UNITED KINGDOM
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07 May 20. MoD Awards Places on Specialist Nuclear Technical Services Framework. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded places on a contract framework to provide specialist nuclear technical services to the Ministry of Defence. ACA (Atkins Cavendish Alliance), KAD (KBR, Assystem, Doosan Babcock) and Nuvia have been chosen following a procurement process which included a measurement of collaboration and behaviours. The Nuclear Technical Support Provider (NTSP) framework lasts 7years, with the option of a further 3 years. It will deliver specialist nuclear technical services valued between £250m and £400m to support DIO, Navy Command and other Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations. The framework will support the Clyde Infrastructure Programme (CIP) and wider Royal Navy and defence requirements. Its primary focus will be on delivering the refurbishment and upgrade of critical infrastructure at HMNB Clyde. (Source: ASD Network)
07 May 20. KBR (NYSE: KBR) has reinforced its growing presence in the UK Nuclear and Defence Infrastructure sectors after being selected to join a new multi-million dollar delivery framework. KBR, in a partnership with Assystem and Doosan Babcock, and operating under the name of KAD Nuclear, were one of three suppliers selected by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to join the new Nuclear Technical Support Provider (NTSP) framework. A seven-year framework, with the option of a three year extension, NTSP will deliver engineering and project management services for the naval base infrastructure upgrade and specialist nuclear technical services under a programme valued between $295m and $470m to support DIO, Navy Command and other UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) organizations.
07 May 20. RBSL supports British Army with Rheinmetall Mission Master robots. Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has secured a training and maintenance contract with Rheinmetall Canada to support the delivery of Rheinmetall Mission Master Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). RBSL will provide training for operators and maintenance support for the British Army, who will use the vehicles in the UK’s Robotic Platoon Vehicle experimentation programme. The programme aims to determine the extent to which UGVs can enhance the British Army’s combat capabilities and effectiveness, especially for dismounted troops at platoon level. A new capability for the British Army, the Rheinmetall Mission Master UGV is a versatile platform that can perform multiple roles, from surveillance and protection, to reconnaissance, rescue, and firefighting. The British Army will receive four of the ‘Cargo’ variant, which reduces the combat load soldiers have to carry. The vehicles can carry up to half a ton of supplies, tactical kit, or medical equipment and comes with two stretchers that can be easily attached in just 60 seconds to carry wounded personnel. The vehicles can operate in autonomous or semi-automatous mode via remote control. They are amphibious, highly mobile across all types of terrain, and are integrated with an audio communication system. There are also modular storage compartments meaning the vehicles can be tailored to each mission.
06 May 20. Serco, the international services company, has been awarded a three-year contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to continue to provide operations and maintenance support to the Solid State Phased Array Radar (SSPAR), part of the UK/US Ballistic Missile Early Warning System located at RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire. The main six-year contract ran from 1 April 2014 and was valued at over £15m.This contract extension is the first of two three year options. Under the terms of the contract, Serco will continue to be responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the SSPAR and associated hardware and life support systems including Project Management and Software maintenance activities. RAF Fylingdales is considered one of the key components of UK national security providing Ballistic Missile Early Warning Operations for more than 57 years. Serco is the only contractor to have continuously operated and maintained the facility, despite 11 competitive tender exercises. Some of the Serco team have been supporting RAF Fylingdales since the very beginning, while Serco as a company has provided continuous support on site since its formation in 1988.
SE
04 May 20. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. (GDEB), Groton, Connecticut, is awarded $60,594,296 for a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide U.S. Trident II Strategic Weapon System (SWS) ship alterations and United Kingdom SWS ship alterations for Strategic Systems Program shipboard integration installations. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington (29%); Groton, Connecticut (24%); Kings Bay, Georgia (24%); Bangor, Washington (9%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (7%); Norfolk, Virginia (3%); Washington, D.C. (2%); Faslane, Scotland (1%); and Plymouth, England (1%). Work is expected to be complete by April 2024. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and two option years, is $60,594,296. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,511,473; other procurement (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,534,755; fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $3,171,978; and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $2,098,018 are being obligated at time of award. Funds in the amount of $8,511,473 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and (4). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N-00030-20-C-0028).
TECHNOLOGY
05 May 20. Frazer-Nash Consultancy and University of Exeter exploring autonomous systems solutions for challenging environments for DASA Systems, engineering and technology company, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, with the University of Exeter, has been awarded a contract by The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) as part of its Autonomy in a Dynamic World competition. As one of the 21 contracts, worth a total £2.1m, awarded by DASA, Frazer-Nash and the University of Exeter teams will be developing the proof-of-concept for a new system to help unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs, often known as drones) to land on board moving ships in challenging sea states.
EUROPE
LAND
01 May 20. Poland to order more Rak self-propelled mortars and Grot rifles. The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) at the end of April announced three major contracts to be signed soon. Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak revealed on Twitter on 24 April that one of these would be for the acquisition of a third batch of Rak 120mm self-propelled mortars (SPMs). Poland’s Armament Inspectorate announced on the EU’s Tender Electronic Daily on 27 April that negotiations with a consortium between Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) and Rosomak had begun on 3 April. The estimated contract value is PLN680.4m (USD162.3m). The SPMs are expected to be delivered to the 18th Mechanised Division in 2020-26. Błaszczak tweeted on 25 April that the MND would order another 18,000 5.56mm MSBS Grot C16 assault rifles worth PLN160m, bringing the total supplied to the Polish Army by manufacturer Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom to 68,000. The new assault rifles will be delivered through the Polish territorial army, the Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej (WOT). The Grot is replacing 80,000 Beryl 5.56mm rifles still used by the Polish Army. (Source: Jane’s)
04 May 20. Bundeswehr awards Rheinmetall supplementary procurement order for EOD equipment. Rheinmetall has been awarded a supplementary procurement order by the Bundeswehr to supply four Route Clearance Systems. The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range. Signed in December 2019, the contract is set to run for approximately four years. Under the contract, Rheinmetall will be turning five Fuchs/Fox 1A8 wheeled armoured transport vehicles into operator team vehicles, and converting four Wiesel/Weasel 1 airmobile weapons carriers into tracked detector platforms. The scope of delivery also encompasses seven reserve dual sensors with transport and storage racks, together with logistical support. The dual sensor, a key component of the Route Clearance System, is a new version purged of obsolescent elements. The vehicles of the DEU Route Clearance System are transported using Multi FSA trucks made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV).
USA
LAND
06 May 20. DCS Corporation has been awarded a 5-year, $145.5m prime contract to support the development and fielding of advanced Soldier protection products for Project Manager Soldier Survivability (PM SSV), a subordinate organization to Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier. Continuing its legacy of engineering support to the Army, DCS will provide services encompassing engineering, quality assurance and test; acquisition; business management; operations; logistics and fielding; and administrative support. The primary work location is Ft. Belvoir with potential additional work at Ft. Bliss, Texas; Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Ft. Benning, Georgia; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Prince George, Virginia; and U.S. installations in Kuwait and Afghanistan. The DCS team includes small businesses Augustine Consulting Inc., First Division Consulting, Inc., Logistics Systems, Inc., and Offset Strategic Services, LLC, bringing additional technical expertise and understanding of PEO Soldier and its mission. (Source: PR Newswire)
05 May 20. Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced today that the U.S. Army Europe’s 7th Army Training Command awarded the company the Logistics Support Services contract. The contract has a period of performance through May 2025. Fluor will provide logistical support to military units, both U.S. and coalition forces, to include dining facility and food services, tents, heaters, power generation equipment, material handling equipment, and other various services at sites throughout U.S. Army Garrisons Bavaria for training and operations. As a European-based command, the 7th Army Training Command provides tactical level support to, and maintains training readiness authority over the U.S. Army Europe’s assigned and allocated forces throughout the United States European Command area of operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
06 May 20. Leonardo DRS Awarded Contract to Build Advanced Heavy Duty Tank Trailers. Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it was awarded a firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract with an initial value of $12.2m to build tactical transport trailers for armored vehicles to improve combat logistics. Under the contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit will build 60 Heavy Duty Tank Trailers (HDTTs) to haul Main Battle Tanks and other heavy vehicles. The advanced HDTT systems are designed to carry in excess of seventy tons of payload across varied terrain, improving the ability of units to rapidly relocate their military capability. Work on the trailers will be conducted at the Leonardo DRS Land Systems facility in West Plains, MO.
04 May 20. Lite Coms LLC recently received new orders for VSAT terminals and the company’s Tactical Modem Assembly (TMA) for delivery to users in Columbus, Georgia. The Carbon Fiber antenna was selected for performance and small, total volume. The antenna will be used with the Lite Coms TMA. This advanced Tactical Modem has an integrated iDirect 950 satellite modem and is the smallest, lightest, tactical packaging of this modem on the market. The Lite Sat TMA-950-T has a feature rich LCD display, multiple data ports as well as Ethernet and serial control ports.
Lite Coms works to achieve the best physical layout and a Human Machine Interface (HMI) on the market. The company’s goal is to ensure that their products provide both Comms Operators and General Purpose Users a simple, yet feature rich, experience. The Lite Sat TMA-950-T is also integrated into the Lite Coms 1.3 and 2.2 meter auto squire terminals. Additionally, the company has engaged in a partnership with AvL Technologies, Mission Microwave, Orbital Research and iDirect Government as the firm continues to modernize their VSAT offerings. The AN/TSC-248 family of terminals are comprised of an integrated Lite Sat 1.3 meter Auto Acquire terminal with the Lite Sat Tactical Modem Assembly (TMA) that features the iDirect 950 satellite modem. LNB’s from Orbital and the Lite Coms Wide Band Custom Ku- LNB and SSPAs from Mission Microwave are integrated in this product into a light weight, rapid set up, small pack-out system with an optional, user-friendly GUI. (Source: Satnews)
04 May 20. Point Blank Enterprises Inc., Pompano Beach, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $81,265,600 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for body armor. This was a competitive acquisition with five offers received. This is an 18-month base contract with two one-year option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a Nov. 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-1254).
04 May 20. Silvus Technologies To Deliver Over 1,000 Radios in Support of US Army IVAS Program. Tactical Radio Network Provides Real Time Data Transmission to Soldiers. Silvus Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has received a $3.9m order from the United States Army to provide tactical Mobile Ad Hoc (MANET) radios in support of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program. The IVAS program utilizes an Augmented Reality (AR) Heads Up Display (HUD) goggle to provide soldiers with situational awareness while allowing their eyes to remain focused on the battlefield. Critical to the success of the program is a high performance, low size/weight/power (SWaP) tactical radio network that allows soldiers to share information wirelessly in real time and in dynamic, unpredictable circumstances. Silvus competed with more than a dozen companies in the downselect process for the IVAS prototyping phase and was selected to deliver over 1,000 IVAS radios to support rigorous integration and testing which will culminate in a Soldier Touch Point (STP) event in mid-2020. The STP is designed to provide direct user feedback and will follow a DevOps model where Silvus and other vendors work closely with the government to develop, deploy and operate solutions more efficiently, shortening the development life cycle. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
06 May 20. Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded an $187,126,853 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2106 to prepare and make ready for the refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (65%); and Norfolk, Virginia (35%). This modification will extend the period of performance for continued advance planning efforts including material forecasting, long lead time material procurement, purchase order development, technical document and drawing development, scheduling, resource forecasting and planning, development of cost estimates for work to be accomplished, data acquisition, pre-overhaul tests and inspections, pre-overhaul preparations, refueling preparations and other technical studies as required to prepare and make ready for the CVN 74 RCOH accomplishment. Work is expected to complete by January 2021. This modification constitutes the award of an existing option for an additional six months of effort. The original contract and this modification will be accomplished by Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Newport News, Virginia, under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. is the original building yard contractor for all ships of the CVN-68 class, the reactor plant planning yard, the lead design refueling yard and the only private shipyard capable of refueling and overhauling nuclear powered aircraft carriers. Therefore, it is the only source with the knowledge, experience and facilities required to accomplish this effort in support of the CVN 74 RCOH. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $187,126,853 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, D.C., is the contracting activity.
30 Apr 20. US Navy Awards Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) Contract. Navy awarded a contract to design and produce the next generation small surface combatant, the Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) today. The contract for detail design and construction (DD&C) of up to 10 Guided Missile Frigates (consisting of one base ship and nine option ships) was awarded to Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) of Marinette, Wisconsin, officials announced. The FFG(X) will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Specifically FFG(X) will include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) radar, Baseline Ten (BL10) AEGIS Combat System, a Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), communications systems, MK 57 Gun Weapon System (GWS) countermeasures and added capability in the EW/IO area with design flexibility for future growth. The acquisition process for FFG(X) began in 2017. Since then the Navy has worked closely with Industry to balance cost and capability. This approach was successful in achieving an Average Follow ship cost across ships 2 – 20 that is below the objective set in the CDD and aligns to the National Defense Strategy’s stated goal of achieving a more lethal, resilient, and agile force by pursuing acquisition strategies to build ships more quickly and affordably. For example, because the Frigate acquisition program promoted shipbuilding competition, included early industry involvement, and open communication between all stakeholders the program was able to accelerate almost 6 years as compared to normal shipbuilding programs. The Navy released the FFG(X) DD&C Request for Proposals to industry on June 20, 2019. Technical proposals were received in August 2019 and cost proposals were received in September 2019. This was a full and open competition with multiple offers received. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
05 May 20. Ampex chosen by NAWCAD for mission system avionics. Ampex Data Systems has been selected by the Naval Air Warfare Centre Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) to provide mission system avionics, mission system computers/processors, displays and signal distribution systems. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract was awarded on 15 April and expands the existing services that Ampex delivers to the USN. Previously, the company has worked with the USN on mission avionics for their fleet of F-15, F-16, F-18, MQ-1, MQ-25 (pictured), RQ-4 and P-8 naval aircraft. Its software also forms the digital backbone of the E-2 C/D Hawkeye fleet. (Source: Shephard)
07 May 20. The Boeing Co., Huntsville, Alabama, is being awarded a $128,481,291 contract modification (P00542/P00051) to previously awarded HQ0147-12-C-0004/19-C-0004 on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense development and sustainment contract. The value of this contract, including options, is increased from $11,208,915,599 to $11,337,396,890. The definitized scope of work requires continued support to Ground-based Midcourse Defense by manufacturing C2 boost vehicles, booster spare parts and associated avionics to maintain fleet and flight test programs. The period of performance is from Jan. 31, 2018, to Sept., 30, 2022. This acquisition was executed on a sole-source basis. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $52,890,819 have been obligated. To definitize the contract action, fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $65,070,681 were obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
07 May 20. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced it has won an additional $20.6m contract from the U.S. Army to deliver its FLIR Black Hornet® 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS). The advanced nano-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will support platoon- and small unit-level surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as part of the Army’s Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program. Extremely light, nearly silent, and with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the combat-proven, pocket-sized FLIR Black Hornet transmits live video and HD still images back to the operator. Its information feed provides soldiers with immediate covert situational awareness to help them perform missions more effectively. FLIR has delivered more than 12,000 Black Hornet nano-UAVs to defense and security forces worldwide. (Photo: Business Wire) In January 2019, the U.S. Army awarded FLIR an initial $39.7m contract for Black Hornet 3’s to support the SBS program. The company is currently delivering those systems for fielding across the force.
07 May 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $49,856,351 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00004) to contract FA8682-19-C-0008 to procure additional equipment and tooling needed to increase Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile production. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2023. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 missile 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.
01 May 20. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, is awarded a $123,526,724 modification (P00001) to previously awarded, fixed-price, incentive-firm-target contract N00019-19-C-0011. This modification procures the necessary hardware, systems engineering, technical support, analysis and studies to integrate the Department of Navy Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system onto aircraft for the Navy, Army, Air Force and the governments of Norway and New Zealand. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois (34%); Goleta, California (30%); Longmont, Colorado (11%); Blacksburg, Virginia (6%); Lewisburg, Tennessee (3%); Boulder, Colorado (3%); Carlsbad, California (2%); Apopka, Florida (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (10%). Weapon replaceable assemblies hardware procurements are as follows: 418 Advanced Threat Warning (ATW) sensors, 272 High Capacity Cards (HCCs), 160 Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) cards, 64 Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTAs), 64 GLTA shipping containers, 53 -2103 signal, 48 Control Indicator Unit Replaceable (CIURs), 14 Smart Connector Assemblies (SCAs) and six Multi-Role Electro-Optical End-to-End Test Sets (MEONs) for the Navy; 156 HCCs, 138 ATW sensors, 23 CIURs and 23 -2103 signal for the Army; 64 PCMCIA cards and 45 ATW sensors for the Air Force; six GLTAs, six GLTA shipping containers, six SCAs and four HCCs for the government of Norway; and 30 Infrared Missile Warning Sensors, five GLTAs, five GLTA shipping containers, five SCAs, three HCCs, two CIURs and two MEONs for the government of New Zealand. Work is expected to be complete by July 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $76,228,341; fiscal 2020 procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,926,699; fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Navy) in the amount of $2,802,286; fiscal 2019 procurement (defense-wide) funds in the amount of $3,418,527; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $410,223; fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $25,262,278; fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement funds (Navy) in the amount of $3,184,415; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,293,955 will be obligated will be obligated at time of award, $3,184,415 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($82,625,265; 67%); Army ($25,262,278; 20%); Air Force (6,345,226; 5%); the government of New Zealand ($6,338,009; 5%); and the government of Norway ($2,955,946; 2%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
05 May 20. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, McKinney, Texas, is awarded $325,000,000 for a firm-fixed-price contract for the repair of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System used in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (59%); and Jacksonville, Florida (41%). Work is expected to be complete by May 2025. This is a five-year base period with no option periods. Annual working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $54,507,477 will be obligated at time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-sourced requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), and one offer was received. The Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-20-D-WC01).
07 May 20. VT Group, a leading technology integrator and C5ISR solutions provider, announced that it has been awarded a $105m contract by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to support the Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274), Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty-One (HX-21). Under the five-year, single-award contract VT Group will provide the US Navy and Marine Corps with research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E); integrated logistics; engineering; and maintenance support. (Source: PR Newswire)
TECHNOLOGY
04 May 20. DoD announces winners of DEPSCoR competition. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has selected six teams, which will receive up to $600,000 over a three-year period, to carry out research and engineering innovation as part of the Defense Established Programme to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR). DEPSCoR is mandated by the US Congress and is overseen by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. It aims to strengthen research infrastructure at universities and colleges in under-utilised states and US overseas territories. (Source: Shephard)
04 May 20. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it was awarded a five-year, single-award task order, with a ceiling value of $112m, by the U.S. Army’s Systems Engineering, Architecture, Modeling and Simulations (SEAMS) Division to provide research and development on modeling and simulation, analysis, engineering, networking, and experimentation support. Under the task order, awarded under the RS3 contract vehicle, CACI will provide mission expertise and technology with timely, efficient, and quality support services to help fulfill the SEAMS Division’s technical service requirements. The SEAMS Division reports to the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command’s (CCDC) Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, within the Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD). CCDC is a major subordinate command to the Army Futures Command (AFC). CACI engineers, technicians, and analysts will provide expertise to the SEAMS Division and C5ISR Ground Activity, including by conducting systems engineering and integration, data collection and analysis, and modeling and simulation at those organizations’ labs and facilities. For example, CACI will support networked communications systems for the warfighter to determine how communication systems, such as military and commercial satellites and tactical radios, will interoperate across all services and environments. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 May 20. KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it has been awarded two recompete task orders totaling $140m to support engineering and rapid prototyping efforts for the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency (AFICA) awarded KBR these cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center’s (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract. KBR has supported the mission of the DoD research and development community through various predecessor DoD IAC contracts since 2005. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
05 May 20. Philippines to procure ATMOS gun system from Elbit. The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) is set to conclude its planned procurement of the ATMOS 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled gun system produced by Israeli firm Elbit Systems. The DND told Jane’s on 6 May that Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued a “notice to proceed” (NTP) supporting the ATMOS acquisition, which is valued at about USD47m, in early April. The guns will be acquired by the Philippine Army (PA), which will operate the systems through two batteries initiated under its Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) in January 2020. The NTP provides Elbit with formal authority to start building the howitzers for the PA consistent with the terms of the contract, which was signed in early 2020. A delay in issuing the NTP is thought to be due to funding constraints. The DND told Jane’s that the contract was signed by the DND and International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) of the Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD) and framed by an inter-government agreement. It confirmed that the ATMOS contract has a value of PHP2.386bn (USD47.2m) and features the supply and delivery of 12 units. The gun systems are expected to be delivered to the PA from April 2022. (Source: Jane’s)
06 May 20. JGSDF to acquire additional Type-19 SPHs and Type-16 MCVs in FY 2020. Tokyo will procure seven more Type-19 155 mm/52 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and an additional 33 Type-16 Mobile Combat Vehicles (MCVs) this fiscal year (FY 2020) as part on ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The new long-range Type-19 SPH, which is integrated into an 8×8 MAN tactical military truck and has a crew of five, is being gradually rolled out to the JGSDF to replace the service’s ageing fleet of FH-70 towed artillery systems, said the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo in its latest ‘Defense Programs and Budget of Japan’ report, the English-language version of which was released in late March. The MoD said it has secured JPY4.5bn (USD42.3m) to acquire seven Type-19s after procuring an equal number of the systems in FY 2019 for JPY5.1bn. The move comes after the MoD’s Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics Agency (ATLA) said on its website that it had taken delivery of five Type-19 prototypes from local manufacturer Japan Steel Works by late May 2018. One of these prototypes was unveiled to the public during the ‘Fuji Firepower’ exercise carried out from 22–25 August 2019. Meanwhile, the MoD revealed that it has also secured JPY23.7bn to acquire 33 Type-16 MCVs, after ordering a total of 22 of these vehicles in FY 2019 for JPY16.1bn. Including the latest procurement announcement, the JGSDF has placed orders for a total of 142 Type-16s since FY 2016. Based on a new 8×8 design, the Type-16, which the JGSDF describes as a “highly agile vehicle”, weighs about 26 tonnes, is armed with a 105 mm rifled gun. The vehicle, which can be airlifted, entered service in FY 2017. (Source: Jane’s)
05 May 20. JGSDF to get Leonardo Mode-5 IFF electronics. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has placed an order for Leonardo’s M426 LPI Interrogator and SIT2010 Crypto Applique products, which will meet the latest Mode 5 standard. The contract order is worth €5m ($5.4m) and will ensure that the JSGDF is fully prepared for the switch to Mode 5-standard IFF in June 2020. Many NATO and allied armed forces are upgrading their electronics from Mode 4 during this period, and this contract maintains the interoperability of Japanese platforms with their allied counterparts. Leonardo became the first non-US company to provide IFF capabilities to Japan in 2016. Since then it has become a main supplier of Mode-5 capable technologies, including the SIT-422/5J interrogator which is already in use by the JGSDF. The company also remains the only provider of Mode 5 cryptography key generation technology outside the US. (Source: Shephard)
04 May 20. Israel’s MOD has placed an order for RAFAEL’s SPIKE FireFly (known in the IDF as “MAOZ”) loitering munition. Jointly developed by RAFAEL and the IMOD, FireFly weighs only 3kg and provides Behind-Cover Precision Attack Capabilities for the Dismounted Soldier. Ordered for the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) ground forces, FireFly was designed for fighting within the urban arena where situational awareness is limited, the enemy is behind cover, and precision is critical. FireFly is rapidly deployed within seconds. It is portable, durable and includes a rugged airframe to withstand the harsh environment of urban combat. Its single-user operation is designed for the dismounted soldier – light, small, and agile. Firefly features a dual seeker, target tracker, homing algorithms, computer vision, Safe & Arm fusing mechanisms, and a rugged tablet-based HMI (Human Machine Interface). The operation of FireFly is very intuitive, with no special skills required. FireFly enables overmatch to break combat deadlock, and has a lethal effect on stationary and moving targets with or without line-of-sight to operator. Israel’s MOD has placed an order for RAFAEL’s SPIKE FireFly (known in the IDF as “MAOZ”) loitering munition. Jointly developed by RAFAEL and the IMOD, FireFly weighs only 3kg and provides Behind-Cover Precision Attack Capabilities for the Dismounted Soldier. Ordered for the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) ground forces, FireFly was designed for fighting within the urban arena where situational awareness is limited, the enemy is behind cover, and precision is critical. FireFly is rapidly deployed within seconds. It is portable, durable and includes a rugged airframe to withstand the harsh environment of urban combat. Its single-user operation is designed for the dismounted soldier – light, small, and agile. Firefly features a dual seeker, target tracker, homing algorithms, computer vision, Safe & Arm fusing mechanisms, and a rugged tablet-based HMI (Human Machine Interface). The operation of FireFly is very intuitive, with no special skills required. FireFly enables overmatch to break combat deadlock, and has a lethal effect on stationary and moving targets with or without line-of-sight to operator.
SEA
06 May 20. Aselsan announced on 6 May that it has signed a contract to supply an undisclosed number of remote-controlled weapon systems (RCWS) to the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces (RBNF). The Turkish company did not identify the system and declined to provide further details of the contract but accompanied the press release with an image of what appeared to be a version of its SMASH naval RCWS on a MRTP 33 fast patrol boat. The Qatari navy is the only known operator of MRTP 33s fitted with SMASH systems, which are armed with the 30mm Bushmaster II dual-feed cannon that Aselsan advertises as the standard weapon for this type of RCWS. However, the image that accompanied the Bahraini announcement appeared to show a SMASH with a 25 mm cannon and a different electro-optical system. The SMASH is fully stabilised to enable it to engage moving targets at sea and has a separately stabilised electro-optical system that can be used for surveillance without aiming the weapon. The 30 mm cannon is capable of firing 200 rounds a minute. (Source: Jane’s)
04 May 20. ECA Group has been awarded a significant export contract to modernize robots dedicated to naval mine warfare. This contract, worth around €20m will last over 48 months and will allow to modernize the mine clearance capacities of the customer, a Navy, in order to improve their performance against sea mines. The evolution of the mine threat in maritime areas is a current and growing concern for many countries. For 50 years, ECA Group has been supplying navies all around the world with unmanned systems for underwater mine clearance. The contract awarded in 2019 by the Belgian and Netherlands navies, for the renewal of their mine countermeasure capacities with innovative drone systems, has confirmed ECA Group’s innovation capacity over the decades. This new modernization contract confirms ECA Group’s capacity to push forward existing underwater mine clearance systems and bring them closer to the performance of the most recent ones. ECA Group is particularly proud of the trust placed in its expertise and solutions by navies worldwide. A trust renewed by this client already equipped with ECA Group drones for several decades.
01 May 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, was awarded a $19,467,608 cost-plus-incentive fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, undefinitized contract modification (N00024-20-C-5105) for the procurement of the Korean Gun Computing System development, software, and hardware and subassemblies for installation. This modification will finalize the Korean Gun Computing System interface design specifications for the integration with the Aegis combat system. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the government of South Korea. Work will be performed in Seoul, South Korea (51%); Moorestown, New Jersey (46%); and Clearwater, Florida (3%), and is expected to be complete by July 2026. FMS funding in the amount of $1,975,021 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification was not competitively procured in accordance with the authority from 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 29, 2020)
AIR
30 Apr 20. Philippines – Apache AH-64E Attack Helicopters and Related Equipment and Support. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Philippines of six (6) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.5bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy six (6) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters; eighteen (18) T700-GE-701D engines (12 installed, 6 spares); fifteen (15) Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation (EGIs) w/Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (12 installed, 3 spares); two hundred (200) AGM-114 Hellfire missiles; twelve (12) M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); three hundred (300) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Kits; one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Guidance Sections; six (6) AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS); six (6) AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronic Units (REU); six (6) AN/APR-48B Modernized-Radar Frequency Interferometers (M-RFI); eight (8) AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (6 installed, 2 spares); two hundred (200) FIM-92H Stinger missiles; eight (8) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2i) Video Receivers (6 installed, 2 spares); and eight (8) MannedUnmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2i) Air-Air-Ground Kits (6 installed, 2 spares). Also included are eight (8) AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting sets (6 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) AN/APR-39C(V)l+ Radar Signal Detecting sets (6 installed, 2 spares); fourteen (14) Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) radios (12 installed, 2 spares); fourteen (14) UHF/VHF/LOS airborne radios (12 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) AN/APX-123A (V) Common Transponders (6 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) IDM-401 Improved Data Modems (6 new, 2 spares); eight (8) AN/ARN-149 (V)3 Automatic Direction Finders (6 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) Doppler ASN-157 Doppler Radar Velocity Sensors (6 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) AN/APN-209 Radar Altimeters (6 installed, 2 spares); eight (8) AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation sets (TACAN) (6 installed, 2 spares); four (4) TACAN Ground Stations; eight (8) Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range/Instrument Landing Systems (VOR/ILS) (6 installed, 2 spares); three (3) AN/PYQ-10(C) Simple Key Loader (3 new); six (6) M230El + M139 AWS Automatic Gun (6 new); eighteen (18) M261 rocket launchers (12 new, 6 spares); eighteen (18) M299 missile launchers (12 new, 6 spares); six (6) rocket motor, 2.75-inch, MK66-4, Inert (6 new); six (6) High Explosive Warhead for Airborne 2.75 Rocket, Inert (6 new); eighteen (18) Stinger air-to-air launchers (18 new); twelve (12) Stinger Captive Flight Trainers (CFT) (12 new); six (6) Stinger Aerial Handling Trainers (AHT) (6 new); five thousand (5,000) each 2.75 inch rockets (5,000 new); eighty thousand (80,000) 30mm rounds (80,000 new), training devices, communication systems, helmets, simulators, generators, transportation and organization equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.5bn. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South-East Asia. The Philippines is considering either the AH-64E or the AH-1Z to modernize its attack helicopter capabilities. The proposed sale will assist the Philippines in developing and maintaining strong self-defense, counterterrorism, and critical infrastructure protection capabilities. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Boeing, Mesa, Arizona; and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida. Offsets may be a requirement of doing business in the Philippines; however, offsets are negotiated directly between the Original Equipment Manufacturers or other vendors and the Government of the Philippines, and further details are not known at this time. Implementation of this proposed sale will require 60 U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Philippines for a period of 6 weeks (non concurrent). Activities will include de-processing/fielding, training, and technical/logistics support. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. (Source: ASD Network)
04 May 20. Chemring Australia, based in Lara, near Geelong, secured the US$107.5m ($168.1m) contract for the production and delivery of countermeasure flares for Australian, US and international F-35 operators. Chemring Australia is a leading manufacturer and supplier of air-launched countermeasures against sophisticated electronic systems. (Source: Defence Connect)
04 May 20. Marshall wins 5-year support contract with Cameroon Air Force. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (ADG) will provide aircraft maintenance, technical support and training to the Cameroon Air Force’s fleet of C-130H aircraft, as part of a five-year contract now ratified by the Cameroon Presidency. The support contract was signed last year by Marshall ADG Sales Director, Matthew Harvey, and Brigadier General Jean-Calvin Momha, Chief of Air Staff Cameroon Air Force, at Air Force Headquarters in the Cameroon capital Yaoundé. Under the new five-year contract, Marshall ADG will carry out all depth maintenance on the fleet at its facility in Cambridge, as well as provide important technical support. Training will also be provided to ensure the Cameroon Air Force have the necessary skills to deliver front line maintenance and support to the fleet in Cameroon. Marshall ADG will also be working closely with the Cameroon Air Force’s logistics partner Aeromec to enable the best possible delivery of services.
TECHNOLOGY
04 May 20. Australia pushes on with indigenous ISR and EW programme. Australia is pushing ahead with the next phase of its Miniaturised Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor System (MOESS) project. The Australian Department of Defence announced in April that it had awarded DEWC Systems an A$3.1m ($2m) Defence Innovation Hub contract in February, to advance to Phase 2 of the programme that will involve the development of a concept demonstrator system. The MOESS programme intends to deploy a sovereign Australian tactical electromagnetic sensor capability, installed on a constellation of CubeSats. DEWC is developing a sensor that can conduct radar electronic support in defence-relevant radio frequency bands used by assets such as ships and aircraft. This second phase, including a series of flight trials, is expected to run until mid-2021. In-space testing is planned for late-2022. (Source: Shephard)