UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
16 Mar 20. Autonomous delivery of vital supplies to the front-line with improved efficiency and reduced risk to life moves another step closer to reality as the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) announces the purchase of five totally new autonomous land vehicle systems. Two contracts collectively worth £5m have been awarded to HORIBA MIRA and QinetiQ to produce a number of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and enabling autonomous systems as part of advancing Ministry of Defence (MOD) Transformation Fund commitments for the British Army. Project Theseus, the development and operational field experimentation of autonomous logistic resupply systems, was announced by Secretary of State (SofS) for Defence, following the progress made by the Innovative Autonomous ‘Last Mile’ Challenge led by Dstl. The contracts form part of early de-risking work to increase the MOD’s understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these systems in areas such as mobility, vulnerabilities and safety; enabling the Army to take the project to the next stage, pending a further significant competition for Project Theseus to be launched by DE&S later this year.
18 Mar 20. Under the now extended contract with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Schiebel will deliver 900 units of the AN-19/2 Mine Detecting Set, one of the world’s most widely used mine detectors for both humanitarian and military purposes. Schiebel has been under a contract with the NSPA since 2017, delivering 1,700 units of the AN-19/2 Mine Detecting Set thus far. In October 2019, the contract was extended with the substantial order of additional 900 units that are delivered now. The AN-19/2 Mine Detecting Set, suitable for fast, accurate demining in all climates and terrains, has served as the standard detector for numerous armies, including the U.S. Army (designated AN/PSS-12) and most NATO countries. Due to its modular design it provides maximum flexibility to the user as well as ease of maintenance.
SEA
19 Mar 20. Lockheed Martin Space, Titusville, Florida, is awarded a $601,332,075 fixed-price-incentive, cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00005) to exercise options under a previously awarded and announced contract N00030-19-C-0100 for the submarine-launched ballistic missile (model) Trident II D5 production and deployed systems support. Work will be performed in Magna, Utah (33.5%); Sunnyvale, California (13.7%); Denver, Colorado (10.6%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (6.9%); Titusville, Florida (4.7%); Orange, Virginia (4.4%); Kings Bay, Georgia (3.4%); Kingsport, Tennessee (3.4%); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (3.3%); El Segundo, California (2.4%); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (2.2%); Inglewood, California (1.6%); Clearwater, Florida (1.3%); and other various locations (less than 1% each, 8.6% total). Work is expected to be complete by September 2024. Fiscal 2020 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $499,278,762; United Kingdom funds in the amount of $93,325,301; and incremental fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $500,000 are obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
13 Mar 20. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. – Marine Systems, Sunnyvale, California, is awarded a $11,244,675 cost-plus incentive-fee, contract modification (P00003) to a previously awarded contract (N00030-19-C-0015) for technical engineering services, design and development engineering, component and full scale test and evaluation engineering, and tactical underwater launcher hardware production to support the development and production of the Common Missile Compartment. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (55%); Ridgecrest, California (20%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (10%); Bangor, Washington (5%); Kings Bay, Georgia (5%); Barrow-In-Furness, England (2%); New London, Connecticut (1%); Quonset Point, Rhode Island (1%); and Arlington, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by March 2024. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion Navy funding in the amount of $9,097,994 will be obligated on this award. Fiscal 2020 United Kingdom Common funding in the amount of $2,146,681 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
LAND
16 Mar 20. Ireland places order for 4×4 personnel carriers. The Irish Ministry of Defence has awarded Westward Scania a €24.6m ($27.5m) contract for 120 Troop Carrying Vehicles (TCVs). Scania will provide the Irish Army with P370 B4x4s (pictured), which will replace the current TCV fleet that entered into service between 1998 and 2003. Irish defence minister Paul Kehoe said: ‘The purchase of the vehicles is in line with the commitment given in the White Paper and the National Development Plan Project 2040 to continue investment in modern equipment for Defence Forces personnel and the obligations of the State to provide appropriate support and assets to our Defence Forces personnel.’ The first delivery of the P370 is expected in 2020 with final TCVs being delivered by 2023. Ireland’s National Development Plan provides defence capital funding of €541m from 2018 to 2027. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
16 Mar 20. RUAG MRO Switzerland wins RNAF PC-7 aircraft maintenance contract. RUAG MRO Switzerland has won a maintenance contract with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF) for its Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft. The contract was awarded following a public tender process. The value of the award has not been disclosed by the parties. Under the contract, RUAG MRO Switzerland will serve as a maintenance service provider for the PC-7 training aircraft’s propellers. Specifically, the contract will cover maintenance of the complete PC-7 aircraft and subsystems, including engines and components. Additionally, the company will be responsible for implementing cockpit upgrades and offering value retention measures. The publicly tendered contract has been extended for two years and is validated until the end of 2022. The contract has an option, which, if exercised, can be extended until 2026 when the aircraft reaches the end of its lifecycle. The new contract will replace the original maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) agreement for PC-7 propeller maintenance. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
USA
LAND
18 Mar 20. BAE Systems has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin to design and manufacture next-generation infrared seekers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system. The sensor design work will improve the missile defense system’s ability to neutralize more threats and improve its manufacturability. BAE Systems’ THAAD seekers are assembled, integrated, and tested at the company’s facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire and Endicott, New York. Portions of the design work for the next-generation seeker technology will be conducted in Huntsville, Alabama, where the company is actively hiring and building a state-of-the-art facility. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
15 Mar 20. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today further to the Company’s announcement dated March 27, 2019, that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC, was awarded a $200m contract as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems program. The contract will be performed over a 12-year period.
18 Mar 20. MicroTech and its teaming partner Agile Defense have secured a $43m task order for Network Control Center Services (NCCS) Support to US Air Forces in Europe and Africa. Under the US Air Force Europe (USAFE) NCCS task order, both companies will offer plan and programme support, client systems, cyber transport, and cyber operations support to the Major Command and Communications Squadrons. Both firms intend to discover, design, develop, and deliver emerging technology solutions such as infrastructure services, systems integration, unified communications, cloud, and cybersecurity. With the NCCS contract, MicroTech and Agile Defense will help USAFE prepare airmen to provide improved mission assurance through cyberspace to troops in joint and combined efforts. Last month, MicroTech and Agile Defense were selected for a $159m task order awarded by the US Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT/AFCENT) Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) for communications support under the NETCENTS II AF NETOPS Infrastructure Small Business Set Aside contract. Certified by the US National Minority Supplier Development Council, MicroTech is a prime contractor on more than 100 federal projects and holds over 25 procurement vehicles, offering access to 2,500 vendors and technology products and services across the government. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
09 Mar 20. Mission Microwave and Envistacom to Upgrade Tactical Terminals for U.S. Army. Mission Microwave Technologies, LLC and Envistacom have confirmed the initial orders of a major satellite ground terminal upgrade program for a US Government customer. Envistacom teamed with Mission Microwave to create an opportunity for their customer to replace legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) based Block Up Converters (BUCs) with state-of-the-art Solid State BUCs based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology. The initial upgrade platforms include 200 tactical terminals in support of the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Mission Network (PM MN). Mission Microwave is providing Envistacom with 200 Watt Ku-Band and 50 Watt Ka-band BUCs to replace legacy TWTA based Up converters. Mission Microwave’s industry leading competency in designing compact and highly efficient amplifiers has enabled Envistacom to offer their customer an upgrade path that will extend the life and utility of this Tactical SATCOM terminal fleet of more than 600 terminals. If taken to completion, the upgrade program could result in orders of roughly $44m for Mission Microwave. (Source: Satnews)
SEA
13 Mar 20. BAE Systems, San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4419); Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4420); and General Dynamics, National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4421), are awarded a $171,876,527 firm-fixed-price modification to exercise Option Period Four to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contracts for complex, emergent and continuous maintenance and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) availabilities on amphibious ships (landing platform/dock, landing ship dock, landing helicopter assault and landing helicopter dock) homeported in San Diego, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, at contractor facilities or Naval Base San Diego and is expected to be completed by March 2021. The exercising of these options ensures continued facilities and human resources capable of completing complex, emergent and continuous maintenance, repair, modernization and CNO availabilities on amphibious ships assigned to or visiting the port. Awards under Option Period Four have an estimated cumulative value of $171,876,527. No funding is obligated at the time of award. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.
17 Mar 20. Energy Focus has secured a contract for the supply of LED lighting tube and fixture products to a shipbuilder based in the US for installation on navy ships. Under the $1.7m contract, Energy Focus will supply products approved by the US Navy. The LED lighting tube and fixture products will be installed in four new navy ships through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. US-allied countries can purchase defence articles and services under the FMS programme. The company expects to deliver the products to the US company beginning in the second quarter of this year. Completion is expected by the end of next year. (Source: naval-technology.com)
12 Mar 20. Fluor Marine Propulsion received a $1.8bn contract modification for work at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory. The deal modifies a contract awarded in July 2018 that included options that, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to $13.1bn. The contract funds work on naval nuclear propulsion technology, including the research, design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance and ultimate disposition to support operation of the country’s aircraft carrier fleets. Just over half of work on this contract will on this contract will be performed in Schenectady, N.Y., with additional work taking place in Pittsburgh, Penn,, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Charleston, S.C. Navy funding in the amount of $290.8m will be obligated at the time of the award. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/UPI)
13 Mar 20. L-3 Harris, Northampton, Massachusetts, is awarded a $14,181,070 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously-awarded contract (N00024-16-C-5366) to exercise options for Mk 20 Mod (automatic grenade launcher) 1 Electro-Optical Sensor Systems, radar cross-section kits, shock ring kits and spares for both the Navy and Coast Guard (USCG). Work will be performed in Northampton, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by March 2022. This option exercise is for additional Mk 20 Mod 1 Electro-Optical Sensor Systems, radar cross-section kits, shock ring kits and spares to support the Mk 34 gun weapon systems in support of anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare. The Mk 20 EOSS is a major component of the gun weapon systems employed by the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG 51 class); Ticonderoga-class cruiser (CG 47 class); and the USCG’s offshore patrol cutters. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2020 other procurement (USCG) funding in the amount of $14,181,070 will be obligated at time of the award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
17 Mar 20. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $65,815,333 cost-plus-incentive, fixed-price-incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5225 for the production and engineering services of the Navy’s Undersea Warfare Systems (model AN/SQQ-89A(V)15) for surface ships. Work will be performed in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania (54%); Clearwater, Florida (22%); Syracuse, New York (7%); Manassas, Virginia (6%); Hauppauge, New York (5%); Oswego, New York (5%); and Tewksbury, Massachusetts (1%), and is expected to be complete by May 2022. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount $65,815,333 will be obligated at the time of award, and $50,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
17 Mar 20. Officials of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va., announced an $8.4m contract to the Penn State Applied Research Lab on Friday for the Advanced Broadband Navigation Sonar System Future Naval Capabilities program. Penn State researchers will develop and demonstrate navigational sonar systems for continuous subsea autonomous navigation. Sonar, short for sound navigation and ranging, detects undersea objects by transmitting powerful sound waves through the ocean and detecting return signals that bounce off objects. ONR researchers are asking Penn State experts to improve undersea position and velocity estimation using sonar to give Navy manned submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) with enhanced navigational performance. Penn State won this contract by participating in the Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science & Technology project. On this contract the Penn State Applied Research Lab will do the work in University Park, Pa., and should be finished by March 2023. For more information contact the Penn State Applied Research Lab at https://arl.psu.edu. (Source: https://www.militaryaerospace.com/AUVSI)
18 Mar 20. Geomagnetic sensors provider PNI Sensor has secured a contract to provide high-performance magnetometers for the US Navy. The contract requires PNI Sensor to develop and offer magnetometers for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), which is headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island. The NUWC, which is one of the corporate laboratories of the Naval Sea Systems Command, offers research, development, test and evaluation services for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapons systems associated with undersea warfare. PNI’s magnetometers will be be used in the US Navy’s towed-arrays to offer high sensitivity and better signal-to-noise performance. PNI said the magnetometers are based on its magneto-inductive sensor technology which offers high resolution, low power consumption, no hysteresis, large dynamic range, and high sampling rates. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
13 Mar 20. Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, doing business as Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, Rocket Center, West Virginia, has been awarded a $24,695,129 firm-fixed-price contract for warhead assemblies. This contract provides for the additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering Change Proposal warhead assemblies. Work will be performed in Rocket Center, West Virginia, and is expected to complete by June 2021. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-19-C-0016).
17 Mar 20. DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $104,085,696 modification (P00050) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost reimbursable contract (N00421-17-C-0033). This modification exercises an option to provide maintenance and logistics support on all aircraft and support equipment for which the Naval Test Wing Atlantic has maintenance responsibility. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be complete by March 2021. Fiscal 2020 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $47,233,324; fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,038,915; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $921,844 will be obligated at the time of award, $13,038,915 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
13 Mar 20. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., Garland, Texas, has been awarded a $26,464,692 firm-fixed-price contract for warhead assemblies. This contract provides for the additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering Change Proposal warhead assemblies. Work will be performed in Garland, Texas, and is expected to complete by June 2021. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-19-C-0015).
17 Mar 20. Honeywell International Inc., Defense & Space, Tempe, Arizona, is awarded $72,817,953 for an indefinite-delivery, performance-based logistics requirements contract for the repair, replacement and program support for auxiliary power units used on combat jets, maritime surveillance and cargo aircraft models (the F/A-18, A-G, P-3 and C-2). Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (50%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (39%); and various contractor facilities (11%). Work is expected to be complete by March 2022. The work performed also provides coverage for the main fuel controls and electronic control unit used on the F/A-18 and the P-3 engine driven compressor. This contract includes a two-year base period with no options. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $36,555,518 will be obligated for delivery order (N00383-20-F-0WP0) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-20-D-WP01).
17 Mar 20. InDyne Inc., Sterling, Virginia, has been awarded a $51,386,233 modification (P00042) to previously awarded contract FA2517-18-C-8000 for Solid State Phased Array Radar Systems (SSPARS). This modification provides for the exercise Option Year Two for the management, operation, maintenance, and logistical support of SSPARS. Work will be performed at Beale Air Force Base, California; Cape Cod Air Force Station, Massachusetts; Clear Air Force Station, Alaska; Thule Air Base, Greenland; and Royal Air Force Fylingdales, United Kingdom, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $143,875,078. The 21st Contracting Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado, is the contracting activity.
17 Mar 20. NASA has awarded the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Engineering Development Unit Telescope contract to L3Harris Corporation of Rochester, New York. This is a cost-plus, fixed-fee contract with a total value of $20,091,645. The period of performance is 36 months. LISA is an international project led by ESA (European Space Agency) as a space-borne gravitational wave observatory. LISA is planned to consist of three spacecraft that are separated by 2.5 million kilometers in an Earth-trailing orbit. These three spacecraft relay laser beams back and forth between different spacecraft and the signals are combined to search for gravitational wave signatures that come from distortions of spacetime. The study of the universe through gravitational waves will yield a revolutionary perspective on the universe, which has been intensely studied using electromagnetic waves in many wavelength bands. One of NASA’s contributions to the LISA partnership with ESA is to develop the precision telescopes that transmit and receive the 1.06 micron coherent laser light. Under this contract award, L3Harris will design, fabricate, align, test, verify and deliver one Telescope Structural/Thermal Model and two Engineering Development Unit telescopes. The work will be primarily performed at the Contractor’s facility in Rochester, New York.
16 Mar 20. Planck Aerosystems, Inc. (Planck Aero) was awarded a contract from the United States Air Force Research Lab for the development of guidance, navigation, and control solutions for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operating in challenging environments. The contract was the result of the most recent solicitation from the Air Force’s Open Innovation topics of the competitive awards-based Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), which is designed to enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. Under this contract, Planck Aero is developing a visual compass for sUAS in environments where existing commercial offerings may suffer degraded performance. Planck Aero is leveraging existing products and expertise in vision-based navigation to help the sUAS operate safely and reliably without relying solely on GPS or other expensive and heavy installed hardware. (Source: UAS VISION)
16 Mar 20. United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $319,792,357 modification (P00018) to a previously awarded, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1021). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of 20 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Navy, six F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force, and six F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the government of Japan. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (67%); Indianapolis, Indiana (26.5%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5%), and is expected to be complete by December 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $193,331,533; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $73,835,550; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $52,625,274 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.
TECHNOLOGY
18 Mar 20. Edgybees has been awarded a contract for its augmented reality (AR) software solution platform Argus from the US Air Force (USAF). The contract has been awarded through the USAF’s innovation programme called AFWERX. Under the contract, Edgybees’s computer vision technology AR software platform Argus will be integrated into the USAF’s systems. The integration is aimed at enhancing the service’s situational awareness in complex operational scenarios. In addition, the Argus system will facilitate improved communication for USAF teams on the ground and in the air. Edgybees has been awarded the contract through AFVentures’ Strategic Financing (STRATFI) programme. Under the programme, 21 small businesses will be awarded four-year, fixed contracts totalling more than $550m. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
19 Mar 20. Enview, a leading geospatial AI company focused on the automation of 3D Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), was awarded a strategic financing contract from the U.S. Air Force’s AFVentures Strategic Financing (STRATFI) program. The announcement was made last week by Dr. Will Roper, the Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics during a virtual AFWERX event connecting Air Force innovation teams in Washington, DC, Austin, and Las Vegas to the next generation of technology providers for defense innovation. Enview was selected as one of the most promising small businesses in the defense market after a grueling 3-step down select from hundreds of other companies. By focusing on the decentralization of geospatial capabilities at the tactical level of operations, Enview’s platform strives to empower squadrons and airmen with capabilities that enhance rapid, effective decision-making, increase mission readiness, and decrease time to action. (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Mar 20. Vuzix is set to develop a customised waveguide-based optics engine for an unidentified US defence contractor. An agreement has been signed by both parties but financial details have not been disclosed. Under the first phase of the agreement, an upfront payment has been agreed by the sides. It also includes phase-gated development milestones and other payments. Vuzix expects the first phase of the agreement to generate initial non-recurring engineering (NRE) revenue in the coming six months. The following phases of the agreement are anticipated to generate more NREs. Subsequently, the final product design will lead to mass production of the waveguide-based optics engine. In July 2012, the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command awarded Vuzix with a multiphase contract for the development of a wide field of view (WFOV) see-through waveguide (STWG) system. (Source: army-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
17 Mar 20. Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display, tracking and recording sub-systems (www.cambridgepixel.com), has supplied its RadarWatch coastal surveillance software, target tracking and radar recording technology to Klein Marine Systems, a subsidiary of Mitcham Industries, Inc. as part of a project to protect an offshore wind farm and its associated submarine transmission line off the coast of South Korea. Cambridge Pixel’s radar display, tracking and recording technology has been integrated with the radar, daylight/thermal cameras, an AIS receiver and long-range acoustic device (LRAD) as part of Klein’s HarborGuard maritime security and surveillance solution. The local integrator is Seoul-based company iSENTECK. The surveillance system monitors vessel traffic around the wind farm and along a 10km submarine transmission line carrying power from an offshore platform transmission station to the onshore distribution facility. For the Korean wind farm project, an offshore platform hosting a Simrad Argus X-band radar, dual thermal/daylight camera from MOOG Mercury and an AIS receiver was supported by Cambridge Pixel’s SPx tracking server, which generates radar tracks corresponding to vessel movement in the monitored area. These track reports, along with camera video and AIS reports, are transmitted to the shore-based facility where the RadarWatch surveillance application presents the combined radar, camera and AIS transponder data in a unified operator-friendly display.
18 Mar 20. Indian MoD concludes price negotiations for 118 Arjun Mk 1A MBTs. India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concluded negotiations with the state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to acquire 118 units of the indigenously developed Arjun Mk1A main battle tank (MBT) for the Indian Army (IA) for an estimated INR66bn (USD888.7m). Official sources told Jane’s on 18 March that an “order of intent” will be placed “imminently” by the MoD with the OFB’s Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) at Avadi in southern India for this upgraded variant of the Arjun, which features 72 improvements, including 14 major ones, over the Mk 1 model. The impending order will also feature a two-year engineering and support package that will include maintenance, spares and simulator training for the tank crews. Deliveries are expected to begin within 30 months of the contract being signed and be completed within four to five years, OFB officials told Jane’s. (Source: Jane’s)
16 Mar 20. Kongsberg Defence Australia has selected Redarc Defence Systems to supply electromechanical components for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) programme. As Kongsberg’s preferred partner, Redarc will supply components for the programme’s Fire Distribution Centre (FDC) as part of project LAND 19 Phase 7B. LAND 19 Phase 7B is the Australian Government’s Short-Range Ground-Based Air Defence programme. NASAMS has been integrated into the US National Capital Region’s air defence system since 2005. It is a short to medium-range air defence system owned by nine countries. (Source: army-technology.com)
18 Mar 20. Navistar Defense, Melrose Park, Illinois, was awarded an $11,442,992 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for 6×6 and 4×4 general transport trucks, recovery vehicles, and spare parts. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Springfield, Ohio; and Ooltewah, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-F-0206).
12 Mar 20. SORD Australia has been contracted to develop concussion reduction helmet for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Under the A$338,000 ($215,613) Defence Innovation Hub contract awarded by the Australian Government, the new technology will be used to provide improved protection to Australian soldiers. The concussion reduction helmet aims to minimise the risk of traumatic brain injuries caused by events such as blunt trauma, ballistics and blasts. The Defence Innovation Hub initiative seeks to bring together industry and defence to develop technologies from concept through to development and introduction to service. The initiative was launched in December 2016 and aims to invest nearly A$640m ($498.67m) between 2025-26. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
SEA
13 Mar 20. Hyundai receives USD325m contract for first Ulsan-class Batch III frigate. Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has received a KRW400 (USD325m) contract to design and build the first Ulsan-class Batch III frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). The contract, which has been signed with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), was announced on 16 March. The vessel is the first of six 3,500-tonne frigates planned for the batch. The contract covers detailed designed work and construction of the first-of-class. HHI received the contract to carry out basic design work for the batch in 2916. The vessel will have an overall length of 129m and a width of 15m. It will feature a hybrid electric and gas propulsion system, and can attain a maximum speed of 30kt. (Source: Jane’s)
16 Mar 20. Naval Group has “awarded” two subcontracts to South Australia-based PMB Defence and Greece-based Sunlight Systems for the design of the Main Storage Batteries Stages 1 and 2 for the Attack Class submarines. PMB Defence and Sunlight, Naval Group’s leading submarine battery supplier have been contracted to provide design, prototyping and qualification activities for the Main Storage Batteries (MSB). Both organisations will provide Naval Group with the data necessary to select one as the preferred MSB design for the Attack Class program in 2022. The MSBs are responsible for supplying power to the propulsion system of the submarine and to other equipment on-board the ship. They directly impact the safety of the submarine when diving, making them a critical piece of equipment for the platform. PMB is a leading supplier of high quality energy and specialised engineering solutions for submarine platforms in Australia. Since 1989, it has continuously supplied MSBs for the Collins Class and more recently have been contracted to design the UK’s next generation submarine battery. Sunlight is a worldwide recognised submarine battery designer and manufacturer with an extensive knowledge of submarines. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
18 Mar 20. Agreement with USA for Supply of Arms. One contract and two Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) have been concluded with the US side for procurement of helicopters and self-protection suite. The delivery of the helicopters will commence from May, 2021. Countries such as US, Russia, France, Germany, Israel, UK are leading exporters of defence equipment. The Defence requirement of other countries including South Asian countries is not available in public domain. This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak in Lok Sabha today. (defense-aerospace.com EDITOR’S NOTE: While not detailed in the above statement, India had previously approved the purchase of 24 Sikorsky MH-60R ‘Romeo’ naval multi-mission helicopters for Rs 15,157 crore ($2.12bn) and six additional AH-64E Apache attack choppers for Rs 5,691 crore ($796m) from the US. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Indian Ministry of Defence)
18 Mar 20. IAF to buy aerial fuses and twin-dome simulators for Hawk Mk32. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given approval to procure equipment for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Hawk Mk32 jet trainer aircraft. The locally made defence equipment will cost Rs13bn ($174.5m) and includes aerial fuses and twin-dome simulators for the aircraft. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement: “The DAC has accorded approval for acquisition of indigenous defence equipment for about Rs1,300 crore ($174m). (Source: airforce-technology.com)
20 Mar 20. The United Arab Emirates has ordered further Seeker unmanned aerial vehicles from Denel Dynamics, worth more than R100m. The latest contract, worth AED 25 821 190 (R109m) (USD 6.4m) was announced during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) in Abu Dhabi last month by Staff Brigadier Fahad Nasser Al Thehli, Spokesman for the UMEX and SimTEX 2020 exhibitions, although it was signed before the show. Denel said the new ‘lumps and bumps’ are part of the roadmap for the Seeker 400. The new configuration model is in line with the design of the Seeker 400 as it was originally conceived: to have a system that can carry weapons and other sensor options. The Seeker 400 is capable of carrying dual imaging electro-optical/infrared payloads with gimbal diameters of up to 530 mm, but has seldom been seen carrying more a single payload at a time. Denel said the following sensor combinations are typically included: Colour daylight camera with zoom lens; infrared thermal imager with step fields of view; day colour or monochrome spotter camera; night spotter camera, laser designator and laser range finder. (Source: UAS VISION)
20 Mar 20. Orbital Gets MoU to Supply Engines to Singapore. Orbital Corporation Ltd has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with one of Singapore’s largest defence companies, for the design, development and initial low rate production of multi-fuel engines for unmanned air vehicles. The scope of the MoU outlines three proposed phases of work: Under the MoU, an initial contract has been signed to commence work within Phase 1 of the program. This initial phase of work is anticipated to be completed within the next 18 months. Commencement of Phases 2 and 3 of the program are dependent on the successful completion and acceptance by the customer of the first prototype engine identified in Phase 1. The MoU is binding, subject to the successful completion and acceptance by the customer of Phase 1, and the mutual agreement of terms and conditions of subsequent contracts for Phases 2 and 3. The initial contract, issued under the MoU, will not impact the Company’s current financial year revenue guidance figure of $25-$35m. (Source: UAS VISION)
16 Mar 20. Tunisia has ordered Anka-S unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in the company’s first export order for the type. Last year Turkish Aerospace Industries and Baykar Makina were bidding to supply the Tunisian military with unmanned aerial vehicles. In December 2019 it was reported that TAI ended up being the sole contender for the armed UAV contract, with negotiations underway. A deal for six Anka-S aircraft was finalized in January after a visit by Turkish President Recep Erdogan in December. The deal apparently covers three systems comprising two aircraft each and a ground control station worth some $80m. TAI is apparently discussing the possibility of assembling the aircraft in Tunisia through a local company. Turkish UAVs have been combat proven, and recently been very active in Syria and Libya, destroying hundreds of targets over the last few weeks in Syria. Turkish companies have been pushing to export UAVs, with Baykar selling Bayraktar TB-2s to the Ukraine and Qatar. (Source: UAS VISION)
13 Mar 20. Boeing to support development of Saudi SLAM-ER. Boeing has secured an $8m contract modification to continue with first-phase design, maturity, analysis and test planning for Stand-Off Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) production. The contract will be implemented in support of an FMS deal with the Saudi government. However, there is no localised industrial workshare in the kingdom, as work will be carried out at locations across the US including Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2020. US Naval Air Systems Command is overseeing implementation of the contract. (Source: Shephard)