UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
23 Feb 21. GKN Aerospace Cowes Facility to Manufacture Advanced Composite V-tails for RAF Protector/MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Building on 10-year Relationship. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and GKN Aerospace have signed a contract for GKN Aerospace to manufacture the advanced composite V-tails for GA-ASI’s new MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) from their Cowes facility in the United Kingdom. SkyGuardian is the baseline system of the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Protector RG Mk1 and has also been selected by Belgian Defence and the Australian Defence Force. This represents another important milestone in the 10-year strategic relationship between GA-ASI and GKN Aerospace, and adds to the strong investment GA-ASI is making in world-leading UK industries.
EUROPE
LAND
24 Feb 21. CGI builds a centralized ‘pooling and sharing’ system for secure satellite communication services supported by the European Space Agency. CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to support its development of a centralized “pooling and sharing” system for satellite communications services by October 2022. The system will enable multiple satellite operators to offer secure communication services, such as data transmission, through a single booking system. Satellite communications are becoming increasingly important for the security and competitiveness of countries worldwide, including in the European Union (EU). Access to services with resilient and robust security features is essential for both governmental and non-governmental organizations. However, to date, the delivery of satellite communication services has involved many different providers within a highly fragmented market. Because of this, booking satellite communication services is a complex and cost-intensive process. This pooling & sharing system aims to serve as a platform where secure, reliable and cost-efficient satellite communications can be provided to organizations by bundling and sharing government and commercial satellite services. Through the 4S (Space Systems for Safety and Security) strategic line of its Telecommunication program, ESA is supporting the industry in developing innovative and competitive products, solutions and services responding to this need and more widely to market prospects in that domain.
23 Feb 21. German Bundeswehr to equip Leopard 2 MBT’s with Rafael’s TROPHY™ APS. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is announcing that the German Federal Ministry of Defense has decided to equip the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 MBTs with Rafael’s Trophy™ Active Protection Systems (APS). Following the decision, which was made by the BAAINBw and approved by the Bundestag, Rafael was awarded a contract for an initial batch of Trophy systems, which includes a contract with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the Leopard MBTs OEM, entailing the provision of systems for a company of tanks, interceptors, and spare parts, as well as operational and technical training. The systems will be delivered over the next several years. It is expected that in the future Germany will procure additional Trophy systems to equip most of its modern fleet of Leopard 2 MBT’s with APS capabilities. Developed by Rafael in response to successful anti-armor attacks, Trophy APS provides mature, combat-proven protection against rocket and missile threats and simultaneously locates the origin of the hostile fire for immediate response. Trophy is the only fully-integrated, combat-proven APS in the world and has been installed on Israel Defense Forces’ Merkava tanks since 2010, as well as on the Namer APCs. Trophy has made numerous combat interceptions with no injuries to crews or dismounted troops or damage to platforms since its first operational interception in 2011. Trophy has accrued over 1,000,000 operating hours, including 5,400 successful field tests, and is now under contract for serial production of over 1,800 systems.
19 Feb 21. Texelis has received an order from Yugoimport to supply a relevant quantity of axle sets for Milosh 4×4 armoured personnel carriers and drivelines for Lazar III 8×8 armoured vehicles to be delivered to the Serbian Army and Serbian Police Force. Texelis will manufacture and supply T700 axle sets for the Milosh vehicles. The T700 is a modular and lightweight transmission system designed for vehicles with a maximum gross axle weight requirement (GAWR) of up to 7000kg. The system uses proven modular sub-systems from the Texelis rigid axle range, including wheel hubs and differentials; and is paired with a Timoney double wishbone, coil spring and damper or hydro-pneumatic strut suspension. For the Lazar III vehicle, Texelis will manufacture and supply the T900 modular driveline system, comprising the T900 axle, integrated transfer case and steering system for each vehicle. Designed by Timoney for 4×4, 6×6 or 8×8 vehicles with a GAWR of up to 9000kg, the T900 is manufactured exclusively by Texelis under licence.
SEA
25 Feb 21. Terma SCANTER 6000 radar solution closing the gap between standard marine navigation radars and more expensive military surveillance radar systems and secures total situational awareness on Belgian/Netherlands replacement MCMV program. As the construction of the first joint Belgian and Dutch replacement Mine Countermeasures (rMCMV) vessel will start in February 2021, Terma is proud to announce that the SCANTER 6000 radar has been selected for this program which is led by Belgium Naval & Robotics consortium, composed of Naval Group and ECA Group. In this frame, mid-January Terma was contracted by the French shipbuilder Kership – a joint venture between Naval Group and Piriou – to supply 12 units of the renowned SCANTER 6000 naval radar for the MCM vessels.
19 Feb 21. Thales to provide new-generation sonar suite for French Navy’s nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs). With the launch of full-scale development of France’s third generation of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (SNLE 3G), Thales is developing a new sonar suite based on disruptive technologies that represent a significant break from the systems in service today. Thales will provide new-generation flank arrays and bow-mounted sonars, a towed linear array based on optical technology (ALRO), and all the other equipment making up the sonar suite (intercept arrays, echo-sounders, underwater telephones). The size of the arrays and the frequency bands they use will deliver unparalleled performance in terms of 3D (azimuth, elevation, range) detection precision.
AIR
24 Feb 21. Airbus’ Bartolomeo platform has been selected to host a German mission on the International Space Station. The Galileo Competence Center of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR-GK) has awarded a €16.8m ($25.8m) contract to Airbus for the hosting of DLR’s COMPASSO mission on the International Space Station (ISS) using the firm’s Bartolomeo platform. COMPASSO is expected to be the first in-orbit verification of compact and highly stable laser-optical clocks, which are compared and synchronised to stable clocks on Earth via a bi-directional optical link. The optical link between the ISS and the ground station is also used for assessing the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the frequency and time transfer. The optical clocks are designed to support satellite navigation systems, such as Galileo, and the basis for new Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) architectures, such as the Kepler concept developed at DLR. This is expected to achieve a higher accuracy in position determination on Earth, which can be achieved while at the same time reducing the ground segment complexity and size. (Source: Space Connect)
19 Feb 21. Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with two additional cargo hold simulators for the Airbus A400M European transport aircraftThe German Air Force continues to count on Rheinmetall’s cutting-edge simulation expertise for training its A400M Military transport aircraft personnel. In January 2021 the A400M’s maker, Airbus, contracted with Rheinmetall Electronics to supply not just one but two additional training simulators for the European A400M. Earmarked for German air bases in Wunstorf and Altenstadt, the two simulators will be delivered and ready to operate at the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023. The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range. In Wunstorf, Air Transport Squadron 62 will receive an A400M Cargo Hold Part Task Trainer (CPTT). This will augment the A400M training centre’s existing suite of simulation and training systems, which includes the advanced Cargo Hold Trainer Enhanced (CHT-E), used for training cargo hold crews, especially loadmasters and ground personnel. Specially configured for the mission, a second CPTT will be installed at the Airmobile and Air Transport School in Altenstadt, where it will be used for training airfreight handling personnel and paratroopers. The CPTT will be the base’s first A400M simulator. The A400M CPTT is an exact full-scale replica of the A400M cargo hold, including the operator interfaces. It permits highly realistic training of cargo hold crews and ground personnel. Highly versatile, the CPTT enables mission-specific configuration of the cargo hold. Trainees can practise the preparation of cargo, loading and unloading, in-flight and ground procedures. The crew also learns to operate as a team. The system lends itself to initial and advanced training as well as refresher courses and mission preparation. Complex scenarios and emergency situations can be practiced in complete safety, since there is no need to use the original equipment, which therefore remains ready for real-world operations. All of this ensures that personnel are well-prepared and qualified to carry out their tasks. In addition to training operations, the CPTT lets users evaluate, test and qualify procedures and configurations for new types of loads. This is possible thanks to the CPTT’s highly accurate replication of the original equipment. Constituting a systematic expansion of Rheinmetall’s line of cargo-related products, the CPTT also enables the complete spectrum of cargo training assets to be adapted for other platforms. Besides the CPTT, Rheinmetall has supplied various A400M user nations with other types of cargo training equipment, including the Loadmaster Workstation Trainer (LMWST) and the aforementioned CHT-E. Now official, the latest order brings to ten the total number of sophisticated, high-fidelity Rheinmetall A400M cargo training systems, assuring a high standard of instruction and training in the A400M cargo domain. Rheinmetall supplied the first A400M CPTT to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in 2019. CHT-E simulators are now in service at the Airbus International Training Centre (ITC) in Seville; with the Royal Air Force in Brize Norton in the UK, the German Air Force in Wunstorf; and with a French Army airborne brigade near Toulouse. The LMWST is on hand at the Airbus ITC in Seville; France’s national A400M training centre in Orléans; and at the Royal Air Force National Training Centre in Brize Norton.
USA
LAND
22 Feb 21. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $16,582,968 modification (P00128) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0067 for engineering efforts to develop a conversion approach for one M1A2S tank and one M1A2K tank provided by the government to be converted into two M1A2T tanks. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $16,582,968 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
18 Feb 21. SES GS To Provide Portable Maritime Comms Solutions To Support U.S. Service Members Overseas. SES Government Solutions (SES GS) has been awarded a new, portable, maritime solution task order against the single-award, Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for MEO, low-latency, HTS services. The solution leverages the O3b MEO satellite constellation operating 8,000 km around the Earth.
The Department of Defense procured a portable MEO service to support forward deployed U.S. military personnel. Initial deployment of the service exceeded customer expectations and was well received. This represents a significant breakthrough with the DoD using O3b MEO capabilities for portable, high-throughput, low-latency services. (Source: Satnews)
SEA
19 Feb 21. Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding Division, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $2,994,237,224 cost-plus-incentive fee contract for the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Refueling Complex Overhaul. This effort refuels, overhauls and modernizes USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to support the second half of its 50-year service life. Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division is the original building yard contractor for all ships of the CVN 68 class. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (94%); and Norfolk, Virginia (6%), and is expected to be completed by August 2025. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,048,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured. Only one responsible source, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., Newport News Shipbuilding Division, has the knowledge, experience and facilities required to accomplish this effort in support of the refueling and overhaul of CVN 74 without an unacceptable disruption of Navy-wide overhaul and repair schedule. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-2106).
22 Feb 21. Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $414,251,844 firm-fixed-price contract, for 137 Lots 4 and 5 Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, tooling and test equipment. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Troy, Alabama, and is expected to be completed March 21, 2025. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 Navy weapon procurement funds in the amount of $56,173,414; fiscal 2021 Navy weapon procurement funds in the amount of $125,782,310; fiscal 2021 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $17,707,234; fiscal 2021 Office of the Secretary of Defense, Strategic Capabilities Office research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,850,340; and FMS funds in the amount of $208,738,546, are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8682-21-C-0004).
18 Feb 21. Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has been selected to develop and implement the Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel (LRUSV) System for the United States Marine Corps. The LRUSV System will usher in a new era of naval technology while increasing the lethality of U.S. forces, with a network of unmanned vessels traveling autonomously for extended ranges and transporting loitering munitions to address targets at sea and on land. This tiered, scalable weapons system will provide the ability to accurately track and destroy targets at range throughout the battle space. While fully autonomous, the vessels may be optionally manned and they will carry multiple payloads, which they will be capable of autonomously launching and retrieving. Metal Shark has enlisted autonomous technology developer Spatial Integrated Systems (SIS), recently acquired by Huntington Ingalls Industries, to provide the autonomy solution for the LRUSV system. SIS is a leader in the development of multi-vessel collaborative “swarming” autonomous capabilities, sensor fusion and perception. (Source: UAS VISION)
24 Feb 21. Sypris Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq/GM: SYPR), announced today that it has recently received a follow-on award from a U.S. DoD prime contractor to manufacture and test electronic power supply modules for a mission-critical, long range, precision-guided anti-ship missile system. Production will begin in 2021. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The program is designed to meet the needs of U.S. Navy and Air Force warfighters. The missile system employs precision routing and guidance, day or night in all weather conditions and 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, and GPS navigation in contested environments. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Feb 21. Textron Systems, Hunt Valley, Maryland, is awarded a $34,381,542 cost-plus-fixed fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-6322 for engineering and technical support for the Unmanned Influence Sweep System Unmanned Surface Vehicle program. The Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) will allow the Littoral Combat Ship to perform its mine countermeasure sweep mission. UISS will target acoustic, magnetic and magnetic/acoustic combination mine types. The UISS program will satisfy the Navy’s need for a rapid, wide-area coverage mine clearance capability, required to neutralize magnetic/acoustic influence mines. UISS seeks to provide a high area coverage rate in a small, lightweight package with minimal impact on the host platform. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland (70%); and Slidell, Louisiana (30%), and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $24,039,180 (97%); and research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $772,730 (3%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
24 Feb 21. Blue Canyon Technologies to Develop Six Additional DARPA Blackjack Satellites. Leading small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider Blue Canyon Technologies LLC (“BCT” or “Blue Canyon”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), today announced it will develop an additional six satellites for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Blackjack program under a Phase 3 contract. By incorporating commercial sector advances, including designs used for LEO broadband internet service, Blackjack will demonstrate that a constellation of LEO satellites can meet Department of Defense performance and payload requirements at a significantly lower cost, with shorter design cycles and with easier and more frequent technology upgrades. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
19 Feb 21. Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced its Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) business division was awarded a contract worth $32m from Lockheed Martin for two more production lots of the P5 Combat Training System (P5CTS) for the F-35 Lightning II. Under the contract, Cubic will deliver over 150 training subsystems for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) system. This new order increases the total number of F-35 P5 on contract to over 1,150 and ensures fielding of F-35 P5 out to 2025. Unlike traditional P5 podded solutions for fourth generation fighter aircraft, the F-35 P5 is an Internal Subsystem (IS) configuration that relays Time, Space and Position Information (TSPI) between participating aircraft and range ground stations during training sorties. The worldwide P5 infrastructure includes the integration of P5 pods and internal subsystems, ground stations and software, and is an investment shared by 17 countries. A recent upgrade to this training infrastructure is the integration of decryptors in the P5 ground stations to enable F-35 live monitoring at training ranges. Cubic and its principal subcontractor, Leonardo DRS, will continue to produce and maintain the F-35 P5 internal subsystem. The Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems business division is responsible for the design and production of the airborne P5CTS Internal Subsystem. (Source: ASD Network)
22 Feb 21. General Atomics Awards Contract to Firefly Aerospace to Launch NASA’s Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols Mission. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has awarded a contract to Firefly Aerospace Inc. to launch a GA-EMS developed Orbital Test Bed (OTB) satellite carrying NASA’s Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA) instrument. The launch vehicle delivering the satellite to space will be Firefly’s Alpha rocket and is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2022. MAIA’s planned three year on-orbit operation will measure airborne particulate matter in the atmosphere to allow team embers to correlate MAIA’s measurements with adverse human health issues such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, initially focused on 12 primary target areas around the world. MAIA is a Venture-class mission within NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program at the agency’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA is responsible for the MAIA instrument design, (Source: ASD Network)
24 Feb 21. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has received contracts totaling $137m for four navigation payload Mission Data Units (MDU) for future GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) satellites. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for GPS III/IIIF, selected L3Harris in 2018 to design and build the first two fully-digital MDUs, the heart of the satellite’s navigation payload. The MDU generates more powerful GPS signals and assures clock operations for GPS users. The U.S. Space Force expects the first GPS IIIF satellite, which builds on GPS III adding new capabilities and technology, to be available for launch in 2026. The GPS IIIF MDU will provide improved capabilities over L3Harris’ 70-percent-digital MDU on the first ten GPS III satellites. The first four GPS III satellites have successfully launched and are now operational in the GPS constellation. L3Harris has provided navigation technology for every U.S. GPS satellite ever launched. This technology enables the reliable GPS signal that millions of people – including U.S. service members – and businesses depend on every day. (Source: ASD Network)
22 Feb 21. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $428,406,732 firm-fixed-price contract, for 400 Lot 19 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range missiles with containers, training and production preparation, tooling and test equipment and hardware spares. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed July 31, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 missile procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8682-21-C-0001).
TECHNOLOGY
25 Feb 21. NASA has announced that Agile Sciences of Beltsville, Maryland will be the recipient of the Spectrum and Resource Management, Engineering and Programmatic Support Services (SpectRE) contract. Over the course of the contract, Agile is expected to deliver domestic and international spectrum management and regulatory services, communication and engineering services, and mission directorate support to NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) division among a list of other support services. The contract is valued at US$74.8m ($94.5m), and will run from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026. NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation division operates across the Deep Space Network, the Near Earth Network, and the Space Network to manage navigation and communication. (Source: Space Connect)
19 Feb 21. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it has recently received an approximate $55m, Single Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) C5ISR product related contract from a National Security Customer. The contract has a period of performance of approximately five years. Kratos’ C5ISR Business is a leading provider of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) related hardware, products, systems and solutions in support of unmanned drone, space and satellite communications, radar, missile defense, high power energy, strategic deterrence and other systems. Production and work under this new contract award will be performed primarily at a secure Kratos manufacturing facility. Due to customer related, competitive and other considerations, no additional information will be provided related to this contract award. (Source: ASD Network)
24 Feb 21. Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, today announced that Vricon, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxar Technologies, Inc., was awarded Phase 2 of the U.S Army’s One World Terrain (OWT) prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) contract worth $39.3m. The OWT program delivers 3D global terrain capability and associated information services that support a fully accessible virtual representation of the physical Earth through the Army network. The original $35.8m Phase 1 OWT contract was awarded in June 2019 to Vricon, which was acquired by Maxar in July 2020. If all three phases and options are exercised, the total value of the OWT prototype project is $94.7m. OWT is a foundational element of the Synthetic Training Environment-Information System (STE-IS), a modernization initiative led by the STE Cross Functional Team at Army Futures Command (AFC), managed by the Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) and contracted through Army Contracting Command-Orlando (ACC-O). The OWT solution starts with the 3D commercial foundation data layer to create a geo-specific, high-resolution representation that accurately reflects the complexities of operational environments. Maxar’s Vricon completed OWT Phase 1, which focused on Army training and simulation, in late 2020. Throughout 2021, OWT Phase 2 will shift to a focus on 3D geospatial components across the entire Army, including support of multi-domain operations, mission command systems and other non-training functions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
19 Feb 21. Raytheon Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the total cumulative value of $13,208,18 for the Next Generation Air Dominance Enablers technology development. This contract provides for the development of advanced fan aerodynamics to provide an ultra-high specific flow fan. This will be performed through the design of a number of fan configurations to optimize the aerodynamics providing increased mass flow through the fan while maintaining or improving the efficiency and operability. These configurations will be tested in a scale model facility to validate the designs. Ultimately, this technology will enable increased thrust production in the same size engine. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (77%); South Bend, Indiana (16%); and Windsor Locks, Connecticut (7%), with an expected completion date of Feb. 21, 2024. This is a three-year contract with a one-year option period, which, if exercised, will run concurrently with the base period. The base period is $12,518,610 and option period is $689,571. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,212,016 are obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-19-S-B001, “Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science & Technology.” Since proposals are received throughout the year under the long range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014-21-C-1003).
23 Feb 21. Sealing Technologies, Inc. (SealingTech), in support of the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, was awarded an $89m, 5-year Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to transition their Cyber Fly Away Kit into production last November. The system will support the Department of Defense with lightweight data processing capabilities to support legacy hardware. SealingTech is partnering with SRC Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company, to provide sustainment engineering, technical, and logistical support. In partnership with the Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP), NIWC Atlantic sought a solution in support of their technical and programmatic goals, including modernizing hardware of the off-board mission systems, introducing cloud-like functionality to the tactical edge, and supporting the deployment of multiple virtualized software products. Through an OTA with IWRP, managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI), SealingTech developed the Deployment Operational Data Integrated Network (ODIN) Deployment Kit (ODK). (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
26 Feb 21. Wangara-based SME, Advanced Braking Technology (ABT), has secured $240,000 in government funding as part of the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant — an initiative aimed at expanding export opportunities for local industry. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price congratulated the firm, noting its experience in the defence, mining and civil construction sectors. ABT, which recently supported Thales’ Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle project, is expected to use the grant to purchase a specialised computer-controlled machine, known as a CNC machine, designed to manufacture heavy vehicle brake mechanism components. The new technology ensures that ABT’s brake mechanisms align with new international standards. (Source: Defence Connect)
22 Feb 21. ACSER wins funding for new Spacecraft Lab. The Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER) at the University of NSW has been awarded an ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities grant worth $670,000 to fund the new Australian Spacecraft Innovation Laboratory. Work will commence later this year starting later this year. The laboratory is designed to provide researchers and entrepreneurs with a venue to integrate and test their “cubesats”, satellites the size of a loaf of bread, and small payloads. By centralising the satellite integration function, the standard of Australian space assets can be assured, giving researchers confidence that their space-based experiments will succeed. Knowledge transfer to space start-ups will be accelerated by easing their access to space. Partners include Sydney University, Macquarie University and Delta-V Space Alliance. Please contact Prof Andrew Dempster for further information – (Source: http://rumourcontrol.com.au/)
23 Feb 21. Pakistani tank upgrade looms for Ukroboronprom. Contract to upgrade T-80UD tanks for the Pakistani Army is signed at IDEX, more than four years after an MoU was announced. Ukroboronprom is to overhaul the Pakistani Army fleet of T-80UD MBTs, the Ukrainian state-run defence conglomerate announced on 22 February during the IDEX trade show in Abu Dhabi. Apart from this $85.6m contract for its subsidiary Ukrspecexport, signed during IDEX, Ukroboronprom CEO Yuri Gusev said that the two parties discussed new orders for 6TD-1 and 6-TD2 MBT diesel engines (the 6TD-1 is the powerplant for the T-80UD). (Source: Shephard)
SEA
23 Feb 21. MDA has been awarded an initial contract with an expected production value of more than CAD$60m on the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project. Lockheed Martin Canada has contracted MDA to provide the Laser Warning and Countermeasure (LWCM) System that will protect the ships against laser and optical guided threats. MDA’s Canadian-built solutions have the potential to unlock enormous economic benefits and return on investment to the country, and will position MDA as a technology leader in the global naval market. This long-term project will employ highly-skilled engineers and technical staff in five of MDA’s sites across Canada, including Richmond (BC), Brampton and Kanata (ON), Montreal (QC) and Dartmouth (NS). Technologies developed for this program will be based on proven components and electronics similar to those used by MDA for both its space and terrestrial programs. MDA is currently under contract to Lockheed Martin Canada as the Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite systems integrator for the CSC. In this role, MDA will be responsible for the overall integration of the EW sensor suite. The new CSC will be an advanced and multi-mission combat ship, equipped with next generation technology to capably support and protect the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy as they fulfill their wide range of missions around the world, from humanitarian assistance to high-intensity conflicts, for the next 40+ years. (Source: PR Newswire)
22 Feb 21. Saab, BlueZone sign ASW contract. Representatives from the ADF and Saab Australia have visited BlueZone Group’s facility in Newcastle for the formal signing of an ASW target system support contract. BlueZone Group has welcomed representatives from the Australian Defence Force and Saab Australia to its facility in Newcastle, where it has formally signed a contract to manage operations, maintenance and repair for the Royal Australian Navy’s Saab-built AUV62-AT Intermediate Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target. The AUV62-AT is designed to provide a cost-effective and realistic alternative to the use of submarines for training, with the active and passive target allowing real data analysis for planning and post-exercises. BlueZone is expected to leverage its experience support other key systems, including the Double Eagle Remotely Operated Vehicle, Boeing Liquid Robotics Wave Glider and HII Hydroid REMUS. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
23 Feb 21. Egypt becomes the first international customer for MBDA’s VL MICA New Generation surface-to-air system. MBDA has been awarded a contract from the Egyptian Navy for the VL MICA NG (New Generation) air defence system to equip its Egyptian corvettes. Officially launched in October 2020, the VL MICA NG system is based on the integration of the MICA NG (New Generation) missile into the existing VL MICA point and close area air defence system. The VL MICA NG system offers improved capabilities to handle atypical targets (UAVs, small aircraft), as well as future threats characterised by increasingly low observable infrared and radio frequency signatures. Additionally, VL MICA NG will be able to intercept ‘conventional’ targets (aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles) at longer distances.
19 Feb 21. Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded a $74,238,334 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee contract. This contract provides 23.4 APY-10 radar system production kits and related support for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft for Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (72%); Andover, Massachusetts (7%); Dallas, Texas (6%); Torrance, California (5%); Woodland Park, New Jersey (4%); Black Mountain, North Carolina (2%); Etobicoke, Ontario (2%); Clearwater, Florida (1%); and Simsbury, Connecticut (1%), and is expected to be completed in August 2025. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $27,538,719; and FMS funds in the amount of $46,699,615 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-21-C-0004).
TECHNOLOGY
25 Feb 21. Australia has issued the latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) grants, totalling over $2m. The grants have been awarded to South Australia-based businesses Axiom Precision Manufacturing and M&I Samaras, and NSW-based business Jehbco Manufacturing. Axion, which has secured its second grant under the scheme, has been awarded $1m to develop the capability to weld high-precision structures and armoured steel. The firm contributed to Australia’s COVID-19 response, producing face shields for health and aged care workers, and has recently signed a contract for component supply for the Joint Strike Fighter Program. M&I Samaras’ grant, also valued at $1m is expected to be used to fund the development and installation of a robotic assembly and welding line, designed for heavy engineering and equipped with advanced manufacturing capabilities required in the shipbuilding process. Jehbco Manufacturing has been awarded a $92,340 grant, used to fund the purchase and commission of capital equipment, as well as upgrades to overall security, which is expected to facilitate productivity gains and improve quality and precision. The firms are the latest of 73 Australian small and medium businesses to secure a combined $40m in grants under the SICP program since its launch in November 2018. (Source: Defense One)
26 Feb 21. Horizon Aerospace Technologies Division has received an order for a FlyingFish™ FF3/S Sat Phone geolocation system (and ancillary items) from a UAE prime contractor for use on a surveillance aircraft to monitor critical infrastructure in the region. The order is valued at approximately £400,000, and delivery will take place in 2021 pending export approval.
23 Feb 21. Nova Systems secures CASG training contract. The engineering and management services provider has been tapped to deliver safety training to CASG. Nova Systems has been awarded a two-year contract to provide system safety training to the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). The group’s system safety instructors have been tasked with delivering 10 courses, via either the virtual classroom or face-to-face, to more than 200 CASG engineers. This builds on existing contracts, with Nova already delivering Acceptance Testing & Evaluation (T&E) and Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) courses. (Source: Defence Connect)