UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
04 Mar 21. Babcock awarded new tactical communication contract for UK MoD. Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence Company, has secured a five year, £150mn Logistic Support Contract (LSC) for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The contract forms part of the £3.2bn Battlefield and Tactical Communication Information Systems (BATCIS) programme of opportunities to deliver the next generation tactical communications and information systems, including adjacent air and littoral assets, and the dismounted close combat soldier. Through a unique network of industry experts and service providers, Babcock has developed Team Connect to deliver all aspects of the LSC and utilise a wealth of expertise. The collaboration, building on similar principles from our successful Maritime System Support Partner programme, has established an effective and agile end-to-end supply chain to satisfy full lifecycle operations. The support chain will transition legacy arrangements and protocols, and is focused on delivering a responsive and sustainable solution that offers value for money.
04 Mar 21. Thales secures £98m air defence missile contract. A £98.4m contract, supporting 119 jobs, has been extended to maintain Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) for the British Army and Royal Marines. SHORAD is made up of High Velocity and Lightweight Multi-role Missile systems that can intercept air threats including fast jets, attack helicopters and unmanned air systems in a matter of seconds. Thales UK won the initial contract in 2018, helping to modernise and develop the missile systems as part of the Future Air Defence Availability Project (F-ADAPT). This latest announcement confirms a five-year extension to the contract, sustaining over one hundred jobs at Thales UK’s Belfast site and within the wider Northern Ireland supply chain. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
SEA
26 Feb 21. The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $7,864,000 cost plus incentive fee and cost plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00006) to previously awarded and announced contract N00030-21-C-6002 for the U.S. and United Kingdom to provide FY21/FY22 Trident II (D5) Inertial Navigation equipment technical engineering support services. Work will be performed at Huntington Beach, California (63%); and Heath, Ohio (13%), along with Field Engineering conducted at Puget Sound, Washington (4%); Heath, Ohio (4%); Mitchell Field, New York (4%); Norfolk, Virginia (4%); Kings Bay, Georgia (4%); Port Canaveral, Florida (2%), and Faslane, Scotland (2%), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,864,000 will be obligated and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and (4). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
01 Mar 21. Lockheed Martin Space, Titusville, Florida, is awarded a $128,677,600, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-21-C-2017) to support the integration of the Trident II (D5) Missile and Reentry Subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for the U.S./United Kingdom Columbia/Dreadnought Submarine construction programs. Work will be performed in Cape Canaveral, Florida (37.02%); Denver, Colorado (24.22%); Sunnyvale, California (15.62%); Magna, Utah (13.72%); Titusville, Florida (1.69%); Oak Ridge, Tennessee (1.06%); and other various locations of less than 1.0% each (6.67% total). Work is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2027. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) ($114,095,039); and foreign funds – non Foreign Military Sales ($6,827,555), in the amount of $120,922,594 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded to the contractor on a sole-source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management (beta) website. The Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
01 Mar 21. KBR (NYSE: KBR) is expanding its breadth of capabilities into the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a contract for the delivery of cutting-edge Nano Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) to support technological experimentations with the British Army and the Future Capability Group. KBR’s Government Solutions EMEA business will utilize its established services integrator approach to merge world leading technologies with innovative service delivery including training, logistics, and technical support. Focused on expanding its solutions integration capabilities and collaborative relationships with UK and global subject matter experts, the team is working with UK-based Evolve Dynamics, an engineering company specializing in UAS, to ensure timely delivery of systems for use by MOD personnel in the UK and overseas, and across a wide range of environments.
TECHNOLOGY
04 Mar 21. Photonics spin-out to defend against battlefield laser threats awarded funding. A new photonics spin-out company that provides novel laser detection and protection products for military users has been awarded £232,000 of funding from the UK Government Using research undertaken by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Sentinel Photonics offers a unique range of laser detection and protection products. For the first time, protection from laser-based threats for dismounted soldiers is possible, potentially saving lives and improving survivability. The technology detects and analyses invisible lasers used ahead of weapon systems to provide advance warning of attacks. Over time a bank of laser ‘signatures’ will be created that will identify and distinguish individual threat systems, enabling dismounted troops to take appropriate protective measures.
This disruptive technology not only offers a step change in size, weight, power, and cost, but also enhanced detection capabilities against laser threats on the battlefield. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
LAND
04 Mar 21. Airbus wins its first Syracuse IV ground segment programme contract. Within the Syracuse IV programme, Airbus has been awarded a 10-year framework agreement called Copernicus for the construction and upgrading of part of the ground segment for the telecommunications satellites used by the French Armed Forces. As part of Copernicus, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has placed an initial order worth more than €100m. This first order specifically covers the development of the future satellite communications management system for the French Ministry of Defence. This unique portal called Pegasus, accessible to all units, will enable the French Armed Forces to optimise use of the available capacities on military and commercial satellites. It will make it possible to coordinate requests entered by central military staff or any unit deployed on the ground, at sea or in the air. Allocation of satellite capacities will be optimised in terms of operational criteria completed by the units, such as the type of terminals used, ground cover, level of cyber security, jamming resistance, as well as the need for availability. The Copernicus project also aims to increase the operability of Comcept, the multi-satellite communications network designed by Airbus and commissioned by the French armed forces in 2017. Comcept uses the broadband Ka-band transmission capacities of the Franco-Italian military satellite ATHENA-FINDUS, in addition to the Ku- and C-band capacities of commercial satellites. Thanks to these developments, Comcept will also be able to use the high-speed Ka-band of future satellites SYRACUSE 4A and 4B.
Different elements of the SYRACUSE IV programme’s future ground segment and the Pegasus portal will enable the French armed forces to use the entire spectrum of satellite capacities efficiently and dynamically, from the most secure and resilient to the high-speed and wide coverage capacities, in all areas of operations.
02 Mar 21. The Finnish Defence Forces order Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system’s products and Bittium Tough Comnode™ devices based on Framework Agreements on the purchase of the products. The value of the purchase order including Bittium TAC WIN system’s products is approximately EUR 8.5m (excl. VAT). The ordered tactical routers and radio heads are related to several ongoing projects in the Finnish Defense Forces, where Bittium TAC WIN provides broadband IP network connections for mobile communication stations and command posts. Bittium TAC WIN system’s products are ordered based on a Framework Agreement between Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces, according to which the Finnish Defence Forces purchase Bittium TAC WIN system’s products for tactical communications. The Framework Agreement covers the years 2021–2024, with a total value of approximately EUR 30m (excl. VAT) at the maximum. According to the Framework Agreement, the Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders for the products each year. Bittium announced on December 22, 2020 that the Finnish Minister of Defence Anssi Kaikkonen had authorized the Finnish Defence Forces to purchase Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system’s products The value of the purchase order including Bittium Tough Comnode devices is approximately EUR 1.7m (excl. VAT). Bittium Tough Comnode fulfills the data transfer needs of the Finnish Defence Forces’ mobile troops by functioning for example as a VoIP phone (Voice over IP), an IP router (Internet Protocol), and an SHDSL repeater (Symmetrical High-speed Digital Subscriber Line). Bittium Tough Comnode devices are ordered based on a Framework Agreement signed by Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces in 2018, according to which the Finnish Defence Forces purchase Bittium Tough Comnode devices and related accessories. The Framework Agreement covers the years 2018–2022, with a total value of approximately EUR 8.3m (excl. VAT) at the maximum. According to the Framework Agreement, the Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders for the products each year. All the products will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces during the year 2021. The purchase orders do not change Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2021, published in Bittium Corporation’s Financial Statement Bulletin January-December 2020 on February 11, 2021.
SEA
26 Feb 21. Leonardo Signs 150m Euro Contract to Provide Surveillance and Protection Systems for the Italian Navy’s New Submarines.
- The agreement with Fincantieri will see Leonardo equipping the first two new U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS), due to join the Italian Navy fleet in 2027 and 2029
- This is the first time Leonardo is providing a combat management system for a submarine. By adding this capability to its portfolio, Leonardo is improving its position in the naval sector and broadening its offer to domestic and international customers
- Leonardo is continuously investing in its combat management system product line. Its surface vessel systems and submarine systems share common elements and so will both benefit from the resulting innovation
Leonardo has signed a contract with Fincantieri worth approximately 150m euro to provide equipment for the initial two U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS), the first of which is due to join the Italian Navy fleet in 2027. This strategic equipment will enhance the surveillance and protection capabilities of the Italian Navy as they carry out operations beneath the waves in Italian and international waters.
The contract includes the design and development of a next-generation Combat Management System (CMS) as part of the Italian Navy’s “Naval Law” modernization programme. The supply forms part of a broader programme under which Fincantieri is providing two U212 NFS submarines plus options for two more as well as technical and logistic support.
In addition to the CMS, Leonardo will also provide a simulation and training laboratory at the Italian Navy’s Submarine Centre in Taranto and a package of logistic support including staff training and a set of spare parts.
The new U212 Near Future Submarines build on the U212A (Todaro-class) design while featuring a range of technological advances. Four U212A submarines went into service with the Italian Navy in 2006.
This contract is a strategic development for Leonardo in the naval sector. By adding a submarine CMS to its portfolio, Leonardo is broadening its offer into the submarine market. With commonalities between the submarine CMS and Leonardo’s equivalent system for surface vessels, the company is expecting to exploit synergies between the two systems, with investment in innovation benefitting both product lines.
The strengthening of Leonardo’s core businesses, including by enhancing areas of expertise which cut across business lines, such as command and control, is one of the pillars of the “Be Tomorrow – Leonardo 2030” strategic plan. Leonardo is developing pathways to sustainable growth through leadership in next generation technologies.(Source: ASD Network)
04 Mar 21. The Belgian and Royal Netherlands navies choose ECA GROUP’s USV INSPECTOR 125 to show the path of stand-off mine clearance at sea. Within their Mine Countermeasures capability replacement programme, the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands navies chose the INSPECTOR 125-class USV. At the heart of the MCM mission and the centerpiece of the naval drone system, the INSPECTOR 125 combines all advantages of a sea proven and robust solution with many innovative functions. The INSPECTOR 125 USV has a low magnetic and acoustic signature to prevent mine triggering, and its unsinkability keeps it afloat in the event of mine explosions. Its unequalled architecture is made to address the requirements of the navies.
AIR
04 Mar 21. Thales Alenia Space, a Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) has signed a 772m EUR contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), acting in the name and on behalf of the European Union represented by the European Commission, to provide 6 satellites part of the 2nd Generation of Galileo constellation. The first satellites of this second generation will be placed in orbit by the end of 2024. With their new capabilities relying on high innovative technologies (digitally configurable antennas, inter-satellites links, use of full electric propulsion systems), these satellites will improve the accuracy of Galileo as well as the robustness to interference and jamming and resilience of its signal. This will be key for the upcoming digital decade and will support more security & defense usages. Among its objectives, the Galileo 2nd Generation satellites will boost the EU industry competitiveness in the highly strategic domain of technologies for EU sovereignty. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
LAND
02 Mar 21. Kromek Group PLC (LON:KMK) received a repeat order from a US customer worth US$150,000 for specialised CZT detectors for a nuclear application. (Source: proactiveinvestors.co.uk)
01 Mar 21. Mack Defense announced today that the U.S. Army ordered 99 Mack Defense M917A3 non-armored Heavy Dump Trucks (HDT) as part of the previously announced contract that could be worth up to $296.4m over seven years between the U.S. Department of Defense and Mack Defense. Based on the civilian Mack® Granite® model, one of the top-selling vocational trucks in North America, the HDTs will be delivered to the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. The M917A3 HDT was spec’d with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other features to meet the U.S. Army needs. The U.S. Army signed the agreement Nov. 30, 2020 to purchase the Mack Granite-based HDT’s after Mack Defense completed two years of successful testing by the Army of 12 vehicles at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland in accordance with the contract program timeline, according to John Larkin, HDT program manager for Mack Defense. Initial deliveries of the Mack Defense M917A3 HDT will begin in May 2021. The new HDTs will help increase the U.S. Army’s operational effectiveness and readiness, while supporting mobility, counter-mobility, survivability and sustainment operations for the Joint Force.
SEA
26 Feb 21. Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $235,000,000 fixed-priced-incentive firm-target undefinitized contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-2227 for the detail design and construction of Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 15. Work performed is for the detail design and construction of EPF 15. The EPF class provides high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (63%); Fairfax, Virginia (10%); Novi, Michigan (10%); Houston, Texas (3%); Slidell, Louisiana (2%); Franklin, Massachusetts (2%); Rhinelander, Wisconsin (2%); Chesapeake, Virginia (1%); with other efforts performed at various locations throughout the U.S. (4%); and various locations outside the U.S. (3%). Work is expected to complete by March 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $60,000,000 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.
26 Feb 21. DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $13,957,338 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5395 to exercise options for production of the AN/SPQ-9B radar systems and associated equipment. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,634,104 (69%); and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,323,234 (31%) 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.
03 Mar 21. ERAPSCO JV (Sparton Corp. and Ultra Electronics – USSI), Columbia City, Indiana, is awarded a $71,324,800 firm-fixed-price modification (P00012) to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00019-19-D-0032. This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of a maximum quantity of 20,000 AN/SSQ-125 production sonobuoys in support of annual training, peacetime operations and testing expenditures and maintaining sufficient inventory to support the execution of major combat operations determined by the Naval Munitions Requirements Process for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in De Leon Spring, Florida (51%); and Columbia City, Indiana (49%), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
26 Feb 21. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded an $80,245,393 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract action for long lead time material (LLTM) in support of one Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) Replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9). This action will be the fourth increment of LLTM awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries under contract N00024-20-C-2437. Work to be performed is the procurement of Long Lead Time Material for LHA 9, the fourth Amphibious Assault Ship Replacement (LHA(R)) America Class and the second LHA(R) Flight 1 variant. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (53%); Cincinnati, Ohio (28%); Walpole, Massachusetts (10%); Garden Grove, California (4%); Warminster, Pennsylvania (4%); and Bellflower, California (less than 1%). Work is expected to be completed by February 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $60,184,044 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The obligation amount represents 75% of the not-to-exceed price, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 217.7404-4 limitations on obligations. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured; only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-2437).
03 Mar 21. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has chosen L3Harris Technologies to design an ‘autonomous surface ship concept’. The company was selected for Phase I of the two-phase ‘No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS)’ programme. L3Harris said that the company’s design concept will involve optimising NOMARS’ construction, logistics, operations, as well as maintenance life-cycle. The design concept features an advanced operating system capable of making decisions and determine actions on its own without need for direct human interaction. It will support the US Navy’s future missions by optimising ‘autonomous surface ship operations’. L3Harris has partnered with VARD Marine to evaluate the concept and design of the architecture and hull. The two companies also partnered on the design of mechanical and electrical systems. (Source: naval technology.com)
26 Feb 21. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded a $55,466,406 modification (P00001) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-21-C-0005. This modification exercises an option to procure 18 Lot 15 full rate production GQM-163A Coyote Supersonic Sea Skimming Targets (14 for the Navy; three for the Missile Defense Agency; and one for the government of Japan) in support of developmental, operational test and evaluation of major combat weapon systems. Additionally, this contract procures associated technical and administrative data in support of full rate production Lot 15 deliveries. Work will be performed in Camden, Arkansas (43%); Chandler, Arizona (35%); Vergennes, Vermont (8%); Cincinnati, Ohio (4%); Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (4%); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (4%), and various locations within the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $43,140,538; fiscal 2021 working capital (defense) funds in the amount of $9,244,401; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $3,081,467 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.
04 Mar 21. Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $9,664,230 task order to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-18-D-0018 for Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) waterfront installation support on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division has a requirement for CIWS waterfront installation support. This contract was awarded on a competitive basis in September 2018. This contract provides support in performing the functions of an Alteration Installation Team with the installation of ship alterations, ship change documents, and ordnance alterations as related to the CIWS on Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and Foreign Military Sales vessels. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington (59%); and Norfolk, Virginia (41%), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,664,230 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
AIR
02 Mar 21. Astra Space wins launch services contract. The space company has secured a contract to launch six CubeSats as part of NASA’s TROPICS mission. Astra Space Inc has been selected to provide launch services, valued at US$7.9m ($10.3m), for NASA’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission. The mission involves the delivery of a constellation of six CubeSats, designed to increase the scientific community’s understanding of storm processes. Astra Space is expected to launch the CubeSats on its ‘Rocket 3’ platform from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, with three separate launches over a 120-day period.
The contract is set to be managed from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA aims to launch the TROPICS mission on 8 January and 31 July 2022 under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch licence. (Source: Space Connect)
02 Mar 21. BAE Systems secured a $58m contract to begin low-rate initial production of an electronic warfare system for F-15s to protect pilots from advanced threats coming over the electromagnetic spectrum, the company announced Tuesday. The award for the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System, or EPAWSS, for the legacy fighters came through Boeing for the U.S. Air Force. With advances in enemy sensing, radar and interference tools, U.S. planes must be able to better protect themselves and jam potential threats. The system allows pilots to monitor, jam and deceive threats in contested airspace, BAE said. It combines multispectral sensors and countermeasures, signal processing, microelectronics and algorithms to deliver radar warning, situational awareness, geolocation and self-protection capabilities. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
26 Feb 21. Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded a $309,584,074 modification (P00038) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00019-17-C-0015 for the production and delivery of four CMV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30%); Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (15%); Amarillo, Texas (13%); Red Oak, Texas (3%); East Aurora, New York (3%); Park City, Utah (2%); McKinney, Texas (1%); Endicott, New York (1%); various locations within the continental U.S. (28%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (4%), and is expected to be completed in March 2025. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $309,584,074 will be obligated at the 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.
26 Feb 21. Collins Aerospace Wins $34m Contract for USAF F-16, B-2 Sustainment.
- Award marks company’s largest Supplier Initiated Ordering program to date
- First win for Collins Aerospace’s newly created Defense Sustainment organization as part of its Beyond Break Fix strategy
- Company aims to maintain a guaranteed level of materiel availability to Hill Air Force Base, rotate inventory to reduce DLA’s carrying costs and double inventory turns
In 2017, the USAF approached Collins Aerospace looking to improve readiness. Hill Air Force Base was experiencing large variations in repair materiel availability for the company’s Accessory Drive Gearbox—ranging from too many parts in stock to too few—and the readiness rates of its F-16 and B-2 fleets were suffering as a result. The gearbox acts as the heart of the aircraft’s transmission system, used for changing rotational speed. Rather than approach the USAF request from a traditional MRO perspective, Collins Aerospace’s newly created Defense Sustainment team turned it into an opportunity to collaborate with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to forecast future gearbox repair materiel needs as part of the company’s Beyond Break Fix strategy.
As a result, Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX), has received a 10-year, $34m contract from the DLA to provide gearbox repair materiel for the USAF F-16 and B-2 fleets. Under the Supplier Initiated Ordering program, a new Department of Defense practice, the DLA has provided Collins Aerospace access and insight to its materiel demand profile. In turn, the company will use its proprietary demand profiling process, world-class supply chain management and manufacturing resources to drive an optimized materiel support plan. Collins Aerospace aims to maintain a guaranteed level of materiel availability to Hill Air Force Base at all times, rotate all inventory regularly to reduce the DLA’s carrying costs throughout the period of performance and double inventory turns. (Source: ASD Network)
26 Feb 21. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has signed a contract with Rocket Lab to launch the GA-EMS developed Orbital Test Bed (OTB) satellite carrying the Argos-4 Advanced Data Collection System (A-DCS) hosted payload. The contract was awarded to GA-EMS by the United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) under a USSF Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) delivery order, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The anticipated launch will occur between late 2021 and early 2022 using Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle. The Argos-4 A-DCS mission is supported by the NOAA Cooperative Data and Rescue Services Program. Argos is an international program that collects data from thousands of sensors and transmitters located around the world. Currently, data is collected and distributed for use in numerous applications, including ocean buoy tracking, wildlife and fishery monitoring, and maritime security, as well as non-environmental uses. (Source: Satnews)
03 Mar 21. L3 Harris Technologies, Clifton, New Jersey, is awarded a $72,362,191 modification (P00002) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-20-C-0002. This modification exercises the option to procure 19 full rate production Lot 18 integrated defensive electronic countermeasures AN/ALQ-214 A(V)4 onboard jammer systems for the F/A-18 aircraft. In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 11 weapons replaceable assembly (WRA)1 A(V)4 receiver/processors; and 13 WRA2 A(V)4 modulators for Navy Supply Systems Command. Work will be performed in Clifton, New Jersey (59%); San Jose, California (14%); San Diego, California (7%); Rancho Cordova, California (5%); Mountain View, California (3%) and various locations within the continental U.S. (12%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $72,362,191 will be obligated at the 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.
26 Feb 21. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $32,853,210 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Autonomous Swarm/Strike – Loitering Munitions. This contract provides for work on the Coyote Block 3 (CB3) Autonomous Strike—a rapid capability effort to achieve operational launch capability from unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and an unmanned underwater vessel (UUV). The intended concept of operations (CONOP) and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) are to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike capability from maritime platforms. Additionally, the High Volume Long Range Precision Strike (HVLRPS) from USVs and Fires (HVLRPF) from UUVs demonstrations will leverage prior efforts including the Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) and progress on the Mobile Precision Attack Vehicle (MoPAV). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona with an expected completion date of Feb. 26, 2024. The total cumulative value of this contract, including a one-year base period and twelve option periods, is $32,853,210. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,500,000 are obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-20-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-1009).
04 Mar 21. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $74,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (FA8675-21-D-0002) for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) aircraft integration support. This contract will provide the necessary aircraft lab, flight test, flight clearance and simulation support during all integration requirements in AMRAAM for F-15, F-16, FA-18, F-22, F-35 and other current inventory or next generation platforms that may join the Air Force or Navy inventory before the end of fiscal 2029. Work will primarily be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed March 30, 2032. An initial task order (FA8675-21-F-1002) will be awarded concurrently with the basic contract, for a total cost-plus-fixed-fee value of $9,447,196. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,000,000; and fiscal 2021 RDT&E (Navy) funds in the amount of $500,000, are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
26 Feb 21. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $53,869,392 modification (P00178) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for four UH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. Fiscal 2010 special funds in the amount of $53,869,392 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
21 Feb 21. The U.S. Air Force, through its AFWERX program, recently awarded Space Micro Inc. an STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) contract to enhance its current Nanocom™ Software Defined Radio (SDR) for new U.S. Space Force programs for smallsats. The contract, “Modular Software Defined Radio for Resilient SATCOM”, requires Space Micro to assess future Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for advanced SATCOM. Space Micro’s Nanocom is a miniaturized (1U), quick-to-field, cost-effective, modular SDR. Designed under previous programs to perform in hostile and extreme environmental conditions, Nanocom is programmable on orbit and suitable for a variety of applications, including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) transceiver, mission data transmitter, and Radio Frequency (RF) receiver with onboard signal processing. Nanocom contains the latest generation Xilinx Zynq Software on a Chip (SoC) whose large availability of programmable logic resources support sophisticated, cognitive anti-jamming algorithms. The included Gigabit Ethernet interfaces support classified data and waveform loading. The Nanocom’s modular design allows it to be easily configured to support different data rates, frequencies, bandwidths and interfaces. (Source: Satnews)
TECHNOLOGY
03 Mar 21. The Defense Intelligence Agency announced a contract worth up to $12.6bn for a broad range of IT services, naming 144 vendors that can compete for pieces of the award. Those services for the military intelligence agency and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency include managed network and enterprise computing support. The 10-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, announced March 2, also will provide cybersecurity, service desk support, and unified voice, video and chat tools. The Solutions for Information Technology Enterprise III contract replaces the agency’s previous version that ended in December last year. It covers classified and unclassified IT services. “This SITE III contract will address the evolving needs vital to the security of the U.S. and facilitates worldwide coverage for integrated information technology intelligence requirements and technical support services,” the contract announcement stated. The 144 companies will compete for task orders, and 107 of the awardees are small businesses. “The SITE lll contract provides managed services directed towards improving integration, information sharing, and information safeguarding through the use of a streamlined information technology approach,” the RFP released last year said. The contract will standardize acquisition documentation, improve contract reporting, increase contracting performance and boost efficiency, a 2020 DIA press release on the contract stated. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
02 Mar 21. The Department of Defense (DOD) entered into a $14m agreement with Draper to enhance the U.S.’s ability for volume production of advanced packaging solutions for computer chips embedded within defense systems. Draper received a $10m contract from the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III office. The company also received a $4m contract from the DOD Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) office. Draper intends to expand existing domestic supplier production capabilities to produce three dimensional (3D), ultra-high-density microelectronics modules for use in mission critical applications. Draper’s integrated ultra-high-density technology is in high-volume production at i3 Microsystems’ fabrication facility in St. Petersburg, Fla. Access to secure state-of-the-art microelectronics used by military systems like DoD aircraft, ground vehicles and complex weapons systems is critical to ensuring our nation’s technological advantage. (Source: US DoD)
26 Feb 21. General Dynamics Once Source LLC, Falls Church, Virginia (FA8240-21-D-3501); ManTech Advanced Systems International Inc., Herndon, Virginia (FA8240-21-D-3601); and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., McLean, Virginia (FA8240-21-D-3701), were awarded a ceiling $4,445,000,000 multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Air Force (AF) Special Access Program (SAP) security support services effort. This contract provides for assistance of the AF cognizant security authority in oversight of enhanced national security objectives supporting AF SAP interests. A large majority of the work will be performed in the National Capital Region and is expected to be completed March 9, 2031. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds; and fiscal 2021 other procurement funds will be used with no funds being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Text Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
03 Mar 21. Jankel wins first major order from their new “Act Now – Armour Later” Toyota LC200 initiative. Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO protection systems, has received an order for 35 Toyota LC200 vehicles following the recent launch of their “Act Now – Armour Later” initiative. The vehicles have been ordered by an undisclosed existing customer and will be securely stored and maintained by Jankel prior to being armoured, as required. The customer is already in discussions with Jankel regarding the future armouring and/or modification programme of the 35 base LC200 vehicles purchased, to meet their emerging needs. Modifications include Civilian Armoured Vehicle conversions (Hot Formed Armoured CAV), military specification modifications and armoured twin-cab pickup variants.
02 Mar 21. Milspec Manufacturing of Albury has entered into a $5.58m contract with Rheinmetall to deliver Lynx alternators. Milspec Manufacturing and Rheinmetall last week confirmed an agreement to produce a series of Lynx KF41 IFV alternators for an overseas buyer. Milspec, which is based in Albury, has worked alongside Rheinmetall for six years undertaking research and development, and was the recipient of the $5.58m contract. This contract comes following the Rheinmetall tender for the government’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program, valued between $18bn and $27bn. In 2015, Milspec initially won a contract to produce the alternator for the prototype of the Lynx, and subsequently won the contract to deliver alternators for the three Lynx vehicles competing to win the LAND 400 tender last year. (Source: Defence Connect)
SEA
03 Mar 21. MBDA awarded first contract for its new Albatros NG system. Albatros NG is a new CAMM-ER based air defence system for naval applications. MBDA has been awarded a first contract for Albatros NG, a brand new CAMM-ER based air defence system. This first order, from an undisclosed international customer, marks a further validation of the wide appeal of the CAMM air defence family on the global marketplace and paves the way to further acquisitions by the same customer and other Navies. Albatros NG is a new generation Naval Based Air Defence (NBAD) system, based on the CAMM-ER, which is the extended range variant of the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) family already delivered to customers around the world for both ground based and naval air defence. Under the terms of this recent order, Albatros NG will be in service in 2024. Albatros NG, deriving its name from the legacy Albatros systems which have been in service with the Italian Navy and several export customers for years, is suitable for different kinds of vessels providing air defence capability for platforms ranging from patrol vessels and corvettes to destroyers. It also allows a complementary layer for larger vessels such as frigates and destroyers already equipped with a long range air defence system. It can be easily integrated, without significant changes, in the ships’ design; its Command & Control (C2) is designed to enable flexible integration with both new and existing naval Combat Management Systems (CMS). The CAMM-ER missile is capable of providing self and local area defence against the evolving airborne threat at ranges exceeding 40km; it will be integrated in the new ground based air defence systems for the Italian Army and Italian Air Force. CAMM family systems have already been delivered to the British Army, to the Royal Navy and to several export nations. Air defence systems utilising the CAMM and CAMM-ER missiles can provide armed forces with advanced protection against the ever-evolving air threat, including manned and unmanned aircraft, precision guided munitions, terrain-following/sea-skimming missiles, and low radar cross section (RCS) targets; all in the presence of the latest countermeasures.
03 Mar 21. SEA has been appointed to supply its Torpedo Launcher System (TLS) to a multi-ship programme in South America. The contract follows the adoption of the system by the UK Royal Navy and other leading international navies in regions including North America and South-East Asia. In service with the UK Royal Navy for more than 30 years, SEA’s torpedo launcher is weapon-agnostic – providing flexibility that has been a major draw for navies worldwide. Its unique design also ensures that it is easily upgradable throughout its service life and significantly reduces the risk of capability obsolescence based on ammunition supply. The system is capable of firing the US Mk 44, Mk 46 and Mk 54 torpedoes, UK Sting Ray, Italian A244S, French MU 90 and the Korean Blue Shark, and can also be configured to use other weapons on an individual basis. With a modular and flexible design, the TLS also meets the requirements for the Global Combat Ship Type 26 frigate – a state-of-the-art frigate design which has been successfully implemented by navies worldwide.
AIR
02 Mar 21. Australia will invest a further $115m to procure three additional Loyal Wingman aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), doubling the size of the fleet. This is in addition to the $40m already invested in the program, as part of a broader effort to assess the benefits of enhanced interoperability between piloted and remotely piloted air team systems in support of Australia’s defence and national security objectives. According to Defence, the investment will ensure ongoing support of the current workforce and key industries, including advanced mission system software development, high technology aircraft manufacturing and uncrewed aircraft flight testing. The news comes just hours after Boeing confirmed that its first Loyal Wingman completed its inaugural flight, taking off and landing at the Woomera Range Complex, South Australia. The flight marked the first time in over 50 years since an Australian-designed military combat aircraft performed an inaugural flight in Australia. (Source: Defence Connect)
02 Mar 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that it was awarded an approximately $300m contract by a country in Asia to provide HermesTM 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS”). The contract will be performed over a period of five years. Under the contract, the Company will provide its Hermes 900 UAS and associated sub-systems, as well as maintenance and support services. The Hermes 900 UAS has been selected to date, by 12 countries, attesting to its competitive edge that combines technological sophistication, reliability, open architecture and a solid growth path.
03 Mar 21. India Signs 1st Export Deal For BrahMos Cruise Missiles With The Philippines – Reports. The Philippines will be the first country to receive the Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile, considered the world’s fastest supersonic missile. The two countries have signed an agreement for a potential supply of the weapon, which would boost the Philippines’ coastal defense, according to reports. Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic (faster than the speed of sound) missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, fighter jets, or land. The Straits Times has reported that Philippine Defence Undersecretary Raymund Elefante and Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran on Tuesday signed an implementing agreement at Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Asian country will be procuring defense material and equipment from India. (Source: Google/https://eurasiantimes.com/)
26 Feb 21. The Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded a $32,799,030 modification (P00001) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-21-C-0004. This modification exercises an option to procure 11 APY-10 radar system production kits for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Navy and the government of Australia. 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 $26,835,570; and foreign cooperative project funds in the amount of $5,963,460 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.
03 Mar 21. Royal Thai Air Force to upgrade Gripen C/D combat aircraft to MS20 standard. The Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF’s) Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering (DAE) has awarded a contract for the upgrade of the service’s 11 Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole combat aircraft to the latest MS20 standard, Janes learned on 3 March. The THB631.725m (USD20.84m) contract, which dates back to around mid-January, was signed with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, according to documents published by the RTAF. The requirement for the MS20 upgrade was first stated in November 2018 by Group Captain Prachya Tippayarat, from the RTAF’s Wing 7 at Surat Thani Air Force Base, in an interview with Janes. However, no details were provided at the time as to when the upgrade would take place. The requirement was reiterated in the RTAF’s 2020 White Paper, with an envisaged start date in 2021, although no information has been provided about when the upgrade work is set to be completed. According to Saab, the MS20 upgrade, which involves hardware and software upgrades, is designed to enhance the Gripens’ ability to engage ground targets by incorporating unguided and laser-guided bombs into the aircraft’s payload inventory. The platform’s air-to-air capability is also set to be enhanced by the introduction of new radar modes. The MS20 standard, which offers an optional ground collision avoidance system (GCAS), will additionally enable the aircraft to fire MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM). (Source: Jane’s)