UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
16 Apr 20. UK procures Rheinmetall Mission Master – Cargo. Her Majesty’s Armed Forces have ordered four Rheinmetall Mission Master robotic vehicles. Configured for transporting cargo, these unmanned ground vehicles will form part of the United Kingdom’s Robotic Platoon Vehicle programme. This programme is designed to determine the extent to which unmanned vehicles can boost the combat effectiveness and capabilities of dismounted troops at platoon level. The four Mission Master – Cargo vehicles will be delivered throughout the spring of 2020. In addition, the scope of supply comprises two stretcher systems that can be integrated into the cargo vehicle in just 60 seconds. The order, which was placed at the end of 2019, also includes training and service support, as well as spare parts. The vehicles will be supplied by Rheinmetall Canada, with Rheinmetall BAE Land Systems providing on-location support services in its capacity as cooperation partner. Robotics is already changing the modern battlefield. A modular unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), Rheinmetall’s new Mission Master enhances the combat performance of soldiers deployed on the ground in numerous ways. The Mission Master’s artificial intelligence and robotic brawn mean that it can execute a multitude of dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks that troops would otherwise have to perform themselves, letting them get on with the most important thing of all: their core mission. The Mission Master – Cargo system reduces the combat load soldiers have to carry, boosting their mobility and efficiency. Its flexible stowage concept and robust design let the Mission Master – -Cargo shoulder a payload of up to half a ton of supplies, tactical kit, or medical equipment. Ready for action, the Mission Master can operate in autonomous or semiautonomous mode as a fully-fledged member of the combat team. The Mission Master platform is designed for maximum flexibility, and can be readily adapted for a wide variety of different missions thanks to modular build-ons specially engineered for quick installation. Potential applications include surveillance, protection, evacuation of casualties, firefighting, and CBRN reconnaissance and detection. It can also serve as a mobile radio relay station. Speed, scalable autonomy, and proven high mobility in all types of terrain combine to make the amphibious Mission Master a powerful, highly reliable comrade of dismounted forces operating in small groups.
SEA
10 Apr 20. General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $55,904,934 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-17-C-2117. Work will be performed in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and is for the manufacturing of 18 missile tubes in support of Columbia-class fleet ballistic missile submarines and the United Kingdom (U.K.) Dreadnought. Work is expected to be complete by May 2028. This is a joint U.S. and U.K. common missile compartment program, and the modification is funded with U.K. Foreign Military Sales funding. U.K. funding in the amount of $12,354,112 will be obligated at the time of 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.
EUROPE
LAND
14 Apr 20. Aselsan adds new NATO customer for SARP. Turkish firm Aselsan has signed a contract with an unnamed NATO member state to provide its Stabilized Advanced Remote Weapon Platform (SARP) RWS and gunshot detection systems. This brings to 20 the number of countries using SARP, which is a remotely operated stabilised weapon platform for small- and medium-calibre machine guns. It can also mount an automatic grenade launcher. Other feaures include thermal and daylight TV cameras to enable day/night operations. SARP rotates 360° and has an elevation range from -30/+60°. To date, Aselsan has produced and delivered more than 3,000 SARP units. (Source: Shephard)
16 Apr 20. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $15m from the Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement (“Armasuisse”) to provide Command and Control (“C2”) systems for the Tactical Reconnaissance System (“TASYS”) of the Swiss Armed Forces. The contract will be performed over a three-year period. Under the contract the Company will provide the reconnaissance battalions and forward observers of the Swiss Army with C2 systems that improve target acquisition, prioritizing and data dissemination capabilities and will enable the generation of a common operational picture, thereby facilitating rapid decision making and effective engagement.
02 Apr 20. Exensor Technology & the Dutch Defense Material Organisation announce the signature of an 8-year framework agreement for the supply of Unmanned Unattended Ground Sensor (UUGS) systems. On January 28, 2020, Exensor Technology – a subsidiary of Bertin Technologies (CNIM Group) – was successfully awarded a new contract with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply Flexnet, an Unmanned Unattended Ground Sensor (UUGS) system. The first batch of systems will be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Army in Summer 2020. Exensor Technology secured an 8-year framework agreement for the supply & the maintenance of Unmanned Unattended Ground Sensor (UUGS) systems to detect, classify & identify any potential threat on the field.
16 Apr 20. Germany awards 159 MUSD vehicle contract to GDELS. General Dynamics European Land Systems has been awarded a contract by the German procurement agency BAAINBw for the delivery of 80 highly protected EAGLE 6×6 vehicles for the German Army`s ambulance corps. First vehicle deliveries will start in 2021 and continue throughout 2024. The EAGLE was selected in a competitive tender process under the medium protected ambulance vehicle program (“mittleres geschütztes Ambulanzfahrzeug”), which will close the gap between the user´s light and heavy ambulance vehicle fleet. The EAGLE 6×6 is the latest and largest member of the proven EAGLE family of vehicles. GDELS will manufacture the EAGLE at its sites in Switzerland and Germany. For the German program, a significant part of the production will be completed in Kaiserslautern and Sembach with the involvement of dozens of German suppliers. The German Army and German Federal Police operate a fleet of close to 700 EAGLE vehicles; the vehicle has proven its superior performance and reliability in various national and international missions. (Source: Armada)
13 Apr 20. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace announced on 14 April that it has received an FMS contract to deliver its Protector Remote Weapon Station (RWS) to the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The deal is part of a broader $170.8m package under the US Army Commonly Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) programme. CROWS will be delivered to Lithuania in tandem with Oshkosh Defense Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. This is the first contract between Kongsberg Defense and the Lithuanian Government under FMS. (Source: Shephard)
16 Apr 20. NSSLGlobal GmbH, part of award-winning global satcom and IT solutions provider NSSLGlobal, has today been awarded a long-term framework contract to supply the German Armed Forces with satellite services. The contract runs for four years with the option to extend up to additional three years. The award to NSSLGlobal follows a competitive tender procedure, conducted by the German Armed Forces, with strong competition from multiple large international companies.
10 Apr 20. The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy one hundred ninety-nine (199) Excalibur Increment IB M982Al tactical projectiles. Also included with this request is U.S. Government technical assistance, training, associated support equipment, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $40.55m. The prime contractor will be the Raytheon Company, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
SEA
15 Apr 20. Kongsberg Maritime AS, Sensor & Robotics signed a contract with Saab that will see KONGSBERG delivering its market-leading Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and diver detection sonars for the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes currently being developed by the Finnish Navy under its Squadron 2020 project. Under the terms of the contract, which equates to approximately 100MNOK, KONGSBERG will equip the vessels with its SS2030 and SD9500 sonars, both of which boast acoustic properties which make them ideally suited for deployment in shallow-water environments. The SS2030, principally devised for ASW operations and capable of detecting torpedoes or other small objects in the water column, is an active hull-mounted sonar which utilises sophisticated tracking algorithms. Its electronically-stabilised transmitting and receiving beams can be tilted to adjust to challenging sound speed profiles, with its integrated Sound Propagation Model determining the optimal tilt settings and enhancing the Probability of Detection (PoD) ratio. The SS2030 sonars will be delivered to the Finnish Navy complete with hoistable hull units and ice protection to ensure safe and efficient operation in the often harsh conditions of the Baltic Sea. The SD9500, meanwhile, is a light and compact over-the-side dipping sonar with outstanding horizontal and vertical positioning capabilities for diver detection, ASW duties and volumetric survey assignments in shallow, reverberation-limited waters.
10 Apr 20. RAMSYS GmbH, Ottobrunn, Germany, is awarded a €12,050,682 and $66,178 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-5401 to exercise options for the Block 1A Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Round Packs (GRMPs) recertification. Work will be performed in Ottobrunn, Germany (99%); and Tucson, Arizona (1%). The RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms and work will provide for the recertification of Block 1A Mark-44 Mod 3 RAM GMRPs. Work is expected to be complete by September 2021. Federal Republic of Germany funding in the amount of €12,050,682 and $66,178 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured under the exception 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4), International Agreement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
USA
LAND
16 Apr 20. AAR’s (NYSE: AIR) Mobility Systems division, a leading global supplier of rapid deployment equipment, has been awarded a sole-source firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract from the US Army to produce three variants of Lightweight Multipurpose Shelters (LMS). These shelters will be manufactured at AAR Mobility Systems in Cadillac, Michigan. The sole-source firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract with AAR Mobility Systems is for five years for an estimated value of $11.9m. This contract provides the US Army with a direct method for procuring three variants of LMS shelters for requirements to support multi-domain warfare operations. The products are designed to support Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) and other operations while being vehicle mounted.
14 Apr 20. The Pentagon on Monday announced a $415m contract for 60 machines that will stretch the use of dwindling N95 masks, allowing the scarce personal protective equipment to be disinfected and reused up to 20 times. The Defense Department awarded the contract for “Battelle Memorial Institute Critical Care Decontamination Systems (CCDS), that can decontaminate up to 80,000 used N95 respirators per system per day,” Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews said in a statement. The machines — which will all be available by early May for distribution by FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services — together could sterilize up to 4.8m masks per day and almost 34 million per week, according to Andrews. The statement added that two systems had already been delivered to New York, and one each to Boston, Chicago, Tacoma, Wash., and Columbus, Ohio. (Source: https://thehill.com/)
13 Apr 20. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today that during its third quarter of fiscal year 2020, its Mission-Critical Technologies group, which is part of Comtech’s Government Solutions segment, through its Maryland-based subsidiary, Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation, was awarded $6.2m of initial funding for Option Period Three and $0.3m of incremental funding for Option Period Two of contract GS03Q17DSC0002. These contract modifications are part of the five-year BFT-1 sustainment support contract for the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Mission Command (“PM MC”) Blue Force Tracking (“BFT-1”) program. Comtech continues to perform engineering services, satellite network operations and program management through a Firm Fixed Price (“FFP”) contract with Time & Materials (“T&M”) and Cost Reimbursement elements. Option Period Three’s performance period begins April 15, 2020 and ends April 14, 2021, and the contract provides for one additional twelve-month option period, exercisable by GSA. (Source: ASD Network)
14 Apr 20. Envistacom, LLC, a leading technology enterprise which delivers advanced communications, cyber and other related services and solutions to customers in the aerospace, defense, and intelligence communities, announced it was awarded a $11m task order to provide satellite communications systems through the U.S. Army Global Tactical Advanced Communications Systems (GTACS) contract, an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) agreement that accelerates the acquisition of hardware, software, services and data in support of the U.S. Army. As a GTACS prime contractor, Envistacom will design, engineer, install and commission two SATCOM earth terminals to support theater reachback communications. These new terminals provide additional capacity and resilience for all service branches in support of missions and exercises within the theater. The scope of work includes the preparation of the sites (civil works) as well as the installation, commissioning, training and support of the systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Apr 20. US military awards Liteye another USD6m add-on counter UAS contract. The US government has awarded Liteye a USD6m add-on production order for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) bringing the total awarded in March and April 2020 to USD9m. The latest award continues a three-year span of production. Liteye has over US85m in counter drone contracts with the US Government. The company supplies a containerised version of US Anti-UAV Defence System (US AUDS) which features multiple capabilities to detect, track, identify and defeat malicious threats. The operator suite is hardened for use in any climate, and can easily be moved between locations. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
SEA
14 Apr 20. BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-18-D-4325); Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon (N00024-18-D-4326); General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California (N00024-18-D-4327); Marine Group Boat Works LLC, Chula Vista, California (N00024-18-D-4328); Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication Inc., San Diego, California (N00024-18-D-4329); and East Coast Repair and Fabrication, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-18-D-4330), are each being awarded a $550,000,000 increase to the maximum potential cumulative total orders for all firm-fixed-price, cost plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), multiple award Tier I contracts (MAC I). The MAC I cumulative contract ceiling for all five ordering periods is being increased by $550,000,000 from $250,000,000 to $800,000,000. This is an increase to the maximum potential cumulative total orders for all firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee IDIQ and MAC I to support sustainment execution efforts for Littoral Combat Ships homeported in San Diego, California; the continental U.S. (OCONUS); and contiguous U.S. (CONUS). Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and these efforts consist of Chief of Naval Operations availabilities, continuous maintenance, emergent maintenance, preventative maintenance, facilities maintenance and corrosion control in CONUS; and continuous maintenance, emergent maintenance, preventative maintenance, and corrosion control outside OCONUS. Work is expected to be complete by February 2020. Each of the contracts has a five-year ordering period. The six MAC I holders will have the opportunity to offer on individual delivery orders. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under these contracts which are to be performed in San Diego, California, and other CONUS and OCONUS locations, as appropriate. No funding is being obligated at this time. These contracts were competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website and 15 offers were received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
14 Apr 20. CACI to provide engineering support to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. CACI International has secured a single-award task order from the US Navy to provide engineering, technical and planning support to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. The task order, which includes one base year and four option years, carries a ceiling value of more than $83m. The scope of work includes assisting the Ships Availability Planning and Engineering Center (SHAPEC) and Deep Submergence Systems Program (DSSP) and sharing necessary expertise for the maintenance and repair of submarines. The step is expected to expedite the return of the submarines to the operating fleet. (Source: naval-technology.com)
16 Apr 20. Textron Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, is awarded a $386,280,994 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target and firm-fixed-price modification to a definitized, previously-awarded letter contract (N00024-17-C-2480) for the construction of landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) 100 Class Craft 109 through 123. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana (80%); Camden, New Jersey (8%); Cincinnati, Ohio (8%); and Gloucester, United Kingdom (4%). The Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) Program is the functional replacement of the existing fleet of LCAC vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an air cushion vehicle designed for a 30-year service life. The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of operational maneuver from the sea at over-the-horizon distances while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms. SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions, as well as improvements, which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost. Work is expected to be complete by January 2025. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (SCN) (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,168,067; fiscal 2018 SCN funding in the amount of $236,986,570; fiscal 2019 SCN funding in the amount of $198,693,525; and fiscal 2020 SCN funding in the amount of $50,800,000 will be obligated at time of 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.
13 Apr 20. United States Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi, was awarded a $108,000,000 maximum indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order contract (H92405-20-D-0002) with a five-year ordering period in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the production of Combatant Craft Assault. Fiscal 2020 procurement funds in the amount of $12,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed in Gulfport, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by April 13, 2025. The contract was awarded through a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. USSOCOM Headquarters, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity.
AIR
14 Apr 20. Technology Service Corp., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $14,000,000 modification on an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order contract (H92408-19-D-0001) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) program. The LEA program provides aircraft, turrets and spares required for a full multi-intelligence capability at Joint Special Operations Command. This modification raises the contract ceiling to $63,000,000 and is funded with procurement appropriation for fiscal 2020. The work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2021. USSOCOM Headquarters, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 10, 2020)
16 Apr 20. The US Space Force’s Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) Office has awarded a US$35m ($54.3m) task order to VOX Space, for the Space Test Program-S28 (STP-S28) launch service. This is the first task order under the Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. STP-S28 is a complex mission that will deliver a number of technology demonstrations to orbit, such as space domain awareness and communications advancement, and inform future space system development. VOX Space, a US-incorporated, wholly-owned subsidiary of Virgin Orbit, will utilise three launches of the LauncherOne rocket to deliver 44 small satellites to low-Earth orbit. The first launch is tentatively planned for October 2021. The STP-S28 mission will provide orbital launch services for the Department of Defense’s Space Test Program. (Source: Space Connect)
TECHNOLOGY
16 Apr 20. American Electronic Warfare Associates (AMEWAS), California, Maryland (N00019-20-D-0021); BAE Systems, San Diego, California (N00019-20-D-0022); DCS Corp., Alexandria, Virginia (N00019-20-D-0023); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., McLean, Virginia (N00019-20-D-0024); Perspecta Engineering Inc., Chantilly, Virginia (N00019-20-D-0025); Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, Dulles, Virginia (N00019-20-D-0026); Gnostech,* Warminster, Pennsylvania (N00019-20-D-0027); Long Wave Inc.,* Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (N00019-20-D-0028); Monterey Technologies Inc.,* Park City, Utah (N00019-20-D-0029); SOLUTE Inc.,* San Diego, California (N00019-20-D-0030); Tyonek Engineering and Agile Manufacturing LLC,* Warner Robins, Georgia (N00019-20-D-0031); and Young’s Engineering Services LLC and KIHOMAC Inc. JV,* Syracuse, Utah (N00019-20-D-0032), are awarded $497,500,000 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. The Strike Planning and Execution Systems hardware and software development and sustainment multiple-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract includes development, integration, test and evaluation, deployment/delivery, modifications and operations/sustainment of hardware and software products supporting both domestic and Foreign Military Sales customers. Specific work locations will be determined on individual orders as they are issued. In addition, this contract provides feasibility studies, hardware and software design, analyses, technical/programmatic documentation, hardware and software development/fabrication, hardware and software code delivery/deployment, engineering change proposals to existing products, training documentation and products, help desk support hardware and software correction of deficiencies and operations and sustainment products. Work is expected to be complete by April 2025. The estimated cumulative aggregate ceiling for all contracts is $497,500,000 with each of the companies having an opportunity to compete for individual orders. No funds will be obligated at the time of award, but funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The contracts were competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals and 12 offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
15 Apr 20. Amentum has secured a position on the US Air Force’s new multi-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract that involves delivering logistics, contingency and support services. The Air Force Contract Augmentation Program (AFCAP) V contract carries a maximum value of $6.4bn over a seven-year period. With a spot secured in the AFCAP V IDIQ contract, Amentum will now compete for task orders associated with contingency planning, emergency construction, humanitarian support and logistics services, primarily overseas. The task orders will also include training and equipping of forces. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
16 Apr 20. BAE Systems Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, is awarded a $12,570,511 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00014-20-C-1060 for the Next Generation Waveform Prototype Development Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, New Jersey (62.2%); and Huntington Beach, California (37.8%). This project is an effort to develop and demonstrate a directional networking waveform to meet the future networking needs of the Navy. Work is expected to be complete by February 2022. The total cumulative value of this contract is $12,627,333. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,050,000 are obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
13 Apr 20. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical technologies for aerospace and defense, announced it received a $4.7m order from a leading defense prime contractor to provide artificial intelligence (AI) processing technology for integration into an advanced airborne electro-optic system. The order was booked in the Company’s fiscal 2020 third quarter and is expected to be shipped over the next several quarters. (Source: ASD Network)
14 Apr 20. NCI Information Systems, Inc. (NCI), a leading provider of advanced information technology solutions and professional services to U.S. federal government agencies, today announced its team has initiated work on a new contract to provide command, control, communications, computers, cyber, and intelligence/information technology (C5I/IT) systems for the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) headquarters in the GSA Federal Building in Austin, Texas. While NCI has a long history as a core IT partner with the U.S. Army, this is its second procurement to support Futures Command. The prime contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command, has a 17-month period of performance. Under the contract, NCI will be providing a range of IT systems development and support services, including engineering, furnishing, installing, securing and testing for AFC’s C5I/IT systems. The company also will deliver integration of systems, project management support data, on-site training as well as equipment warranty. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Apr 20. Netography Awarded AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the U.S. DoD and Air Force. Grant paves the way for future collaboration with the Department of Defense organizations. Netography today announced that it has been awarded an AFWERX Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and Air Force. The grant acts as a green light for Netography to partner with entities from within the DoD, to provide cross-network visibility for both cloud and on-premises environments through the Netography Security Platform, a SaaS solution. In 2018, AFWERX, the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), partnered to create “Open Topic” in an attempt to speed up the SBIR application experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants and decrease bureaucratic overhead. The result has been a shorter application process, an accelerated contract award, and a shorter period of performance. Since the introduction of the Open Topic in late 2018, the program has awarded more than 900 contracts worth a combined total of approximately $220m. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Apr 20. The Army has awarded a $21m contract for a technology prototype meant to help commanders visualize, collaborate and report cyberthreats in order to improve decision-making. Under the other transaction authority contract awarded April 12 to Research Innovation Inc., the company will produce the prototype for the service’s Cyber Situational Understanding program. The contract was awarded by the Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, or PEO C3T. According a news release from PEO C3T, the Cyber SU program will live on the Army’s core Command Post Computing Environment software and server hardware. (Source: Fifth Domain)
REST OF THE WORLD
SEA
15 Apr 20. NSM inks long-term contract to support Navy LHDs. Naval Ship Management (NSM) has confirmed a partnership with L3Harris Technologies to provide engineering, maintenance and supply chain solutions to support the Royal Australian Navy’s Canberra Class amphibious assault ships, and their associated assets. Under the four-and-a-half-year subcontractor agreement, L3Harris will be responsible for the integrated communication systems (ICS) maintenance and support, as well as the through life support facility (TLSF), ensuring the LHD and its capabilities are seaworthy, reliable and mission ready. This contract announcement continues to build on NSM’s well established role as the LHD asset class prime contractor, which officially got underway on 1 July 2019, following a successful six-month phase-in period. (Source: Defence Connect)
14 Apr 20. India – MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of sixteen (16) MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); three (3) MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required); and related equipment for an estimated cost of $63m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of India has requested to buy sixteen (16) MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); and three (3) MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required). Also included are MK 54 spare parts; torpedo containers; two (2) Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers; Fleet Exercise Section (FES) and fuel tanks built into MK 54 LWT Kits (above); air launch accessories for fixed wing; spare parts; training, publications; support and test equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated program cost is $63m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defense System, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement required by India will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s). (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
14 Apr 20. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced it received a $2,424,595 firm-fixed-price contract on March 3, 2020 to provide Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and training to an allied nation. Delivery is anticipated by August 2020. AeroVironment’s Raven system is designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for operations requiring low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. With a wingspan of 4.5 feet and weighing just 4.2 pounds (1.9 kilograms), the hand-launched Raven provides situational awareness, day or night, with an operational range of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). The Raven’s Mantis i23 EO/IR gimbaled payload delivers real-time video or infrared imagery to ground control and remote viewing stations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Apr 20. India – AGM-84L Harpoon Air-Launched Block II Missiles. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of ten (10) AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $92m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of India has requested to buy ten (10) AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles. Also included are containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, Specialized Assignment Airlift Missions (SAAM), U.S. Government and contractor representatives technical assistance, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated program cost is $92m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region. The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The Harpoon missile system will be integrated into the P-8I aircraft to conduct anti-surface warfare missions in defense of critical sea lanes while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allied forces. India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement required by India will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s). (Source: ASD Network)
14 Apr 20. Morocco is to arm its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft with Boeing AGM-84L Harpoon Block 2 anti-shipping missiles, it was announced on 14 April. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said that the State Department had approved the sale of 10 Harpoon missiles to the North African country for use on its F-16s for an estimated USD62m. The proposed deal will see Boeing as the prime contractor, and will includes spares, support, training, and other equipment and services. No timeline for a contract award or delivery was given. The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) currently fields 23 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft that it received from 2011 to 2012 (24 were received, with one being lost over Yemen during operations as part of the Saudi-led coalition). The DSCA recently approved the upgrade of these aircraft to the latest F-16V Block 70/72 standard, as well as the procurement of a further 25 new-build F-16Vs. (Source: Jane’s)
12 Apr 20. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that it was awarded two contracts valued at a total of approximately $20m from Latin American customers to upgrade the capabilities of their HermesTM 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Both contracts will be performed within a 12-month period. Under the contracts, the Company will integrate satellite communication systems and automatic takeoff and landing systems into the Hermes 900 UAS that the customers are already operating. This upgrade will advance these Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS to the latest configuration, enabling extension of the operational range to more than 1000km and performing the takeoff and landing autonomously and independent of GPS reception. Since its debut 10 years ago, the Hermes 900 UAS was selected by numerous customers across four continents, performing a wide range of missions in the fields of Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), homeland security and maritime search and rescue.
16 Apr 20. Kratos wins contract to deliver 21 jet target drones. National security solutions provider Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ unmanned systems unit has received a contract for its target drones from an undisclosed customer. The contract is valued more than $19m and will see the procurement of 21 high-performance jet target drones. The sole-source award also includes the acquisition of spares and provision of development engineering support. The company said it will not provide further details about the contract award ‘due to competitive, customer-related, and other considerations’. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
10 Apr 20. The Republic of Korea has requested follow-on support and services for its F-35 aircraft, engines, and weapons; publications and technical documentation; support equipment; spare and repair parts; repair and return; test equipment; software delivery and support; pilot flight equipment; personnel training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of program support. The estimated total program cost is $675mn. The principal contractor will be the Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD and Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, CT. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the Purchaser and the prime contractor. (Source: glstrade.com)
15 Apr 20. DoD to contract additional Triton UAVs for Australia. The US Department of Defense (DoD) is to issue Northrop Grumman with a sole-source contract to supply Australia with two more MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A notification posted on the US government’s beta.sam.gov website on 14 April noted that Australia is to add to the one Triton UAV for which a contract has already been placed by exercising its options for two more as part of a wider US Navy (USN) procurement plan. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) plans to field a total of six such vehicles. “This contract modification establishes two unfunded option lines for five additional MQ-4C unmanned aircraft [three for the USN and two for the RAAF] and two additional main operating bases [one for the USN and one for the RAAF] and related production support, to include but not limited to: the procurement of long-lead material and associated effort; systems engineering; production management; integrated logistics support; and associated technical, administrative, and financial data,” the notification stated. Australia currently has the long-lead items for the one Triton under contract, to be built as part of the USN’s wider fiscal year (FY) 2020 low-rate initial-production (LRIP) Lot 5 (which also includes one main operating base [MOB] and one forward operating base [FOB] for the country, as well as three Tritons, one MOB, and one FOB for the USN). In February the DoD said a second would be contracted shortly, which would account for one of the two options now to be exercised. According to the DoD notification, this second and a third Triton will be included in FY 2021 LRIP Lot 6 (along with one MOB and one FOB for Australia, and three Tritons, one MOB and one FOB for the USN). The notification did not say to which production lot the final three Tritons for Australia would be allotted, though it did note that “additional [UAVs] may be procured within LRIP Lot 5 and/or LRIP Lot 6”. (Source: Jane’s)
14 Apr 20. QinetiQ’s Target Systems business signed a contract to supply 59 unmanned Banshee Whirlwind targets to Indonesia in May 2019, helping the customer to better prepare for adversary threats. The equipment has now been delivered and the customer training has been completed and signed off. The Banshee whirlwind is powered by QinetiQ’s rear-mounted rotary engine and provides accurate and reliable flight profiles of over 100 km, reaching flight altitudes of over 7,000 metres, while a radar altimeter allows the target to achieve reliable sea skimming flight as low as five metres. The order is evidence that despite the growing demand for unmanned next-generation transonic and supersonic targets that QinetiQ is designing, developing and bringing to market for customers – for example, the Next-Generation Banshee (Banshee NG) launched last year at DSEI – earlier models from the Banshee family of targets are still in demand from many customers. (Source: aerodefenseinternational.com)