UNITED KINGDOM
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30 Nov 20. BAE Systems Wins Huge UK Munitions Deal. £2.4bn munitions deal secures thousands of UK jobs. A new £2.4bn contract to equip UK Armed Forces with essential fire power will sustain 4,000 jobs around the UK over 15 years, Defence Minister Jeremy Quin today announced. The Next Generation Munitions Solution (NGMS) will see BAE Systems manufacture 39 different munitions for the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Strategic Command to use on the front line, including small arms ammunition, mortars, medium-calibre gun rounds and large-calibre artillery and tank shells. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
AIR
04 Dec 20. Defence Equipment & Support has signed a £2.6M maintenance contract for the Royal Air Force’s fleet of C-17A Globemaster aircraft which will create 25 industry jobs at RAF Brize Norton. Delivered three months early, the contract for increasing maintenance support will help improve the overall availability of the RAF fleet of eight Globemasters. These long range, heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft can operate close to potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions worldwide. RAF Globemaster (C-17) delivering life-saving equipment in support to disaster relief operations in Beirut earlier this year. Boeing already provides in-country support to the RAF’s Globemaster aircraft, which includes assisting 99 Squadron, preventative maintenance and local periodic maintenance carried out in the UK. This is in addition to more extensive maintenance which is undertaken around once every five years at Boeing in San Antonio, Texas, USA. (Source: Warfare.Today/RAF)
TECHNOLOGY
02 Dec 20. AdaCore, a trusted provider of software development and verification tools, today announced that QinetiQ has selected the AdaCore Mentorship Service to leverage their existing critical software platform investment, and address software tool obsolescence by modernising the development environment for its Trials Control System (TCS). TCS is a command and control system designed specifically for the training, test and evaluation of military equipment. The upgrade from legacy SPARK to the latest version of the technology, SPARK 2014, was central to sustaining the safety-critical software development capability required by TCS. SPARK is a language and toolset that brings mathematics-based confidence to software verification. The latest version of SPARK provides QinetiQ with the foundation for a sound formal verification framework and static analysis toolset. One of the key features of the SPARK technology is the ability to be able to express contracts; i.e., behavioural properties that must be implemented correctly by the developer and can be checked by the verification toolset. The Mentorship Service provides QinetiQ with hands-on guidance from AdaCore’s formal software verification experts through customised on-site training, virtual project meetings and extensive follow-up support. Following a successful engagement, QinetiQ extended their use of the Mentorship Service. QinetiQ has also selected a multi-year subscription contract for AdaCore’s software development tools, including GNAT Pro and SPARK Pro.
27 Nov 20. Glasgow AI experts receive UK Government funding. Two of Glasgow’s leading scientists will develop cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology thanks to a £20m UK Government cash boost. The Scottish projects, at the University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde, are among fifteen innovative projects receiving the new Turing AI fellowships as part of the UK government’s ambition to establish the UK as a world leader in AI and support researchers to scale up their innovations. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
LAND
01 Dec 20. The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Croatia of refurbishment/modernization and support for seventy-six (76) M2A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS) Bradley Fighting vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $757m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Croatia has requested to buy refurbishment/modernization and support for seventy six (76) M2A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS) Bradley Fighting vehicles consisting of: eighty-four (84) M240 machine guns; one thousand one hundred three (1,103) TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) missiles; sixteen (16) TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) fly‑to‑buy lot acceptance missiles; one hundred (100) TOW 2B Radio Frequency (RF) missiles; eight (8) TOW 2B Radio Frequency (RF) fly-to-buy lot acceptance missiles; five hundred (500) TOW Bunker Buster (BB) Radio Frequency (RF) missiles; and eight (8) TOW BB fly-to-buy lot acceptance missiles. Also included are M257 Smoke Grenade Launchers; ammunition; radios; simulator; special armor; Hunter/Killer technology, which may include an exportable Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV); spare and repair parts; support equipment; upgrade/maintenance of engines and transmissions; refurbishment of TOW launchers; depot level support; communication support equipment; tool and test equipment; training; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $757m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. This proposed sale of the Bradley vehicle refurbishment/modernization will contribute to Croatia’s goal of updating its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. Croatia will have no difficulty absorbing these equipment and support into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractors will be BAE Systems, York, Pennsylvania; and Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
30 Nov 20. Bittium has received a purchase order from the Finnish Defence Forces for Bittium Tactical Power Pack™ products that are meant for powering tactical communication devices. The Tactical Power Packs will be used by the Finnish Defence Forces as accessories for the portable Bittium Tough Comnode™ devices. The Finnish Defence Forces use the Tough Comnode devices for example as VoIP phones, IP routers and SHDSL repeaters to fulfil the data transfer needs of mobile troops. Bittium Tactical Power Pack includes two 70 Wh, 6.7 Ah batteries that are attached as one with an adapter. This way the Tactical Power Pack can also be used as a charger for the two batteries. The Tactical Power Pack is an excellent accessory for mobile troops as its batteries can be changed quickly to new fully charged batteries one by one without interrupting the power supply to the device being charged. This enables uninterrupted field use for the device. The value of the purchase order is approximately EUR 1.1m (excl. VAT). The Tactical Power Packs will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces during the first half-year of 2021. The purchase order does not change Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2020.
AIR
30 Nov 20. CGI develops 5G Hub for European Space Agency. CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop an innovative 5G facility at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. This 5G Hub will enable the development and acceleration of potential use cases and demonstrate the benefits of hybrid 5G and satellite communications networks. CGI will develop initial demonstrations to showcase the potential of 5G in enabling smart cities, the Internet of Things, and augmented reality. The 5G Hub will provide an engineering facility for researchers and companies to experiment with hybrid satellite/terrestrial capability using a 5G radio network backhauled to ESA’s 5G core over European geostationary satellites. CGI will develop management and orchestration software to enable satellite networks, including Low Earth Orbit networks, to be seamlessly integrated into terrestrial public and private communications networks, creating new business opportunities for application developers, network operators, and equipment providers. The ECSAT 5G Hub builds on CGI’s own 5G Accelerator Lab which is used to explore and demonstrate the advantages of integrated satellite and terrestrial systems using over-the-air tests. In developing its own facility, CGI has built a unique vendor-agnostic approach which will enable CGI to integrate hybrid satellite and 5G communications into its capabilities as a global systems integrator.
29 Nov 20. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $96m to supply a European country with a Rotary-Wing Mission Training Center (“Rotary-Wing MTC”) and support services to train its Air Force, Army and Navy helicopter pilots and crews. The contract will be performed over a nine-year period, with an option to extend the maintenance services for an additional 10-year period. The Rotary-Wing MTC is a networked multi-platform, mission-oriented, helicopter training center that will provide multi-level training for helicopter pilots and aircrews across the customer’s Armed Forces. The new training center will enable realistic simulated tactical training using all of the helicopter’s systems in a wide variety of mission scenarios. The Rotary-Wing MTC draws on the unique technologies and accumulated operational experience of the Company’s fighter aircraft tactical mission training centers.
02 Dec 20. Rheinmetall’s advanced MK82-EP general purpose aircraft bomb wins orders in France and Germany. Rheinmetall’s advanced MK-82-EP general purpose aircraft bomb has recently scored major successes in France and Germany. France’s procurement authority, the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), has already placed the first serial production orders for the MK82-EP, which are earmarked for the Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighter jets. Furthermore, the German Air Force has selected the Rheinmetall MK82-EP to serve as the warhead of the GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition system, destined for its Tornado and Eurofighter platforms. Together, the orders encompass more than 2,000 MK82-bomb bodies, worth over €35m in total. In October 2020 France’s DGA successfully qualified the new MK82-EP (Enhanced Performance) 500-pound bomb body. This follows a five-year programme of development and extensive testing conducted by RWM Italia SpA, Rheinmetall’s airborne ordnance centre of excellence in Italy, in cooperation with explosives manufacturer EURENCO. Engineered for maximum safety during storage, handling and operations, the state-of-the-art 500-pound MK82-EP warhead is an enhanced, fully interchangeable version of the standard MK82 bomb body, delivering improved effectiveness. The MK82-EP can be deployed in free fall mode or as a precision guided munition in tandem with Paveway, Enhanced Paveway, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) or Armament Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM) kits. Led by DIEHL Defence, the GBU-54 team supplying the German Air Force includes RWM Italia S.p.A., Boeing for the guidance kit, and Junghans Microtec for the fuse. DIEHL has recently been awarded a contract to supply several hundred of these systems during the period 2021 to 2024. Thanks to this successful start in France and Germany, the MK82-EP is seen as a likely choice to arm the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) currently being jointly developed by the two countries, as well as serving as a new baseline for all Mirage 2000, Rafale and Eurofighter users.
25 Nov 20. Saab orders Active Noise Reduction system for Gripen E/F. Saab has placed an order with Finnish defence and security company Insta for an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) system. Saab has placed an order with Finnish defence and security company Insta for an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) system. The system will be installed as part of the pilot equipment for the Gripen E/F fighter jet for existing and future customers. Since 2018, the companies have partnered for the ANR noise system. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
USA
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30 Nov 20. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded an $888,422,571 modification (P00451) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to exercise options (1,001 trailers; 2,679 vehicles; and 6,725 kits) for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019, 2020 and 2021 other procurement (Army); 2021 procurement (Marine Corps); 2020 and 2021 procurement (Air Force); and 2021 procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $888,422,571 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
30 Nov 20. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $31,134,623 modification (P00008) to contract W15QKN-19-C-0017 to procure Excalibur Ib projectiles. Work will be performed in Healdsburg, California; Karlskoga, Sweden; East Camden, Arizona; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Southway, United Kingdom; Cincinnati, Ohio; Glenrothes, Scotland; Salt Lake City, Utah; Joplin, Missouri; Gilbert, Arizona; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Santa Clara, California; Woodridge, Illinois; Trenton, Texas; Valencia, California; Cookstown, New Jersey; Tucson, Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona; Anniston, Alabama; Chino, California; McAlester, Oklahoma; and Farmington, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2023. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $31,134,623 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
01 Dec 20. Raytheon Technologies, McKinney, Texas, (H92408-21-C-0001) was awarded a $235,576,667 C-Type, multi-year procurement contract for the production and delivery of the Silent Knight Radar in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) requirements. Fiscal 2020 procurement funds in the amount of $8,181,918; and fiscal 2021 procurement funds in the amount of $61,181,024 are being obligated at time of award. The work will be performed in McKinney and Forest, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by July 2025. This is a sole-source award in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity.
SEA
03 Dec 20. General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. – San Diego, San Diego, California, is awarded a $100,040,336 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the USS Comstock (LSD 45) fiscal 2021 docking selected restricted availability. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the USS Comstock (LSD 45). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $128,231,287. This is a Chief of Naval Operations scheduled docking selected restricted availability. This is also a “long-term” availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel’s homeport. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by November 2022. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) ($92,686,556; 92.6%); 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) ($7,164,015; 7.2%); and Navy working capital funds ($189,767; 0.2%), will be obligated at the time of award, of which, $7,164,015 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website. Two offers were received in response to Solicitation No. N00024-20-R-4405. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-4405).
01 Dec 20. The United States Navy has selected Kaney, Inc. for the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program to apply advanced power amplifier technologies to the next block upgrade of AN-SSQ/125 sonobuoys. Under this effort, Kaney teams in Rockford, IL and Dayton, OH will develop a low distortion Class D power amplifier using high-efficiency, high-power density, wide-bandgap semiconductors. Microprocessor-based distortion reduction algorithms and specialized output filtering will be used to meet distortion requirements. Amplifier design upgrades are required to support a wide range of input voltages, high-bandwidth, high-power, low-distortion and lower volume than the legacy power amplifier. The AN-SSQ/125 Sonobuoys are used by the U.S. Navy for anti-submarine warfare operations. AN/SSQ-125 is air launchable from fixed or rotary-wing aircraft. It is also easily deployable from the deck of a surface vessel.
03 Dec 20. Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $90,264,588 firm-fixed-price contract for 23 Submarine High Data Rate (SubHDR) antenna systems. The SubHDR antenna system is used to provide submarines with high capacity communications. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $90,264,588 will be obligated at time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida (26%); South Deerfield, Massachusetts (22%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (18%); Fairfield, New Jersey (14%); Woodland Hills, California (7%); Stow, Massachusetts (5%); Torrance, California (4%); and Portsmouth, New Hampshire (4%), and is expected to be completed by January 2024. This sole-source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) – only one responsible source (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-21-C-5002).
AIR
30 Nov 20. L3 Communications Integrated Systems, Waco, Texas, has been awarded an estimated $667,877,734 firm-fixed-price, time-and-material, cost-reimbursement, no-fee and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for C-130H unscheduled depot-level maintenance/programmed depot maintenance in support of all C-130 variants and C-130J mid-cycle paint in support of C-130J variants. Work will be performed in Waco, Texas, and is expected to be completed Nov. 29, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive full and open source selection acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $26,066,766 are being obligated on first task order. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8504-21-D-0001).
30 Nov 20. Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $642,000,000 not-to-exceed, cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target undefinitized contract. This contract provides for the procurement of performance-based logistics activities including maintenance of support equipment, common program activities, unique and common base recurring sustainment, repair of repairables, field service representatives, common replenishment spares, conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant F135 unique maintenance services and short take-off and landing F135 unique services in support of the F-35 Lightning II F135 propulsion system for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (73%); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (18%); Camari, Italy (3%); Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (2%); Edwards AFB, California (1%); Hill AFB, Utah (1%); Luke AFB, Arizona (1%); and Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, South Carolina (1%), and is expected to be completed in November 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $100,999,236; fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $87,738,708; fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,757,554; and fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Air National Guard) funds in the amount of $10,991,000 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 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 (N00019-21-C-0011).
TECHNOLOGY
01 Dec 20. DOD Awards $50m in University Research Equipment Awards. The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced awards to 150 university researchers totaling $50m under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These grants will be provided to 85 institutions across 33 states in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. (Source: US DoD)
01 Dec 20. Abaco Systems today announced that it has secured orders from a major US prime contractor that will see Abaco’s innovative single board computer and avionics solutions deployed as part of a next generation SOSA™ aligned 3U VPX embedded computer system for advanced electronic warfare (EW), SIGINT and ISR applications destined for the military aircraft of the future. Total lifetime value to Abaco of the win is expected to be $10m. At the heart of this advanced embedded system are two Abaco SOSA aligned rugged SBC3511 3U VPX single board computers. These will serve as the backend processor and subsystem mission computer for a complete, integrated 12-slot 3U VPX system. One of the SBC3511s will act as host to the Abaco RAR15X high density MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 XMC front I/O module. System production is anticipated to begin in 3Q21 with deliveries scheduled through the end of 2025. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Dec 20. The U.S. Navy has selected L3Harris Technologies to participate in phase two of a demonstration to identify and evaluate unmanned aerial systems capable of operating in austere deployed environments without additional support systems. L3Harris was one of two teams selected by Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks, in collaboration with IMPAX, to participate in the three-week demonstration later this year in Yuma, Arizona. The demonstration is part of a multi-phased selection process to evaluate state-of-the-art technologies, inform future acquisition strategies and satisfy merit-based competition requirements for potential Other Transaction (OT) awards for prototyping. Awarded OTs have the potential to become part of a future program of record estimated to be worth up to $1bn. L3Harris’ FVR-90 uses patented Hybrid Quadrotor technology that allows it to take off in a confined area with a small crew and transition between horizontal and vertical flight quickly and accurately. The aircraft is different from existing ‘runway independent’ unmanned air systems, requiring no separate launcher or recovery device. It offers increased capability, portability, and smaller operational footprint for military and commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. (Source: UAS VISION)
03 Dec 20. Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, announced Ripl Networks, the leader in IP networking for low power devices, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to deploy an IP mesh, 3D tracking solution for foreign guest and fleet assets at naval ports. Semtech’s LoRa® devices provide the long range, low-bandwidth connectivity for Ripl’s IP over low power devices messaging system called MLMesh™. Ripl’s software enables Tiny Edge computing where low cost, machine learning emitters can live inside the Enterprise IP network. The combined technology enables low power devices to talk Internet Protocol (IP) at long distances while accurately tracking 3D locations without GPS or cellular towers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD
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01 Dec 20. The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of U.S. Security Assistance Office (SAO) support services to include technical assistance and advisory support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) for an additional five years, through the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia (USMTM) located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $350m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested U.S. Security Assistance Office (SAO) support services to include technical assistance and advisory support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) for an additional five years, through the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia (USMTM) located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. SAO support services provided includes: Pay and allowances for U.S. Military, U.S. Government, and Foreign National staff members; USMTM communications support costs; local contracting costs; construction and renovation costs of housing area; transportation costs; U.S. Mail services support costs; dependent education (grades K through 12); administrative costs; temporary duty costs for USMTM personnel; Value Added Taxes (VAT) assessed by Saudi Arabia; future transition costs to move USMTM to a proposed new housing location in Saudi Arabia; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $350m. Implementation of this proposed sale will continue to require the permanent assignment of approximately 330 U.S. Military, U.S. Government, and Foreign National USMTM staff members to Saudi Arabia. Additional Training Advisory Field Teams (TAFT) and Support teams will travel to the country on a temporary basis as required. (Source: glstrade.com)
01 Dec 20. The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Lebanon of up to three hundred (300) M1152 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $55.5m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Lebanon has requested to buy up to three hundred (300) M1152 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) (2 purchases of one hundred fifty (150) each). Also included are spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $55.5m. The principal contractor will be American General, South Bend, Indiana. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
30 Nov 20. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $23,037,824 modification (P00051) to contract W56HZV-20-C-0050 to exercise options to procure vehicles and kits for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles for Brazil, Lithuania and Macedonia. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $23,037,824 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
SEA
01 Dec 20. The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of two (2) MK 15 MOD 25 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 (IB2) systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $39m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Republic of Korea has requested to buy two (2) MK 15 MOD 25 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 (IB2) systems; and four thousand (4,000) rounds, 20MM cartridge API linked. Also included are spare parts; other support equipment; ammunition; books and other publications; software; training; engineering technical assistance and other technical assistance; and other related elements of program and logistical support. The estimated total cost is $39m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Pacific region. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile and Defense, Louisville, KY. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
01 Dec 20. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Brazil of MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $70m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Brazil has requested to buy twenty-two (22) MK 54 conversion kits – to convert MK 46 Mod 5 A(S) torpedoes to MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes. Also included are torpedo containers, Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers, Fleet Exercise Section (FES) and fuel tanks, air launch accessories for rotary wing, torpedo spare parts, propellant, lanyard start assembly suspensions bands, thermal batteries, training, publications, support and test equipment. U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated value is $70m. The Government of Brazil intends to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its Sikorsky S-70B “Seahawk” aircraft and surface ships. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defense System, Portsmouth, RI. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
03 Dec 20. Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price have announced the selection of Raytheon Australia as a new capability life cycle manager for the Royal Australian Navy’s Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels (OPV). Raytheon Australia has been selected to initially help support the transition into service for the OPVs, while setting the foundations for through-life asset management, the first two Arafura Class vessels are currently under construction at Osborne in South Australia, while the remaining 10 vessels will be built at Henderson in Western Australia. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said this was a significant step in the development of a dynamic local industry model to manage Navy’s continuous shipbuilding program. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
02 Dec 20. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Mali has placed a firm order for an additional Airbus C295 airlifter in the transport configuration. This second aircraft, to be delivered in 2021, will supplement the first C295 already in operation since December 2016 which has already accumulated 1,770 flight hours and transported more than 38,000 passengers and 900 tonnes of cargo in less than four years of operations. This new order also includes an integrated logistics support package with spare parts for the two aircraft and training for flight crews and mechanics.
01 Dec 20. The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Canada of C-17 Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $275m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Canada has requested to buy C-17 sustainment support to include aircraft hardware and software modification and support; software delivery and support; ground handling equipment; component, parts and accessories; GPS receivers; alternative mission equipment; publications and technical documentation; contractor logistics support and Globemaster III Sustainment Program (G3) participation; other U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and related elements of program and logistical support. The total estimated program cost is $275m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military capability of Canada, a NATO ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress, and a contributor to military, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world. The proposed sale will improve Canada’s capability to meet current and future threats by sustaining their strategic air lift capability, which allows Canada to maintain sovereignty and homeland defense, increase interoperability with the United States and other partners, and deter potential adversaries. Canada already operates the C-17 and will have no difficulty absorbing the additional sustainment or upgrades into its armed forces. The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
02 Dec 20. Cobham Mission Systems, the world leader in air refuelling probe solutions, announced today it has been awarded a prime contract from Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) to deliver an air refuelling probe solution for its FA-50 advanced jet aircraft. Under this contract, Cobham Mission Systems will design, develop and qualify a telescopic probe solution, which the company anticipates will lead to future serial production requirements for KAI’s customer base. Equipping the FA-50 with an air refuelling probe will enable air refuelling from hose and drogue tankers, enhancing the aircrafts operational flexibility and interoperability.
01 Dec 20. Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace announced on 1 December that it has signed an NOK820m (USD92.4m) follow-on contract to provide additional precision-guided Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs) for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF’s) growing fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters. The company pointed out that this is the second follow-on contract for JSMs awarded by Japan. The first one, announced on 12 November 2019, had been valued at NOK450m. A contract to provide “initial deliveries” of the missile, which has been designed to fit in the internal weapons bay of the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A, was announced in March 2019 but the value of that initial deal was not revealed. No details were provided about the number of missiles set to be supplied or the delivery schedule. That said, a Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesperson had told Janes on 9 September that Tokyo is expected to start taking delivery of the JSMs from April 2021. Development of the JSM, which is the only long-range sea- and land-target missile that can be carried internally in the F-35, began in 2008 and was completed in mid-2018 after a series of validation test firings. The missile has a range of about 500 km and can thus be launched from a stand-off distance. (Source: Jane’s)
30 Nov 20. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $1,400,000,000 indefinite-delivery requirements contract under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) for C-130J aircraft sustainment support. The ordering period for this award is 10 years from contract award. Work will mainly be performed in the host nation’s country. Services include program management support, spares, supply support services, support equipment, diminishing manufacturing sources, sustaining engineering services, sustaining engineering/technical services, field services representatives, logistics service representatives, technical order updates, technical order print and distribution, country standard time compliance technical orders and depot maintenance. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and is 100% FMS with no funds being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8553?21?D?0001).