UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
11 Dec 20. Babcock invests in technically advanced shipbuilding facility. Babcock, the Aerospace and Defence company, has awarded a £31.5m contract to Robertson Construction for the development of a new Assembly Hall at its Rosyth site. The construction project will support circa 100 positions locally in Scotland and a further 100 positions nationally throughout the supply chain. At a small Covid-19 safe ceremony marking the beginning of the steel structure construction, Babcock also announced that it has placed an order for PEMA welding and production panel lines to support the automation of shipbuilding. This is part of a £55m investment programme currently underway on the site, on top of a further £100m that has been invested over the last decade, ensuring Rosyth’s shipbuilding capability and capacity can be optimised to support further opportunities, with state of the art engineering infrastructure and digital innovation at its heart. The Assembly Hall will initially be used for the Type 31 general purpose frigate programme and provides a modern, future-ready facility designed to assemble two vessels side by side. Free from weather disruption, the facility will enable productivity gains due to improved access and digital connectivity.
TECHNOLOGY
09 Dec 20. Advanced Material Development is one of the first SMEs to secure funding through the new Weapons Sector Research Framework. Advanced Material Development Ltd (AMD) has secured its first contract under the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF), worth £125,000. Awarded earlier this year, the WSRF is a five-year framework to develop and exploit technology to improve complex, conventional and novel weapons technologies. The framework promises improved access for key partners, SMEs and academia to ground-breaking research funding through its novel enterprise approach. AMD is one of the first SMEs to feel the benefits of the research framework managed by QinetiQ, and their key partners MBDA and Thales. This contract will fund the early development of AMD’s unique proprietary technology in carbon-based inks to improve their ability to shield personnel and assets from future threats. These highly conductive inks also have the potential to offer significant benefits in size, weight and cost reduction across a whole range of systems.
EUROPE
LAND
11 Dec 20. Galvion helmet system chosen as next-generation protection for German Specialised Forces. Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power management solutions, is pleased to announce that a customized Baltskin® Viper helmet solution has been chosen as the next Specialised Forces Helmet (Helm SpezKr schwer; Specialised Forces are Ranger-type units of the German Army). The program was awarded to Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH, who will act as the in-country contracting entity for the Galvion helmet, following a full and open competition. The contract encompasses the delivery of up to 20,000 helmets, with an initial order for 5000 helmet systems and helmet refurbishment plan to be executed in-country by Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics, as well as the option for a 2-year contract extension following contract framework completion in 2025.
09 Dec 20. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and the Dutch procurement agency DMO (Defence Materiel Organisation) have signed a contract for the upgrading of 322 FENNEK vehicles. The MLU (Mid Life Update) order has a volume of over EUR 300m and includes among others the integration of new observation and reconnaissance systems (BAA II NDL) and the integration of the C4I command and control system. The work is to be carried out at KMW in Germany as well as in the Netherlands, at the partner companies Van Halteren Defence and Nedinsco in cooperation with the army’s Material Stock Logistic Command (MatLogCo). Delivery of the upgraded FENNEK systems will begin in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2027. The FENNEK is a binational project between Germany and the Netherlands. There are other variants in addition to the FENNEK recon vehicles, ranging from an engineering vehicle to an anti-tank version and even one for high-mobility anti-aircraft defence. What they all have in common is a high off-road ability thanks to the special drive concept and robust chassis design.
08 Dec 20. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) received an award from the Swiss federal office for defense procurement, Armasuisse, for electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sighting systems in support of the Swiss Armed Forces’ TASYS tactical reconnaissance system. L3Harris will provide approximately 100 WESCAM MX-RSTA systems which will be installed on General Dynamics’ European Land Systems fleet of EAGLE 6×6 vehicles. Deliveries of the WESCAM MX-RSTA systems will be complete by the end of 2024. The TASYS Program is part of the armaments programme 2019. L3Harris was selected as the EO/IR system of choice for the TASYS program in March 2020. WESCAM MX-Series land systems have also been selected by several U.S. and international vehicle companies in support of the Department of Defense and their domestic programs.
08 Dec 20. Kromek (AIM: KMK), a worldwide supplier of detection technology focusing on the medical, security screening and nuclear markets, has this morning announced that it has been awarded two contract extensions by a European government-related company to provide network solutions of its D3S-related technologies to counter nuclear terrorism. The contract extensions are worth a total of £460k and will be delivered in the current financial year. The contract extensions are a further step towards Kromek providing a full wide-area system roll-out for this customer, a company that works with a European government to detect and protect against potential nuclear threats. Kromek’s solutions will be used for inland security wide-area threat monitoring with the purpose of protecting critical infrastructure and public spaces and includes the provision of enhancing network data security. This brings the total awarded by this customer to just over £2.5m over the last two years.
10 Dec 20. Rheinmetall supplying the Bundeswehr with new combat helmet. Rheinmetall and its strategic partner, the North-American helmet maker Galvion, have won an order to supply the German Bundeswehr with an advanced combat helmet. Awarded in November 2020, the framework contract encompasses the delivery of up to 20,000 helmets, specifically the “Combat Helmet, Special Forces, Heavy”. A first call-off of 5,000 helmets came in November 2020. Delivery is being handled by Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics in Stockach, Germany, the Group’s specialist for laser-light modules, a company with strong connections in the soldier systems sector. The framework contract runs until 2025, with the option of a two-year extension. The total potential value of the order is in the lower two-digit million-euro range. The new combat helmets offer improved protection and are more comfortable to wear – especially the level-dependent hearing protection and night vision devices. They therefore significantly boost the combat effectiveness of troops deployed in infantry-type operations. Among other things, the helmets are intended for special operations forces and Ranger-type forces. Their use in the NATO spearhead VJTF 2023 is also being considered. In terms of strategy, this framework contract positions Rheinmetall to compete for other potential major orders in the field of tactical head protection.
09 Dec 20. Saab receives order for an integrated ground based air defence solution for Sweden. Saab today signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and received an order for an integrated sensor and command and control system for use with ground based air defence. The order value is approximately 2.1bn SEK and the contract period is 2020-2025. The order includes a number of Saab’s multifunctional radar Giraffe 4A and upgrades of the Swedish Armed Forces’ existing Giraffe AMB surface radars. Saab will also update existing and deliver additional command and control systems, as well as provide extensive integration of the air defence battalions’ fire units.
07 Dec 20. VINCORION has received an order to supply spare parts for the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle’s weapon aiming and tracking system, which is used by NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), among others. The order has a total value of approximately 5.3m euros. The company plans to deliver the first components before the end of this year. The PUMA, developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Landsysteme (RLS), is one of the world’s most advanced infantry fighting vehicles. The IFV has been supplied to the German Army in its standard configuration since 2015. The mechatronics manufacturer VINCORION is the main supplier of 14 different assemblies for the 170 kW high-performance power system as well as for the digital electrical gun turret drive system.
SEA
08 Dec 20. Saab has signed a contract with the German shipbuilding company Lürssen and received an order to provide and integrate the combat system for the Bulgarian Navy’s new Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels, MMPV. Lürssen is the prime contractor to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence, and will build the two new patrol vessels at the Bulgarian shipyard MTG Dolphin JSC. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered to the end customer between 2025 and 2026. Saab will carry out the work at its premises in Sweden, Denmark, Australia and South Africa.
AIR
09 Dec 20. Airbus primes FCAS Low Observability and leads New Generation Fighter in Spain. Spanish industry has signed the initial framework contract of the Future Combat Air System’s (FCAS) demonstrator phase, confirming Airbus as the lead in Spain for the New Generation Fighter (NGF) and prime contractor in the Low Observability domain of the European defence programme. This contract, signed with French and German industry partners, completes Spain’s onboarding as an equal nation across all FCAS activities. The signature closes a ten month process of onboarding Spain as the third nation. Airbus, which has been dedicated over the last year to support this integration of Spain, welcomes this step and takes on a primary role at the heart of Spain’s participation in FCAS, working directly with European partners and wider industry in support of Spain’s contribution to the programme. The contract covers initial work on developing the programme demonstrators and maturing cutting-edge technologies, with the ambition to begin the NGF demo flight tests in the second half of 2026.
09 Dec 20. Rheinmetall has won an order from the German Bundeswehr to inspect, maintain and repair Sikorsky CH-53G transport helicopters. Starting in March 2021, the Düsseldorf-based Group will be operating two maintenance and repair bays belonging to the German Air Force’s 64th Helicopter Squadron at Diepholz in Lower Saxony. Worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range, the contract with Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH runs for five years, with an option for a one-year extension. In Diepholz, the 64th Helicopter Squadron is responsible for larger maintenance operations in a separate remote squadron, with a total of five Bundeswehr-owned maintenance and repair bays for the CH-53G – an aircraft that has been operated in the Bundeswehr since 1972. An integrated high-tech enterprise dedicated to security and mobility, Rheinmetall’s proposal won the tender, so that its subsidiary Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH (RAS) will soon be in charge of maintaining and repairing Bundeswehr helicopters in Diepholz. RAS will draw on organizational and aeronautical regulatory support from its sister company Rheinmetall Technical Publications GmbH, an approved aeronautical company located at Bremen Airport.
USA
LAND
10 Dec 20. BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., Sterling Heights, Michigan, is awarded an $184,444,865 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to previously awarded contract M67854-16-0006 for amphibious combat vehicles (ACV). This modification provides for the procurement of 36 full rate production ACVs and other associated production costs for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania (60%); Aiken, South Carolina (15%); San Jose, California (15%); Sterling Heights, Michigan (5%); and Stafford, Virginia (5%). Work is expected to be completed in November 2022. Fiscal 2021 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $184,444,865 are being obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-16-C-0006).
07 Dec 20. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today that its Mission-Critical Technologies group, which is part of Comtech’s Government Solutions segment, through its Maryland-based subsidiary, Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation, was awarded $2.1m of additional funding for Option Year 3 of contract GS03Q17DSC0002, of which $1.0m was awarded in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The overall funded value of the contract, inclusive of the Base period and Option Years 1 through 3, is approximately $29.3m. These contract modifications are part of the five-year BFT-1 sustainment support contract for the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Mission Command (“PM MC”) Blue Force Tracking (“BFT-1”) program. Comtech continues to perform engineering services, satellite network operations and program management through a Firm Fixed Price (“FFP”) contract with Time & Materials (“T&M”) and Cost Reimbursement elements. Option Year 3’s performance period began April 15, 2020 and ends April 14, 2021, and the contract provides for one additional twelve-month option period, exercisable by GSA. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Dec 20. Comtech EF Data Corp., which is part of Comtech’s Commercial Solutions segment, received $1.0m in delivery orders in support of a previously awarded $58.8m indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (“IDIQ”) contract from the U.S. Naval Information Warfare Systems Command. Funded orders received to-date under this IDIQ contract now total $30.7m. (Source: Satnews)
08 Dec 20. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced that its recently acquired business, PacStar®, a leading developer and supplier of advanced communications solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), has been awarded a $25m contract to upgrade a portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Data Network (CDN). By delivering a ruggedized, small form factor solution, PacStar will enable the U.S. Marine Corps to extend the benefits of advanced network communications to tactical environments. The CDN provides the commander with an integrated tactical data network, and consists of an assortment of networking equipment integrated into tactical transit cases. PacStar’s small form factor communications modules – including routing, switching, advanced network services and more – are designed to maximize capabilities and configuration flexibility, with the best size, weight and power (SWaP) available. PacStar’s rugged, lightweight modules make it easier for the warfighter to communicate securely in austere environments, in a variety of applications, and in any unit structure. By upgrading end-of-life legacy 19-inch rack-mounted routers, switches, and servers to PacStar small form factor modules, the Marine Corps can reduce SWaP, improving mobility and speed of deployment while improving transmission rates and data access. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Dec 20. The US Army has placed an order with L3Harris Technologies for Falcon IV AN/PRC-163 two-channel handheld radios, as well as associated equipment and services. The $57m order was placed under the two-channel leader radio infinite-delivery, infinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The AN/PRC-163 serves as a key component of the US Army’s Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) enabling troops to share information across the chain of command. The device is capable of communicating over multiple channels and crossband between them. According to L3Harris, it is also capable of satellite communications, mobile ad-hoc networking (MANET) waveforms and the army’s SINCGARS waveform. The radio system can be integrated with soldier systems such as the US Army’s Nett Warrior and Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) programmes. (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Dec 20. L3 Technologies Inc., Londonderry, New Hampshire, was awarded a $13,148,618 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of binocular night vision devices and accessories. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Londonderry, New Hampshire, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 8, 2021. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of $13,148,618 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-21-C-5004).
02 Dec 20. NAWCAD AIRWorks selects L3Harris for UAS demonstration Phase II. The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks has chosen L3Harris Technologies for the second phase of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) demonstration. Phase II involves identifying and assessing UASs that can be fielded in harsh environments without the need for any extra support systems. The selection was made in partnership with IMPAX, and L3Harris is one of two teams that will take part in the demonstration in Yuma, Arizona, for three weeks. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Dec 20. Raytheon Technologies, McKinney, Texas (H92408-21-D-0001), was awarded a $99,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, time and materials, cost reimbursement, no-fee contract for the procurement of Next-Generation Special Mission Processors (NextGen SMP) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) requirements. NextGen SMP enable Special Operations Forces tactical mission systems to integrate with AC/MC-130J aircraft controls and provide future software capabilities. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,692,070; and procurement funds in the amount of $8,245,404 are being obligated at time of award. The work is expected to be completed by December 2027. This action is a follow-on production contract in accordance with 10 U.S. Code § 2371b (f) authorized or required by statue. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity.
07 Dec 20. The U.S. Army has awarded SRC, Inc., an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a total value of $426m over five years, to develop and deliver counter-sUAS technology. SRC’s radar, electronic warfare and camera technology delivered under this contract will support the Army’s Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) counter-sUAS solution. SRC’s AN/TPQ-50 air surveillance radar, counter-sUAS EW system and electro-optic/infrared camera are primary components of FS-LIDS. These systems provide accurate detection of low flying and small moving UAS targets, identify and classify those targets, and provide low-cost precision electronic defeat capabilities. SRC’s counter-sUAS technology was previously selected by the Army, as part of FS-LIDS and the Air Force, as part of the Medusa program. This IDIQ contract extends that work and will provide avenues for future development of new, advanced counter-UAS capabilities. (Source: UAS VISION)
SEA
04 Dec 20. DRS Laurel Technologies Inc., Johnstown, Pennsylvania (N63394-21-D-0001); and VT Milcom Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N63394-20-D-0002), are each awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract to sustain the Technical Insertion 2016 equipment. The maximum dollar value for both contracts combined is $211,588,719. DRS Laurel Technologies Inc. is awarded a maximum value contract of $211,588,719. VT Milcom Inc. is awarded a maximum value contract of $188,428,823. This contract will provide for the manufacture, assembly, and testing of Technical Insertion 2016 equipment spares; associated engineering services, procurement, and harvesting; and installation of ordinance alteration kits and related products. Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Virginia (10%); Norfolk, Virginia (10%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (10%); Port Hueneme, California (10%); San Diego, California (10%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (10%); Wallops Island, Virginia (10%); Everett, Washington (5%); Honolulu, Hawaii (5%); Kauai, Hawaii (5%); Mayport, Florida (5%); Moorestown, New Jersey (5%); and Yokosuka, Japan (5%), and is expected to be completed by December 2025. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,000 ($5,000 per contract) will be obligated at time of award to satisfy the minimum guarantee and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via beta.sam.gov with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity.
10 Dec 20. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $91,296,293 modification to a previously awarded Navy multiband terminals (NMT) firm-fixed-price contract to increase the ceiling and extend the engineering support services contract line item numbers to address obsolescence issues and other in-scope engineering service efforts over a three-year period. NMT is a multiband capable satellite communications terminal that provides protected and wideband communications. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida (54%); South Deerfield, Massachusetts (25%); Stow, Massachusetts (13%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (8%), and is expected to be completed by December 2023. No funds were obligated at the issuance of this contract modification. This sole-source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-16-C-0050).
AIR
09 Dec 20. AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs and OEMs, was awarded a $148,357,084 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity follow-on contract with Naval Air Systems Command. This expanded contract provides contractor logistics support required for operating and maintaining the C-40A aircraft, aircraft subsystems, appliances and support equipment, including depot-level, main operating base and supply support. This award also introduces additional requirements including new operating sites, commercial line maintenance, and scheduled engine overhauls. Heavy maintenance work on the C-40A aircraft will be performed at AAR’s MRO facility at the Oklahoma City airport, with line maintenance support conducted at two Naval Air Stations within the United States and logistics support at six Naval Air Stations. AAR will also use its landing gear repair facility in Miami and component repair shop in New York to support the Navy fleet.
07 Dec 20. The U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) awarded Altamira Technologies a prototype project contract valued at $8.5m for the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) Mission Data Processing Applications Provider (MDPAP). The FORGE program office, located within the Cross-Mission Ground and Communications Enterprise, is leading modernization for the nation’s missile warning ground systems for both next-generation and legacy programs. The contract was awarded by the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) using an agile program management methodology to rapidly develop a prototype that can be transitioned directly into operational use. Altamira received one of three awards to develop a prototype of the mission data processing capabilities that will be a key element of a new ground control system supporting the current Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and next generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning satellite constellation. Following the prototype phase, one team will be selected as the future system’s mission data processing provider. The prototype project award has a one-year period of performance, which will be followed by a proposal phase and the down-select for the operational system. Altamira is teamed with Lockheed Martin, Stratagem, Toyon, CACI and Spire Digital on this effort. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Dec 20. BAE Systems has received a $60m contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture and deliver additional advanced missile seekers for the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), BAE Systems announced in a Dec. 8 release. The seeker comprises long-range sensors and targeting technology that help the stealthy missile find and engage protected maritime targets in challenging electromagnetic environments. LRASM combines extended range with increased survivability and lethality to deliver long-range precision strike capabilities. LRASM is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships by employing advanced technologies that reduce dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, network links, and GPS navigation in contested environments. This LRASM seeker contract continues the transition of the program from Accelerated Acquisition to Low-Rate Production. BAE Systems has delivered more than 50 systems to date that have demonstrated excellent technical performance over multiple test events. The company also is working to make the seeker system smaller, more capable, and more efficient to produce. The LRASM is being Deployed on Air Force B-1B bombers and Navy F/A-18E/F strike fighters. BAE Systems’ LRASM seeker technology builds on the company’s decades of experience designing and producing state-of-the-art electronic warfare technology, and its expertise in small form factor design, signal processing, target detection, and identification. Work on the LRASM sensor will be conducted at BAE Systems’ facilities in Wayne, New Jersey; Greenlawn, New York; and Nashua, New Hampshire. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Seapower)
09 Dec 20. Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded a $170,438,450 modification (P00035) against previously awarded, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00019-17-C-0015. This modification adds scope for the production and delivery of one CMV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Navy and exercises options for V-22 Common Configuration Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) Lot 4 requirements. Additionally, this modification provides for planned maintenance interval inspections, repairs, shipping and storage containers and tooling in support of the V-22 CC-RAM program. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (91%); and Fort Worth, Texas (9%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $93,510,201; and fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $766,800 will be obligated at the time of award, of which $766,800 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
10 Dec 20. BlueHalo, along with its recent acquisition of ATA, has received five contract awards from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate for the development of next generation Space Domain solutions. Four of those contracts were awarded under the AFRL’s rapid acquisition capability called Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) and one was a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award. The five cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts total over $130m with an available ceiling of over $400m. In August, the company was awarded the Heterogeneous Optical W/V-band Demonstration (HOWD) contract, which will provide a communication system with two-way time transfer operating within W/V-bands and incorporating Free Space Optical links. The company’s second STAR award came in September and was for the Surveillance, Intelligence, and Reconnaissance Enhanced Network (SIREN) contract offering autonomous, multi-modal, space-based sensing capabilities for persistent tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. In October, they received an additional STAR award in the form of the Space Logistics Assembly Disassembly Experiment with Swarms (SLADES) contract as well as a Phase III SBIR award for the Launch Assessment Threat Indicators and Notifications (LATIN) contract, which will increase the capabilities of space situational awareness, battle management command and control and defensive counter space. BlueHalo’s most recent contract award, announced in early December, is for the Survivability, Attribution, and Self-Sensing Integrated Experiment (SASSIE) contract, which will provide for onboard spacecraft self-sensing, attribution, and autonomous operations capabilities for tactical and strategic missions. Work will be performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed in 2026. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Dec 20. Cobham Mission Systems, the U.S.-based world leader in providing military oxygen life support systems for tactical aircraft, announced today it has been awarded a new contract from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for its GGU-12 oxygen concentrator and CRU-99 oxygen monitor to equip the new production deliveries for the F/A-18 aircraft. Cobham Mission Systems GGU-12 oxygen concentrator and CRU-99 oxygen monitor are part of the company’s extensive family of recognized industry-leading aviation life support components. Since the 1970s, the company has played a key role as an early innovator working closely with the world’s aerospace leaders, creating new aircraft component technologies and solutions to keep pilots safe, healthy and at optimal performance to ensure success for their most critical missions. Today, Cobham Mission Systems is continuing its leadership role in maintaining ongoing advancements in life support products and collaborating with partners and manufacturers to ensure customer success. The company’s proven reliability and market leadership have resulted in Cobham Mission Systems providing components on four of the world’s newest military aircraft. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Dec 20. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider and industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, announced today that Kratos has received a $37,771,577 award from the AFLCMC/WA Advanced Aircraft Program Executive Office for the Skyborg Delivery Order (DO) 2 contract to integrate, test, and deliver XQ-58A Valkyrie aircraft. The contract includes three phases of design, integration, and flight testing of the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie system, integrating multiple customer-defined mission payloads and customer-defined autonomy in coordination/cooperation with the Skyborg System Design Agent company, Leidos. Kratos currently works in partnership with Leidos’ Dynetics on the Gremlins Program. (Source: ASD Network)
09 Dec 20. Sikorksy Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $507,036,949 modification (P00163) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for UH-60M HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $507,036,949 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
08 Dec 20. Virginia-based SPARC Research has secured a contract from the US Office of Naval Research for work on the Missile Integration Science and Technology – Ramjet (MISTR) programme. The initial phase of the contract will include ‘significant follow-on potential’, lasting for a one-year period. Despite being considered as a promising high-speed ramjet propulsion system with several tactical advantages, the Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ), which has been in development for years, is yet to be implemented in an operational weapon system. The MISTR programme of the US Navy has been designed to analyse the barriers to adoption of SFRJ, as well as to develop a ‘structured science and technology programme’ aimed at boosting readiness. The aim of the programme is to enable SFRJ to become a feasible option for advanced combat capability. SPARC noted that the MISTR programme would benefit from a huge database of prior SFRJ research activities. (Source: naval-technology.com)
02 Dec 20. Textron Systems Awarded Contract To Build 36 New SHADOW Aircraft For The US Army. Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the sale of 36 Shadow aircraft in the latest Block III configuration to the U.S. Army. The total contract award value of $66m includes ongoing engineering services to continue fielding and supporting the new Block III system configuration. The Shadow Block III system builds on the proven success of previous configurations. The upgraded system incorporates design improvements, allowing for increased availability to operate in adverse weather conditions, the latest high-definition day-and-night video payload, increased engine power and reliability with a reduced acoustic signature, enhanced manned-unmanned teaming with the Army’s Apache assets and an advanced communications relay. The Shadow Block III system is ready and able to provide aerial support to our customers, even in the most challenging of environments. With 1.2 million flight hours and counting, the Shadow system’s proven track record provides a solid foundation for continued development and use around the world.
TECHNOLOGY
08 Dec 20. NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has awarded prize funding of $100,000 each to six entrepreneurial startup companies under its pilot Entrepreneur’s Challenge program for concepts ranging from machine learning to enable exploration and other technologies to new ways to build instruments to study the universe.
NASA partnered with Starburst, the global aerospace hub, to jointly launch a pilot program to engage entrepreneurs. The following companies were selected as winners of the Entrepreneur’s Challenge:
- Cognitive Space, Houston
- Evermore Intelligence, Philadelphia
- MOBILion, Chadds Fords, Pennsylvania
- Trace Matters Scientific, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Guardion Technologies, Burlington, Massachusetts
- Cold Quanta, Boulder, Colorado (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Dec 20. Octo announced that its Mentor-Protégé Joint Venture with Metric5, Octo Metric, has been awarded the U.S. Air Force Kessel Run Enterprise Services (KRES) Cloud Services contract to support the KRES Cloud Services team for 2 ½ years. Under the $15m contract, Octo provides software engineering, cloud architecture, site reliability engineering, infrastructure as code, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, test automation, alerting/monitoring strategies, and information security engineering. KRES serves as the technical Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) backbone of the Kessel Run organization, enabling product teams to develop applications that support the warfighter. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
08 Dec 20. Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) – Field Information Communications System (FICS). The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of a Field Information Communications System (FICS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $280m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. TECRO has requested to buy a Field Information Communications System (FICS), consisting of:
— one hundred fifty-four (154) Communications Nodes (CN) with S-788 Type III shelter;
— twenty-four (24) Communication Relays with S-788 Type III shelter;
— eight (8) Network Management Systems (NMS) with S-788 Type III shelter;
— Basic Issue Items (BII); program management support;
— verification testing;
— system technical support;
— transportation;
— spare and repair parts;
— communication support equipment;
— communication equipment integration;
— tools and test equipment;
— personnel training and training equipment;
— initial repair and return program;
— Additional Authorized List (AAL);
— technical manuals;
— Quality Assurance Team (QAT);
— U.S. Government and contractor engineering;
— technical and logistics support services;
— contractor-provided training;
— Field Service Representatives (FSR); and
— other related elements of logistics and program support.
The total estimated program cost is $280m. This proposed sale is consistent with U.S. law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8. The principal contractor is currently unknown due to a pending open competition for selection. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s). (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Defense Security Cooperation Agency)
05 Dec 20. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS to Australia. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation (DSCA) has notified the Congress that the Government of Australia has requested to buy M825A1 155mm White Phosphorous projectile munitions, M782 Multi-Option Fuze for Artillery, M762A1 electronic-timed fuzes, M231, and M232A2 propelling charges, percussion primers, technical publications and books, technical data for operational maintenance, technical assistance and services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $132.2m. The principal contractor will be determined at a later date. The material could potentially be sourced from a combination of DoD stocks and new procurement. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
SEA
03 Dec 20. Serco successfully secures HMAS Watson training services rebid. Serco has been awarded a contract to continue providing high-quality simulator-based maritime warfare training and training support services on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy at HMAS Watson, Sydney. Through the operation and maintenance of the Navy’s Bridge Simulators, Serco has been training young Maritime Warfare Officers in ship operations, bridge operations and navigation in a simulated war fighting environment since 2012. Serco has also been providing maintenance and engineering design services to the Training Authority Maritime Warfare at Watson since 2003. The new two-and-a-half-year contract, won by Serco after a competitive tender process, also has three, one-year extension options, which if exercised will take the contract through until 2026. The value of the contract is $48.2m. (Source: Defence Connect)
08 Dec 20. SMART SHOOTER, a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative Fire Control Systems, was awarded a contract by the Indian Ministry of Defence for the supply of its SMASH Fire Control Systems to the Indian Navy. The contract calls for the supply of Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000 Plus fire control systems, which will be installed mainly on AK-47/103 rifles. Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000 Plus fully complies with the Indian needs and shall significantly improve soldiers’ accuracy and speed of hitting targets and shooting down threats, hence dramatically increasing each soldier’s confidence in any combat scenario and maximizing operational effectiveness.
09 Dec 20. Thales UK has been selected to supply its advanced sonar technology for Australia’s Attack-class diesel-electric submarine development programme, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds announced in a 3 December statement. According to Minister Reynolds, Thales UK is contracted by Lockheed Martin Australia – which is the programme’s combat system integrator – for the design of the outboard flank sonar array and partnering arrangements with Australian industry. The outboard flank array is a large sonar aperture fixed to either side of the submarine to provide long-range passive detection, classification, and localisation and will constitute a key part of the Attack-class sonar suite. The “thin flank” technology offered by Thales UK was originally introduced as a cost-efficient technology insertion for the Sonar 2076 sonar system integrated to the Royal Navy’s fourth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine and the remaining three boats being built. According to the Australian Department of Defence (DoD), Thales has committed to establishing domestic industrial capability needed to support the programme and will support and promote local industry capability. The company is expected to receive further contracts for system manufacture from 2023, once it completes the design phase. (Source: ADR)
AIR
09 Dec 20. Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) has signed a training support services contract with the Government of Australia for the global F-35A programme. This contract is said to support the Australian industry and jobs. So far, the Australian Government has signed contracts worth A$2.7bn with over 50 Australian companies, via the global F-35 programme. (Source: airforce-technology.com)