bulletin 2019 on February 13, 2020.
SEA
19 Feb 20. Damen awarded contract for new RNLN support ship. The Netherlands’ Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has contracted Damen Shipyards Group for the construction of a new combat support ship (CSS) for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN). To be named HNLMS Den Helder , the new vessel will restore the dedicated afloat support capability lost when the replenishment vessel HNLMS Amsterdam was decommissioned as a savings measure in December 2014. The contract was signed by the DMO and Damen on 19 February, and calls for delivery in the second quarter of 2024. Following trials and work up, Den Helder is expected to achieve operational status with the RNLN in the second quarter of 2025. The design of Den Helder is derived from that of the RNLN’s joint support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman. Approaching 200 m in length and displacing 22,000 tonnes at full load, the new ship will have a crew of 75, plus accommodation for an additional 75 people on board. Two replenishment-at-sea stations will be fitted for the transfer of fuel, dry stores and ammunition, and there will be space to carry approximately 20 containers as deck cargo. A flight deck and hangar facility provide for the operation and support of rotary-wing aircraft. Two rigid-hull inflatable boats will be carried for boarding and rescue operations and passengers. There will also be provision to carry two 9.5m FRISC (Fast Raiding, Interception and Special forces Craft) interceptors.A diesel-electric propulsion system is specified, with twin shafts each driving fixed pitch propellers. Maximum speed will be over 18kt. The design process has paid close attention to reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions (to meet IMO Tier III regulations on nitrogen oxide emissions). According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the combination of propulsion system, hull shape and propeller design reduces fuel consumption by around 6% compared to Karel Doorman. (Source: Jane’s)
AIR
20 Feb 20. Parrot has been chosen to equip the Swiss Armed Forces with micro-drones as part of the ”Swiss Mini UAV Program” (Swiss MUAS) call for tender against major civilian UAV players. Parrot’s expertise in professional drones, the performance of its solutions dedicated to Defense and Security, and the high level of cyber security required by the Swiss armed forces were decisive assets in the final choice. The call for tender launched at the beginning of 2019 by armasuisse, the federal procurement agency responsible for the Swiss Armed Forces, is intended to get the right cost-effective training aids for the troops to become familiar with Mini UAV operations. The safety of people and military personnel, as well as knowledge of the terrain, can be significantly enhanced and easily deployed thanks to the high-performant, light and evolving drones developed by Parrot. Product specifications, quantities and prices are not disclosed. This structuring project marks a new step forward for the Parrot Group in the field of security and defense on which the Group has been working since 2018. On this occasion, the Group will be working with its subsidiary senseFly, which will be in charge of operational support in Switzerland. Although the financial impact of this project will not be significant on the Group’s results, this new contract underlines the quality of the technological innovations developed by Parrot and its leading position in the civil drone market. It adds up to the development contract signed with the United States Army in May 2019 for the new generation of compact drones, dedicated to the surveillance of the SRR (Short Range Reconnaissance) program. These advances confirm the excellence of the Group’s R&D and testify to the quality of its strategy and positioning, particularly in the professional sectors and especially in the Defense and Security sectors. (Source: UAS VISION)
17 Feb 20. Rheinmetall modernizing NH90 flight simulators As part of the Helicopter Flight Training Systems (HFTS) GmbH team, Rheinmetall is modernizing flight simulators for the German Army Aviation Corps’ NH90 helicopters. A contract to this effect was signed at the end of December 2019. For Rheinmetall, the order is worth a figure in the lower double-digit euro million range. Awarded to HFTS, the complete contract encompasses operation, service and maintenance of the simulators through to 2027, with a contractually guaranteed availability rate of at least 98%. The German Bundeswehr is thus sticking to HFTS GmbH, the tried-and-tested operator of its NH90 simulators. Founded in 2004, the company today operates NH90 full-mission simulators in Bückeburg, Fassberg and Holzdorf. HFTS GmbH is a consortium in which Airbus Helicopter, CAE, Rheinmetall and Thales each hold an equal share. The modernization project involves updating the system to match the current configuration of the NH90 (MR1) as well as qualification of the four simulators in accordance with EASA licensing regulations, Level C. Rheinmetall possesses extensive experience and expertise with NH90 simulators. In addition to flight simulators, the Group has already supplied several systems for training NH90 ground personnel. As recently as mid 2019, an Asterion-based system of this type for the NH90-NTH naval helicopter went into operation at Nordholz Naval Air Base. Before this, ground crew training systems had already been supplied to Fassberg. Here, German Army ground personnel are schooled in operating and maintenance procedures for the NH90 TTH in exact replicas of the cockpit.
USA
LAND
19 Feb 20. DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC, Melbourne, Florida, was awarded a $21,470,307 firm-fixed-price contract for mission system computers, chief of section displays (CSD) and CSD chargers for the M777A2 Digital Fire Control System. 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 Feb. 19, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-20-D-0020).
14 Feb 20. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $407,335,834 modification (P00291) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to procure Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and associated kits. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2018 and 2020 other procurement, Army; procurement, U. S. Marine Corps; and Foreign Military Sales (Lithuania and Slovenia) funds in the amount of $407,335,834 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
SEA
20 Feb 20. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $233,036,890 firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract action for the procurement of Mk 41 Vertical Launching System vertical launcher module assemblies, modernization kits and spare components. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (74%) and the governments of Korea (18%), Finland (4%), and Germany (4%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland (40%); Indianapolis, Indiana (36%); Farmingdale, New York (9%); Saginaw, Michigan (5%); Waverly, Iowa (2%); Thomaston, Connecticut (2%); Chaska, Minnesota (2%); St. Peters, Missouri (1%); Hampstead, Maryland (1%); Santa Rosa, California (1%), and Peachtree City, Georgia (1%), and is expected to be completed by March 2025. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $46,607,377 was 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 one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-5310). (Awarded Feb. 14, 2020)
19 Feb 20. Raytheon Co., Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is awarded a $121,507,441 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-17-C-5145 for the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) 1000 ship class integrated logistics support and engineering services. The DDG 1000 ship class is a multi-mission surface combatant designed to fulfill volume firepower and precision strike requirements. DDG 1000 combat systems provide offensive, distributed and precision firepower and long ranges in support of forces ashore while incorporating signature reduction, active and passive self-defense system and enhanced survivability features. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (40%); Tewksbury, Massachusetts (27%); San Diego, California (16%); Bath, Maine (6%); Ft. Wayne, Indiana (5%); Los Angeles, California (3%); Marlboro, Massachusetts (2%); and Nashua, New Hampshire (1%), and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,660,190; fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,650,000; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $621,000 will be obligated at the time of award, and funds in the amount of $16,281,190 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
AIR
14 Feb 20. Boeing contracted to conclude USAF AWACS upgrades. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Boeing to complete full-rate production of the Block 40/45 upgrade for the service’s E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The contract, announced on 13 February, is valued at USD99.9m and will run through to fiscal year (FY) 2024. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The Block 40/45 Mission System Upgrade is the largest in the history of the AWACS programme. Building on earlier Block 20/25 and Block 30/35 efforts, the Block 40/45 is essentially a mission computing systems upgrade that covers hardware, in the form of a new suite of current state-of-the-art flat-screen computers, as well as the necessary software. This takes the aircraft very much into a Windows type of environment, enhancing the system’s networking capability while improving the aircraft’s reliability and lowering life-cycle costs. In addition, the upgrade will provide for increased processing power to enable better operation of the fleet’s advanced battle management tools, such as Automatic Air Tasking Orders and Airspace Co-ordination Order updates. The aircraft’s Multi-Sensor Integration (MSI) process, which automatically integrates data from on- and off-board sources such as radar and identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems, electronic support measures, and Link 16, is also upgraded under the process, with the MSI’s open system and lean architecture enabling rapid software upgrades and requiring less hardware. As part of the upgrade the US Air Force (USAF) is also replacing the E-3’s AN/APX-103C radar with the AN/UPX-40, which was designed to eliminate ground clutter to better detect, identify, and track low-flying aircraft. Although the Block 40/45 process reduces the amount of hardware needed on board the aircraft, it actually increases from 10 to 14 the number of mission system operator workstations available in the main cabin. (Source: Jane’s)
19 Feb 20. KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded a $276m task order to provide state-of-the-art information technology services and equipment to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Logistics and Maintenance Information Systems and Technology Division. Under this contract, KBR will assist NAVAIR in supporting global information grid and net-centric operations and delivering logistics IT capability to the Navy and other Department of Defense (DoD) organizations. KBR’s tasks will include authentication, data transport, fleet user interfaces, large scale storage, analytics tools and hardware and software infrastructure. As part of this work, KBR will acquire and deliver essential in-service systems engineering, modernization, testing and sustainment capabilities.
17 Feb 20. US Naval Supply Signs $2.3bn UH-60 Renewal Contract. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) renewed a $2.3bn H-60 Seahawk Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract with Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission System (LMRMS) located in Owego, N.Y., Feb. 1. The H-60 Seahawk PBL renewal is NAVSUP WSS’ fourth PBL contract with LMRMS since 2004, and runs from Feb. 2020 to Jan. 2027 (a five-year period of performance and an option to extend for two years). This contract will continue to provide value to the fleet and demonstrate the benefits of long-term contractual arrangements, allowing the government to roll out best practices into follow-on contracts. (Source: ASD Network)
18 Feb 20. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $62,400,402 modification (P00016) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0081). This modification exercises an option to procure 29 AE1107C engines for Navy V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed December 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,517,380; and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $40,883,022 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 Feb 20. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $470,813,279 firm-fixed price modification (P00084) to a previously-awarded fixed-price incentive-firm contract (N00019-14-C-0050). This modification exercises options to procure six low rate initial production lot II VH-92A aircraft, interim contractor support and six cabin interior reconfiguration kits in support of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (50%); Coatesville, Pennsylvania (36%); Owego, New York (10%); Patuxent River, Maryland (3%); and Quantico, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $470,813,279 will be obligated at the 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.
TECHNOLOGY
17 Feb 20. The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has signed a contract to deploy Enview’s artificial intelligence (AI) analytics capabilities, which will be used by the 60th Air Mobility Wing (60 AMW). These capabilities will support 60 AMW’s national defence-related mission need in the area of natural disaster relief. With the latest AI analytics project, the airforce and the US Department of Defense will provide clear, current, and actionable mapping intelligence to increase disaster response effectiveness. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
17 Feb 20. The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded two five-year LevelUP contracts to technology transformation company Red River. The USAF LevelUP Cloud Services basic ordering agreements (BOA) will have an initial funding of $95m each. Under the first contract, Red River will provide Cloud services to support the new LevelUP Unified Platform of the USAF, a cyberspace operations system for future cyber mission force capabilities. As part of this contract, Cloud services will be acquired for the creation of a secure DevOps platform for engineers to build, test and deploy new products on various systems and architectures. Through the second LevelUp DevSecOps tools, pipeline and platform integration and licensing contract, the airforce will get access to software titles, tools and other capabilities to meet its next-generation mission requirements. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
19 Feb 20. Geocent has secured a share of $249m US Navy’s Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) shore platform contract. The company is one of nine awardees selected for the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quality (IDIQ) multiple award contract in support of the navy’s C4ISR integration and engineering contract. The two-year contract, which was awarded last month, includes two three-year option periods. Under the terms of the contract, Geocent will be responsible for carrying out the installation of integrated C4ISR and supporting systems primarily at the US Navy’s San Diego installation. The company will perform the work at shore-based facilities, and on towers, piers, and platforms, in addition to mobile systems. Some work may extend to other locations across the US and abroad. (Source: naval-technology.com)
14 Feb 20. Red River, a technology transformation company, announced today that it has been awarded two U.S. Air Force LevelUP Cloud Services Basic Ordering Agreements (BOA). The contracts are each for five years and each have initial funding of $95m. The first contract is for cloud services to support the Air Force’s new LevelUP Unified Platform, a cyberspace operations system for future cyber mission force capabilities. The cloud services acquired through the contract will be used to create a secure DevOps platform for engineers to build, test and deploy new products on a variety of systems and architectures. The second contract is LevelUp’s DevSecOps Tools, Pipeline and Platform Integration and Licensing contract, which provides access to the software titles, tools and other capabilities the Air Force needs to meet their next-generation mission requirements. The Air Force’s LevelUP program developed the Unified Platform tool to aggregate cybersecurity incident data into a single platform with visibility across the service, as well as with other military branches. The LevelUP team also launched Cyber Works in 2019, a program that will develop and field new capabilities at the speed and scale required in today’s cyberspace operations environment. Red River’s previous Department of Defense cloud experience includes moving the U.S. Navy’s Data Center Consolidation and “Cloud- First” mandate forward with a dedicated commercial cloud hosting task order for Department of the Navy mission owners. Red River hosts cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and a secure shared services virtual environment, as well as cloud assured managed services. (Source: ASD Network)
17 Feb 20. Sypris Wins Contract With BAE Systems. Sypris Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq/GM: SYPR), announced today that it has recently received a contract award from BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector to manufacture and test electronic power supply modules for a large mission-critical military program. Production will begin in 2020. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. (Source: ASD Network)
19 Feb 20. Boeing subsidiary Tapestry Solutions has secured a five-year contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to sustain and modernise the Global Decision Support System (GDSS). GDSS is a key command and control (C2) software platform that supports global Air Mobility Command (AMC) missions. GDSS aids aircrews in the planning and execution of missions such as aerial refuelling and strategic airlift, as well as giving a common operational picture for AMC and mission partners on an integrated platform. These facilities allow mobility airforces to quickly shift personnel and equipment from anywhere in the world within a few hours and sustain troop support for relief operations as long as required.(Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
17 Feb 20. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that it was awarded an approximately $670m contract to supply defense solutions to a country in Asia-Pacific. The contract will be performed over a 25-month period.
19 Feb 20. ADF Boxer seating frames contract awarded. Australian industry involvement in the Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle build is ramping up, with Precision Metal Group contracted to build the seating frames for the vehicle. Precision Metal Group has partnered with German firm Probatec for the work, and will achieve a German welding certification, paving the way for further export opportunities. (Source: Shephard)
SEA
13 Feb 20. Spain’s Ghenova wins first contract for Brazilian Navy. Spanish engineering company Ghenova has won its first contract with the Brazilian Navy to complete the design work on two unfinished Macaé-class patrol boats. Announcing the contract on 11 February, the Seville-based company said work will be carried out under a one-year framework agreement that can be extended for a further four years. CEO Francisco Cuervas described it as “a very important opportunity for the company” that opens up the prospect of winning further orders with the navy. Under the contract Ghenova will finalise design work on the third and fourth Macaé-class patrol boats, Maracanã (P 72) and Mangaratiba (P 73). (Source: Jane’s)
AIR
20 Feb 20. Chemring Energetic Devices Inc., Downers Grove, Illinois, has been awarded a $24,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for supply of various Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices for various U.S. and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) aircraft. Work will be performed in Downers Grove, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by August 2027. The contract involves foreign military sales to Greece, Taiwan, Thailand, Switzerland, Uruguay, India, Saudi Arabia, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Denmark, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, South Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Turkey, Poland, Bahrain, Tunisia, Egypt and The Netherlands. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force fiscal 2018 funding in the amount of $1,882,272; Air Force fiscal 2019 funding in the amount of $1,065,552; U.S. Navy fiscal year 2019 funding in the amount of $134,032; Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $2,539,705 are being obligated at the time of award under delivery order FA8213-20-F-2525. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8213-20-D-0002).
17 Feb 20. Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies has received a $3m funding boost from the Australian government to develop a next generation rocket fuel tank, with the aim to reduce launch costs by 25 per cent. A Gilmour Space Technologies, University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Teakle Composites project to create lightweight rocket fuel tanks was included in the latest round of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants. The project is a$12.5m investment by the consortium with support from the federal government in order to design, develop and manufacture flight ready cryotanks. It brings industry and academia together to use advanced robotic filament winding using exotic materials suited to the extreme operating conditions of space. The new carbon-fibre cryotanks have the potential for up to 30 per cent weight saving and 25 per cent cost saving. (Source: Space Connect)
17 Feb 20. IAF to acquire 83 Tejas fighter jets for $5.4bn from HAL. IAF to acquire 83 single-engine Tejas Mark-1A LCA fighter jets. Credit: Rajan Manickavasagam. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly finalised the acquisition of 83 single-engine Tejas Mark-1A light combat aircraft (LCA) fighter jets. The deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) also includes maintenance and infrastructure. Initially, HAL quoted nearly Rs565bn ($7.9bn) but the contract price has now decreased to a final amount of up to Rs390bn ($5.4bn), reported The Times of India (TOI). The Mark-1A fighter jets are expected to be delivered three years after the agreement has been signed. Under the deal, the Mark-1A jets will feature 43 improvements. Some of the enhancements include active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, long-range beyond visual range missiles, air-to-air refuelling and advanced electronic warfare. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
18 Feb 20. The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 18 February that it is to issue Northrop Grumman with a sole-source contract to supply Australia with an additional MQ-4C Triton high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The notification posted on the US government’s beta.sam.gov website solidifies the announcement made in March 2019 by Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, who said that this second Triton will be acquired as part of the country’s wider plans to field six such platforms by 2025. No timeline or value for the expected contract was disclosed. (Source: Jane’s)
TECHNOLOGY
19 Feb 20. Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display, tracking and recording sub-systems (www.cambridgepixel.com), has been selected by Hanwha Systems, a South Korean defence company, to supply its advanced SPx radar technology for installation on the Republic of Korea Navy’s fleet of Chamsuri II-class patrol boats and FFX-II frigates. Engineers at Hanwha Systems in Gumi City, South Korea needed advanced and field-proven radar processing components – including radar acquisition, radar display, radar scan conversion, radar distribution and radar recording – for the development of its latest multi-function display console, the FFX-B2. It was vital that the software modules provided by Cambridge Pixel could be built into Hanwha’s own application code thereby enabling Hanwha’s development team to deliver a native solution to the Korean Navy which can be maintained and supported locally. Cambridge Pixel will supply Hanwha Systems with radar interfacing and distribution capability for a number of different radar types, along with software for radar scan conversion, network distribution and multi-channel radar recording. Each FFX-B2 display console will be equipped with Cambridge Pixel’s radar scan conversion software to convert the polar format network data into a PPI image, which is presented with application graphics as part of the multi-function console display. By using Cambridge Pixel’s world class off-the-shelf SPx radar components, Hanwha Systems will reduce the development time for its new console and save money. Furthermore, the software modules selected will deliver all the functionality needed for this programme and provide access to new features as the software is updated.