UNITED KINGDOM
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12 Jan 21. Filtronic, which designs and makes of products for the communications, wireless telecom and aerospace & defence markets, has secured a contract with a major UK defence customer. The deal is for the supply of battlefield radio communications hardware, valued at over £1m. The Shipley-based firm will design and supply field units over a 12-month period, with final product delivery expected to begin in the second half of CY2021. It will enable Filtronic to demonstrate its ability to provide turnkey Radio Frequency (RF) communication solutions for critical defence programmes. (Source: Google/https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news)
13 Jan 21. GaardTech awarded British Army contract. The Australian-owned defence firm has been tapped to supply the British Army with live-fire training systems. GaardTech has secured a contract with the British Army for supply of 32 3D Robotic Enemy Vehicles. The training systems, set to be built in GaardTech’s Brisbane facility, are expected to be used in live-fire training exercises against large doctrinally correct enemy formations. The British Army is expected to use the targets to test the capability of its Apache Longbow, Challenger 2 MBT, AJAX IFV, 155mm Artillery, and other RAF assets and ISTAR Drones. (Source: Defence Connect)
SEA
11 Jan 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that its subsidiary, Elbit Systems UK Ltd. (“Elbit Systems UK”), was awarded a contract valued at approximately $166m (approximately £123m) from the UK Ministry of Defence (“UK MOD”) for the Royal Navy Future Naval Training Program (“the Program”) as part of the Fisher consortium led by Capita plc. (“the Consortium”). The contract will be performed over a 12-year period. The Program calls for the transformation and modernisation of the shore-based training of the Royal Navy including the establishment of the Future Submarine School. As the provider and integrator of training solutions for the Consortium, Elbit Systems UK will develop and deliver a new Combat Systems Operator Trainer in the Future Submarine School and modernise and manage legacy synthetic training systems across the Royal Navy. Elbit Systems UK will provide new training technologies that will improve Defence Operational Training Capability (Maritime) (DOTC(M)), while facilitating availability and efficiency of legacy capabilities.
AIR
14 Jan 21. £76m contract boosts F-35 Lightning fleet support. A £76m aircraft support contract, supporting more than 170 jobs, will maximise the availability and capability of the UK’s F-35 Lightning stealth jets, ensuring they are ready for combat operations across the globe. Signed by Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office, the Lightning Air system National Capability Enterprise (LANCE) contract will provide additional expertise on aircraft maintenance, bespoke UK training courses for pilots, groundcrew and engineers, and logistical and technical support for the fleet. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
TECHNOLOGY
11 Jan 21. £3m to fund new wave of Artificial Intelligence for the military. Innovation research announced for DASA Intelligent Ship Phase 2 competition. The companies awarded funding for Phase 2 are:
- CGI IT UK Ltd
- Decision Lab
- DIEM Analytics
- Frazer Nash Consultancy
- Montvieux Ltd
- Nottingham Trent University
- Rolls Royce
- SeeByte Ltd
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
11 Jan 21. Frazer-Nash exploring AI-enabled survivability within Intelligent Ship Phase 2. Following on from its successful input into the Defence and Security Accelerator’s (DASA’s) Intelligent Ship Phase 1 programme, Frazer-Nash Consultancy has been awarded a place on Phase 2 of the programme. Phase 2 will see continued development of the IBIS (Internal Battle Intelligence Software) damage control decision aid, and experimentation with the tool in a highly collaborative, simulated environment. IBIS uses artificial intelligence to process data from multiple information sources and reduces the ‘information overload’ faced by decision-makers during damage control and firefighting, helping to optimise the ship’s resilience and recoverability strategies. In Phase 2, Frazer-Nash will further explore the application of novel reinforcement learning techniques, while collaborating with the Intelligent Ship’s other ‘agents for decision-making’ (ADeMs) to further understand how a network of AI-enabled decision-making agents would work alongside humans at sea.
13 Jan 21. Kromek receives Innovate UK funding to advance Biological-Threat Detection solution. Kromek (AIM: KMK), a worldwide supplier of detection technology focusing on the medical, security screening and nuclear markets, announces that it has commenced a £1.25m programme funded by Innovate UK to customise its biological threat-detection solution for the automated detection of all airborne viruses, including COVID-19, to support end-use cases. The Group’s solution is designed to be deployed in high footfall locations, such as airports, hospitals, retail outlets and entertainment venues. The base technology, which is fully developed, samples the air in-situ to detect and analyse airborne pathogens using DNA sequencing. In response to the pandemic, the initial focus is on productising the technology to develop a system that will rapidly test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It will run automatically and the results will not require analysis by trained individuals or specialist laboratories. By detecting the virus in the air in real time, rather than solely relying on the testing of individuals or development of symptoms in individuals, the system will enable earlier identification of potential infection exposure to help reduce transmission. It will also support facilities management such as by enabling site operators to know what level of ventilation is required from the HVAC system or when decontamination is necessary. In addition, the system will have the capability to test for a wide spectrum of viruses, including mutations of SARS-CoV-2. This will support the development of a bio-resilience solution against the spread of new strains of COVID-19 or other novel viruses that could result in future pandemics.
EUROPE
LAND
14 Jan 21. BAE Systems Receives $500m Contract to Provide New Turret for Netherlands’ CV90s. BAE Systems has signed an extensive mid-life upgrade contract worth more than $500m with the Dutch Defence Materiel Organization (DMO) for the Royal Netherlands Army’s fleet of 122 CV90s, with an option for an additional 19 vehicles. The upgrade program with a new turret will vastly improve the vehicle’s capabilities while providing crews with improved protection and ergonomics for increased combat efficiency. The new CV90 turret, developed by BAE Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, represents a leap forward in design and functionality. The main weapon position is changed to provide even better vehicle balance and enable new ways to introduce a variety of weaponry for increased lethality. It also offers significant ergonomic improvements to benefit the vehicle’s crew. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Jan 21. Slovakia to buy 17 Israel Aerospace-manufactured radar systems for €150m. The Slovak Ministry of Defence has received approval to procure 17 radar systems manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Slovak Ministry of Defence has received approval to procure 17 radar systems manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The radar systems are being acquired under the agreement led by the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) in Israel’s Ministry of Defence. According to IAI, the agreement also includes technology and knowledge transfer. IAI and Israel’s Ministry of Defense will provide guidance to produce the radar components. It will be manufactured in cooperation with Slovakia defence industries. The company noted that the radar systems will be ‘interoperable with Nato defence mechanisms’. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
16 Jan 21. Iveco Defence Vehicles supplies 3rd generation of protected military GTF-8×8 (ZLK 15t) trucks to the Bundeswehr. On January 2021 the German Bundeswehr – represented by BAAINBw (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support) – has awarded Iveco Defence Vehicles a frame contract for the supply of up to 1.048 military Trakker trucks to be delivered in 2021 – 2028. The project will start with an initial fixed batch of 224 units of 8×8 vehicles from the Iveco Defence militarized Trakker range, which will be supplied in five different configurations prepared for 20” – ISO-container-transport, some with hydraulic cranes and winch systems, and represents another new milestone and consequent next step in the GTF-family of the German Army. All vehicles fulfil the most modern EURO-6-emission-level (still ready for single-fuel-operation) and will be supplied with a protected cab which currently offers among the best-in-class levels of ballistic, mine, NBC- and IED protection. These cabs also provide the users with a high level of crew comfort and are designed to accommodate a variety of modern military communication and command systems. Over the last years, Iveco Defence Vehicles has delivered around 2.000 vehicles from its wide product range to the German Army, including protected customized versions (e.g. GTF 8×8 batch 1 and 2, TEP-90, STW-8×8, Tipper-8×8, Sideloader-8×8, ISO-container-transport-8×8 and Tractor-6×6), which have already been extensively fielded in operational theatres.
11 Jan 21. Racal Acoustics announce major headset contract with Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO). Racal Acoustics, the UK-based global designer and manufacturer of audio communications and protection systems has today announced a new contract to supply the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), with their RA4000 Magna digital headset system. The 7-year framework contract is worth up to USD $4.7m and includes a full support package comprising of training, consumables and spares, plus an option to supply follow-on orders, as required.
11 Jan 21. Saab Receives Norwegian Order for Carl-Gustaf M4. The Norwegian Armed Forces has signed a framework agreement with Saab for the Carl-Gustaf ® M4. Saab has received an initial order for Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons with deliveries in 2021. The recently signed framework agreement allows the Norwegian customer to place orders for Carl-Gustaf M4, associated equipment and training systems during a 7-year period. The Norwegian Armed Forces has been a user of the Carl-Gustaf M2 system since early 1970’s. Today the M2 and the M3 versions are used within the Norwegian Armed Forces. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
14 Jan 21. Romanian government approves Naval Strike Missile buy. The Romanian government has approved and sent to the parliament a draft bill that will allow the country to buy Naval Strike Missile coastal defense systems through a foreign military sales (FMS) procedure. Developed by Raytheon and Kongsberg, the NSM is a sea-skimming, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile. Last October, the U.S. State Department approved its potential sale after Bucharest requested to purchase two coastal defense systems. The potential contract is estimated at roughly $286m, but its precise value is to be determined when the acquisition procedure begins, according to the ministry. Previous estimates put the procurement’s expected value at €137m, or $166.5m. Under Romanian law, purchases of weapons and military equipment worth more than €100m must be approved by the country’s parliament. The ministry said it aimed to acquire the systems by 2024. (Source: Defense News)
AIR
08 Jan 21. Airbus has signed a contract with Intelsat to build two OneSat satellites operating in multiple frequency bands for Intelsat’s next-generation software-defined network. The contract was signed on 31 December 2020. The satellites will be based on Airbus’ OneSat product line, the latest generation of fully flexible, in orbit reconfigurable, Software Defined Satellites (SDS). OneSat is designed to deliver the optimal balance between performance, flexibility and competitive cost per bit, while maintaining Airbus’ unrivalled product reliability. Airbus will deliver an end-to-end fully integrated solution, including design and manufacture of the satellites. The highly capable ground segment software components, when fully integrated into Intelsat’s next-generation software defined network ecosystem and advanced digital suite will allow dynamic operation of end-to-end satellite resources. The two next generation SD satellites will be delivered in 2023.
06 Jan 21. CAE Awarded Subcontract from LM to Build C-130J Simulators for Binational French/German C-130J Squadron. CAE has been awarded a subcontract from Lockheed Martin to support the design, development and manufacture of a suite of C-130J training devices for the binational French and German C-130J training facility to be located at Evreux-Fauville Air Base in Normandy, France. Under terms of the subcontract, CAE will manufacture a C-130J full-mission simulator capable of reconfiguring between the C-130J-30 airlifter and KC-130J tanker aircraft. CAE will also provide a C-130J fuselage trainer to be used for training loadmasters. The training devices will be delivered in 2023, ahead of the planned opening of the new training facility where French and German aircrews and maintainers will begin training in 2024. As the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin has overall responsibility for delivery of the training devices, the learning management system, courseware and options for five years of training services. (Source: ASD Network)
11 Jan 21. France Signs Agreement to Purchase NGC’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The government of France signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the U.S. government signifying their intent to purchase Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The LOA allows the U.S. Navy to begin contracting activities with Northrop Grumman for production of E-2D airborne command and control aircraft. The signed LOA secures the sale that will include three E-2D aircraft, nonrecurring engineering, spares, repairs and support equipment, training and follow-on support, within the congressional approval funding limit. The anticipated contract award will be in 2022 with aircraft delivery to France in 2028 at the latest. (Source: ASD Network)
13 Jan 21. France’s national defence procurement agency Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) has selected Parrot to supply the country’s armed forces with its ANAFI USA micro-UAS. France’s national defence procurement agency Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) has selected Parrot to supply the country’s armed forces with its ANAFI USA micro-UAS. The small drone will be used by French personnel for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. A selling point is its production including no Chinese-made essential components, with the system entirely developed in France and the US. Parrot will deliver the first of the ANAFI USA systems to the DGA in the coming months following the five-year contract. French Defence Minister Florence Parly said the country would be purchasing 300 of the systems. (Source: army-technology.com)
USA
LAND
13 Jan 21. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced it has received awards from the United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to deliver improved air and ground surveillance capabilities using advanced thermal imaging and drone technology. All awards are potentially worth more than $23m, including for delivery of the next-generation FLIR LVSS™ (Lightweight Vehicle Surveillance System) for CBP’s Mobile Surveillance Capability (MSC) program and delivery of FLIR SkyRaider™ drone tether kits, FLIR StormCaster™-T sensor payloads, and other technology for CBP’s Low Altitude Autonomous Safety and Situational Awareness for Officers (LASO) program. The LASO contract has a base value of $545,000 and was awarded from a competitive General Solicitation under authority of the Department of Homeland Security’s Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot Program. The FLIR LVSS™ provides the most advanced, integrated surveillance available that can track up to 500 objects at once at ranges greater than 10 miles (16 km). LVSS is well suited to missions that call for speed, mobility and flexibility, including protecting remote borders, shorelines, and forward operating bases. A single operator can deploy and operate the system’s 16-foot mast from the cab of a pickup truck in less than 30 seconds. The MSC order is for 19 new FLIR LVSS systems that will be deployed on the southwest and northern U.S. borders. Following delivery, CBP will have a total of 27 LVSS units deployed, fitted with TacFLIR® 380-HD cameras and FLIR R20SS radar. In November, the company delivered a capability upgrade to CBP’s current fleet of R80D SkyRaider UAS, including tether kits and StormCaster-T thermal payloads.
11 Jan 21. General Atomics Awarded Army Contract Modification to Mature Gun Launched Guided Projectiles. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today it has been awarded a contract modification from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) to further the development and maturation of hypersonic projectiles. The projectiles will be launched in high G-force and electromagnetic field environments to verify that the projectiles and the gun-hardened guidance and control electronics within them perform as designed to intercept moving airborne targets during live fire events scheduled through the end of 2021. (Source: ASD Network)
08 Jan 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, is being awarded a $58,905,062 modification (P00006) to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract HR0011-20-C-0038 to exercise the contract line item number 0003 option for development of the integrated OpFires system. This includes risk reduction testing to achieve a system-level critical design maturity. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $18,505,167 will be obligated at the time of award. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas (57%); Huntsville, Alabama (11%); and Elkton, Maryland (32%), with an estimated completion date of January 2022. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
13 Jan 21. Army issues $17m in contracts for TITAN development. Army has issued agreements to Palantir Technologies and Raytheon Technologies in support of the design and software maturation of a new next-generation ground station. The Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) is intended to be a key piece in the sensor-to-shooter chain, connecting sensors from all domains to war fighters and systems in the field to enable beyond-line-of-sight targeting. The system will be capable of downlinking data from multiple domains, processing it with artificial intelligence to create targeting data, and then delivering those solutions directly to the Fires networks, which can then determine the best available shooter to respond with. Palantir and Raytheon will each receive an $8.5m other transaction authority (OTA) agreements for 12 months of work in the project’s first phase. That early stage will include a series of design reviews, software demonstrations and soldier touchpoints as the vendors mature the TITAN software and work on system-level design. The Army will eventually move to a single vendor for complete system prototyping for phase 2. The next stage will cover refinement of prototype capabilities, and the fourth and final phase will prepare a prototype that is ready to integrate future sensors and technology advancements. (Source: Defense News)
SEA
13 Jan 21. Data Link Solutions LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (N00039-21-A-1001); and DRS Laurel Technologies Partnership, Johnstown, Pennsylvania (N00039-21-A-1002), are each awarded $150,000,000 firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) for electronic equipment cabinets. These BPAs cover the production of up to 150 units per contractor along with the associated program management, testing and logistics support to deliver the units. Units will be manufactured in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with an expected completion date of January 2023. The total potential value of these BPAs is $150,000,000 per vendor. The total length of the ordering period is 24 months. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds will be obligated on a delivery order level issued under the BPA at the time of placement of individual delivery calls. These BPAs were negotiated using the procedures defined under Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.5 for individual orders less than $15,000,000. The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.
14 Jan 21. Jacobs (NYSE:J) was awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) for waterfront facilities inspection and assessment services outside the contiguous United States (OCONUS). Jacobs’ scope of services under the five-year contract may include: field investigations, including underwater inspections; engineering analysis of waterfront and ocean facility structural, mechanical and electrical systems; design of facility repairs; environmental studies in support of permit applications to federal, state and local regulatory agencies; design of underwater instrument and cable arrays, associated power and data cable installation and termination; construction and installation scheduling; development of maintenance action plans; and underwater geotechnical and above water surveying. (Source: PR Newswire)#
14 Jan 21. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced that its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., was awarded an $18m contract from Northrop Grumman to manufacture four additional Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) units for the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Teledyne Brown Engineering will manufacture, assemble and test the SSMMs at the company’s main facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This is Teledyne’s second award to build the hardware, which initially began under contract in September 2019. Once the systems are complete, they will be integrated with Launch Control Assemblies and other equipment into the modules. Teledyne Brown Engineering, along with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy, will validate the system using SSMM-specific software and emulators. The SSMM is a modular weapons system, which fires Longbow Hellfire Missiles and complements the Gun Mission Module (GMM), also manufactured by Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville. These modules provide additional capabilities to the Littoral Combat Ships, which are used for defense against swarming Fast Attack Craft/Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FAC/FIAC), counter-piracy, maritime interdiction, and security missions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
12 Jan 21. BAE Systems and Vertex Aerospace have signed a nine-year agreement to enhance availability of the U.S. Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier II fleet. The U.S. Department of the Navy awarded Vertex Aerospace LLC the $123m Contracted Maintenance, Modification, Aircrew, and Related Services (CMMARS) task order in July 2020 to provide aircraft maintenance and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier fleet. (Source: Pen & Sword)
12 Jan 21. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $1,687,359,008 modification (P00166) to contract FA8625-11-C-6600 for Lot Six production of KC-46 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file. The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 12 KC-46 aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed April 30, 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
11 Jan 21. CAE today announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) awarded CAE USA a contract to continue providing comprehensive KC-135 training services. The eight-year contract, awarded as a one-year base contract with seven additional one-year option periods, is valued at a total of more than US$275m. CAE USA became the prime contractor on the USAF KC-135 Training System program in 2010 and has now won the competitive recompete to continue delivering classroom and simulator training for KC-135 pilots and boom operators. CAE USA will also continue to provide updates and upgrades to KC-135 training devices, including KC-135 operational flight trainers and boom operator trainers. In addition, the KC-135 Training System contract now includes training support for the Air National Guard’s Boom Operator Simulator System (BOSS). In total, CAE USA will support the training of more than 4,500 KC-135 crewmembers annually. CAE USA will be supported on the KC-135 Training System program by a team of industry partners, including Delaware Resource Group (DRG), Cardinal Point, FAAC, and CymSTAR. (Source: PR Newswire)
11 Jan 21. A Raytheon Technologies business has placed an order with CPI Aerostructures to produce structural assemblies on an ‘undisclosed’ platform. A Raytheon Technologies business has placed an order with CPI Aerostructures to produce structural assemblies on an ‘undisclosed’ platform. CPI did not disclose financial terms or other details of the order from Raytheon Missiles & Defense. According to CPI, the order is a ‘sole source follow-on order’. The company expects to start delivery of the structural assemblies from this year. CPI Aero manufactures structural assemblies for fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, as well as airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare pod systems for national defence markets. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
12 Jan 21. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced that Kratos’ Turbine Technologies Division (KTT) has been awarded a $12.7m task order under its Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission (ATTAM) ID/IQ contract. The program will be managed by the Turbine Engine Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RQT). The award follows the successful ground testing of an affordable turbojet designed for use in future low-cost cruise missiles and attritable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The design and test of the 200lb thrust-class turbojet engine was completed in under 18 months, demonstrating Kratos’ ability to meet the needs of today’s warfighter. Testing included characterization of the engine from ignition to overspeed conditions, characterization of engine performance including thrust, fuel efficiency and electrical power output, and engine durability. Testing was performed at the recently commissioned Kratos engine-test facility in Indiantown, Florida. The objective of the awarded task order is to complete the engine development for flight testing and to demonstrate the targeted life low-cost engine architecture. Work will be performed by KTT in Florida. (Source: UAS VISION)
14 Jan 21. L3Harris Technologies Inc., Fort Wayne, Indiana, is being awarded a firm-fixed-price prototype award with a total value of $121,634,954 through the Missile Defense Agency’s authority under 10 U.S. Code § 2371b. This prototype award was competitively solicited among awardees of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor Phase IIa effort, which was competitively awarded as a Prototype Other Transaction pursuant to 10 U.S. Code § 2371b. Four proposals were received. Under this award, the performer will provide the Missile Defense Agency’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program with an on-orbit prototype demonstration, culminating with launch and early orbit testing. The work will be performed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of July 14, 2023. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $25,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award. These funds will expire at the end of the 2021 fiscal year. Missile Defense Agency, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity (HQ0857-20-9-0001).
14 Jan 21. Raytheon Missiles & Defense (“Raytheon”) has awarded Magellan Aerospace Corporation (“Magellan”) a contract for the supply of complex missile fin components. These heat-tolerant surface control assemblies will be manufactured at Magellan’s facility in Middletown, Ohio, USA with deliveries in 2020 through 2024. The value of this agreement is approximately $61.4m. Magellan has participated in the Standard Missile program for more than 20 years, supplying dorsal fins for various configurations, including the SM-3 and SM-6. These defensive missiles provide area defense to the U.S. Military against theater ballistic missiles, aircraft and cruise missiles. Magellan Aerospace, Middletown is a Centre of Excellence for high temperature, vacuum brazed honeycomb structures. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Jan 21. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a $325m contract from the U.S. Air Force for continued support of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS). The 2021 contract executes the Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) program for the E-8C Joint STARS fleet with Northrop Grumman as the prime systems integrator for total support and sustainment to the U.S. Air Force. The Joint STARS TSSR program will provide program management, engineering technical support, aircrew and maintenance training, supply chain and spares management, technical data and publications, program depot maintenance and overall customer support. The 116th and 461st Air Control Wings of the Air Force receive all facets of sustainment and support for the E-8C Joint STARS fleet at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia and forward operating locations overseas. The teams working on the program are based in Warner Robins, Georgia, Lake Charles, Louisiana and Melbourne, Florida.
12 Jan 21. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a contract award from Lockheed Martin Corporation to enable new functionality to protect the 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighter. As part of a collaborative arrangement between Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, the three companies will integrate Northrop Grumman’s AN/ASQ-242 Integrated Communications, Navigation and Identification (ICNI) and BAE Systems’ AN/ASQ-239 Electronic Warfare/Countermeasures (EW/CM) system for optimal operational utility. Northrop Grumman’s ICNI system provides F-35 pilots with more than 27 fully-integrated operational functions. Using its industry-leading software-defined radio technology, Northrop Grumman’s design allows the simultaneous operation of multiple critical functions while greatly reducing size, weight and power demands on the advanced F-35 fighter. These functions include Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), automatic acquisition of fly-to points, and various voice and data communications such as the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL). The BAE Systems’ AN/ASQ-239 system is an advanced, proven electronic warfare suite that provides fully integrated radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection to detect and defeat threats and enable the F-35 to reach well-defended targets.
14 Jan 21. Sagetech Avionics received a U.S. Air Force Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract for the initial development phase of components for a type-certifiable detect-and-avoid (DAA) system. The resulting system will enable UAS to safety operate beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) in the National Airspace System (NAS). The contract was awarded to Sagetech Avionics, which will work in partnership with the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site for test flights and data analysis. (Source: UAS VISION)
TECHNOLOGY
14 Jan 21. DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office recently awarded the MRIGlobal Team’s proposal to “Detect It with Gene Editing Technologies” (DIGET). DIGET aims to provide next-generation detection for the DOD by combining gene-editing technology with fieldable diagnostics and biosurveillance. DIGET will apply CRISPR technologies to develop a disposable point of care device for detection of at least 10 targets and a massively multiplexed device for at least 1,000 targets. MRIGlobal received an initial contract award for $12.7M with a total contract value of up to $36.7M over a four-year period of performance. MRIGlobal will lead a world-class team of partners: Mammoth Biosciences, Draper, IDbyDNA, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Toolbox Medical Innovations to develop chemistry and devices. This program is timely and addresses the COVID-19 pandemic which is an application the program intends to address for emerging and novel biothreats. (Source: PR Newswire)
14 Jan 21. NCI Information Systems, Inc. (NCI), a leading provider of advanced information technology solutions and professional services to U.S. federal government agencies, announced today it has won a prime $807m task order in support of the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Digital Infrastructure Technologies (IDT). The one-year base task order, with a maximum period of performance of seven years, was awarded by GSA’s Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM) under the Alliant 2 governmentwide acquisition contract (GWAC). It is the largest award in NCI’s 31‑year history. Under the DIGIT (Digital Innovation for GSA Infrastructure Technologies) task order, NCI will serve as a strategic partner to support GSA’s position as a federal IT leader, drive digital transformation and deliver continuous improvement and business value to its customers. NCI will drive innovation in support of GSA’s IT strategy, completing the agency’s shift to a fully digital experience along with its adoption of advanced, emerging technologies such as intelligent automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning. NCI assembled a team of best-in-class technology partners to leverage forward-leaning technologies and best practices to transform GSA’s IT capabilities and shift offerings to provide a more flexible service delivery model. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Jan 21. Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $17,949,424 modification (P00003) to previously awarded System of Systems Enhanced Small Unit (SESU) contract HR0011-20-C-0008. This modification brings the cumulative face value of the contract from $5,162,120 to $23,111,544. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts (39%); Tucson, Arizona (36%); Woburn, Massachusetts (13%); and Clifton, New Jersey (12%), with an estimated completion date of October 2022. Fiscal 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $2,000,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
11 Jan 21. Shift5, Inc., a transportation data company, announces it has received a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). NAWCAD is headquartered at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland. The NAWCAD CRADA enables joint research and development in cyber resiliency to bring innovation to legacy systems. The CRADA between NAWCAD and Shift5 will focus on leveraging Shift5’s commercial defensive cybersecurity and operational intelligence solution to bring value to current and emerging naval innovations. The work will take place at Shift5 facilities in Arlington, VA. and at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, MD. Through this collaboration, both NAWCAD and Shift5 will deepen their understanding of cyber resiliency for critical legacy systems and how to commercialize and deliver those innovations to the warfighter. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
SEA
13 Jan 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that it was awarded a contract to supply Seagull™ USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles) to the Navy of a country in Asia-Pacific. The contract, that is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems, will be performed over a 17-month period. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will provide Seagull USV systems that are specifically configured to perform Mine Counter Measures (MCM) missions while facilitating the option to add technology modules needed for Anti-Submarine Warfare. The Seagull USVs to be supplied will integrate Side-Scan and Forward-Looking sonars, Mine Identification and Destruction Remotely Operated Vehicles. The USVs also will be equipped with the Company’s autonomous suite, Combat Management System and Satellite Communication capability. The Seagull USVs will enable the customer’s Navy to execute end-to-end MCM operations, handling bottom, moored and drifting sea mines. The Seagull USV offers endurance of four days, sea-keeping missions of up to Sea-State 5 and the flexibility to control several vessels from the same Mission Control System.
AIR
15 Jan 21. Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has revealed the successful contender to replace the Australian Army’s beleaguered Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter capability, beginning in 2025. The Australian Army’s armed reconnaissance capability will be strengthened following the selection of the Boeing Apache Guardian to replace Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) from 2025. The acquisition is broken down into three delivery stages, beginning with projected IOC in 2026 and FOC in 2028, including:
- Up to 24 aircraft would be based at one primary location and another five are intended at a training location. The aircraft fleet may also be co-located in one primary location; however, this is yet to be determined;
- IOC for LAND 4503 is based on a squadron of up to 12 aircraft. This organisation would be capable of generating a deployable troop of four aircraft, continued force generation of four aircraft, and an initial build-up training element of four aircraft. IOC will be supported by trained personnel and support systems; and
- FOC for LAND 4503 is based on a regiment of up to 24 aircraft. This organisation would be capable of generating multiple concurrent deployed forces of up to squadron size. FOC will also be supported by a mature training system of up to five aircraft, with trained personnel and support systems. (Source: Defence Connect)
13 Jan 21. Indian Cabinet approves procurement of 83 Tejas LCA aircraft. India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved on 13 January the procurement of 83 indigenously designed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), including 73 Mk 1A fighters and 10 Mk 1 dual-seat trainers. The Indian government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) announced that same day that the CCS, which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the acquisition of the aircraft for INR456.96bn (USD6.24bn) along with work on the design and construction of related infrastructure for INR12bn (USD164.3m). The PIB noted that this is the first procurement under the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) ‘Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured)’ of combat aircraft featuring an indigenous content of 50%, which is expected to progressively reach 60% by the end of the programme. The LCA Mk 1A, which was designed by the government-run Aeronautical Development Agency and will be built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore, is still under development. Once completed, the aircraft will include four major capability improvements over the basic Mk 1 model, which is currently being series-built by HAL and inducted into the IAF. These include active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, updated electronic warfare systems, and air-to-air refuelling capability, as well as the capability to fire beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles. (Source: Jane’s)
14 Jan 21. The Indian Army has signed an approximately $20m contract for undisclosed quantities of a high-altitude variant of ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV which will be delivered over a period of 1 year. ideaForge has been awarded this contract after it emerged as the only vendor that qualified the operational requirements in an evaluation done in real-world conditions, for a fast-track procurement. The contract marks a strategic shift in the Indian defence procurement process as the Indian Army goes on an aggressive modernization drive. It has also cemented ideaForge’s position as India’s largest manufacturer of drones for defence, homeland security and industrial applications. SWITCH UAV is an indigenous system built to cater for the most demanding surveillance operations of the Indian Forces. This Fixed Wing VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) UAV can be deployed at high altitude and harsh environments for day and night surveillance in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It is man-portable and has the highest time on target compared to any other UAV in its class. (Source: PR Newswire)
13 Jan 21. 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 an additional order from a long-term international customer for 20 high-performance jet drones and support equipment to satisfy their continuing current and future missions and operations.
11 Jan 21. The Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopter will be the new Presidential Transport helicopter in the Republic of Colombia. The aircraft, in a special VVIP configuration, is expected to be delivered in spring this year and will be operated by the Colombian Air Force. The supply of this helicopter will make the Colombian Air Force the first military customer of the type in the country and will expand the existing AW139 fleet in Colombia. The model has already proven successful for civil transport operations supporting the Oil & Gas industry, with five units in service used by prime operator Helistar S.A.S. The Presidential AW139 will feature, among others, an eight-seat configuration in the largest cabin in its category, the highest safety standards and include a self-defence suite, typically integrated into other helicopters in the Head of State/Government transport role. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
12 Jan 21. IFS, the global enterprise applications company, has signed a contract with Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business re-engineering services and solutions and the prime contractor for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to enable HAL’s Project Parivartan Program, a US$54m (Rs 400 crore) business transformation project.
Dubbed Project Parivartan and conceived as a comprehensive business transformation exercise, the initiative will involve large-scale implementation of technological enhancements to establish new work processes based on industry best practice. The comprehensive IFS solution will replace a large number of disparate business systems in HAL with a central, consolidated platform that will empower staff with easy access to accurate data. The project will also provide enhanced inventory visibility and purchasing power, powerful financial capabilities and group-level consolidation.
11 Jan 21. OnTime Networks, a global leader for rugged, time synchronized Ethernet solutions for the Aerospace and Defense Industry, announced today the selection of its military rated CM-4012F0-MIL 12 Port Gigabit Ethernet switch by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for use in the Canadian Army’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). OnTime Networks was awarded a multi-year production order for the supply of the CM-4012F0-MIL to General Dynamics. Scott Killian, Sales Director of OnTime Networks, stated “We are excited about our selection by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. (Source: PR Newswire)