UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
05 Feb 21. NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) – UHF SATCOM Radio Systems. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) of UHF SATCOM Radio Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has requested to buy five hundred seventeen (517) AN/PRC-158 Manpack UHF SATCOM radio systems. Also included are crypto fill devices, man-portable ancillaries, vehicular ancillaries, deployed Headquarter ancillaries, power support, and operator and maintenance training, and other related elements of program, technical and logistics support. The total estimated program cost is $65m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of NATO allies and partner nations that are an important force for ensuring peace and stability in Europe. This proposed sale will ensure NATO warfighters have access to the latest C3I systems and technologies, and will be interoperable with U.S. forces. An updated UHF TACSAT radios in the hands of NATO allies and partners will offer significant C3I capabilities at all echelons, from the operational level down to the lowest small unit tactical formation. These capabilities increase secure communication effectiveness and efficiency and enhance military decision making. NCIA will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, IA. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require one (1) or two (2) contractor representatives to travel to the specified NATO country to conduct the Operator and Maintenance OCONUS for a period of two (2) months. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, . (Source: ASD Network)
09 Feb 21. Viasat Awarded Contract to Upgrade the UK Ministry of Defence’s Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications Network Control Stations. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today that Airbus has awarded Viasat’s UK entity an $8.5m (GBP 6.7m) contract to upgrade the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite communications (SATCOM) Network Control Stations (NCS), delivering the UHF Skynet capability to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). This upgrade will leverage Viasat’s Visual Integrated Satellite communications Information, Operation and Networking (VISION) software platform, enabling the MOD to comply with the latest Integrated Waveform (IW) requirements, known as IW Phase 2. Airbus contracted this upgrade with Viasat to further enhance the UK Armed Forces’ mission situational awareness and operational insights; provide greater communications interoperability and scalability to more users on the battlefield; and ensure increased flexibility across legacy and next-generation NCS platforms. Airbus has been using Viasat’s UHF SATCOM technology since 2012, within the Skynet satellite network, which currently benefits UK MOD and coalition forces, including NATO and Five Eye (FVEY) nations.
EUROPE
LAND
07 Feb 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded an approximately $82m contract from BAE Systems Hägglunds AB to supply the Royal Netherlands Army with Active Protection Systems and electro-optical commander sights. The contract will be performed over a period of four and a half years. Under the contract and as part of the modernisation program led by BAE Systems Hägglunds, Elbit Systems will equip CV90 armoured combat vehicles of the RNLA with Iron Fist APS and Commander Open Architecture Panoramic Sights (COAPS). Iron Fist is a lightweight system that uses optical sensors, tracking radars, launchers and countermeasure munitions to defeat threats at a safe distance, with negligible residual penetration. COAPS is a modular dual-axis stabilised sight that facilitates fire control computation and long-range target acquisition in day and night, in both stationary and mobile situations.
11 Feb 21. Rheinmetall modernizing 27 more Boxer command vehicles for the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall is currently bringing another 27 Boxer command vehicles of the Bundeswehr up to the latest A2 standard. Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) awarded the order at the end of January 2021. The 27 vehicles are to undergo modernization at the Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH plant in Kassel, Rheinmetall’s centre of excellence for tactical wheeled vehicles. Work is set to begin in March 2021, with return of the vehicles to the Bundeswehr slated to take place during the 2022-2024 timeframe. For Rheinmetall, the order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range. The command vehicle, or FüFz in German military parlance, is one of four variants of the tried-and-tested, high-mobility Boxer armoured transport vehicle currently in service with the Bundeswehr. The FüFz is found in mechanized formations, where it serves as a mobile tactical operations centre or command post. The vehicles feature a full panoply of radio equipment and advanced C4I systems. The upgrade to A2 status encompasses an extensive array of modernization measures, including (among other things) the driver’s visualization system; the exhaust emission and air-conditioning ducts; the towing gear; the driver’s station; the headlight technology; as well as software and system security modifications. In addition, the vehicle’s satellite communications capability, voice and data transmission and IT equipment will all be improved. Now official, the latest order forms a sequel to the modernization to A2 status of the first lot of 38 Boxer command vehicles that commenced in 2017. The current combat performance upgrade of the second lot will ensure that the Bundeswehr’s entire fleet of 65 Boxer command vehicles reflects the latest tactical and technical state of the art.
05 Feb 21. Saab to Deliver Carl-Gustaf M4 Trainers to Sweden. Saab has received an order for deliveries of the Carl-Gustaf® M4 Ground Combat Indoor Trainer (GC IDT), the order value is approximately 135 MSEK and deliveries will take place in 2022-2023. The order is placed within a framework agreement, signed in June 2019, which allows Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV), together with the Estonian and Latvian Armed Forces, to place orders for Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons, training systems and associated equipment during a 10-year period. Saab’s Ground Combat Indoor Trainer (GC IDT) provides the user with replica weapons, a virtual environment and a sophisticated evaluation for realistic and accurate training. The order comprise complete training studios which enables simultaneous training of up to 100 soldiers. The order also comprise conversion kits enabling quick conversion from a studio deployment to stand alone individual trainers with small footprint. The GC IDT system can be extended to also include training with additional weapon types ranging from small arms to shoulder-launched missiles. (Source: ASD Network)
11 Feb 21. Thales and Airbus selected by DGA to upgrade France’s joint electronic warfare capabilities. The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales and Airbus a contract for the new joint tactical signals intelligence (SIGINT) system to upgrade the French forces’ critical signals monitoring, direction finding and spectrum analysis capabilities. The 10-year contract will equip the three armed forces with a common information system and set of sensors and is designated a high-impact programme (PEM), alongside CONTACT and SCORPION, under France’s defence spending plan. This joint tactical SIGINT system will provide French armed forces command with an expanded tactical electronic support measures (ESM) capability.The tactical SIGINT programme will upgrade the electronic warfare capabilities of front-line units, providing a set of high-performance portable or vehicle-mounted assets compatible with the latest communications technologies. The new system to monitor and localise enemy communications will support tactical manoeuvres in the theatre of operations, helping to keep our forces safe and secure. It will equip the electronic support vehicles of the French Army’s 54th Signals Regiment (SCORPION programme), the French Navy’s front-line warships and the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, and could be deployed to protect air bases on military operations overseas. The system will be the only one of its kind in service with the French forces. All three armed forces will rely on the same logistics infrastructure to simplify training of specialist operators and optimise through-life support delivery. The programme will benefit from the combined experience of co-contractors Thales and Airbus. Thales will draw on the SIGINT expertise developed by the Group on several legacy programmes: COHORTE (the current French Army tactical SIGINT system), MINREM (French Navy SIGINT system), ARCHANGE (French Air Force new-generation SIGINT aircraft) and CLOVIS (strategic interministerial communications localisation project). Thales will also build on its capabilities in end-to-end communications, radio communications and communications security. Airbus will provide its expertise in strategic ELINT systems, drawing on its experience on programmes such as RAMSES (strategic radio and satellite communications information system) and PARADOS (radio signal acquisition sensor). These systems are currently in operational service with France’s defence intelligence agency (DRM), the French Army, the French Air and Space Force, and the French Navy. Airbus will also draw on its complex-systems integration and security know-how.
SEA
10 Feb 21. BAE Systems naval guns selected for Belgian and Dutch navies. BAE Systems has been selected to supply 12 Bofors 40 Mk4 naval guns to the Belgian and Dutch navies as part of the Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMV) program. The shipbuilding company Kership will install the guns on the fleet of 12 mine hunting vessels – six for Belgium, six for the Netherlands – with the first ship scheduled for delivery to the Belgian Navy in 2024. The Bofors 40 Mk4 is a flexible, highly versatile gun system designed to react quickly in coastal environments. Lightweight and compact, the naval gun system combines long range and a high rate of fire, giving the mine hunting vessels a greater level of defense against surface, air, and shore-based threats. Offering high survivability and tactical freedom at all levels ofconflict, the Bofors 40 Mk4 also provides optimized ammunition types, including the cost-efficient programmable 3P ammunition. The ability to automatically switch between different types of ammunition gives a high level of combat flexibility in the face of new threats such as UAVs. The Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun is the latest generation in the 40mm family and is used by numerous navies and coast guards around the world. The system was most recently selected by Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. (Source: News Now/BAE Systems)
AIR
11 Feb 21. French ministry for Armed Forces selects Airbus Survey Copter Aliaca fixed-wing drone systems to equip its ships. Airbus Defence and Space mini UAS subsidiary SURVEY Copter signed a contract with French DGA Armament general directorate to provide the French Navy with 11 systems, (22 aircraft), of the electrically powered fixed-wing Aliaca maritime version UAS (officially called SMDM / “Systèmes de Mini Drones aériens embarqués pour la Marine” by French authorities), including training and integrated logistic support. First deliveries are expected in 2021. The Aliaca maritime UAS is a high endurance versatile system allowing up to 3 hours missions over a 50 km (27 Nm) range, perfectly adapted to maritime missions with high gyro stabilized EO/IR payload performances and qualified to operate in severe environmental conditions. Launched by catapult, the Aliaca maritime UAS concludes its flight by landing automatically using a dedicated net landing solution. With a length of 2,2m and a wingspan of 3,6m for a maximum take-off weight of 16 kg, the Aliaca maritime UAS benefits from a powerful yet silent electric motor. The system can be deployed easily and rapidly in less than 15 minutes by 2 operators only.
TECHNOLOGY
09 Feb 21. EU orders Sectra Tiger solution for sharing classified information. Several EU institutions have procured additional units of the Sectra Tiger mobile encryption system from international cybersecurity and medical imaging IT company Sectra (STO: SECT B). The Sectra Tiger system will ensure that users are able to securely and efficiently communicate classified information up to and including the EU SECRET security level, with full availability anywhere and at any time. The European Union has worked together with Sectra since 2010. Through the procurement of additional units, the EU institutions are extending their use of the Sectra Tiger system, a secure communication solution that allows users to share classified information up to the SECRET security level. Unique features in the Sectra Tiger system allow users to communicate securely between different organizations and security levels, without risking the confidentiality of the information, while ensuring the integrity of each security domain.
USA
LAND
10 Feb 21. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Sterling Heights, Michigan, is awarded an $183,840,645 fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification to previously awarded contract M67854-16-0006 for Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs). The total cumulative face value of the contract is $3,304,536,113. This modification provides for the exercise of options for the procurement of 36 full rate production ACVs and associated production and fielding and support costs. 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 April 2023. Fiscal 2021 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $183,840,645 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-16-C-0006).
05 Feb 21. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $61,002,554 firm-fixed-price contract for 1,081 Underbody Armor Kit upgrade kits for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. Fiscal 2019, 2020 and 2021 European reassurance initiative funds in the amount of $61,002,554 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-C-0084).
10 Feb 21. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $53,861,439 modification (P00009) to contract W15QKN-19-C-0017 for 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; Inglewood, California; McAlester, Oklahoma; and Farmington, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2024. Fiscal 2019 and 2021 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $53,861,439 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
SEA
08 Feb 21. BAE Systems, a leader in electric propulsion solutions, has been selected by Chartwell Marine to supply the electric hybrid power and propulsion system for a new maritime research vessel for the University of Vermont. As part of the contract, BAE Systems will supply and integrate the hybrid system, working with the vessel’s builder, Derecktor Shipyard. BAE Systems’ HybriGen® Power and Propulsion system will help reduce both carbon emissions and the use of fuel by the vessel, which will serve as a floating classroom and lab for students of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources conducting research on Lake Champlain. The fully integrated HybriGen Power and Propulsion system includes electric motors, variable speed generators, battery-based energy storage system, and vessel auxiliary power with shore power charging. The technology creates a clean form of power and propulsion for the vessel and its auxiliary power needs such as heat, air conditioning, lighting, and working deck gear. The electric-powered components not only provide emission-reducing benefits to the environment, but also create a smooth ride for passengers and help operators save on maintenance costs. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Feb 21. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has been awarded a contract by Fincantieri Marinette Marine for the shipboard integration and production of major subsystems onboard the U.S. Navy’s guided-missile frigate FFG 62. L3Harris is prepared to support the Navy’s plans to build at least 10 ships. The value of the L3Harris program could exceed $300m if all design, development, and production options are awarded. L3Harris is the largest member of the Fincantieri FFG team and will provide integrated systems that include the electric and propulsion systems, bridge and navigation systems, and aviation integration services. The diversified capabilities that L3Harris delivers on the Constellation-class Frigate program will distribute the power and propulsion needed to meet the U.S. Navy’s mission requirements throughout the world. The Navy recently awarded a contract to Fincantieri to design and build the FFG, the Navy’s first new build in more than a decade. L3Harris will support Fincantieri at its Marinette, Wisconsin shipyard, where it will build the frigate based on the company’s Italian FREMM multi-mission frigate. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
09 Feb 21. DARPA selects LongShot teams. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has contracted three companies for the first phase of its LongShot programme to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of employing multiple air-to-air weapons. DARPA announced on 8 February that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman had each been contracted for preliminary Phase I design work. DARPA did not disclose contract values, nor did it provide a timeline for Phase 1 or for any other elements of the LongShot programme. The only other details provided by the agency noted that under the later phases of the programme a flight will be conducted of a full-scale air-launched demonstration system capable of controlled operations, before, during, and after weapon ejection under real world conditions. (Source: Jane’s)
09 Feb 21. Abaco Systems, Inc. announces a design win with an initial value of $505k, and a lifetime potential of $4.5m supporting a major defense prime upgrade to an existing Side Head Up Display platform in AC-130J gunships. This Side HUD application is to enable operational visibility of the battlespace for the platform. Abaco’s newest high performance embedded computing system, the MAGIC1A, was chosen after a competitive selection process, by meeting and exceeding the requirements for key upgrade features including increased storage space for mission and flight data, higher processing capacity, and cybersecurity capabilities. Abaco was selected for its ability to innovate and deliver while meeting critical schedule requirements. Abaco has delivered ~50 legacy MAGIC1 systems over the past several years for this application. The MAGIC1A delivers the latest in Graphics and Computer Processing to a rugged SWaP-C3 improvement on a legacy design, which ensures seamless integration and an extensible technology roadmap. The operational stability of the legacy product combined with a clean tech insertion and upgrade path to current generation capabilities with the MAGIC1A system made Abaco the ideal choice for this design win. The customer required pin-compatibility with the legacy system and an upgrade to the MAGIC1A met that need. Abaco’s innovative approach will allow the customer to reduce the technology footprint on the platform via an SDI I/O upgrade on the system. Delivery of these systems is planned for the first quarter of 2021. (Source: PR Newswire)
10 Feb 21. Ball Aerospace has been selected to support Solar Cruiser, a NASA small satellite technology demonstration on the use of solar photons for propulsion in space. Ball will perform several mission-critical functions, including the integration and test of the satellite bus with the solar sail system that will form the completed “Sailcraft.” The Solar Cruiser will be one of four missions launching with the NASA Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), currently scheduled in 2025. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will deploy an 18,000-square-foot sail – roughly the size of four regulation basketball courts stitched together – to catch solar radiation to propel the vehicle. Les Johnson, from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is the mission’s principal investigator. (Source: PR Newswire)
09 Feb 21. NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace a US$93.3m ($121.5m) contract to deliver a suite of 10 science investigations and technology demonstrations to the moon in 2023. Specifically, Firefly Aerospace will be tasked with providing end-to-end delivery services, including payload integration, launch from Earth, landing on the moon, and mission operations. This is the sixth award for lunar surface delivery under the CLPS initiative. The delivery, planned for Mare Crisium – a low-lying basin on the moon’s near side – is expected to involve an investigation of a variety of lunar surface conditions and resources, designed to help pave the way for human missions to the lunar surface. (Source: Space Connect)
10 Feb 21. Kilgore Flares Co. LLC, Toone, Tennessee, was awarded a $29,089,992 firm-fixed-price contract for Flare Aircraft Countermeasure M206 and Flare Aircraft Countermeasure MJU-7A/B. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Toone, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement appropriations funds in the amount of $29,089,992 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-21-F-0103).
05 Feb 21. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $478,605,019 firm-fixed-price modification (P00102) to a previously awarded contract (N0001914C0050). This modification exercises options for the procurement of five Lot Three low rate initial production Presidential Helicopters Replacement Program (VH-92A) aircraft, and associated interim contractor support, two cabin interior reconfiguration kits, support equipment, initial spares, and system parts replenishment. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (50%); Coatesville, Pennsylvania (36%); Owego, New York (10%); Patuxent River, Maryland (2%); Phoenix, Arizona (1%); and Quantico, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount $478,605,019 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
09 Feb 21. NASA has selected Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) to provide launch services for the Spectro-Photometer, used for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) mission. SPHEREx is a planned two-year astrophysics mission to survey the sky in the near-infrared light, which, according to NASA, would assist in answering cosmic questions involving the birth of the universe and the subsequent development of galaxies. The mission also aims to search for water and organic molecules in regions where stars are born from gas and dust (stellar nurseries) as well as disks around stars where new planets could be forming. The mission is designed to help astronomers gather data on more than 300 million galaxies, as well as more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way. The SPHEREx launch is expected to cost approximately $98.8m, which includes the launch service and other mission-related costs. The SPHEREx mission is scheduled to launch as early as June 2024 on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. (Source: Space Connect)
11 Feb 21. SpaceX wins contract to launch initial elements for lunar outpost. NASA has tasked SpaceX with the delivery of launch services for the initial elements of its Gateway outpost, which will orbit the moon to support a human return to the lunar surface. NASA has selected SpaceX to provide launch services for the agency’s Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO), the foundational elements of its Gateway outpost, which will support missions under the agency’s Artemis program. Once integrated on Earth, the PPE and HALO are expected to launch together no earlier than May 2024 on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission is expected to cost NASA approximately US$331.8m ($429m), which includes launch services and other mission-related costs. The PPE, built by Maxar Technologies, is a 60-kilowatt class solar electric propulsion spacecraft, designed to provide power, high-speed communications, attitude control, and the capability to move the Gateway to different lunar orbits, providing unprecedented access to the moon’s surface. (Source: Space Connect)
TECHNOLOGY
08 Feb 21. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today, that during its second quarter of fiscal year 2021, its Santa Clara, California-based subsidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., a world leader in high-power amplifiers, was awarded a multi-million dollar contract to develop and manufacture 190W Q-band amplifiers for the U.S. military. Comtech Xicom has a long history with Q-band amplifiers, shipping its first Q-band amplifier in 2001. Since that time, the Company has manufactured more than 200 Q-band Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (“TWTA”). Comtech Xicom manufactures a wide variety of tube-based and solid-state power amplifiers for military and commercial satellite uplink applications. The product range encompasses power levels from 8 W to 3 kW, with frequency coverage in sub-bands within the 2 GHz to 52 GHz spectrum. Amplifiers are available for fixed and ground-based, shipboard, and airborne mobile applications. Please visit www.xicomtech.com for more information. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Feb 21. The U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency awarded Perspecta a major IT contract to provide managed services for its globally dispersed network infrastructure. The contract, called Global Content Delivery Service II, is worth up to about $201.5m and has a three-year base period with three one-year options, the department announced Feb. 9. Perspecta will provide the department with content delivery, network optimization and information assurance services. The work will happen at current and future government data centers in the U.S. and abroad, according to the Pentagon’s announcement. The Global Content Delivery System II follows the first iteration of the contract, called GCDS I, which went to Hewlett Packard. The department’s Global Content Delivery System is critical to the Pentagon’s Defense Information System Network, directing and securing DoD internet traffic. The statement of work from the June 2020 RFP states that DISA’s new approach to web traffic delivery represents “a fundamental paradigm shift from providing platform centric applications to platform independent, web-enabled, Net-centric services that require the support of a ubiquitous network environment, that meet the requirements of the end users, and which are highly available, secure, and reliable.” A spokesperson for Perspecta did not respond to a request for comment. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
08 Feb 21. The 16th Air Force, designed to constantly contest the electromagnetic spectrum, has awarded a $95m contract to support both command and control and service cryptologic element roles. The contract — Full Spectrum Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operational Non-Appropriated Funds Support, or FUSIONS — was awarded to Scientific Research Corp of Atlanta. It will run through February 2026. In a sign that Scientific may have developed a promising approach, this is not the first award to the company for this sort of work. The Navy awarded the company a contract similar in scale and scope in 2018. The 16th Air Force first started soliciting this contract in November 2019, one month after the command was created. The original solicitation emphasized the importance of “delivering timely and relevant intelligence data/products to the war fighter.” The 16th was created by merging an Air Force cyber mission with an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance component. Combining intelligence collection in the same component as one that can launch attacks on computers is a way for the Air Force to show how closely connected cyber attacks are to online espionage. Cyber, like surveillance and activity in the electromagnetic spectrum, can happen below the threshold of a shooting war but can also be used for targeting and to inflict physical damage. The scale of the investment is a sign of the Air Force’s commitment to fighting war effectively across all its domains, including cyber. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
10 Feb 21. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Tinker Air Force base, Oklahoma, has awarded Vertex Aerospace a $65,603,271 firm-fixed-price contract to perform Contractor Operated and Maintained Base Supply (COMBS) for the Air Education and Training Command’s fleet of T-1A trainer aircraft. This award is a modification to a previously awarded contract. Vertex will provide logistics support to over 170 T-1A trainer aircraft at five domestic U.S. Air Force bases. Vertex has supported the Jayhawk trainer fleet since the USAF procured the aircraft in 1992. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
06 Feb 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $46m to supply VBTP 6×6 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the army of a country in Asia-Pacific. The contract will be performed over a three-year period. As the prime contractor, Elbit Systems will supply the VBTP 6×6 wheeled APCs that were developed by Iveco Defence Vehicles in cooperation with the Brazilian Army. The VBTP 6×6 APCs will be equipped with Elbit Systems’ turrets and a range of the Company’s subsystems including electric drive and stabilisation systems, fire control systems, TORCH-X battle management systems, E-LynX software defined radio systems, gunner and commander sights as well as life support systems.
02 Feb 21. Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT) has announced that the company’s Wavestream subsidiary received an award estimated at more than $50m from a leading satellite operator to support the gateways for an LEO broadband satellite constellation — Wavestream has been selected to supply Gateway SSPAs for the project. Wavestream’s Gateway-Class PowerStream 160Ka SSPAs, designed specifically for networks using wide bandwidth uplinks and high order modulation schemes, were selected because of their best-in-class technical performance and their unmatched reliability in harsh environments, best addressing the stringent requirements of NGSO constellations. (Source: Satnews)
04 Feb 21. Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT) has been awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to provide mission critical telecom systems for 29 of Peru’s airports. The award of high-availability communication system was granted by CORPAC, the Peruvian Corporation of Commercial Airports and Aviation. This award follows Gilat’s successful execution of large government projects and well positions Gilat for additional large deals in Peru. CORPAC, is a government entity that is in charge of the administration of most of the airports in Peru. Gilat will design, supply, implement and commission equipment for Communication Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services in Peru’s airports. (Source: Satnews)
08 Feb 21. Rheinmetall Canada awarded sustainment contract for Persistent Surveillance System. The Canadian government awarded Rheinmetall Canada a sustainment contract for the Persistent Surveillance System, or PSS. Starting in 2021, this contract runs for one year, with potential additional annual extensions. In its capacity as prime contractor, Rheinmetall Canada Inc, headquartered in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, will provide repair and overhaul services for the eight PSS units currently in use by the Canadian Armed Forces. The PSS consists of aerostat- and tower-based sensors that are connected to a ground station. They enable real-time sensor exploitation in the land C4ISR domain (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance). Following initial procurement of the PSS by the Canadian government in 2009, Rheinmetall completed a first in-service support contract from 2015 to 2021.
04 Feb 21. ST Engineering iDirect has been awarded a contract by system integrator Shaf Broadcast, Pvt. Ltd., on behalf of the Indian state-owned telecommunications company, BSNL, to augment satellite bandwidth to the offshore Indian islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep under a Universal Service Obligation (USO) project funded by the Department of Telecommunications. Incorporating the Newtec Dialog® platform to provide internet and 2G, 3G and 4G services, the connectivity will boost social and economic activity to islands that previously had limited access to bandwidth. (Source: Satnews)
SEA
11 Feb 21. BHEL awarded order for Main Guns of Frontline Ships. In a major boost to Defence Production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and to achieve self-reliance in the critical field of Defence equipment, Indian Navy has placed an order on Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for supply of two numbers Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGM), main guns standardised for all Warships of the Indian Navy. BHEL has indigenised these Guns and has established dedicated, intricate manufacturing and inspection facilities at its Heavy Electrical Equipment Plant, Haridwar for production, installation & commissioning and lifecycle support of these Guns. Standardisation of these Guns by the Indian Navy for all major Warships has resulted in optimisation of cost and consolidation of expertise and self-reliance. BHEL is also working on an upgraded version of these Guns, with enhanced range, to cater to the future requirement of warships. (Source: Google/http://www.equitybulls.com/)
05 Feb 21. Chile – Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA Missiles. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Chile of Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85.0m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Chile has requested to buy up to sixteen (16) Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA missiles (rail launched) (including two (2) missiles with manufacturer installed telemeter); two (2) MK 89 Mod 0 Guidance Sections; and one (1) Target Detection Device Kit (including shroud), MK 45 Mod 14. Intermediate Level Maintenance Facility; spare parts and associated containers; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related logistics support including ordnance handling equipment; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $85.0m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in South America. This proposed sale would support Chile’s anti-air warfare capabilities for the two recently transferred former Adelaide-class frigates to the Chilean Navy. Chile will have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Chile. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, . (Source: ASD Network/DCSA)
AIR
10 Feb 21. Jamaica has ordered six new Bell 505 JetRanger X helicopters to be used for civilian support and pilot training operations. The JetRanger X procurement, announced by Bell on 9 February, will see the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) augment its recently acquired Bell 429 GlobalRanger and 412 helicopters in supporting public safety, as well as using them to train international rotorcraft pilots at the Caribbean Military Aviation School (CMAS). The 505 is a relatively new design from Bell, although it incorporates proven dynamic components carried over from the 206 and the Garmin G1000H cockpit from the 407. It has a top speed of 125 kt, and useful load of 680 kg. The JDF is the second military operator of the type, after the Montenegrin Air Force signed for two in September 2020. (Source: Jane’s)
09 Feb 21. CAE to design and manufacture hardware for RNZAF’s P-8A flight trainer. Canadian company CAE announced on 8 February that it has received a contract from Boeing to design and manufacture the hardware for the P-8A operational flight trainer (OFT) ordered for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in December 2020. The company also said that it will develop a suite of P-8A Aircraft Equipment enhanced Desktop Environment (AeDTE) trainers for use as role-playing stations during training of P-8A aircrews. Both the P-8A OFT and the AeDTEs are scheduled for delivery to RNZAF Base Ohakea in 2023. The P-8A OFT for the RNZAF will be similar to the OFTs CAE and Boeing have developed for the US Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Indian Navy, and the UK Royal Air Force, said the company. The latest developments come after the US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 11 December 2020 that Boeing had been awarded a USD109m contract to provide the RNZAF with training systems for its future fleet of four P-8A Poseidon maritime multi-mission aircraft (MMA). The Pentagon specified at the time that the order is for one OFT, along with one OFT brief/debrief station (BDS); one weapon tactics trainer (WTT) with a WTT BDS; a 10-seat flight management systems trainer electronic classroom; a 10-seat mission systems desktop trainer electronic classroom; a training system support centre; a scenario-generation station; a virtual maintenance trainer; a maintenance support cabinet; and a 10-seat maintenance electronic classroom. Work is expected to be completed by January 2024. (Source: Jane’s)
09 Feb 21. Indian Defence unit procures multi-rotor drones. One of the Indian Defence units procures a few sets of multi rotor drones from Johnnette Technologies, an Indian Drone manufacturer. Indian brands have been following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘vocal for local’ or localisation vision for a while now. Emphasising on a self-reliant, or ‘aatmanirbhar’, India, the government has asked that products not just be made in India, but also for the promotion of local brands, manufacturing, and supply chain. Against the backdrop of the aggression at Indian Borders, a range of modern armaments are being procured to enhance the capabilities of India’s armed forces. There is also a thrust on achieving self-reliance in the defence sector. A unit of the Indian Armed Forces procured a few sets of multi-rotor drones from Johnnette Technologies, an Indian Drone manufacturer for specific use cases. From this procurement, the intent of the Indian Armed Forces to modernize their arsenal is quite evident. Johnnette Technologies is a leading provider of tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unmanned Ground Vehicles for the defence sector and application-oriented products for the commercial sector. These drones will help in the modernization of the Indian Defence and the company also claims to have more than 60% of indigenization of the manufacturing. Johnnette has also supplied many drones to the Indian Defence units in the past. (Source: Google/https://www.suasnews.com/)
11 Feb 21. The Japan Ministry of Defense’s (MoD’s) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has signed a JPY30.08bn (USD287.3m) contract to receive an unspecified number of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA (RIM-161D) hit-to-kill interceptor missiles from the United States. Documents obtained by Janes on 11 February show that the contract was signed on 18 December 2020 via the US Navy. The move comes after the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in August 2019 that the US Department of State had approved a potential USD3.29bn Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 73 Raytheon SM-3 Block IIA missiles – along with related equipment and services – to Japan. In January 2018, the DSCA announced US State Department approval for the potential sale to Japan of four of these missiles for an estimated USD133.3m, adding that the weapons would be used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The SM-3 Block IIA is being developed co-operatively by the United States and Japan to defeat short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. It is an interceptor designed to operate as part of the Aegis ballistic missile defence (BMD) system and can be launched from Aegis-equipped ships and Aegis Ashore BMD sites. (Source: Jane’s)
10 Feb 21. Philippines approves purchase of more Black Hawk helos. The Philippine government has cleared the way for its Air Force to acquire more Polish-built Black Hawk helicopters amid efforts to replace the aging fleet of Vietnam War-era Huey helicopters. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the acquisition of the helicopters in early February, according to an announcement by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Thursday, with the government saying the purchase would “slowly address the growing heli-lift deficiency.” Nograles also said the approval was for 15 helicopters, although he added that the figure was indicative and dependent on available funding. However, the news portal Inquirer.net quoted Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as saying on Monday that the approval was for 32 more Black Hawks, potentially bringing the Air Force’s fleet of helicopters to 48 Black Hawks. (Source: Defense News)
09 Feb 21. Telesat taps Thales Alenia Space for $3bn deal to build low earth orbit satellites. Canadian satellite company Telesat on Tuesday tapped Thales Alenia Space to build 300 low earth orbit (LEO) telecommunications satellites in a contract worth about $3bn, saying the first launch would be in about two years. (Source: Reuters)
TECHNOLOGY
08 Feb 21. BAE Systems, CryoClock tapped to enhance JORN capability. Defence has awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to the firms for the development of ultra-high-precision Sapphire Clock technology for the JORN system. BAE Systems Australia and CryoClock have secured a $4.8m contract to enhance the performance of Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN). The firms have been tasked with developing ultra-high-precision Sapphire Clock technology, capable of improving detection capability. Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the contract forms part of the federal government’s commitment to bolstering opportunities for local industry. (Source: Defence Connect)