UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
23 Feb 20. Exotrail Secures Contract with AAC Clyde Space. Exotrail, a French company that provides solutions for the smallsat market, have announced they have signed a contract with AAC Clyde Space, a European smallsat solutions specialist. Exotrail will equip them with cutting-edge propulsion solutions for their customers, global telecommunications leader Eutelsat, ELO 3 and ELO 4 spacecraft. Exotrail will provide propulsion systems for the two 6U cubesats that will be manufactured and delivered to orbit by AAC Clyde Space. The Eutelsat mission is a precursor to a potential constellation called ELO (Eutelsat LEO for Objects). The contract is to be delivered before the end of the year, both satellites will be launched in 2021. Exotrail started its propulsion system development with a flight demonstrator project that was designed, built, qualified and delivered in only 10 months. The launch of the flight system demonstrator, initially scheduled to fly in November of 2019 on board a PSLV, is now planned for March of 2020 (due to a launcher delay). The resulting heritage acquired with this project, along with the expertise and innovation put forward in Exotrail’s product development, has allowed the company to secure their first customers. According to the company, these customer contracts demonstrate that Exotrail’s strategy is paying off and that the company has moved quickly from vision to reality, a vision to provide a propulsion system as well as a set of software, hardware and services and to change the way satellites are launched and operated on orbit. This vision is now translating into revenue and success. (Source: Satnews)
25 Feb 20. Marshall Advanced Composites has signed a £9.5m contract with Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to manufacture and supply cockpit trim panels for its C-130J Super Hercules airlifter for the next five years. The panels are manufactured at Marshall’s composites facility in North Yorkshire from phenolic glass fibre sandwich panels with a Nomex honeycomb core, followed by finishing operations such as painting, electrical assembly and integration to provide Lockheed Martin with lineside kits of plug and play parts to their Marietta facility. Panels are supplied in various sizes and complexity in kits of 14 or 18 panels to form the centre console in the C-130 cockpit. Advanced Composites is part of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, which has been maintaining, repairing and overhauling C-130s for more than 50 years.
TECHNOLOGY
24 Feb 20. tlmNexus to support UK MoD’s DE&S P-8A Poseidon programme. Technology company tlmNexus has been awarded a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). The contract will see the company support the P-8A Poseidon programme as part of the Airworthiness Issue Management System (AIMS) contract. tlmNexus is involved in the delivery of through-life acquisition and support management solutions with defence-focused software services. In May last year, the company received a two-year contract from DE&S to deliver AIMS for multiple MoD aircraft fleets. The latest contract covers the nine latest Poseidon MRA Mk.1 (P-8A) aircraft that will be operated by the British Royal Air Force (RAF). tlmNexus developed the Resolve software, which is designed for air equipment safety management. The MoD’s delivery team will benefit from the software as it will allow them to track and manage airworthiness-related issues in compliance with the UK Military Aviation Authority’s engineering regulations. Acting as a single source of reference, Resolve offers an auditable and transparent view of all actions and tasks associated with important problems. Some of the benefits provided by the software include easily accessible management information, access to the complete audit trail while managing and reducing or eliminating crucial risks. The company will also provide training required to use the Resolve software. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
EUROPE
LAND
25 Feb 20. Bluebird Aero Systems has sold more than 150 vertical-takeoff-and-landing drones to an unnamed European country in a deal worth “tens of millions of euros,” the Israeli company announced Tuesday. The company, which makes WanderB and ThunderB tactical VTOL drones, said the customer will incorporate the two UAV types into infantry, armored, artillery and special forces units. The VTOL design has been tested in harsh environments and proved reliable. The recently sold drones are expected to be deployed to enhance the capabilities of units adjusting to modern fighting methods, providing “advanced and reliable intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities to address the modern battlefield’s challenges,” the commander said. Bluebird’s unmanned aircraft systems have been operational with the Israel Defense Forces since 2002 and in other countries since 2006, where they have logged a total of 52,000 sorties. (Source: Defense News)
24 Feb 20. Cambridge Pixel has supplied a ruggedized, portable radar simulator system to TÜV SÜD, a global provider of technical services in key areas including: testing, certification and verification. TÜV SÜD provides certification to both UK and European standards including IEC 62388, 61174, 60945, 62065 and 62288.
21 Feb 20. Romania orders Iveco tactical trucks. The Romanian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 31 December 2019 awarded Iveco Defence Vehicles a seven-year frame-type contract to supply 2,902 tactical trucks. According to a company statement, an initial delivery order for 942 trucks is in place and these are to be delivered over four years beginning in 2020. The company confirmed the vehicles are from Iveco’s tactical range, and these are produced by the company’s Astra subsidiary at a dedicated facility in Piacenza, Italy. Iveco acquired specialist heavy truck manufacturer Astra Veicoli Industriali SpA in 1986, and while the Astra brand is retained for domestic production, for export applications the Iveco brand and product designations are used. (Source: Jane’s)
28 Feb 20. Germany picks its lead vendor for European tactical radio program. The German defense ministry has designated radio specialist Rohde und Schwarz as the national lead toward the development of a tactical radio for European land forces. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
SEA
21 Feb 20. Dutch Navy commissions new virtual reality programme. Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Damen), Thales Nederland, and the maritime innovation cluster Extended Reality (ER) have developed a virtual reality (VR) programme for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Called Intro-TD-OPV experience, the VR programme has been developed for technical students of the Royal Navy Technical Training to familiarise with naval ships virtually. The VR programme was commissioned last week. The maritime innovation cluster ER is operated by the Simulation Center Maritime (SimCenMar) navy personnel. The centre supports and conducts experiments covering almost all ER possibilities. The functional design and VR technology mean that the features of the Holland-class patrol vessel HNLMS Holland can be easily learnt. Students can be educated about the location and functionality of the different systems on board. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
24 Feb 20. GKN Aerospace selected by FMV to support Gripen E RM16 aero-engine. GKN Aerospace has been selected for the technical product support and MRO for the Gripen E RM16 Engines of the Swedish Air Force. The RM16 is the Swedish name for the aero-engine of the new Gripen E aircraft and GKN Aerospace’s continued support to the platform was confirmed by FMV, in January. The engine is based on the General Electric F414 aero-engine which powers F-18 Super Hornet. GKN Aerospace will closely collaborate with Saab and GE to build up the necessary infrastructure and competence for the new engine type. The selection reinforces GKN Aerospace’s unique position and extensive experience in aero-engine support. It effectively means that technical support and maintenance for all versions of the Gripen aero-engines will be available in Trollhättan,Sweden. GKN Aerospace is also the OEM and type certificate holder of the Gripen C/D RM12 aero-engine and has been supporting the RM12 aero-engines since the first Gripen aircraft went into service in 1997. GKN Aerospace employs 2200 people in Trollhättan, Sweden, of which about 200 work in its military engines design and support business.
USA
LAND
26 Feb 20. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Sterling Heights, Michigan, is awarded a $113,548,696 modification to exercise options for the fixed-price-incentive (firm target) contract line item numbers 4001 and 4005 portions of a previously awarded contract (M67854-16-C-0006). This modification is for the purchase of 26 amphibious combat vehicles and other associated production costs. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania (60%), Aiken, South Carolina (15%), San Jose, California (15%), Sterling Heights, Michigan (5%), and Stafford, Virginia (5%), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2020 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $113,548,696 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was based on full and open competition with the solicitation publicized on the Federal Business Opportunities website with five offers received. The option contract line item numbers were included within that contract and are being exercised in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-7 option for increased quantity-separately priced line item. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-16-C-0006).
26 Feb 20. Iveco Defence Vehicles to deliver an additional 26 amphibious platforms to the U.S. Marine Corps in partnership with BAE Systems. According to the contract for the new generation of Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) awarded in 2018, CNH Industrial subsidiary Iveco Defence Vehicles is providing its 8×8 amphibious armored platform design, core components and services. In the frame of the contract recently awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps to the company, BAE Systems, along with teammate Iveco Defence Vehicles, will deliver an additional 26 Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) under the Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phase of the program. This award brings the total vehicle orders for the ACV to 116, and moves the program closer to full-rate production.
26 Feb 20. Palantir USG Inc., Palo Alto, California (W56KGY-20-D-0005); and BAE Systems Information and Electronic SYS INT INC, San Diego, California (W56KGY-20-D-0006), will compete for each order of the $823,263,105 firm-fixed-price contract to upgrade/replace components found in the Distributed Common Ground System-Army. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 24, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
21 Feb 20. SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to announce the Nevada Highway Patrol has transitioned to the SIG SAUER P320 9mm pistol as their official duty pistol. The Nevada Highway Patrol is a division of the Nevada Department of Public Safety responsible for law enforcement across the entire state of Nevada with over 480 sworn Troopers.
26 Feb 20. Kratos Selected by NGC to Support USAF GBSD Program. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that its Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Combat & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Division has been selected by Northrop Grumman to support the U.S. Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program. For the program, Kratos will provide vehicle transporters, including highly complex missile transporters and payload transporters, and will play a key role in supporting the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to replace the legacy Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) weapon system.
27 Feb 20. Raytheon Missile Systems Inc., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $90,421,317 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System (JMEWS). The EMD effort includes the design, integration, test and evaluation of the JMEWS. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (79%); Cincinnati, Ohio (15%); Plymouth, Minnesota (3%); and Rocket Center, West Virginia (3%), and is expected to be completed by November 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,162,342 and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,374,456 will be obligated at time of award, $1,162,342 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0004).
21 Feb 20. Trijicon Inc., Wixom, Michigan, is awarded a maximum $64,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of Squad Common Optic systems, spare parts, training, non-functional units, interim contractor logistics support and refurbishment of test articles. Work will be performed in Wixom, Michigan, and is expected to be complete by February 2025. Fiscal 2020 Procurement Marine Corp (PMC) funds in the total amount of $19,077,827 will be obligated immediately following the base contract award. Delivery order 1 (M67854-20-F-1696) will be awarded in the amount of $48,000; delivery order 2 (M67854-20-F-1697) will be awarded in the amount of $13,237,502; and delivery order 3 (M67854-20-F-1698) will be awarded in the amount of $5,792,325. PMC funds will expire September 2022. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-20-D-1695).
24 Feb 20. Viridian Weapon Technologies has been awarded the Sourcewell contract in the Public Safety Video Surveillance Solutions category. As one of the top-scoring respondents during a recent competitive solicitation process, Viridian earned a four-year contract. Sourcewell awarded this contract to only four respondents after reviewing RFP responses from 23 manufacturers. Viridian received the award along with Axon Enterprise, Inc., Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Corporation of America, and WatchGuard Video, Inc. (recently acquired by Motorola Solutions). Sourcewell, formerly NJPA, is a leading government agency specializing in cooperative purchasing. Their procurement experts have awarded more than 325 competitively solicited contracts to world-class companies on behalf of their 50,000 public-agency members. Through Viridian’s Sourcewell contract, government agencies may purchase Viridian’s advanced and revolutionary Weapon Mounted Cameras at its most competitive pricing available, without the burden of the typical RFP process. Viridian’s FACT Duty™ WMC has already proven indispensable in the courtroom. Earlier this month, evidence from a Viridian WMC was presented in an officer-involved shooting (OIS) trial. The jury in Vernon, Texas, after seeing WMC footage of the incident, took less than 30 minutes to convict the defendant of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public official. Viridian’s FACT Duty Weapon-Mounted Camera provides an unobstructed view of critical use-of-force events from the end of the firearm, addressing limitations officers can face with body cameras. The WMC employs a 1080p full-HD digital camera with a microphone and 500 lumen tactical light. Viridian’s proprietary INSTANT-ON® technology automatically activates the camera and microphone whenever the officer draws the firearm from its holster. Not only does this eliminate risk of failure to manually turn on the camera during a critical event, but it also keeps the officer from fumbling with cumbersome equipment.
SEA
25 Feb 20. The US Navy has awarded other transaction authority to Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop a new propulsion system for the MK 54 MOD 2 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo (ALWT). For the $63.2m authority, the company will be responsible for the development of an advanced prototype stored chemical energy propulsion system (SCEPS) power plant and afterbody/tailcone that would be integrated into the ALWT. The SCEPS will have the ability to improve the capabilities of the MK 54 torpedo. Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president Eileen Drake said: “We have developed mission-critical propulsion and power systems for the US Navy for more than 60 years. US surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters use the antisubmarine warfare weapon MK 54 lightweight torpedo. Co-developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and the US Navy, the Mark 54 can be deployed from a surface ship, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft for tracking, classifying and attacking underwater targets. (Source: naval-technology.com)
27 Feb 20. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded a $21,380,547 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost contract to provide hardware, technical engineering, management and logistics support associated with the fabrication, assembly, test and delivery of 235 T-1622/ALE-55(V) Fiber Optic Towed for the Navy and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire (48%); Chelmsford, United Kingdom (12%); Mountain View, California (6%); Rochester, New York (4%); San Diego, California (4%); Landenberg, Pennsylvania (3%); Hamilton, New Jersey (2%); Commerce, California (2%); Los Osos, California (2%); Toledo, Ohio (1%); various locations within the continental U.S. (16%), and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2020 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $13,752,949 and FMS funds in the amount of $7,627,598 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0042).
25 Feb 20. The US Navy has awarded a five-year Force Protection-Medium (FP-M) boats contract to Lake Assault Boats. Under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, the company is required to deliver a total of 119 FP-M patrol boats to the US Navy. The contract has a value of $56m, with deliveries expected to commence in November this year. The FP-M patrol boats will be deployed by the US Navy to safeguard its ships and personnel from threats arising at navy ports across the globe. Specifically, the vessels will be used to conduct Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection patrols that include patrolling, interrogate other sea platforms and escort large vessels. The boats are designed to perform missions day and night under a range of weather and water conditions. (Source: naval-technology.com)
21 Feb 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was awarded a $12,302,367 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Manta Ray program, Phase 1. This contract provides for the research, development and demonstration of the Manta Ray extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle. Work will be performed in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (30%); West Palm Beach, Florida (52%); Hauppauge, New York (3%); Nikayuna, New York (2%); Sommerville, Massachusetts (2%); Cambridge, Massachusetts (1%); Honolulu, Hawaii (2%); Albuquerque, New Mexico (1.5%); Melbourne, Florida (1%); Thousand Oaks, California (4%); Seattle, Washington (.5%); and Golden, Colorado (1 %), with an estimated completion date of January 2021. Research and development funds in the amount of $1,150,000 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is a competitive acquisition in accordance with the original Broad Agency Announcement, HR00111-9-S-0040. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-20-C-0050).
AIR
26 Feb 20. USAF TPS awards five-year contract to Calspan. Calspan has won a contract at the US Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School (TPS). Located at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, US, the school trains the USAF’s top pilots, navigators and engineers. Training is provided on how to conduct flight tests and produce data for test missions of existing and future military aircraft and airborne systems. Under the five-year contract, the USAF TPS curriculum will continue to include Calspan’s variable-stability Learjets. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
24 Feb 20. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected by the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center to develop a Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS) rapid prototype payload for an on-orbit demonstration of assured tactical communications. The company was selected for the award through the Space Enterprise Consortium. Space and Missile Systems Center’s acquisition approach emphasized collaboration with Northrop Grumman to define and accelerate a program with streamlined processes, rapid prototyping and non-traditional suppliers. Leveraging four decades of developing and operating protected payloads to support next generation protected SATCOM technology for contested environments, the company is using numerous non-traditional suppliers to help infuse more innovation and affordability into the lifecycle of the program in areas such as cybersecurity, architecture and test. As the next generation in operational capability for the protected communications mission, PTS will represent Northrop Grumman’s capacity for rapid prototyping for quick deployment.
26 Feb 20. Sierra Nevada Corp., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has been awarded an undefinitized contract action with a not-to-exceed (NTE) of $128,998,320 contract for light attack aircraft. This contract provides for two light attack aircraft with associated contractor support and sparing. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 23, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 production funds in the amount of $63,001,990 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 (FA8637-20-C-1000).
27 Feb 20. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT), will build 12 additional HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters (CRH) following a second Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract award by the U.S. Air Force, known as Lot 2, and valued at over $500m. The award follows a string of significant program milestones in 2019, including first flight, a Milestone C decision by the Air Force, and award of the first Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for 10 aircraft. The HH-60W is an all-new helicopter based on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk and customized for the U.S. Air Force’s rescue mission. Since achieving the Milestone C decision from the Air Force in September 2019, which moved the CRH program into low rate initial production, the program continues to progress, reaching key milestones and executing an aggressive flight test schedule. Currently seven CRH aircraft are in flight, two of which are with the Air Force at Duke Field, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, with all aircraft engaging in expanded flight tests to support the path forward to Required Assets Available (RAA). Low rate initial production of CRH Lot 1 aircraft major assembly is underway, with Lot 2 assembly to follow. The program remains on track to meet contract delivery of RAA in 2020. The HH-60W arrived today at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, the site of the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Air Warfare Symposium, offering a first-hand look of the much-anticipated aircraft to service members who perform critical search and rescue operations. The Air Force also assigned the new helicopter its proper name – Jolly Green II – in a name reveal event hosted by Barbara M. Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force.
26 Feb 20. Lockheed Martin has awarded a $15M firm-fixed price contract to Terma North America to provide the ALQ-213A Defensive Aids Controller (DAC) and Range-Less Electronic Warfare Training (REWT) for the USAF HC-130J. The program allows integration of the Defensive System Suite to the HC-130J and provides the aircrew with the capability to perform realistic EW training while flying their mission. This provides a more flexible, cost-effective EW training compared to training on EW ranges. Terma has been providing EW Embedded Training systems for various military aircraft over the past 15 years with great success. REWT is latest version of advanced realistic EW training systems from Terma. Further the ALQ-213A based integration will provide the aircrew enhanced control of the HC-130J defensive systems and provisions that allow the addition of future systems to the Defensive Systems Suite. Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor and will certify the Defensive Systems Suite capability on the HC-130J.
TECHNOLOGY
21 Feb 20. McKean Defense Group has received the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWCPAC) command, control, communications, computers (C4) intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) shore platform contract. The cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract has a base value of $56.3m with a ceiling of $249m. The eight-year contract will be executed by the company’s business unit, McKean’s Cabrillo Technologies. Under the contract, tasks to be covered by McKean will include project management, testing, maintenance, drafting, technical integration, administration, engineering, logistics, and facilities. The services are for software and hardware of new and existing C4ISR systems and networks. Specifically, the company will focus on management, research, development test and evaluation (RDT&E) engineering studies, simulation and war game support, C4ISR and systems design. (Source: naval-technology.com)
21 Feb 20. The FAA selects Thales Secondary Radar Technology for the Mode S Beacon Replacement System contract. The FAA selected Thales secondary radar technology to support the Mode S Beacon Replacement System contract, being delivered with Leidos. Under the contract, Thales will supply up to 142 secondary surveillance radars to support Air Traffic Control management. The number of aircraft flying is on track to double by 2036, which is leading to an increase in complexity. Reliable, strong performing radars, capable of detecting, measuring precisely the position of an aircraft and allowing rapid and secure exchange of data is crucial. The Thales secondary surveillance radar is capable of providing surveillance and specific aircraft information necessary to support Air Traffic Control (ATC) automation in all traffic environments. The modern Mode S radar system will help the FAA increase operational availability and performance of the system, support common and consistent interface requirements, and provide a modern system that complies with current FAA Security Standards. Relying on Thales’s expertise in air surveillance, with 700 Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars in more than 70 countries worldwide, the FAA will deploy a state-of-the-art radar meeting strict technical requirements. Under the MSBRS contract, Leidos and Thales will perform program management, systems engineering, design and development, system test and evaluation, training, production and site implementation. (Source: ASD Network)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
26 Feb 20. Citadel Defense delivers AI-powered technology to military customer. Citadel Defense has delivered its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Titan system to an undisclosed military service customer for mission-critical ground and airspace perimeter security deployments overseas. The counter-drone (C-UAS) technology company did not reveal the number of systems delivered or further details of the contract. Citadel’s Titan C-UAS system uses patent-protected technology combined with control software to detect, identify and defeat ground, sea and airspace drone threats. The autonomous system, which is smaller in size, is software-defined and has smaller weight, and power requirements. It is a combination of usability, performance and price. Titan’s easy to use interface and fully autonomous configuration act as force (Source: army-technology.com)
27 Feb 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $1,142,750,791 modification (P00038) to contract W31P4Q-18-C-0049 for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement appropriations, Army, and 2020 Foreign Military Sales (Romania and the Republic of Korea) funds in the combined amount of $1,142,750,790.62 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
25 Feb 20. Raytheon Company [NYSE: RTN] is enhancing the combat-proven Patriot™ Air and Missile Defense System under a $314m task order for engineering services from the U.S. Army, awarded on January 30. The task order is funded by the 17 nations that rely on Patriot for integrated air and missile defense. This is the third of five annual, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity task order awards with a total contract ceiling of more than $2.3bn. Under the task order, Raytheon is providing comprehensive engineering services including systems, software and hardware development, integration and test services, configuration management and logistics support. Additionally, many of the project results will be incorporated into Patriot Post Deployment Build 8.1, a series of software and hardware capabilities, including:
- New cutting edge methods to search, detect, track, discriminate, engage, and defeat a wide range of evolving threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and military aircraft.
- Integrating Warfighter Machine Interface into Patriot. WMI provides a total view of that battlespace, with 3-D visuals, easy-to-read status pages and search functions.
As part of the contract, Raytheon is also:
- Enhancing the resilience of Patriot against evolving cyber threats
- Developing solutions that enhance readiness and reduce life cycle costs by making the system more reliable.
- Replacing obsolete parts of Patriot’s communications system, enabling Patriot to reliably operate until the U.S. Army’s new Integrated Air and Missile Defense command and control system comes on-line.
Raytheon’s Global Patriot Solutions is the most advanced, tactical air and missile defense system in the world, providing protection against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
21 Feb 20. UMS wins support contract for Boxer CRV training simulators. Australia-based Universal Motion Simulator (UMS) has won a support contract for the new Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRV) driver training simulators. The new Boxer 8X8 CRVs are being manufactured by Rheinmetall Defence Australia for the Australian Army. Rheinmetall will deliver 211 CRVs under the $5.2bn LAND 400 Phase 2 programme. The seven-year, $14.12m contract awarded to UMS is for the sustainment of training simulators for the new Boxers. Additionally, the simulators can be reconfigured to assist training with other armoured vehicles such as the future Infantry Fighting Vehicles and the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. In February 2019, the acquisition of six driver training simulators was announced. The delivery of the first simulators is expected to take place in 2022. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
21 Feb 20. James Fisher (FSJ) has announced a four-year extension to its contract to supply the Royal Australian Navy with its submarine escape and rescue system. Running until December 2023, there is an option to further extend the contract to the end of 2024. The new contract is worth £35m. Shares are up 3 per cent. (Source: Investors Chronicle)
24 Feb 20. MAN Energy Solutions has secured a contract to supply IMO Tier III-compliant engines to power four 24m ASD tugs being built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). Under the contract secured from Ocean Industries, the company will deliver eight MAN 12V175Dmm engines and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology for them, in addition to ship service diesel generator sets. The move comes after Ocean Industries secured a C$102m ($76.08m) contract from Public Services and Procurement Canada in April last year to build the tugs for the RCN. The tugs will be built for delivery to Canada’s naval bases at Halifax, Nova Scotia and Esquimalt, British Columbia, with each location set to receive two each. They will provide towing, firefighting and other critical support services to both the Atlantic and Pacific Maritime Forces and will replace the RCN’s five large tugs and two rescue boats. MAN Energy will carry out work on the components at its facility in Denmark as part of the latest contract. Integration of the systems will be conducted by the company’s Canadian division, which will also provide training, testing, and support during harbour-acceptance and sea-acceptance trials. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
27 Feb 20. Arnold Defense and Electronics, Arnold, Missouri, is awarded $10,487,500 firm-fixed price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-19-D-0001 to exercise the option ordering period for the manufacturing of the 2.75-inch rocket launchers and subcomponents to support Navy, Army, Air Force and the governments of South Korea and Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales program. This option exercise is for the manufacture of 2.75-inch rocket launchers and subcomponents to support the Army for the M260 and M261 Launchers; the Air Force for the LAU131 Series Launchers; the Navy for the LAU61 and LAU68 Series Launchers and the Intervalometers that will be utilized by all services. Work will be performed in Arnold, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by February 2021. No funding is being obligated at the time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
23 Feb 20. Azerbaijan to buy M-346 Master jet. Azerbaijan is to buy an undisclosed number of Leonardo M-346 Master trainer and light attack aircraft, the country’s president announced on 20 February. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov and Leonardo Executive Director Alessandro Profumo exchanged a ‘declaration by agreement’ between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Leonardo for the acquisition of “an integration system for M-346 aircraft”, the website for the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, announced. No details pertaining to a contract value or delivery timelines were disclosed. (Source: Jane’s)
27 Feb 20. The United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence (UAE AFAD) has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for additional Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs) to arm the Mirage aircraft. Under the direct commercial sale contract, the company will also deliver spares and upgrades. Lockheed noted that the contract marks the first integration of Sniper ATP on the aircraft. With the deliveries of Sniper ATPs and spares, the UAE AFAD will be able to support its requirement to provide precision targeting capability for its existing fleet of Mirage 2000 multirole combat fighter. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
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