UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
16 Mar 21. United Kingdom-Telford: Parts of military vehicles.
2021/S 052-132184. Contract award notice for contracts in the field of defence and security
Official name: DSG
Postal address: I&RM, Bldg B15, MOD Donnington
IRM17/2331 — The Supply of Artillery and Howitzer Components and Armoured Vehicle Weapons Systems including 105 mm Lt Gun
II.1.4)Short description of the contract or purchase(s):
Parts of military vehicles. Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent for the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to negotiate a contract with BAE Systems, GCS International Ltd for the supply of Artillery and Howitzer components and Armoured Vehicle weapons systems including 105 mm Light Gun Spares. Contract duration is 5 years with 2 x 1 year options.
II.2.1)Total final value of contract(s)
Value: 4 500 000 GBP Excluding VAT
V.3)Name and address of economic operator in favour of whom the contract award decision has been taken
Official name: BAE GCS International Ltd
Town: Barrow-in-Furness
Country: United Kingdom. (Source: Europa TED)
24 Mar 21. United Kingdom-Telford: Repair and maintenance services of military vehicles.
Official name: Babcock Land Defence Ltd
II.1.1)Title:
The Repair and Overhaul of CR2 Transmission Mechanical – Hand Traverse Gearbox
Reference number: IRM19/7375
II.1.4)Short description:
Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent for the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to negotiate a single source contract with Davall Gears Limited for the Repair and Overhaul of CR2 Transmission Mechanical – Hand Traverse Gearbox.
II.1.6)Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: no
II.1.7)Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: 253 500.00 GBP
II.2)Description
II.2.3)Place of performance
NUTS code: UKG21 Telford and Wrekin
Main site or place of performance:
Telford and Wrekin.
II.2.4)Description of the procurement:
Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent to the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to negotiate a single source contract with Davall Gears for the Repair and Overhaul of CR2 Transmission Mechanical – Hand Traverse Gearbox with a duration of 3 years with 2 x 1 options should this be required and subject to satisfactory supplier performance. The authority reserves the right to add items of repair of a similar nature to the contract during its lifetime.
Description of options:
2 x 1 year options subject to Satisfactory performance and on going requirement. (Source: Europa TED)
25 Mar 21. British Armed Forces lead the way in transferring SlingShot Special Forces satellite communications system to regular units. Spectra Group is an internationally renowned specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, specifically optimised for use in remote and challenging environments, with offices in the UK and USA. Recently, the British Armed Forces have announced that they have equipped regular Army units with Spectra Group’s SlingShot system, as they deploy on Operations and Exercises, to enable tactical satellite communications across the area of operations. Spectra Group’s SlingShot system is unique in that it can be integrated with currently in-service UHF and VHF tactical communications systems to extend the range of tactical radios from 30km to 1000(+) km on the move in all conditions. By integrating SlingShot and the L-TAC satellite service with the UK’s line-of-sight VHF BOWMAN radios, the deployed troops have immediately gained communications capability that would otherwise have only been available to more specialist units. In addition to Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) voice, SlingShot includes a data capability supporting critical applications such as: situational awareness tools; GPS tracking; reporting and other data messaging without the requirement for ground-based line-of-sight re-broadcasting infrastructure. Voice and data remain encrypted ‘end to end’ utilising BOWMAN’s own crypto to secure voice and data transmissions using the already battle-proven SlingShot system. Enabling BOWMAN with the robust Slingshot system also means that troops do not need to carry both BOWMAN radios (for line-of-sight) and UHF TACSAT radios (for strategic rear link). Both can now be carried out using the same radio. Finally, the omni-directional antennas utilised with SlingShot provide manpack, land, sea and air platforms, with real-time Comms on the Move (COTM) rather than Comms on the Pause, as experienced with traditional TACSAT.
SEA
25 Mar 21. Babcock awarded seven year pump equipment contract for HM Ships and Submarines. Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence Company, has secured a seven-year, c. £50m contract with the Ministry of Defence for the repair and maintenance of Sea Water Systems on HM Ships and Submarines. The arrangement leads on from Babcock’s previous programmes, and will operate from Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth. It will see Babcock continue in its role providing repairs, technical support and maintenance to pump equipment on board the Royal Navy Fleet. Under the asset availability service, Babcock’s scope will increase to support the Chloropac and Bio-foul systems. Babcock has been working with suppliers to explore innovative new solutions in manufacturing and supplying pump components with the aim to further extend pump reliability and drive even greater efficiency for our customer.
24 Mar 21. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, is awarded a $19,346,051 cost-plus-fixed-fee level-of-effort and completion modification (P00001) to a previously awarded contract (N0003020C0023) to provide the United Kingdom (UK) with engineering and technical support services and deliverable materials for the TRIDENT II Fleet Ballistic Missile System. This contract provides for support for technical planning, direction, coordination, and control to ensure that the UK Fleet Ballistic Missile Program requirements are identified and integrated to support planned milestone schedules and emergent requirements. Additionally, re-entry systems UK resident technical support, operational support hardware, and consumable spares are provided. Work will be performed in Cape Canaveral, Florida (55.17%); Sunnyvale, California (15.94%); Denver, Colorado (14.74%); Coulport, Scotland (5.60%); Kings Bay, Georgia (2.97%); Bangor, Washington (2.15%); Orlando, Florida (1.31%); and various places below one percent (2.12%), with an expected level-of-effort completion date of March 31, 2022, and a deliverable items completion date of June 30, 2023. UK funds in the amount of $19,346,051 will be obligated on this award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded on a sole source basis, pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4), to Lockheed Martin Space and was previously synopsized on the beta.SAM website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
24 Mar 21. Defence to invest £2bn in next stage of UK combat air system. Defence Minister Jeremy Quin has warned that the ‘freedom of the air cannot be taken for granted’ as threat picture changes in RUSI speech
- More than £2bn announced for world leading future combat air system Tempest to keep UK and allies safe
- The programme has already created more than 1,800 new science and technology jobs in over 300 companies nationwide
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin has outlined how more than £2bn of investment in the Tempest programme will power the next phase to build a world-leading new combat air system in a keynote speech at RUSI today. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
24 Mar 21. Scottish-based space companies secure £8.5m to bring pioneering launch technologies to market. 2 British space companies have successfully secured a total of £8.5m to develop their world-leading small satellite launch technologies. Orbex and Skyrora, both based in Scotland, received the funding under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Boost! initiative and will use the money to develop their world-leading launch technologies further and bring them to market. This will support government’s vision for the UK to be at the global forefront of the commercial small satellite launch market. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 Mar 21. Ultra Maritime announces that its Sonobuoy Systems business has been awarded a further, 3-year contract, worth £31m, with the UK MOD. Ultra will continue to supply sonobuoys for the Royal Navy’s Merlin Maritime Patrol Helicopter from 2022 to 2024. The contract between Ultra and the MOD comes at an important time, boosting both the economy and jobs in the UK. The contract for sonobuoy engineering, manufacturing, logistics and support from Ultra, ensures the Royal Navy maintains a persistent Anti-Submarine Warfare surveillance capability against hostile submarines.
EUROPE
LAND
25 Mar 21. Elbit Systems Deutschland was selected by the Procurement Office of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, after a competitive tender procedure, to supply XACT nv33 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for the German Federal Police. The Special Forces and Special Operation Units of the Federal Police are facing new threats and complex scenarios from organized crime and international terrorism. The XACT nv33 NVG will supports the officers’ in the fight against crime across Germany, as they will be equipped with the ability to operate during the nights, which is an essential requirement. This decision by the German Federal Police follows another satisfied German customer – the German Armed Forces – that are already using the XACT nv33 NVG in various missions. The XACT product family have already been selected by a number of undisclosed NATO countries among them Germany and the Netherlands, as well as the Israeli and the Australian Armed Forces.
24 Mar 21. Portuguese Army advances its soldier modernisation effort. The Portuguese Army has given a significant boost to its dismounted soldier system programme SCS (Sistemas de Combate do Soldado) following a EUR42.8m (USD56.9m) contract that was awarded by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to FN Herstal in October 2019. In total 15,000 5.56 × 45 mm SCAR-L STD assault rifles, 940 7.62 × 51 mm SCAR-H STD assault rifles (550 of which incorporate the Trijicon VCOG 1-6 × 24 riflescope and bipod), 1,000 5.56 × 45 mm MINIMI Mk3 Tactical SB and 400 7.62 × 51 mm MINIMI Mk3 Tactical machine guns, and 2,000 40 × 46 mm FN40GL-S stand-alone grenade launchers are being received through 2022, Major Ricardo Jorge Parcelas Araújo e Silva, an area coordinator at the Forces Planning Division, told Janes on 17 March. Aimpoint CompM4 red dot sights for the SCAR-L STDs and 5.56 x 45 mm MINIMI Mk3s,Trijicon ACOG 3.5 × 35 riflescopes for 7.62 × 51 mm MINIMI Mk3s, Extrema Ratio Fulcrum bayonets, and a ten-year tools and gauges package were part of the contract. Moreover, 380 Benelli SuperNova TS 12-gauge shotguns and 3,910 Glock G17 Gen5 9 ×19 mm pistols were separately acquired through the NSPA, and received between 2019 and 2021. The shotguns also are used in the counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) role. (Source: Jane’s)
SEA
18 Mar 21. The French Navy has selected the SonoFlash new-generation sonobuoy from Thales. Unveiled at the Euronaval show in October 2018, SonoFlash will enable France to reach its strategic capability goal for acoustic sensors. Responding to this evolving threat environment, Thales developed the SonoFlash buoy, a new-generation sonobuoy with an unequalled performance-to-mass ratio that builds on decades of expertise in sonars and acoustic sensors to offer an ambitious new solution. The French Navy will be the first operational user of the SonoFlash buoy, which will be deployed by the modernised Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft and NH90 Caiman tactical transport helicopters. It will be delivered to the Navy from 2025 and could be available in export markets to equip all modern maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters as well as all types of unmanned platforms, including autonomous surface vehicles and rotary-wing (VTOL) and fixed-wing UAVs equipped with a suitable multi-sonobuoy dispenser. Manufactured in France with a network of SMEs such as TELERAD, SelhaGroup and Realmeca, the SonoFlash buoy relies on Thales’s expertise in acoustic sensor technology to contribute to France’s desire for independence in strategic industries. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Mar 21. Norway will order four submarines from Germany’s Thyssenkrupp for 45bn crowns ($5.3bn), while Germany will purchase another two, the defence ministries in Oslo and Berlin said on Tuesday. Norway and Germany, both NATO members, are jointly procuring identical submarines from Thyssenkrupp’s shipbuilding division. Germany agreed to order two submarines from Thyssenkrupp, pending approval from the German parliament, the defence ministries said. The signing of the contract is due this summer, the ministry in Oslo said, with the first submarine due for delivery in 2029. ($1 = 8.5587 Norwegian crowns) (Source: Reuters)
AIR
25 Mar 21. SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, the main satellite operator in Japan and the world leading Fixed Satellite Service provider, has selected Airbus to build Superbird-9, a fully digital in-orbit reconfigurable telecommunications satellite. The satellite will be based on Airbus’ standardised OneSat product line. Airbus will provide a turnkey solution, including design and manufacture of the Superbird-9 spacecraft, associated services and support for in-orbit operations and ground segment, as well as an advanced digital suite to manage the digital payload and operate the end-to-end satellite resources. OneSat will allow SKY Perfect JSAT to replace a key broadcasting mission and to simultaneously deliver fully flexible HTS (High Throughput Satellite) services with powerful performance and a ground-breaking experience for their customers. Superbird-9 will deliver broadcast and broadband missions in Ku band, primarily over Japan and Eastern Asia. It will bring day-to-day flexibility for the SKY Perfect JSAT fleet enabling payload missions to be configured, adapted and combined to perfectly match end-user needs. This covers everything from DTH broadcasting to broadband HTS including maritime and aero-connectivity services, utilising the latest innovations in payload technology and in-orbit resource management. SKY Perfect JSAT estimates the total investment including this contract is around 30bn yen.
22 Mar 21. Airbus has been selected by Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, to build EUTELSAT 36D, a new generation multi-mission geostationary telecommunications satellite. The EUTELSAT 36D spacecraft will replace and enhance capacity at 36°East, a key orbital slot for Eutelsat for TV broadcasting (DTH) and government services over Africa, Russia, and Europe. It will be the eighth satellite based on the-state-of-the-art Airbus Eurostar Neo platform, a significant evolution of the highly reliable and successful Eurostar series with an entire range of major innovations. Eurostar Neo combines increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems with reduced production time and optimised costs, as part of a fully digitalised production process.
25 Mar 21. BAE Systems, Information & Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a ceiling $600,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable-no-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F-16 support equipment (SE) items for multiple Foreign Military Sales (FMS) countries. The contract duration covers one five-year basic ordering period with one five-year option, totaling 10 years. This contract provides SE, SE spares for acquisition and sustainment, familiarization and engineering/technical support. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed March 24, 2031. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds for Bulgaria in the amount of $457,331 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8232-21-D-0004).
22 Mar 21. BIRD Aerosystems, the leading developer of Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) and Airborne Surveillance, Information, and Observation (ASIO) solutions, has been awarded a new contract by the Czech Republic. Under the contract, BIRD Aerosystems will provide additional AMPS-MV systems with the patented MACS (Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor) for the Czech Air Force Mi-17 fleet. This project is a part of the overall modernization of the Czech Mi-17 transport helicopter fleet. BIRD’s AMPS are already operational on the Czech Air Force Mi-17 helicopters and have been successfully deployed in different conflict zones, including Afghanistan. This contract comes after BIRD Aerosystems has conducted an overall upgrade to the Czech’s existing AMPS systems earlier this year, which provided enhanced functionality to the MILDS UV detection sensors and the MCDU Mission computers. As part of the current contract BIRD Aerosystems will provide the Czech Air Force its AMPS systems with the MACS sensor, which ensures that No False Alarms will be detected and the system will react only to validated real threats.
23 Mar 21. CAE USA has been awarded a United States Air Force contract to provide comprehensive Phase 1 and Phase 2 military pilot training to the Irish Air Corps. The contract was awarded to CAE USA by the Air Force Security Assistance Training (AFSAT) Squadron, which is part of the U.S. Air Force Air Education & Training Command (AETC). Under terms of the contract, CAE USA will be responsible for managing and delivering military pilot training to 14 Irish Air Corps students over the next 18 months. Phase 1 training will take place in Pensacola, Florida at SkyWarrior Flight Training Inc., a small business partner subcontracted by CAE USA to provide an Air Force-approved initial flight training (IFT) program. Following completion of the IFT program at SkyWarrior, students will progress to Phase 2 primary flight training at CAE’s Dothan Training Center in Alabama. During Phase 2 training, students will receive academic, simulator, and live-flying training in CAE-owned and operated Grob G120TP aircraft. (Source: ASD Network)
19 Mar 21. The contract for the development of the SAMP/T NG (New Generation) for France and Italy has been signed today at OCCAR premises in France (Paris area) in the presence of the French Air and Space Force staff, the Italian Army staff, the OCCAR Director and National representatives of the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) and of the Italian Armament Directorate (SGD). OCCAR has awarded the contract, by delegation of DGA and SGD, to the Franco-Italian consortium eurosam; backed by its three shareholders MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales. This contract complements the first contract signed in 2016 with the objective to enhance the SAMP/T systems operational in the French Air and Space Force and the Italian Army.
24 Mar 21. UMS SKELDAR, is celebrating another significant milestone for its flagship SKELDAR V-200 UAV after it was selected to be part of a new European Commission (EC) programme. In December 2020, the EC awarded a contract to the European Detect and Avoid System (EUDAAS) consortium – of which Saab is leading partner – to develop and validate a European Detect and Avoid (DAA) solution for safe insertion of large military Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in European air traffic. The DAA system will provide the remote pilot with the ability to “see and avoid”, including a fully automatic collision avoidance function which will initiate manoeuvres to avoid collision with other aircraft if necessary. The system will be tested on several unmanned platforms, with UMS SKELDAR providing the V-200 for tests in Sweden.
USA
LAND
24 Mar 21. BAE, Kingsport, Tennessee, was awarded a $69,225,870 modification (P00743) to contract DAAA09-98-E-0006 to construct an analytical lab at Holston Army Ammunition Plant. Work will be performed in Kingsport, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2023. Fiscal 2020 procurement of ammunition, Army funds in the amount of $69,225,870 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
18 Mar 21. Citadel Defense Receives Multiple International Contracts for Low-Collateral Impact Titan Counter Drone System. Citadel Defense has been awarded multiple counter drone delivery contracts from Five Eyes (FVEY) customers. Citadel’s Titan counter unmanned aircraft system (CUAS) will be rapidly fielded in response to immediate operational needs. The Titan was selected based on positive reports from over a dozen evaluations and three years of successful military and federal agency deployments. autonomous protection against an estimated 98% of commercially available drone platforms with superior performance in urban environments. Low support, training, and sustainment costs deliver a force multiplying benefit to militaries and governments during a time when resources and budgets are constrained. The company has been delivering systems under the contract throughout March. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
24 Mar 21. Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business (NYSE: RTX), will continue operating and maintaining the U.S. government’s Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar (ROTHR) system under a $146m, five-year contract. Originally developed to track long-range targets for aircraft and ships, ROTHR is now the primary detection system for border security and drug smuggling interdiction for the Joint Interagency Task Force South. In 2020 alone, ROTHR contributed to the seizure of 26 metric tons of cocaine from drug smugglers attempting to cross into U.S. territory. The contract covers operations and maintenance at six ROTHR locations in Puerto Rico, Texas and Virginia. Each radar provides more than 2.5 million square miles of coverage area, resulting in extremely low operational costs.
23 Mar 21. SIG SAUER, Inc., announced the Delaware State Police has adopted SIG SAUER P320RXP Pistols which features a factory-installed SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO1Pro red dot sight. Delaware State Police is a division of the Delaware Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security and is responsible for law enforcement and traffic regulation across the state of Delaware with over 700 troopers.
25 Mar 21. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $94,278,532 modification (P00180) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 to support an option exercise of six Program Year 5, Lot 45 HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $94,278,532 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
SEA
23 Mar 21. BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services, Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $140,430,072 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides systems engineering and equipment installation support services of command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems, including legacy, current, and next generation shipboard interior and exterior communications; shipboard radios; and transportable, airborne, and fixed shore termination communications systems, subsystems, and components in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Webster Outlying Field Integrated Command, Control and Intel Division. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in March 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042121D0018).
19 Mar 21. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $2,417,500,565 fixed-price incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-2100 to exercise an option for the construction of one Block V Virginia-class submarine with Virginia Payload Module. Electric Boat Corp. will continue to subcontract with Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (34%); Quonset Point, Rhode Island (14%); Sunnyvale, California (7%); Groton, Connecticut (7%); Annapolis, Maryland (1%); Norfolk, Virginia (1%); Tucson, Arizona (1%); and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (1%), with other efforts performed at various sites (each less than 1%) throughout the U.S. (33%) and other areas outside of the U.S. (1%). Work is expected to be complete by February 2030. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,139,601,847 (79%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $388,281,954 (14%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $174,049,792 (6%); and fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,844,873 (1%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These include funding for previously announced long lead time material and economic ordering quantity material. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
24 Mar 21. Huntington Ingalls Inc. – Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $194,474,563 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-4301 for continued execution of the fiscal 2018 USS Columbus (SSN 762) engineered overhaul. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $190,963,313 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
24 Mar 21. Aerojet Rocketdyne has been selected by Lockheed Martin to provide propulsion as a key member of their team supporting the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the Technology Development phase of the NGI program, a key element of the MDA’s missile defense system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles. (Source: ASD Network)
25 Mar 21. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), today announced the United States Army exercised the second of three options under the sole source Flight Control Systems (FCS) domain of the Army’s multi-year small UAS contract on February 25, 2021. The value of the contract option is $20,979,905 and includes avionics and data link upgrade packages to modify radio frequencies employed by the Army’s existing fleet of Raven® tactical UAS. The period of Performance ends June 30, 2022. The contract option was exercised under the Army’s FCS domain awarded to AeroVironment in June 2019 with an initial base delivery order of $862,488. FCS is the first of six domains comprising the Army’s existing five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) SUAS contract and has a potential value of up to $55 million. The Army’s first option under the existing contract – valued at $21,058,643 – was exercised in April 2020, bringing the total value to date to $42,901,035.
24 Mar 21. The General Services Administration awarded Bluestaq a $280m contract to continue work on the U.S. Space Force’s library of space object data, the company announced March 23. The Unified Data Library, or UDL, is a cloud-based space situation awareness repository, built to collect and integrate tracking data on space objects from military, intelligence community, commercial and foreign sources. Users can access UDL through a storefront where they are able to purchase various data products. The library is intended to bypass the traditional issue of stovepiped space systems by providing a single portal where users can access the space domain data they need, regardless of the source. UDL is a joint effort between the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. The 3-year-old Colorado Springs-based company began developing UDL in 2018 with a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research Award. In 2019, DoD followed that up with a $37m phase III contract to continue its efforts and expand UDL with data from various sources. That Advanced Command and Control Enterprise Systems and Software (ACCESS) contract was for one year with two option years. The $280m contract announced March 23 is a two-year extension of the ACCESS contract. Under the deal, Bluestaq also will help the Space Force expand its use of the Space Domain Awareness Marketplace, an online platform for interactions between the government and commercial providers. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/C4ISR & Networks)
23 Mar 21. Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced Nuvotronics, which operates within its Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) business division was awarded a contract worth approximately $5m to develop a Wideband Global Satellite Surrogate Payload (WGS-SP) for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) C5ISR Center and Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD). Nuvotronics will deliver a high-altitude balloon (HAB) payload solution to support WGS surrogate operations, intended to provide contingency communication support during “a day without SATCOM” scenarios. Nuvotronics’ HAB payload solution will support Ka-Band SATCOM for beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications between Division, Brigade, Battalion and Company echelons during electronic or kinetic attacks. During electronic or kinetic attack, SATCOM accessibility may be denied, which creates a need for the Army to have access to alternative capabilities that can effectively restore tactical communications and operate in denied environments. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
24 Mar 21. Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced Nuvotronics, which operates within its Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) business division, was awarded a contract worth more than $10m from the Department of Defense (DoD) through the National Spectrum Consortium to develop a dual-band, ultra-high performance and low size, weight and power (SWaP) fifth generation (5G) Wireless Network Communications Transceiver (WNCT) for military applications. Cubic Nuvotronics will support the DoD’s “5G to Next G” Program which was established to accelerate the implementation of wireless communications for the military. WNCT’s simultaneous dual-band operation provides greater operational resiliency and ensures high-speed data with low latency, with no interference on current DoD operational frequencies. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
22 Mar 21. L3Harris announced Monday that it will design a new electronic warfare suite for F-16s sold to international partners. Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force selected the company for its Viper Shield, L3Harris said in its announcement. The system provides “a virtual electronic shield around the aircraft,” said Ted Damaskinos, vice president and general manager of L3Harris electronic defense solutions. Aircraft must navigate increasingly complex environments with a multitude of radars and missiles. L3Harris’ system allows a greater level of situational awareness, Damaskinos told C4ISRNET, noting it can detect threats, parse through all the electromagnetic noise and even conduct active countermeasures against those threats. It allows aircraft to penetrate so-called standoff areas where radars and missiles can detect incoming aircraft from farther way than the aircraft’s weapons can shoot. This will allow partner nations to work with U.S. counterparts on missions. (Source: Defense News)
23 Mar 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, is being awarded one of two competitive cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts. The total value of this contract is $3,693,205,221 (base: $2,447,168,225; options: $1,246,036,996) if funded through the full base period. The initial program funding limitation for both contracts combined is $1,600,000,000 through fiscal 2022. In alignment with the Department of Defense’s current missile defense strategy, Lockheed Martin Corp. will perform technology development and risk reduction of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) All-Up-Round capable of surviving natural and hostile environments while countering emerging threats. Allowing a technology development phase will help ensure that the NGI is an efficient and effective part of an integrated Missile Defense System solution by permitting the department to further analyze requirements and make necessary adjustments in preparation for the product development phase. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama; and Sunnyvale, California. The performance period is from March 2021 through August 2025. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the government-wide Point of Entry website with three proposals received. Fiscal 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $291,930,500 are being obligated on this award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ085621C0001).
23 Mar 21. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded one of two competitive cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts. The total value of this contract is $3,932,649,057 (base: $2,629,667,873; options: $1,302,981,184) if funded through the full base period. The initial program funding limitation for both contracts combined is $1,600,000,000 through fiscal 2022. In alignment with the Department of Defense’s current missile defense strategy, Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. will perform technology development and risk reduction of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) All-Up-Round capable of surviving natural and hostile environments while countering emerging threats. Allowing a technology development phase will help ensure that the NGI is an efficient and effective part of an integrated Missile Defense System solution by permitting the department to further analyze requirements and make necessary adjustments in preparation for the product development phase. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona; and Huntsville, Alabama. The performance period is from March 2021 through May 2026. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the government-wide Point of Entry website with three proposals received. Fiscal 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $291,930,500 are being obligated on this award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ085621C0003).
22 Mar 21. Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) was awarded a shared ceiling value $250m indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple award task order contract by the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific for research, development, test, and technical engineering for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and information operations. The contract has a three-year base period worth $145m and a two-year option for $105m. Parsons will provide the U.S. Navy the ability to develop and field ISR systems that incorporate the latest capabilities for maintaining robust communication, surveillance, and security to accommodate advances in technology and other complementary systems while countering ever-increasing threats. (Source: PR Newswire)
22 Mar 21. Saber Astronautics confirmed this week that it is the recipient of a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the US Air Force for space traffic management software Sentinel. Sentinel seeks to mitigate risk for spacecraft by improving the onboard data analytics processes, in turn providing improved threat detection. As part of the agreement, Saber will support the military requirements of the US Space Force in geosynchronous orbit. (Source: Space Connect)
25 Mar 21. Peraton Inc., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $360,420,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Nuclear Safety Cross-Check Analysis (NSCCA) and Nuclear Safety Analysis and Technical Evaluation (NSATE) support. This contract provides for NSCCA and NSATE to manage intercontinental ballistic missile software safety risk. Work will be performed in Layton, Utah; and El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2039. This award is a result of a sole-source acquisition. The first two task orders will use fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount $2,100,000; and fiscal 2021 missile procurement funds in the amount of $5,400,000 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8207-21-D-1001)
22 Mar 21. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $30,959,224 modification (P00181) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for procurement of nine Army UH-60M and 15 Army HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $30,959,224 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
18 Mar 21. Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today it received a contract for up to $607m from the U.S. Army to provide contract logistics support, field services, and engineering support along with the retrofit of the existing Shadow® Block II Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) to the upgraded Block III configuration. This award follows a highly successful Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) of the Block III configuration by the Army in late 2020. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
24 Mar 21. Intrepid Solutions and Services LLC, a leading provider of cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, enterprise IT, data analysis and advanced intelligence training services to customers across the U.S. intelligence community, announced today it was selected to support the Defense Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on the Solutions for the Information Technology Enterprise III contract as a large business prime contractor. The SITE III contract will support warfighters, policymakers and acquisition leaders across the Defense Intelligence Enterprise in achieving an information and communications technology advantage. The SITE III contract provides managed services directed toward improving integration, information sharing and information safeguarding using a streamlined information technology approach. SITE III is a competitively awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with a five-year base period, five one-year option periods and a total contract ceiling of $12.6bn. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Mar 21. LinQuest Corporation, a leader in space systems technology solutions for U.S. defense and intelligence communities, has been awarded a $200m ceiling Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Space Force (USSF). This new contract consolidates, expands, and extends multiple contracts LinQuest has been leading for the USSF. Under this contract, LinQuest will provide a wide range of solutions to the Operations and Communications Directorate (HQ USSF/S3/6), the Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Directorate (HQ USSF/S2), the Strategic Requirements, Architectures and Analysis Directorate (HQ USSF/S5/9), the Inspector General (HQ USSF/IG), and Test and Evaluation (HQ USSF/TE) in the Colorado Springs area. Specific efforts include providing threat assessments, concept development, integration analysis, policy and doctrine analysis, operations acceptance analyses, and test and evaluation. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Mar 21. Salient CRGT has been awarded the first of four options against its $482m contract supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) for information networks, cyber, and engineering services. This 5-year, single-award contract, named SANDBAR, was initially awarded in September 2019, as a competitive order under the General Services Administration (GSA) Alliant 2 Vehicle. SANDBAR serves a wide range of DoD clients supporting mission demands on a global basis. Current option year customers include COCOMs, USAF, US Space Force, USN, USMC, USA, 4th Estate Agencies, and the NGA. As the prime contractor on SANDBAR, Salient CRGT will continue to provide proven successful solutions and support to the DoD and its Interagency Partners across the spectrum of telecommunications technical and engineering services. This contract includes the design, development, deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle management of specialized information technologies. Salient CRGT will continue to deliver these professional services in close collaboration with selected industry and mission partners. Principal work effort on SANDBAR continues to be focused on operations and maintenance, integration, upgrade, and system modernization of warfighter networks and C4ISR, cyber operations, software development support, as well as subject matter expertise. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
25 Mar 21. Australian SMEs secure new tranche of Defence grants. Seven small businesses in three states have secured Defence grants as part of the federal government’s efforts to bolster sovereign industrial capability. Grants totalling $7m have been issued to businesses across South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria under the Commonwealth government’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Program (SICP). The latest recipients include:
- Alfatron (SA), which has secured almost $1.4m to establish a Printed Circuit Board Fabrication Line to support the sovereign manufacture of electronic technology;
- Bambach Wires & Cables (Victoria), which has secured over $1.2 million to enhance existing manufacturing capability to enable the manufacture of small, medium and large diameter low voltage silicone copper cables essential for use in submarine and shipbuilding;
- Craig International Ballistics (Queensland), which has secured over $1.2m to invest in acquisition, installation and commissioning of autoclave technology for ballistic protection product manufacturing;
- Century Products (SA), which has secured almost $1.2m to develop a production scale CNC line with complex milling and turning functionality for supply onto a number of land, sea and air programs.
- Mincham Aviation (SA), which has secured over $1m to develop, manufacture and repair a range of aerospace and defence equipment, including aerial delivery systems, UAVs and naval components’
- Cryoclock (SA), which has secured just under $600,000 to build high-performance clocks and oscillators to provide a strategically critical technical function for Defence capability; and
- Consunet (SA), which has secured over $400,000 for the design, construction, accreditation and certification of multi-zoned facility to enable delivery, support and sustainment of sovereign projects.
These are the latest of almost 90 Australian SMEs to secure grants under the SICP, which has issued approximately $47 million since November 2018. (Source: Defence Connect)
22 Mar 21. Bharat Dynamics has signed a contract with Ministry of Defence for production and supply of Milan-2T Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. The contract value is Rs 1188.12 crore including GST. (Source: Google/https://www.business-standard.com/)
SEA
18 Mar 21. Babcock Canada is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has opted to exercise two one-year contract extension options to the existing Victoria In-Service Support Contract (VISSC). Originally awarded in 2008, exercising the options will see VISSC extended to June 2023. VISSC is one of the largest naval in-service support contracts in Canada and includes project management, technology integration, logistics, configuration and safety records management, engineering support, capability upgrades, refits and deep maintenance periods to support Canada’s fleet of four Victoria-Class submarines (VCS).
23 Mar 21. Australia expands Saab’s CMS contract. Six of the Royal Australian Navy’s classes of vessels are set to be fitted with a ‘next generation’ combat management system under an expanded program. Defence has announced that Saab Australia’s contract to integrate ‘next generation’ combat management systems (CMS) to the Navy’s fleet has been expanded to include mine countermeasures and military survey vessels. Accordingly, the combat systems will now be equipped to six of the Navy’s classes of vessels — Anzac, Canberra, Supply, Arafura, mine countermeasures and military survey vessels. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the bolstered project would help drive Saab Australia’s next phase of growth and investment in local industry. (Source: Defence Connect)
25 Mar 21. Tropical Reef Shipyards and BME NQ have been selected to manufacture seven watercraft for the Australian Army, which have been designed by Australian naval architect firm Chris Tucker Marine Design. The 7.5-metre-long vessels, which will be built in Cairns, are expected to cost Defence approximately $4.05m. In addition to manufacturing the vessels, Tropical Reef Shipyards and BME NQ have been tasked with providing spares and trailers, while also delivering operator and maintainer training. Acting Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the watercraft, set to replace Army’s water safety and inshore hydrographic vessels, would enhance amphibious capability. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
22 Mar 21. Korea – AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $36m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested to buy two hundred eighty-eight (288) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles. Also included are AGM-114R spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; repair and return; storage; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $36m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of one of the closest allies in the INDOPACOM Theater. The ROK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist the ROK in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. The ROK intends to use these Hellfire missiles to supplement its existing missile capability and current weapon inventory for its AH-64E aircraft. The proposed sale will improve the ROK’s capability to meet current and future threats and ensure interoperability with other AGM-114R Hellfire missile users in the region. The Republic of Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, Orlando, FL. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreements will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. (Source: ASD Network)
24 Mar 21. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $99,886,365 modification (P00126) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for 25 modified UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft in support of the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) funds in the amount of $99,886,365 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.