EUROPE
LAND
12 May 20. Airbus supplies EU with satellite communications. Airbus has won the new satellite communications framework contract for military and civil missions of the European Union and its member states. This four-year framework contract was awarded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and is estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros. The contract named ‘EU SatCom Market’ will allow EU member states to centralise their satellite communications requirements and obtain coordinated, more economical and effective access to these services. Some 32 contributing members, including 20 European defence ministries, can now swiftly and efficiently get access to satellite solutions and services through EDA, which has been supplying the members of the ‘EU SatCom Market’ project with satellite communications capabilities since 2012. These satellite communications solutions can be deployed worldwide. They play an essential role in European civil and military peacekeeping and security missions, as well as in technical and economic development and cooperation missions. This is already the case in several EU civilian and military missions and operations where EU SatCom Market services have been successfully implemented for several years. The armed forces of EU member states also use these solutions. The ‘EU SatCom Market’ contract covers the provision of satellite communications (in C, Ku, Ka and L frequency bands), the sale and rental of terminals, as well as the provision of ‘turnkey solutions’, particularly in theatres of operations outside the EU. For this contract, Airbus has teamed up with Marlink, which will supply some of these terminals and specific L- and Ku-band services. A forerunner in telecommunications solutions for military and governmental users, Airbus has unique experience in supplying satellite communications on a global scale and in all commercial and military frequency bands (L, C, Ku, Ka, X and UHF). These services can also benefit European operators of essential services.
14 May 20. STV Group to supply ballistic vests to Czech Army. STV Group is to provide 46,988 ballistic vests to the Czech Army between 2020 and 2025 as part of a wider modernisation effort. The agreement is worth CZK 1.67bn ($62.8m), according to the Czech MoD. The vests will come in three variants: green camouflage, desert camouflage and black for the Military Police. Each will have Level IV ballistic protection. The government is aiming to increase its military spending from its current level of 1.4% of GDP to 2.0% by 2024, which would equate to an annual budget of approximately CZK130bn. Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar said further contracts for 52 NATO 155mm calibre guns and SHORAD anti-aircraft missiles are also expected to be concluded later this year. (Source: Shephard)
SEA
13 May 20. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $656,981,421 modification (P00014) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-19-C-0016). This modification procures and delivers 467 Harpoon full rate production Lot 91 Block II missiles and support equipment for various Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri (30%); McKinney, Texas (28%); Toledo, Ohio (6%); Grove, Oklahoma (5%); Pontiac, Michigan (4%); Putnam, Connecticut (2%); Galena, Kansas (2%); Burnley, United Kingdom (2%); Lititz, Pennsylvania (1%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (19%). This modification procures four Block II missiles and support equipment for the government of Brazil, eight Block II missiles and support equipment for the government of Thailand, 53 Block II missiles and support equipment for the government of Qatar, 402 Block II missiles and support equipment for the government of Saudi Arabia, and support equipment for the governments of Japan, the Netherlands, India and Korea. Work is expected to be complete by December 2026. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $656,981,421 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.
AIR
08 May 20. Hungary – Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER). The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of sixty (60) AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAMER missiles, and two (2) spare AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM-ER guidance sections and related equipment for an estimated cost of $230m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Hungary has requested to buy sixty (60) AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAMER missiles, and two (2) spare AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM-ER guidance sections. Also included are four (4) AMRAAM-ER training missiles (CATM-120C); missile containers; spare and repair parts; cryptographic and communication security devices; precision navigation equipment; software, site surveys; weapons system equipment and computer software support; publications and technical documentation; common munitions and test equipment; repair and return services and equipment; personnel training and training equipment; integration support and test equipment; and U.S. Government and contractor, engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $230m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally. This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key allies in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S forces and increase security. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
LAND
08 May 20. AAR (NYSE: AIR) a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, announced today that its AAR Integrated Technologies division has been awarded a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract from the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, to provide contractor logistical support (CLS) for a fleet of 18 AN/MSN-7 Communication Central Systems. The support requirements include program management, supply of all the AN/MSN-7 parts, support equipment components, all system materials and consumables as well as replenishment of spare parts. The effort also requires AAR to provide depot-level maintenance and system level down to Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) level repair as needed, procurement, and installation services on an as required basis. The firm-fixed-price contract with AAR Integrated Technologies is for five years (base year with four one year renewal options) for an estimated value of $5.1m.
11 May 20. Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems Inc., Dulles, Virginia, was awarded a $200,218,380 modification (P00009) to contract W909MY-18-D-0014 to develop, integrate and produce and deliver Husky Mounted Detection System kits, spare parts, maintenance and training. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 15, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
13 May 20. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (Kongsberg) has been selected by BAE Systems, Inc. to design and manufacture the remote Medium Caliber Turret (MCT) for the United States Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) -30 program. Kongsberg will deliver up to 150 MCTs in a phased program as part of this contract. Test article delivery will commence early 2021 followed by production phases. The Kongsberg MCT-30 is the first remotely operated 30mm turret to be qualified and fielded in the United States. The system provides highly accurate firepower for wheeled or tracked combat vehicles. It is remotely controlled and operated from a protected position inside the vehicle compartment for optimized crew safety. The MCT-30 leverages a link-less medium caliber cannon providing lethality, extremely high reliability and multi-user functions to the Marine Corps ACV and other platforms. The U.S. Army, in 2015, chose Kongsberg’s MCT-30 to increase the lethality of the Stryker Brigade in Europe. The system has been fielded and operated with the Army as part of the European Deterrence Initiative since 2018. It is the primary armament and fire control system for the Infantry Carrier Vehicle – Dragoon (ICV-D) Strykers. All MCT-30s, and any remote weapon stations, bound for U.S. customers are manufactured in the Kongsberg Johnstown, Penn. facility leveraging a U.S. supply base located in over 30 states.
13 May 20. Kratos Awarded $4.9m Contract to Update Satellite Ground System for Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). Allows AFSCN to leverage current technology as it transitions to a Digital IP Architecture. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it had been awarded a $4.9 million contract to modernize the infrastructure and systems that interconnect the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) sites under the AFSCN Network Edge Transport System (ANETS) program. The ANETS system will enable the AFSCN to meet the growing needs of its user community. (Source: ASD Network)
14 May 20. Meggitt Training Systems wins US Marine Corps contract for additional wireless virtual weapons. Meggitt Training Systems announced today it has been awarded a $2.6m contract for additional BlueFire® wireless virtual weapons to be used by the US Marine Corps on its Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT), also delivered by the company as a program of record. The BlueFire M9 pistols, M4 rifles and M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles will be used at several USMC bases throughout the United States. Deliveries to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany will begin within the next 90 days and should be completed by December 2020. Meggitt was originally awarded the $32m, five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity ISMT contract in 2014, delivering and installing 490 systems installed at locations worldwide. As a certified program of record, ISMT trains new and experienced Marines in marksmanship, collective scenarios and judgmental video scenarios. Each mode provides critical training based on the skill level of the individual or unit. BlueFire weapons use commercial wireless technology to communicate with ISMT and other FATS based virtual training systems, giving the same control as tethered weapons, but with full range of movement. These patented weapon simulators can be used in conjunction with other tethered weapon simulators without modification. For enhanced, more realistic visuals, Meggitt’s BlueFire weapon simulators feature a 3D marksmanship training environment. The after-action review allows engagement and shot assessment in a 3D virtual environment, while providing detailed trainee diagnostics for skill reinforcement or correction.
12 May 20. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $121,764,089 modification (P00018) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0076 for the Javelin weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 missile procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $121,764,089 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
12 May 20. Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $29,002,941 modification (P00021) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP3300-17-C-5003) with four one-year option periods for chemical management services. This is a firm-fixed-price with cost-reimbursement and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. Locations of performance are Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and California, with a May 15, 2021, performance completion date. Using customer is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
SEA
11 May 20. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $42,842,169 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5380 for MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) canister production and ancillary hardware. This modification combines purchases for the Navy (68%); and the governments of Japan (11%); Australia (6%); Norway (6%); Netherlands (6%); and Turkey (3%), under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota (10%); and Aberdeen, South Dakota (90%). This option exercise provides for the manufacture and delivery of MK 13 Mod 0, MK 21 (Mod 2 and 3), MK 21 Mod 1 and MK 29 Mod 0 canisters, ancillary hardware and MK 13 Mod 0 canister renews. The VLS canisters serve as the missile shipping containers and launch tubes when loaded into VLS Modules. Work is expected to be complete by July 2023. Fiscal 2020 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 and 2020 defense-wide procurement; and FMS funds in the amount of $42,842,169 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 Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
13 May 20. Strategic Airborne Operations JV LLC,* Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $146,834,175 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract acquires the High Endurance Electronic Warfare Jet (HEEWJ) capability. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, North Carolina (5%); and various locations within and outside the continental U.S. (95%) to be determined on individual orders. The HEEWJ capability is an offensive air support for training that provides regionally based, geographically distributed aviation with a variety of airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft weapon systems operators and aircrew to counter enemy electronic warfare and electronic attack operations in today’s electronic combat environment in support of Department of the Navy, other Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, non-DOD government agencies and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work is expected to be completed in May 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, and two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-20-D-0108).
AIR
12 May 20. Airborne Tactical Advantage Co. LLC, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $34,553,773 modification (P00023) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00019-15-D-0026. This modification extends the period of performance for contractor-owned and operated Type III high subsonic and Type IV supersonic aircraft. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (44%); Point Mugu, California (37%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (19%). Work will provide airborne threat simulation capabilities and updates to the government furnished property list in support of the Contracted Air Services Program. Work is expected to be complete by November 2020. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
13 May 20. Northrop Grumman, McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $176,471,668 modification (P00056) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0014 to support Army special electronic mission aircraft fixed-wing life cycle services. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $176,471,668 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
TECHNOLOGY
12 May 20. The Defense Innovation Unit awarded a $45m to a Silicon Valley-based tech startup to perform cybersecurity testing on Defense Department weapon systems’ applications, the company announced May 11. The company, ForAllSecure, has been prototyping its cybersecurity testing platform, known as Mayhem, with DoD components for more than three years. DIU made the award on the five-year contract April 23, a ForAllSecure spokesperson said. ForAllSecure is working with the Air Force 96th Cyberspace Test Group, the Air Force 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center (C5ISR). The same DoD users have worked with ForAllSecure throughout the prototyping process for the company’s platform, which finds bugs in applications and shows the user how they can be triggered. The platform will allow for a continuous testing for vulnerabilities in weapons systems. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
08 May 20. Leidos subsidiary Dynetics has won a $12.3m valued phase 1 of the Air Combat Evolution (ACE) programme, Technical Area 3 (TA3). The ACE TA3 (Alpha Mosaic) contract was awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office (STO). As an initial challenge scenario, the programme uses aerial dogfighting for implementing artificial intelligence (AI) into high-intensity air conflicts, which increases the soldier’s trust in combat autonomy. ACE performers work to increase trust in automated, within-visual-range, air-to-air dogfighting. The scenarios and adversarial capabilities enhance with improvement in algorithms and tactics. During the 18-month phase 1 award, the company will develop automated dogfighting. It is aimed at enabling operational-level scenarios with a large number of heterogeneous aircraft. Improvement in the algorithms and tactics will aid future live, campaign-level experimentation of manned and unmanned vehicles. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
14 May 20. Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) was awarded a $42m task order by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) to provide the Joint Chiefs of Staff with continued development, deployment, and maintenance of the Orion Decision Support Platform. Orion, created by the Joint Staff J3, is a technology-enabled, decision-making platform that consolidates authoritative data from each of the military services, provides global visualization of the forces and munitions, and allows course of action experimentation in order for users to provide the best validated military advice to senior-level decision-makers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
11 May 20. Unisys Corp., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a $630,000,000 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for technology application development and sustainment (TADS) supporting the Air Force weather enterprise. Orders under the TADS contract will support development, delivery and sustainment of an integrated system of weather enterprise hardware and software dedicated to providing accurate, consistent, relevant and timely environmental intelligence. Work will be performed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and Omaha, Nebraska, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 15, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and six proposals were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,182,983 are being obligated at the time of award. The 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (FA4600-20-D-0002).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
12 May 20. Firms win Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative contracts. The Australian Government has awarded three defence contracts worth $6m to three central Queensland-based companies. Awarded under the $2.25bn Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI), the contracts aim to reinforce the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Companies awarded for various civil and fencing works are JRT Civil in Yeppoon, Bellequip in Rockhampton, as well as Tunuba in Rockhampton. (Source: army-technology.com)
07 May 20. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the UAE of Excess Defense Articles (EDA) of up to four thousand five hundred sixty-nine (4,569) MRAP vehicles for an estimated cost of $556m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested the sale of Excess Defense Articles (EDA) of up to four thousand five hundred sixty-nine (4,569) MRAP vehicles consisting of a mix of MaxxPro Long Wheel Base (LWB), MaxxPro Recovery Vehicle (MRV), MaxxPro LWB chassis, MaxxPro Dash, MaxxPro Bases Capsule, MaxxPro MEAP Capsules, MaxxPro Plus, Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicles without armor, Caiman Base, Caiman Plus, Caiman Capsule, and MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles (MATV), logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program cost is $556m. The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner. The UAE has been, and continues to be, a vital U.S. partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key allies in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase security. The UAE intends to utilize the MRAP vehicles to increase force protection, to conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and to protect critical infrastructure. Additionally, these MRAPs will enhance the UAE’s burden sharing capacity and defensive capabilities. The UAE will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region. These vehicles will be coming from U.S. Army stocks as EDA; the required EDA Congressional Notifications were made August 6, 2014. There are no known offset agreements proposed in conjunction with this proposed sale. Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE. 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)
SEA
11 May 20. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has won a new training contract to offer educational training support to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The $16.10m cost-plus fixed fee contract was issued by the Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Philadelphia Office. The ceiling value of the contract, if all available options are exercised, is roughly $25.62m. An extension to a previous US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract has also been awarded to the company, which is valued at $2.632m. The company will continue to provide its training support services to the RSNF. The support services include military-focused training, including technical and instructional services. The services will aid in conducting naval operations, logistics and curriculum management support services. (Source: naval-technology.com)
12 May 20. Safran Electronics subcontracted Adelaide-based Acacia Systems and Western Sydney-based Thomas Global Systems for the design of the optronics search and attack, navigation radar and navigation data distribution systems for the Australian SEA 1000 Attack Class submarine program. The signing of these most recent subcontracts is a positive next step in growing Australian industry involvement in the program as we transition towards detailed design and the construction of the fleet. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
11 May 20. Aerosonde UAS sells to Africa. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted AAI Corporation to deliver its Aerosonde Mk 4.7 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to two African nations. The contracts for AAI Corporation (doing business as Textron Systems), both announced on 8 May, cover three UASs for Nigeria and two for Uganda, and are valued at USD25.6m and USD20.8m respectively. Both awards include spares, support, training, and other equipment and services. The award for Nigeria runs through to 30 September 2021, while Uganda’s expires the following year on 30 September 2022. As noted in Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft: Unmanned (JUAV), the Aerosonde Mk 4.7 UAS is a tactical system, development of which was first launched in the early 1990s.
12 May 20. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced that a U.S. ally and longtime customer awarded the company a firm-fixed-price contract valued at $2,685,057 on February 20, 2020 for AeroVironment’s recently introduced Puma™ LE. The order also included spares to support the customer’s existing fleet of AeroVironment tactical UAS. The contract award period of performance is one year. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 May 20. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $1,971,754,089 firm-fixed-price contract to provide non-recurring engineering associated with the Stand-off Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response (SLAM ER) obsolescence redesign effort as well as the production and delivery of 650 SLAM ER missiles in support of the government of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri (47%); Indianapolis, Indiana (37%); Pontiac, Michigan (9%); Melbourne, Florida (3%); Middletown, Connecticut (2%); and Black Mountain, North Carolina (2%). Work is expected to be complete by December 2028. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $1,971,754,089 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-4. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0003).
07 May 20. Egypt – AH-64E Refurbished Apache Attack Helicopters and Related Equipment and Support. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt to refurbish forty-three (43) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for an estimated cost of $2.3bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Egypt has requested to buy equipment to refurbish forty-three (43) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. This includes: eighty-eight (88) T700-GE-701D engines (86 remanufactured, 2 spares); forty-seven (47) AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (MTADS/PNVS) (43 remanufactured, 2 new, 2 spares); forty-five (45) AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (43 new, 2 spares); and ninety-two (92) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) (86 new, 6 spares). Also included are AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, AN/APX-119 transponders, Identify Friend or Foe (IFF), AN/APN-209 radar altimeters, AN/ARN-149 Automatic Direction Finders, UHF/VHF radio, tactical AN/ARC-201E radio, APR-39 Radar Warning Sets, Improved Data Modems IDM-401, Enhanced Image Intensifiers EI2, Hellfire launchers M299, 2.75 inch 19 tube rocket launchers, M230 automatic guns, M230 spare gun barrels, MT06 initiators, cartridge actuated JAU-59, training devices, helmets, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles 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 engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated total cost is $2.3bn. 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 strategic partner in the Middle East. Egypt intends to use these refurbished AH-64 helicopters to modernize its armed forces to address the shared U.S.-Egyptian interest in countering terrorist activities emanating from the Sinai Peninsula, which threaten Egyptian and Israeli security and undermine regional stability. This sale will contribute to Egypt’s military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Egypt, the U.S., and other allies. Egypt will have no difficulty sustaining these refurbished aircraft. The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors involved in this program are the Boeing Company, Meza, AZ, and Lockheed Martin Corporation, Orlando, FL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Egypt. 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)
15 May 20. Queensland-based Gilmour Space has secured a collaborative arrangement to develop a lower-cost, reliable and dedicated rocket to launch small satellites into low-Earth orbits. The new partnership between Defence Science and Technology and Gilmour Space will research defence-related technologies including propulsion, materials and avionics technologies, to help develop a three-stage hybrid rocket that will launch small payloads and satellites. (Source: Space Connect)
14 May 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, New York, is awarded a $904,800,000 modification (P00011) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00019-19-C-0013. This modification provides for the production and delivery of three MH-60R Seahawk maritime aircraft for the Navy and 21 MH-60Rs for the government of India. Work will be performed at Owego, New York (52%); Stratford, Connecticut (40%); and Troy, Alabama (8%), and is expected to be complete by September 2024. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $113,100,000 and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $791,700,000 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.
12 May 20. The U.S. Army Contracting Command has selected Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a business of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), to train Afghanistan Air Force pilots under a three-year contract valued up to $145m. Raytheon will conduct initial flight training for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. The Afghanistan Air Force students will go through flight school in third-party nations in Europe and the Middle East. Raytheon will provide tailored training for the Afghanistan Air Force pilots, including classroom, fixed-wing and rotary aircraft instruction. The Raytheon Afghanistan Air Force pilot training program began in 2010. The original mission for basic flight proficiency has expanded to advanced aircraft qualifications and flight techniques. Raytheon’s focus on mentorship and leadership training helps the program maintain a 93 percent graduation rate with every student returned to Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Air Force Pilot Training program was awarded under the Enterprise Training Services Contract vehicle. Raytheon previously announced a related task order for the Aviation Maintenance Training program.
12 May 20. TCOM to provide Saudi surveillance aerostats. The US government intends to award a non-competitive contract to provide surveillance aerostats to Saudi Arabia to the company TCOM LP, according to a notice published on the System of Awards website on 7 May. The aerostats will be modified versions of the US Army’s Persistent Surveillance System Tethered (PSS-T). The notice said that extensive market research had concluded that only TCOM is capable of providing systems that meet the requisite interoperability with US Army PSS-T Large aerostats and allow the Saudis to benefit from consolidated acquisition and logistics costs. The approved ceiling for the Saudi programme is USD487m. (Source: Jane’s)
11 May 20. The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy six (6) AH-1Z attack helicopters and related equipment and support. The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, Texas; and General Electric Company, Lynn, Massachusetts. 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. (Source: glstrade.com)
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