UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
27 Aug 20. The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to the Government of the UK for 395 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles for an estimated value of $46m. The required certification notifying Congress about this possible sale was delivered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The UK Government had put a request for the acquisition of the 395 missiles and this request also included technical assistance, publications, integration support, and other related aspects regarding logistics and program support. The proposed sale will not only support the foreign policy but also the national security objectives of the US Government by bolstering the security of a Nato ally. Furthermore, the acquisition of these missiles is expected to help the UK to replace expiring and unserviceable missiles and bolstering its capability to meet current and future threats. The missiles are also expected to help maintain its ability to carry out missions across a wide range of military operations. These missiles will also be easily inducted by the UK into its armed forces. The proposed sale will not change the basic military balance in the region. Florida-based Lockheed Martin Corporation is the primary contractor for the order. (Source: army-technology.com)
EUROPE
LAND
25 Aug 20. General Dynamics European Land Systems awarded €733m (USD $870m) of a €1.74bn contract for 348 Spanish 8×8 combat vehicles. Program expected to grow to 1,000 vehicles. The Spanish Ministry of Defense today awarded a €1.74bn (USD $2.06bn) contract to a joint venture of General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) and three other companies to deliver 348 8×8 Wheeled Combat Vehicles (VCR), their maintenance and life cycle support, as well as support their international commercialization. The GDELS-SBS contract is for €733m (USD $870m). The program is expected to grow to a total of approximately 1,000 vehicles. General Dynamics European Land Systems was awarded €733m (USD $870m) of a €1.74bn contract for 348 Spanish 8×8 combat vehicles. The vehicle, named “Dragón” by the Spanish Army, is based on the GDELS 8×8 PIRANHA 5’s combat wheeled vehicle and includes all Spanish national technologies as required by the Spanish MoD. It is expected to be delivered over a seven-year period. (Source: PR Newswire)
21 Aug 20. In the course of setting up NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has ordered a total of 300 high-precision boresight telescopes for the Leopard 2 and the self-propelled howitzer 2000. In addition to the telescopes, the order also comprises transport and storage containers. According to current planning, the first batch of 30 units will be delivered to the Bundeswehr via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) before the end of the third quarter of 2020. HENSOLDT will initially deliver ten units per month and then gradually expand delivery to 15 units per month. By 2023, all boresight telescopes of the second batch are to be delivered. After that, HENSOLDT will remain the supplier for spare parts and responsible for service. HENSOLDT’s boresights are used to adjust and maintain the target systems of barrel-based weapon systems. They are characterized by their fast, simple and reliable handling, as well as their high adjustment accuracy and durability. An experienced user therefore only needs a few minutes to check the precision of his weapon system and restore it if necessary. Thanks to calibre rods, that is, special weapon barrel adapters, the universal adjustment optics cover almost all weapon systems in use – from assault rifles to howitzers. With its modular design, costs and weight are kept as low as possible and allow tailor-made solutions for every application. In addition, a uniform system eliminates the need for long training sessions on different types of equipment.
USA
LAND
27 Aug 20. US Army issues Air Launched Effects agreements. The US Army on 24 August issued 10 Air Launched Effects (ALE) project agreements totalling USD29.8m, according to a service statement. ALE is a family of systems consisting of an air vehicle, one or multiple payloads, mission system applications, and associated support equipment. They are designed to autonomously or semi-autonomously deliver effects as a single agent or as a member of a team. The goal of ALE is to penetrate, disintegrate, and exploit anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), mid-tier integrated air defence systems, and long- to medium-range fires in the close and deep manoeuvre areas. The 10 projects are categorised into three lines of effort: Air vehicle, mission systems, and payloads. Three agreements for the air vehicle were awarded to Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and Area-I. Three agreements for ALE mission systems were awarded to L3Harris, Collins Aerospace, and Aurora Flight Sciences. Four agreements for the payload were issued to Leonardo, Technology Service Corp (TSC), Raytheon Technologies, and Northrop Grumman. The US Army Aviation unmanned aircraft system (UAS) project office programme executive office (PEO) said on 26 August that these project agreements, while similar to contracts, are executed under the Aviation and Missile Consortium’s (AMTC’s) other transaction authority (OTA). These project agreements, the office said, were competitively awarded through the AMTC’s 19-04 call for enhanced whitepapers. (Source: Jane’s)
27 Aug 20. Avon Protection Systems Inc., Cadillac, Michigan (W911SR-20-D-0001); and Canadian Commercial Corp., Ottawa, Canada (W911SR-20-D-0002), will compete for each order of the $127,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract to qualify and procure M61 canisters for the Joint Service General Purpose Mask. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 26, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
25 Aug 20. BAE Systems has won a $495m contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to continue providing instrumentation support and sustainment services to the military and government for the US and its allies. The company has been a part of the Instrumentation Range Support Program (IRSP) for 35 years so far and the new contract expands its role to ensure the accuracy and operational reliability of tracking systems. The contract has a $945m ceiling amount over seven years. BAE Systems will provide services for components and subsystems of instrument tracking systems, which include radar, telemetry and optical range mission systems, flight terminal systems, data acquisition systems and global positioning systems. Work under the firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-reimbursable indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract will be carried out at 27 ranges around the world that are a part of the IRSP. The test ranges include those operated by the US Air Force, the US Army and US Navy, NASA and the Department of Energy in the US, as well as allied operations in the UK, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland. (Source: airforce-technology.c
26 Aug 20. Ball Aerospace, teamed with Booz Allen Hamilton, was awarded a contract by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO) to serve as the prime system integrator for the SpRCO Ground Command, Control and Communications (GC3) system. GC3 will integrate into and help enable the larger tactical command and control enterprise for the United States Space Force. The program will develop and deliver updated and enhanced satellite operations capabilities that enable continuous modernization by maximizing automation, flexibility and commonality. Key to the system’s flexibility will be the utilization of Hexicon, a modular, open and scalable event driven software architecture that allows for rapid and seamless integration of new software and overall increased system resiliency. (Source: PR Newswire)
27 Aug 20. Elbit Systems of America’s intelligent autonomous trailer-mounted surveillance towers selected by CTTSO, CBP. Enhancing situational awareness, autonomy, automation and increasing safety: These advanced technology characteristics are key for those dedicated to protecting the United States. Elbit Systems of America meets these requirements by delivering two variants of intelligent and autonomous trailer-mounted surveillance tower systems, which will reduce operator workload and increase situational awareness and safety. In late 2019, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) selected the company’s Intelligent Trailer Mounted Surveillance Tower solution for use along the U.S. southern border. In April 2020, the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) selected Elbit Systems of America’s Autonomous Relocatable Surveillance Tower system for future deployment by U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
26 Aug 20. Kellogg Brown & Root Services Inc., Houston, Texas, has been awarded a ceiling $974,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) base operating support. This contract provides day-to-day base operations and maintenance services throughout locations within USAFE-AFAFRICA. Work will be performed at Morón Air Base (AB), Spain; Incirlik AB, Turkey; Izmir Air Station, Turkey; Office of Defense Cooperation-Turkey; and Ankara Support Facility, Turkey, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 27, 2028. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,000,000 will be obligated via the first two task orders, which will be awarded immediately after the basic contract. Air Force Installation Contracting Command, Ramstein AB, Germany, is the contracting activity (FA5641-20-D-0009).
24 Aug 20. Veraxx Engineering Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $218,000,000 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive and time-and-materials) contract for advanced planning and preview systems, mission simulators and rehearsal capabilities that enable live, virtual and constructive training in support of special operation’s unique joint training and mission requirements. 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 Aug. 23, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-20-D-0014).
SEA
21 Aug 20. BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, is awarded a $19,914,240 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-only contract for Archerfish Destructor full rate production, maintenance and associated technical services. The work to be performed under this contract will include maintenance, spare and repair parts and evolution of the Archerfish Destructors. BAE Systems will manage the destructor configuration as well as integrate new or upgraded capability and assess the destructor configuration for application to in-service upgrade efforts. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative maximum value of this contract to $189,268,826. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, United Kingdom (86 %); Marseille, France (8 %); and Rocket Center, West Virginia (6 %), and is expected to be complete by January 2023. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) (62%); 2020 weapons procurement (Navy) (28%); 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (9%); and 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) (1%) funding in the amount of $19,914,240 will be obligated at the time of award, of which $1,793,874 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was awarded on a sole-source basis (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-6407).
26 Aug 20. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has won a development contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to provide naval propulsor hardware. As per the contract, GA-EMS will provide manufacturing design drawings, engineering, fabrication, inspection, and assembly of prototype propulsor. The company will also provide shafting and bearing components, along with the equipment required to aid the propulsor research and development, testing and evaluation. GA-EMS will collaborate with the NSWCCD on the development of surface ships and submarines. Design and analytical work will be performed primarily at GA-EMS’s San Diego, California facility in the US. The company will carry out manufacturing engineering and fabrication works at its Tupelo, Missouri facility. This work supports the requirements of the NSWCCD Advanced Propulsor Management Office for the design and development of prototype propulsors, shafting and bearing components, mechanical design specification, and manufacturing plans. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
27 Aug 20. Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, is awarded a $58,905,547 modification (P00004) to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00019-19-C-0051. This modification provides for the development of Adaptive Radar Countermeasure (ARC) Software/Firmware (SW/FW) capabilities and integration of ARC SW/FW on the AN/ALQ-214A electronic countermeasure host. ARC SW/FW supplements F/A-18C-F survivability in the presence of radio frequency guided surface-to-air and air-to-air weapons systems. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (50%); Clifton, New Jersey (25%); Goleta, California (10%); St. Louis, Missouri (10%); Raleigh, North Carolina (3%); and Huntsville, Alabama (2%), and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,894,969 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.
24 Aug 20. SRC Tec, North Syracuse, New York, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $90,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for force protection Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) with Medusa sustainment. This contract provides for the acquisition, upgrade, sustainment, installation support and design and analysis support of C-sUAS and subsystems manufactured by SRC Tec. Work will be performed at locations to be determined in each delivery order and is expected to be completed Aug. 24, 2028. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 procurement funds in the amount of $2,137,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-20-D-0045).
TECHNOLOGY
24 Aug 20. Booz Allen Hamilton and VMD team has been selected as a prime contractor on the US Secretary of the Air Force’s Concepts, Development and Management Office (SAF/CDM) Analytical and Technical (A&T) Services contract. The Booz Allen-VMD team is one of eight awardees of the $950m multi-award ten-year infinite-delivery, infinite-quality (IDIQ) contract. The contract provides analytical and technical services, including IT, communications and operational support. Currently, VMD assists the US Air Force’s (USAF) Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer (SAF/CN) along with its Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and Cyber Effects Operations (AF A2/6). (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Aug 20. The U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency awarded its first production other transaction authority contract on Aug. 20, the agency announced. The production OTA contract, with a ceiling of about $199m, was awarded to By Light Professional IT Services to support the Defense Department’s Cloud Based Internet Isolation program. The contract has a one-year base with four one-year options. The Cloud Based Internet Isolation program falls under the purview of DISA. It’s meant to reduce the risks involved with non-mission-essential internet browsing by isolating the browser in the cloud instead of on the user end point. Isolation in the cloud is meant to prevent malicious code or content from accessing Pentagon networks. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/C4ISR & Networks)
26 Aug 20. TrellisWare Awarded Office of Naval Research Contract to Develop More Reliable Troposcatter Communications Solution. TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. announced today that they have been awarded a contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to build and test a new tropospheric scatter (troposcatter) radio prototype to address the Navy’s communications challenges. The ONR goal is to employ a robust Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) troposcatter communications capability supporting mobile naval operations for both ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore links as an alternative to satellite communications (SATCOM). TrellisWare’s prototype troposcatter radio will use a new waveform that has been optimized to maintain reliable and robust troposcatter communications, even in challenging and highly variable propagation conditions. This waveform was developed and successfully tested over-the-air between San Diego and Los Angeles County in late 2019 under a prior ONR contract to TrellisWare. TrellisWare’s troposcatter radio will provide reliable over-the-horizon communication with significantly lower Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) relative to traditional troposcatter capabilities. The combination of a more robust waveform with a lower SWaP terminal will enable better integration with antenna pointing (acquisition), tracking, and stabilization (PTS) techniques, leading the way for a mobile troposcatter capability. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
27 Aug 20. Datapod has secured a A$20m ($14.48m) contract to deliver Australia’s Department of Defence with portable, containerised data systems that can be deployed by sea, air or road. Under the contract, Datapod will develop four modular data centres for the department to accommodate defence information and communications technology equipment. The contract is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial capabilities. This comes after the Australian Government decided to invest A$1bn ($720m) to boost the local defence industry to accelerate the recovery of its Covid-19 affected economy. (Source: army-technology.com)
27 Aug 20. Epsilor Wins Two Contracts to Provide Li-Ion 6T Batteries to South East Asian Armored Vehicle Programs. Epsilor’s Lithium 6T NATO batteries have been selected by two defense vehicle manufacturers in South East Asia, to be installed in their new tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV). The customers will install the batteries in two new armored vehicles designed to carry out demanding silent watch missions. Long silent watch capabilities are considered important in modern vehicle operation and may provide the companies with a competitive advantage as they bid on several international tenders.
26 Aug 20. Taiwan orders 21 additional CM-34 infantry fighting vehicles. The MND revealed on 16 April that the RoCA had already used the 8×8 IFV, which is also known as the ‘Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle’, in training manoeuvres, while pointing out that the primary target of the platform will be wheeled vehicles and fortified bunkers. The 24-tonne CM-34 is the IFV variant of the locally developed CM-32 ‘Cloud Leopard’ family of armoured vehicles. The CM-34 is armed with a stabilised Orbital ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30 mm dual-feed cannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Six smoke-grenade launchers are fitted to either side of the turret, which offers protection against 12.7 mm heavy machine gun fire. (Source: Jane’s)
SEA
27 Aug 20. The Royal Australian Navy has selected iXblue’s inertial navigation systems and gyrocompasses to equip the Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels. Based on fiber-optic gyroscope technology, iXblue’s inertial navigation systems will provide the 12 new Arafura Class vessels with highly accurate and reliable navigation capabilities in all environments, including within GNSS-denied operational areas. SEA 1180 Phase 1 OPVs will replace and improve upon the capability delivered by the 13 Armidale Class patrol boats by acquiring 12 new vessels, which will be known as the Arafura Class when they enter service from 2022. (Source: Defence Connect)
25 Aug 20. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $191,723,019 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00024-20-C-6117) for the procurement of engineering design development services and associated material and travel, supporting the fleet of Navy submarines and Foreign Military Sales requirements. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $2,224,208,878. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (90%); and the governments of Canada (8%); Japan (1%); and Australia (1%). Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (85 %); Virginia Beach, Virginia (11%); Fairfax, Virginia (2%); San Diego, California (1%); and Waterford, Connecticut (1%), and is expected to be completed by June 2030. If all options are exercised, work will continue through June 2030. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $500,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-6117).
AIR
24 Aug 20. RoK to Buy 40 More Fighter Jets from U.S. Korea will double the number of F-35 stealth fighter jets it will buy from the United States, including variants that will operate on the country’s first aircraft carrier, according to military sources. A total of 40 Lockheed Martin-built F-35 jets will be acquired at a cost of approximately 8trn won ($6.7bn), the sources said. Priority will be given to the acquisition of 20 F-35B jets, which are capable of short takeoff and vertical landing, and are due to be deployed on a light aircraft carrier Korea plans to complete by the early 2030s. An additional 20 F-35A jets — the conventional takeoff and landing variants – will be acquired afterwards, which will raise the total number of fifth-generation fighters in Korea’s air fleet to 80. In 2014, the country signed a $6.4bn deal with the United States to acquire 40 F-35As as part of the first phase of its air force augmentation plan. Military sources added the additional acquisitions of F-35 aircraft, constituting the second phase of its fighter jet project, will be formally ratified at a Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting slated for October. “The second phase of the fighter jet project had initially been planned for 20 units, but this has been doubled to coordinate with the construction of a light aircraft carrier,” a source said, adding that the timetable to purchase the F-35B variants was pushed forward. In its national defense plan for 2021 to 2025 unveiled earlier this month, Korea announced for the first time it was planning to build a 30,000-ton level aircraft carrier that will operate fighter jets capable of vertical takeoff and landing. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Korea JoongAng Daily)
26 Aug 20. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Woodland Hills, California, is awarded a $44,550,267 modification (P00005) to previously awarded, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00019-19-D-0025. This modification increases the ceiling of the contract for the production and delivery of an additional 228 H-1 Tech Refresh Mission Computers, increasing the quantity from 545 to 773 in support of domestic and Foreign Military Sales UH-1Y and AH-1Z aircraft. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (55%); Baltimore, Maryland (25%); and Woodland Hills, California (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. 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.
27 Aug 20. The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) to Japan. The possible sale includes 32 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and related equipment worth an estimated $63m. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has also notified Congress about the sale. Japan has also requested for one AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance section spare, containers, support and support equipment, spare parts and repair parts. The purchase also includes US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services. In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
25 Aug 20. Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense for supplying two Mi-38 helicopters with a highly comfortable cabin. A ceremony to mark that was held as part of the International Military-Technical Forum “ARMY-2020″, which is taking place in the Patriotic Park of Recreation and Leisure “Patriot” in the Moscow Region. The fact that our customers are interested in Mi-38 confirms that we have chosen the right concept, where the helicopter belongs to a segment between Mi-26 and Mi-8. The Russian Ministry of Defense has already received two Mi-38T transport and troop landing helicopters, which are undergoing test operation in the armed forces I am convinced that a civilian version of the helicopter will also be sought after due to its outstanding load capacity, number of passengers, and flight safety,” said Director General of Russian Helicopters holding company Andrey Boginsky. The first serial Mi-38 helicopter was introduced to the general public at MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Salon, where it was demonstrated to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the President of Turkey Tayyip Recep Erdoğan. Mi-38’s foreign debut took place during the Dubai Airshow 2019 air show, where the head of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov showed it to the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In February 2020, the first serial Mi-38 helicopter with a highly comfortable cabin was handed over to Gazprombank Leasing. The design of Mi-38 is based on a single-rotor scheme and a twin-engine power plant. The helicopter is made by Kazan Helicopters. The rotorcraft has two TV7-117V engines made in Russia, which are equipped with devices that protect them from dust and ensure high quality of air purification. The main structural elements of Mi-38 fuselage are made of aluminum alloys, individual components and parts are made of steel, titanium and composite materials. An advanced six-blade main rotor provides high thrust and low vibration levels. The blades are equipped with an anti-icing system, and the X-shaped tail rotor gives the helicopter excellent handling with a low noise level. Mi-38 is equipped with a modern navigation system and satellite navigation system. The cockpit of the helicopter has five versatile LCD color screens to display information. The flight range of the new Mi-38 helicopter in its transport version is up to 1,200 kilometers (with additional fuel tanks). With the maximum takeoff weight of 15.6 tons, the helicopter is capable of taking five tons of payload on board or on an external sling.
25 Aug 20. Russian Helicopters holding company (part of the Rostecstate corporation) has signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense for the development of a modern shipborne helicopter. A signing ceremony was held as part of the International Military-Technical Forum “ARMY-2020”, which is taking place in the Patriotic Park of Recreation and Leisure “Patriot” in the Moscow Region.
“This marks a new stage in the creation of modern shipborne helicopter. Earlier, working together with the Russian Ministry of Defense, we established the terms of reference required for R&D side of this project. Today, we validated the project with the signing of relevant documents. The new shipborne helicopter design has now been completely established, and we are moving on schedule, in accordance with the goals set by the customer”, said the Director General of Russian Helicopters Andrey Boginsky. Development work will be carried out by specialists from the National Helicopter Center Мil&Kamov. In accordance with the approved schedules, first stage of development is planned to be completed within three years.
The project will lead to the creation of universal shipborne helicopter capable of performing search and rescue, troop transport and ASW missions.