UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
14 Jul 20. Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) today announced Cubic Defence U.K., which operates within its Cubic Global Defense (CGD) business division was awarded a contract worth more than $16m to continue the support of British Army training. The four-year contract called SCOPIC 2, is for a fully managed service where Cubic will provide its Synthetic Wrap capability to enhance collective training at Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) in the United Kingdom; British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Alberta, Canada; and British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). The SCOPIC 2 system replaces battlefield capabilities that are difficult to replicate in live collective training with simulation. These may be complex systems such as unmanned air systems (UAS) feeds or additional force elements providing context, including flanking or depth activity. Examples of SCOPIC 2 capabilities include UAS and targeting pod downlinks from Close Air Support platforms; hand-held observation device emulations that allow visualization of fall of shot from guns, missiles, mortars and air-delivered weapons; emulated radar and electronic warfare (EW) terminals that allow soldiers to locate the enemy; and ground based air defense emulations. SCOPIC 2 captures and recreates these activities for post-mission analysis. Cubic first provided this capability under the MicroSCOPIC contract awarded in 2016 and has deployed the system globally in support of the British Army. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
16 Jul 20. First contract in £2.3bn UK MoD Boxer. MIV Programme awarded to WFEL. The first official sub-contract for a UK company involved in the production of the MoD’s new Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicles programme, has been awarded by a member of the ARTEC consortium to WFEL, a nominated Tier One supplier in the project. The contract covers the transfer of manufacturing technology from Germany to the UK for the Drive Modules for the Boxer Infantry Carrier, Special Carrier and Ambulance variants and marks a significant milestone after many months of planning, preparation and consultation following the signing late in 2019 of the £2.3bn contract between the UK Ministry of Defence and the ARTEC consortium, for the delivery of over 500 Boxer vehicles to the British Army.
AIR
15 Jul 20. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the manufacture and delivery of Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS). GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® is the baseline system that will become the Protector RG Mk1 when configured for the RAF. This configuration includes X-band satellite communications (SATCOM) and UK weapon systems. The contract covers a total of 16 aircraft (initial order of three platforms with an option for an additional 13) and seven Ground Control Stations (GCS), together with associated ground support equipment. The first system will be delivered in 2021, though it will remain in the U.S. to be utilized in the test and evaluation program. GA-ASI’s development of MQ-9B began in 2014 as a company-funded program to deliver an RPA that meets the stringent STANAG-4671 UAV System Airworthiness Requirements, which provide the basis for type certification by NATO member-state military airworthiness authorities. The MQ-9B is provisioned for the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid System (DAAS) and is built for adverse weather performance with lightning protection, damage tolerance, and de-icing system. It features rapid integration of new payloads with nine hard points. The aircraft can “self-deploy” using SATCOM-enabled Automatic Takeoff and Landing, which eliminates forward-based launch-and-recovery equipment and personnel. In addition to the SkyGuardian, MQ-9B is also available as the SeaGuardian® for maritime missions. The MQ-9B has also been selected by the Australian Defence Force and received considerable interest from civil and military customers around the world. The Government of Belgium has also approved Belgian Defense to negotiate the acquisition of MQ-9B.
15 Jul 20. UK MoD Buys British Nano Drone. The UK MoD has taken delivery of the latest market leading technology. UAVTEK, a UK based SME has developed and provided UK forces with the latest world-beating technology Nano Drones after winning the UK MoD Nano drone programme. The UK MoD recently went to tender for a new Nano drone to support UK forces. UAVTEK submitted a bid and came top overall beating previous market leaders FLIR with the Black Hornet 3. The Bug Nano drone provides evidence that a Nano drone can not only stand up to heavy wind, but is also able to compete with its bigger brothers. This 191 g UAV provides the operator with an eye in the sky able to send full-motion 1080p video back from 2 km away. This combined with the ability to withstand gusts of over 40 knots and flight times up to 40 minutes it provides a capability never seen before in this class. (Source: UAS VISION)
EUROPE
SEA
13 Jul 20. Indra has been contracted to integrate advanced sensors on the Spanish Navy’s future F110 class frigates. The company has signed multiple contracts with Navantia worth more than €150m ($169m). Last year, Indra signed contracts to equip these frigates with an antenna for the S-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Under the latest contracts, Indra will deliver the Rigel i110 radar electronic defence and the Regulus i110 communications interception systems. Work under the contract is expected to conclude between 2020 and 2031. Once equipped, the advanced technologies will improve the vessel’s situational awareness capability and allow it to defend against potential threats. According to the company, Prisma 25 X multifunction solid-state radar on the frigate will support surface combat and helicopter landing on deck. It will monitor low-altitude aerial targets. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Jul 20. The Government of Belgium has requested a foreign military sale (FMS) of 29 All Up Round MK 54 lightweight torpedoes (LWT) Mod 0 from the US. The FMS has been approved by the US State Department and Congress has been notified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Under the $33.3m possible sale, Belgium will also receive two Fleet Exercise Section conversion kits, torpedo support equipment, and training and publications. Technical services, along with logistics and programme support, will also be provided. Once delivered, the Belgian Navy is expected to replace MK 46 torpedoes with MK 54 LWT. The LWT are designed to provide forces with the capability to engage submarines from NH-90 helicopters and the new generation of Multi-Mission Frigates. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Jul 20. The Government of Germany has requested an FMS of 64 MK 54 All Up Round LWT, ten MK 54 conversion kits, and associated equipment from the US. Under the $130m estimated sale, Germany is also seeking the delivery of torpedo containers, Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers, Fleet Exercise Section (FES), and fuel tanks to be used with MK 54 conversion kits. The MK 54 LWT is expected to upgrade the country’s Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities on Germany’s P-3C aircraft against current and future threats. The two possible sales are intended to support national security and improve the political and economic stability in Europe. Raytheon Integrated Defense System will be the principal contractor of the two sale programmes. (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Jul 20. Thales selected by Royal Netherlands Navy to provide 8 High Tech radars. The Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation and Thales signed a contract for the delivery of an NS100 radar, seven Scout Mk3 radars and an IFF system. The NS100 dual-axis multi-beam surveillance radar will replace the Variant radar currently deployed on HNLMS Johan de Witt, one of the Landing Platform Docks (LPD) in service in the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Sea Acceptance Tests are scheduled to take place in 2023. A major reason for selecting the NS100, next to its unparalleled performance, is fleet-wise logistic advantages. The Royal Netherlands Navy already operates the latest generation of Thales 4D AESA radars on the majority of its vessels and, given the radar’s flexible architecture, it is easy to offer through–life introduction of new capabilities thereby future-proofing the radar. The NS100 on the Royal Netherlands Navy’s other LPD, HNLMS Rotterdam, will be updated, so that the radars on both LPDs will be identical. The same contract specifies the delivery of Scout Mk3 surveillance radars to be installed on HNLMS Johan de Witt and on the Combat Support Ship that is presently being built for the RNLN. The CSS will also receive a Thales IFF system. Five more Scout Mk3 radars will be supplied for the M-class frigates operated by the RNLN and the Belgian Naval Component and for spares and training purposes. This contract raises the number of Scout Mk3 radars under contract to 15.
AIR
15 Jul 20. Teledyne e2v, a business unit of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) and part of the Teledyne Imaging Group, has been selected through the grouped proposal of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) industrial policy committee to place six Copernicus Sentinel satellite missions to provide the image sensor technology. The two missions, CHIME and CO2M, funded by ESA, incorporate image sensors at the heart of the instruments and will utilize Teledyne Imaging’s technology. The Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission, CHIME, a unique visible to shortwave infrared spectrometer will provide routine hyperspectral observations to support new and enhanced services for sustainable agricultural and biodiversity management, and soil property characterization. The mission will complement Copernicus Sentinel-2, which also features a Teledyne Imaging visible sensor, for applications such as land-cover mapping. Thales Alenia Space France will lead the CHIME industrial consortium. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
USA
LAND
10 Jul 20. The Boeing Co., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $150,000,000 undefinitized contract modification (P00057) to previously awarded HQ0147-12-C-0004/-19-C0004 on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense development and sustainment contract (DSC). The scope of work under the current DSC includes development, fielding, test, systems engineering, integration and configuration management, equipment manufacturing and refurbishment, training and operations and sustainment for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense weapon system and associated support facilities. Under this undefinitized modification, the Missile Defense Agency executes the procurement of four additional Configuration 2 Ground Based Interceptor boost vehicles to maintain the fleet and flight test programs. The value of this contract, including options, is increased from $11,337,396,890 to $11,487,396,890. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona, and the period of performance is from July 10, 2020, to July 30, 2023. This acquisition was executed on a sole-source basis. Fiscal 2020 procurement funds in the amount of in the amount of $72,000,000 have been obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
15 Jul 20. General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $249,000,000 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed price) contract for Increment I of the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 14, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-F-0382).
SEA
15 Jul 20. ERAPSCO JV, Sparton and USSI, Columbia City, Indiana, is awarded a $71,801,600 modification (P00005) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This modification increases the ceiling of the contract to provide for the production and delivery of a maximum quantity of 20,000 AN/SSQ-125 Sonobuoys production. Sonobuoys are air launched expendable, electro-mechanical anti-submarine warfare acoustic sensors designed to relay underwater sounds associated with ships and submarines. Work will be performed in De Leon Spring, Florida (51%); and Columbia City, Indiana (49%), and is expected to be completed by July 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
13 Jul 20. L3 Technologies Inc., Camden, New Jersey, is awarded a $34,999,948 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the detail design and fabrication of a prototype Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV). This contract includes options for up to eight additional MUSVs, logistics packages, engineering support, technical data, and other direct costs, which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $281,435,446. Work will be performed in Morgan City, Louisiana (72.7%); Arlington, Virginia (9.8%); Jeanerette, Louisiana (8.1%); New Orleans, Louisiana (6.6%); Worthington, Ohio (1.7%); Lafayette, Louisiana (0.9 %); and Gautier, Mississippi (0.2%), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. If all options are exercised, work will continue through June 2027. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $34,999,948 will be obligated at the time of award, and $29,779,038 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities (now beta.SAM.gov), and five offers were received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-6312).
13 Jul 20. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced that its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., was awarded a $6m contract from Northrop Grumman Corporation to manufacture the first production unit of the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) for the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Teledyne Brown Engineering will manufacture, assemble and test the SSMM at the company’s main facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The company will then integrate Launch Control Assemblies along with other equipment into the modules. Teledyne Brown Engineering, along with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy, will validate the system using SSMM-specific software and emulators. The company will then perform Factory Acceptance Testing, leading to delivery of production units. The SSMM is a modular weapons system, which fires Longbow Hellfire Missiles and compliments the Gun Mission Module (GMM), also manufactured by Teledyne Brown Engineering. Along with the GMM, the SSMM will provide additional capabilities to the LCS as part of the Surface Warfare Package. The SSMM is an integral part of the LCS’ that are used for defense against swarming Fast Attack Craft/Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FAC/FIAC), counter-piracy, maritime interdiction, and security missions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Jul 20. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems, Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $42,192,128 not-to-exceed, undefinitized modification to previously awarded contract N63394-19-C-0007 to exercise options for production of Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) systems. The NGSSR will replace all variants of the current AN/SPS-67, AN/SPS-73, BridgeMaster E series and commercial-off-the-shelf radar systems. Work will be performed in Wake Forest, North Carolina (85%); Chantilly, Virginia (14%); and Braintree, Massachusetts (1%). This contract modification will acquire the first NGSSR production lot following a contract award for design and production of three qualification systems. The primary objective of NGSSR is to replace legacy systems due to current military threats and obsolescence issues. Work is expected to be completed by April 2023. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); and 2017 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $21,096,064 will be obligated at time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The NGSSR was not competitively procured in accordance with 15 U.S. Code 638(r)(4) under the Small Business Innovation Research Phase III program/2018 National Defense Authorization Act. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity.
AIR
15 Jul 20. The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a contract for the first two production lots of its Limited Interim Missile Warning System, or LIMWS. The contract, which is worth $179m, also includes funding to field the next-generation Missile Warning System, an upgrade on the Army’s Common Missile Warning System. The company won an initial $98m contract to produce the systems in April 2018, with the goal of putting the capability onto 400 Black Hawk helicopters. A BAE spokeswoman this week declined to comment on what systems the LIMWS might deploy on. The Army competitively awarded that initial contract to BAE through a quick reaction capability mechanism, which bypasses the traditional lengthy acquisition process. (Source: Defense News)
15 Jul 20. Boeing [NYSE: BA], NASA’s lead industry partner for the International Space Station (ISS) since 1993, will continue supporting the celebrated orbiting laboratory through September of 2024 under a $916m contract extension awarded today. Boeing will provide engineering support services, resources, and personnel for activities aboard the ISS and manage many of the station’s systems. Work will be done at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston; the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida; and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as other locations around the world. The contract is valued at about $225m annually. Congress, NASA and its international partners have agreed to extend ISS operations to at least 2024. Recent structural analysis shows that the spacecraft continues to be safe and mission-capable. NASA selected Boeing as the ISS prime contractor in 1993. Throughout development, assembly, habitation and daily operations aboard ISS, Boeing has partnered closely with NASA to help the agency and its international partners safely host astronauts and cosmonauts for months at a time. The astronauts conduct microgravity experiments that help treat disease, increase food production, and manufacture technology impossible to produce on Earth’s surface.
13 Jul 20. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $22,890,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8634-20-D-2704). The first delivery order has been awarded as an undefinitized contract action with a total not-to-exceed value, including options, of $1,192,215,413. It is a cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price effort for the F-15EX system. This delivery order (FA8634-20-F-0022) provides for design, development, integration, manufacturing, test, verification, certification, delivery, sustainment and modification of F-15EX aircraft, as well as spares, support equipment, training materials, technical data and technical support. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri; and at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $248,224,746; and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $53,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
10 Jul 20. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $87,498,287 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides non-recurring engineering for the development and maturation of the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) in support of data migration and transition to the newly developed F-35 Operational Integrated Data Network (ODIN). ALIS and ODIN provide maintenance capabilities to support worldwide F-35 operations. Additionally, this contract provides software and hardware engineering in support of F-35 ODIN development, delivery and associated data management activities for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and non-Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (75%); and Fort Worth, Texas (25%), and is expected to be completed by June 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-D-0007).
16 Jul 20. Defense Innovation Unit issues contract for unmanned orbital outpost. The Defense Innovation Unit has awarded Sierra Nevada Corporation a contract to build an orbital laboratory that would serve as a kind of unmanned space station, the company announced July 14. The unmanned orbital outpost will be placed in low Earth orbit to be used for experiments and demonstrations. The autonomous, free flying vehicle will be able to host payloads and support space assembly and manufacturing, microgravity experimentation, logistics, training, testing and evaluations. Under the contract, Sierra Nevada Corporation will repurpose their Shooting Star transport vehicle into a scalable, autonomous space station that can be used for experiments and demonstrations. The Shooting Star vehicle is a 16-foot attachment to the company’s Dream Chaser space plane that was developed for NASA Commercial Resupply Services 2 missions. The vehicle was initially designed to provide extra payload storage and cargo disposal upon re-entry. (Source: Defense News)
TECHNOLOGY
14 Jul 20. AI.Reverie has secured Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from AFWERX for the US Air Force (USAF). Under the $1.5m contract, AI.Reverie will build artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and improve navigation capabilities supporting the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB). The company will use synthetic data to train and improve the accuracy of vision algorithms for navigation through its Rapid Capabilities office. Synthetic data or computer-generated images are economical and can be generated faster than hand-labelled photos, solving the limitations associated with real data. The advanced technology creates vision algorithms needed to save lives during operations. Phase 2 SBIR contract awarded to AI.Reverie follows its co-publication with the IQT Lab CosmiQ Works that highlighted the value of synthetic data to train computer vision algorithms. Furthermore, the research partners released RarePlanes for academic and commercial use with open dataset of real and synthetic overhead imagery. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
15 Jul 20. Alion Science and Technology has secured a task order to provide radio spectrum studies, measurements, transitions, certification, and licensing for the US Air Force Spectrum Management Office (AFSMO). The $51m five-year task order is sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) and is being co-sponsored by the Army Research Lab (ARL) and the Department of Defense-Chief Information Office (DoD-CIO). It was awarded under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract (IAC MAC) issued by the USAF Installation Contracting Center. Work under the order is supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program Management Office (DoD IAC PMO). Under the order, Alion will conduct studies and measurements to identify opportunities for early Advanced Wireless Services-3 (AWS-3) network deployment. Furthermore, the company will focus on improving DoD’s compliance with AWS-3 transition requirements. The AWS-3 frequency bands allow tests and training installations for the development of weapons systems and troop preparedness. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
09 Jul 20. The U.S. Air Force has awarded Descartes Labs a contract that will allow them to use the company’s geospatial analytics platform for multisensor data fusion and situational awareness. The Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract was awarded through AFWERX — an Air Force effort to spark innovation through non-traditional vendors — and the Air Force Research Lab’s Space Vehicles Directorate and Information Directorate. Descartes Labs did not reveal the value of the contract. Under the contract, the Air Force will be able to use the company’s platform to fuse multidomain, multisensor data and produce near-real-time analytics. Data sources will include satellites, shipping pings, aerial imagery and more. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
15 Jul 20. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced it has been awarded a full-rate production option worth $21.8m on an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with the United States (U.S.) Army. FLIR will deliver its Agentase™ C2 disclosure spray to detect G- and V-series nerve agents, highly toxic chemical warfare agents. The contract will support the Army’s Contamination Indicator/Decontamination Assurance System (CIDAS) program, a ‘program of record’ within the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND). FLIR Agentase C2 spray quickly changes color on a surface if a chemical warfare agent is present. With faster and more targeted detection, military decontamination experts can locate trace levels of contamination and precisely mitigate the threat.
16 Jul 20. Geospark Analytics has secured a Special Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the US Air Force (USAF) AFWERX for the Hyperion Cloud-based platform. Under the contract, Geospark Analytics will deliver the Hyperion mobile application with collaborated capabilities to the USAF. The application will allow personnel to share threat information and analysis between USAF flight crews and airforce intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and operational support (OS) units. With its enhanced capabilities, the application also supports the company’s commercial operations, travel security clients and forces performing logistics and supply chain resiliency planning. Previously, Geospark Analytics was awarded three other SBIR for its Hyperion cloud-based platform that offers situational awareness and an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven forecast of political, economic, and social risk across the globe to analysts and operators. The company has also partnered with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to develop innovative technologies with advanced analytics and evolve the future of military intelligence and operations. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
16 Jul 20. Transcend Technological Systems LLC, Prattville, Alabama, has been awarded a ceiling $485,000,000 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Hill Enterprise Data Center (HEDC) – sustainment, modernization, and consolidation. This contract provides for sustainment and onboarding support for the HEDC and applications within the HEDC. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and expected to be completed July 15, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and eight offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,500 will be obligated on the first task order, which will be awarded immediately after the basic contract. Air Force Sustainment Center Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8201-20-D-0001).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
07 Jul 20. Chess Dynamics awarded international C-UAS contract. Chess has been awarded a €7.5m contract for its AirGuard Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) for air base and critical infrastructure protection for an international customer. The majority of the contract is to be delivered during the current and next financial years.
13 Jul 20. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has exercised the option to extend Mack Defense’s in-service and support contract for an additional five years from 2020-2025, covering more than 1,500 Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern (SMP) vehicles. The contract covers all MSVS SMP vehicles, trailers and armored protection systems, and will enable Mack Defense to provide support services and the provision of spare parts and materials for level one and two maintenance tasks performed by the customer. Equipment requiring in-depth maintenance, such as repair and overhaul activities or warranty repairs, will be handled by a facility in the area of Quebec City, Quebec. Mack Defense will provide support by delivering spare parts to Canadian Forces Depots (CFD) in Edmonton, Alberta and Montreal, Quebec. Mack Defense was awarded two contracts in 2015 valued at $725m CAD by the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (now PSPC) on behalf of the Department of National Defense to deliver more than 1,500 8×8 MSVS SMP trucks and to provide in-service support for the fleet. The MSVS SMP is available in a number of variants, including cargo, material handling cranes, load handling systems (LHS) and mobile repair trucks (MRT). The 1,587th and final MSVS SMP vehicle was delivered in February 2020. The program also delivered 322 trailers and 161 armored protection system cabs.
16 Jul 20. Australia begins first stage of Lethality System project’s Tranche 1. The Australian Government has started the first stage of the Lethality System project’s (Land 159) Tranche 1. It is intended to enhance the capabilities and weapon systems used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Brisbane-based company NIOA has won the first stage contract worth A$7m ($4.8m) via competitive tender. Under the contract, the company will test and assess weapon systems and provide suggestions to defence. The contract is part of the government’s commitment to invest A$270bn ($188bn) in defence industry. (Source: army-technology.com)
14 Jul 20. QinetiQ has been awarded a one-year contract, with an additional option year, by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Air Warfare Centre to develop a roadmap for the modernization of RCAF Air Weapons ranges, which will enable the combination of live and virtual environments for collaborative team training. The modernized air ranges will be able to accommodate Canada’s next generation of 4.5 or 5th Generation fighter aircraft and allow for the creation of Live Synthetic Blended (LSB) training and experimental environments, including simulated training assets. The roadmap for the modernization will include the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) as well as the Bagotville, Gagetown, Wainwright, Valcartier, Nanoose and Suffield training ranges. The study will look at how the RCAF ranges need to be modernized for all future RCAF platforms – fighter and cargo aircraft, helicopters, search & rescue and remotely piloted air systems. This will be done in the context of the RCAF Modelling and Simulation Environment (RMSE), including the Virtual Proving Grounds*, and will consider air traffic control, air weapons and air and space control simulators. The initial scoping phase will run through to December 2020. The project will see QinetiQ bring together a team comprising systems engineers, simulation experts and range experts, as well as experienced ex-military personnel, from QinetiQ in Canada and the UK.
SEA
14 Jul 20. Pakistan Navy has awarded a contract to Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) to build stealth Gun Boats and Tugs. In this regard, a contract signing ceremony of indigenously designed Gun Boat and Tugs was held at Ministry of Defence Production. The Managing Director Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW), Rear Admiral Ather Saleem and Director General Munitions Production, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Qaiser Janjua signed the contracts. Maj General Akif Iqbal, Additional Secretary Defence Production and Rear Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) were also present at the occasion. (Source: Aerospace Daily & Defense Report)
15 Jul 20. Raytheon Technologies, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is awarded an $88,050,510 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-6423 for the production of the MK54 Lightweight Torpedo MOD 0 and MOD 1 common part kits and spare torpedo components. This modification combines purchases for the Navy (18%); and the governments of Canada (72%); Republic of Korea (5%); Denmark (3%); Australia (1%); and Spain (1%), under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (95%); and Keyport, Washington (5%), and is expected to be completed by May 2023. FMS funding in the amount of $71,687,560; and fiscal 2020 and 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $16,145,556 and $217,394 respectively, will be obligated at time of award, of which $217,394 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
13 Jul 20. Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) signed a contract with Austal Limited (ASX: ASB) to deliver integrated communications systems for six Cape class patrol boats (CCPB) contracted by the Department of Defence for use by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). CCPBs are currently in production at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia and are to be delivered from September 2021. The new RAN CCPBs will include a number of enhancements that include Rohde & Schwarz communications equipment, including the company’s Naval Integrated Communications System (NAVICS) with multi-layer security and secure external line of sight (V/UHF) and beyond line of sight communications (HF).
AIR
10 Jul 20. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of Peace Kryption Aircraft Follow-On Support and Equipment Upgrades to South Korea. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the Congress that the Republic of Korea has requested to buy items and services to extend follow-on support to its Peace Krypton reconnaissance aircraft. Included are Ground System Modernization (GSM) and sustainment of Prime Mission Equipment (PME); Field Service Representatives (FSR); minor modifications and upgrades; Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS); spares and repair and return of parts; publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $250m. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD. There are known offset requirements associated with this sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
16 Jul 20. Saab has signed a support agreement with the United Arab Emirates regarding the advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) solution GlobalEye. The agreement is valid between 2020 and 2022, with an order value of 144.9 MUSD. The agreement covers support and maintenance for the airborne surveillance system GlobalEye. The support and maintenance will be executed locally in the United Arab Emirates.
14 Jul 20. XTEK Ltd has received an additional purchase order from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for the supply of additional AeroVironment WASP AE Small Unmanned Aerial Systems. The order, which is worth around A$2.8m, is in addition to XTEK’s ongoing SUAS supply contract to the ADF and represents XTEK’s strong and continued relationship with the ADF. Delivery of the new purchase order is anticipated in FY 2021. (Source: UAS VISION)
TECHNOLOGY
16 Jul 20. Daronmont Technologies to expand MCRC capability. A new five-year, $65m contract has been drawn up with Melbourne-based Daronmont Technologies, allowing the ADF and allied forces to draw on Australian ingenuity and expertise to enhance surveillance and air battlespace capability. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said that the agreement will create 10 new positions and will support the Mobile Control and Reporting Centre (MCRC) based at RAAF Base Darwin. The works will ensure MCRC is able to operate as a deployable system providing vital surveillance, battlespace management and communications services. While the MCRC is stationed at RAAF Base Darwin, the associated simulation system and supporting communications assets are distributed across multiple RAAF sites in Australia. The MCRC system has previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2007-09 and most recently to Papua New Guinea in December 2018 in support of Operation APEC Assist. Prior to the announcement of the most recent MCRC contract, Daronmont refurbished the Mobile Operations Centre (MOC) cabins in a 10-month contract with the Ground Telecommunication Equipment Systems Program Office (GTESPO). It was also awarded the MCRC Reconstitution contract via competitive tender organised by the GTESPO in December 2009. The project was completed on schedule in early 2011 and delivered to the RAAF at 114MCRU Darwin. (Source: Defence Connect)
15 Jul 20. Northrop Grumman has been awarded an $8m contract to build the MQ-4C Triton Network Integration Test Environment, which will be located at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The NITE signals the start of growth in the Australian workforce necessary to support the Triton program. It is expected that the Triton program will deliver more than 75 jobs for Australian workers. NITE will be developed in three phases, allowing the RAAF to progress from basic continuity testing between distributed environments to advanced integration capability development environment via server farm, network storage and virtualisation. (Source: Defence Connect)