UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
13 Apr 21. NATO relies on Thales for a real-time view of the operational situation in joint theaters. On 17 March 2021, NATO awarded to Thales the new increment to provide an operational situational awareness system that will give NATO commanders a shared picture of an area of interest or mission to enhance overall awareness of joint forces operations and support mission planning, coordination and command.
SEA
14 Apr 21. Babcock International, the Aerospace, Defence and Security Company, has been awarded a two year contract with the Ministry of Defence, for continuation of in-service support to the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS). Phalanx CIWS is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system and is the Royal Navy’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles. The c. £15m agreement will see Babcock continue in-service support to the system from specialised facilities at the Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth. Babcock is responsible for technical support, upgrades, maintenance and ensuring operational availability of the Weapons Systems to the Royal Navy fleet on an Asset Availability Service basis. Babcock has been a partner on the Phalanx CIWS programme since 2006, managing and executing all upkeep support activities, including a 24/7 helpdesk for the Royal Navy, as well as providing logistics support for spares and repairable units.
09 Apr 21. Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence Company, and BAE Systems, have been awarded a five year contract extension by the Ministry of Defence to continue in-service support to the Royal Navy’s 4.5 Mk8 Medium Calibre Gun (MCG). The agreement is worth c. £43m and will see the continuation of in-service support to the 4.5 MCG across 19 Type 23 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers as well as HMS Collingwood. The continued collaboration between Babcock and BAE Systems, the Gun’s designer, offers the capacity, proven capabilities and infrastructure to safely and effectively run in-service support. Babcock has also opted to implement innovative Digital Twin technology to drive an increase in reliability and availability of the weapons system and work to extend its service life. The effort to increase efficiency will also see the roll out of BAE Systems’ design interventions. The Digital Twin enables digital connection with the asset presenting near real time insight to the materiel state of the Gun. It combines Babcock proprietary data capture technology and data science capability, augmenting Babcock’s engineering pedigree in Naval Gun support. The technology provides the on-board maintainer with the information they need to optimise maintenance and provides Babcock the foresight needed to predict future faults and proactively intervene to keep the asset operational and increase availability.
12 Apr 21. KBR (NYSE: KBR) is expanding its presence in the UK naval defense sector with a new five year $470m contract to bring transformational change to the delivery of infrastructure services at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. KBR, working in a joint venture with BAE Systems, under the name KBS Maritime, will deliver ambitious, modern and enduring change to the Portsmouth base, securing investment in the local community and ensuring fit-for-purpose, world-leading support for the Royal Navy over the next five years. As part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) – covering the management of naval bases in Portsmouth, Clyde and Devonport – the newly formed JV will provide technology-led and data-driven facilities management and dockside services at the base. KBR continues to expand its naval base support and wider breadth of capabilities into the UK MOD. In February, it announced a key contract to support delivery of a major naval infrastructure program at HM Clyde Naval Base in Scotland. KBR will support the delivery of Management Services, helping extend the design life of key facilities and maintain operations.
AIR
14 Apr 21. Leonardo has been contracted by Boeing to provide its new software-defined radio, the ‘SWave® Airborne SDR SRT-800’ for NATO’s fleet of E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. One of the few military assets that is owned and operated directly by NATO, the AWACS fleet is being modernized by Boeing to maintain its operational viability through 2035 under the Final Lifetime Extension Programme (FLEP). Leonardo’s SRT-800 will provide the AWACS fleet with secure and cyber-resilient air-to-air and air-to-ground connectivity. This security is becoming increasingly critical to all kinds of military operations as cyber-attacks continue to be a clear and present threat. Available for civil and military customers, the low size, weight and power requirements of the SRT-800 allows it to be fitted to most fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, manned or unmanned. Ideal for retrofit, a single SRT-800 radio replaces a number of avionic units that have traditionally been separate units, including UHF/VHF radio, SATCOM, SINCGARS and a crypto device. Under the contract, Boeing will integrate the SWave® Airborne SDR SRT-800 into the mission system of the E-3A aircraft. Because the radios are software-defined, they can then be completely re-configured when needed via a software update without having to modify the hardware. This makes the radios extremely versatile as they can be modified simply and inexpensively. Notably, the radios are compliant with the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) standard for maximum flexibility. (Source: ASD Network)
EUROPE
AIR
15 Apr 21. The French Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly, has announced that the Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed an order to purchase eight additional H225Ms and a second VSR700 prototype. The H225Ms will be operated by the French Air and Space Force. The VSR700 is an unmanned aerial system being developed for the French Navy in partnership with Naval Group. This order is part of a Stimulus plan to support the national aeronautical industry announced by the French government in 2020. For Airbus Helicopters, the plan also includes an order for two H145s for the Sécurité Civile and 10 H160s for the French Gendarmerie Nationale.
15 Apr 21. Germany has approved a contract to develop the Eurodrone medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with partner nations France, Italy, and Spain. The Bundestag approval on 14 April paves the way for an anticipated contract signature in the coming weeks among the four partner nations, their industrial leads of Airbus, Leonardo, and Dassault, as well as the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). News of the Bundestag approval comes about four months after Janes was told by Airbus DS that a signature was expected in the first quarter of this year, on the back of recently agreed terms between the partner nations and OCCAR. The Eurodrone is also known as the European MALE Remotely Piloted System (RPAS), the Euro MALE, and the MALE2020, although no official moniker has yet been attached. Airbus has previously told Janes this will happen once the contract is signed. (Source: Jane’s)
13 Apr 21. Elbit Systems will supply an additional J- MUSIC™ DIRCM (Direct Infrared Countermeasures) self-protection system to the Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF). This time for the ninth Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft, the last addition of the fleet, to be equipped with Elbit Systems’ J-MUSIC DIRCM system. Integrating the Company’s Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning Systems (PAWS IR), the J-MUSIC DIRCM systems that are being delivered to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) are designed in open architecture, integrating the latest laser technology together with a high frame-rate thermal camera and a small, dynamic high-speed sealed-mirror turret thus delivering high performance defense against Infra-Red missile threats. The MMF program is a multinational pooling and sharing initiative. The fleet will consist of nine Multi-role tanker transport aircraft able to provide strategic transport, air-to-air refueling and medical evacuation capabilities to its six participating nations (Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Norway). The aircraft are owned by NATO and managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) with the support of the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on the acquisition phase until the end of 2022. The Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit operates the fleet. Having accumulated more than 300,000 operational flight hours and tested in live fire, Elbit Systems’ family of DIRCM systems are in use by a range of customers onboard more than 25 aircraft types, among them Boeings B747, B737, B757, B767, B777; Airbus A320, A330, A340, A400; Lockheed Martin C130J; Alenia C27J; Leonardo CSAR AW101; EMBRAER KC-390, Gulfstream 650 and more.
15 Apr 21. The Polish Government has signed a contract to buy five new C-130 Hercules multipurpose transport aircraft. The signing of the contract was announced by Poland National Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak via Twitter. Błaszczak tweeted: “We have signed a contract for the purchase of five C-130 Hercules planes within the framework of Excess Defence Articles.” The procurement deal was finalised on 12 April and covers the cost of aircraft regeneration and retrofits. Poland is expected to receive the first aircraft later this year. Blaszczak added that the jets would go to the 33 Air Transport Base in Powidz, the largest military airport in Poland. It will help expand transport capacity. The Polish Air Force received five refurbished C-130E Hercules military transport planes in 2012. The US Government transfers defence equipment identified as excess to foreign governments or international organisations at a reduced price to support their modernisation efforts. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
USA
LAND
12 Apr 21. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced it has won a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to rapidly develop novel fabrics with embedded catalysts and chemistries that can fight and reduce chemical and biological threats upon contact. The revolutionary fabrics will be incorporated into protective suits and other equipment such as boots, gloves, and eye protection that can be worn by troops on the battlefield, medical experts, healthcare workers, and more. FLIR received $11.2m in initial funding for the potential five-year effort worth up to $20.5m, including options.
AIR
13 Apr 21. Slingshot Aerospace, Inc., a company building world-class space simulation and analytics solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a $1.2m contract to develop a sophisticated tool for the U.S. Space Force that streamlines the visualization of enemy missiles and enhances data integration and mission-critical collaboration. The company has partnered with Culver City, CA-based Zoic Labs, a software and advanced visualization company, to develop a video transcoder. Zoic Labs draws inspiration from sister company Zoic Studios, which created the visual effects for Avengers: Age of Ultron and others. The new technology aims to enhance national security with advanced missile warning visualization by providing more efficient ways to view and interact with complicated data sets collected from satellite sensors. These instruments, known as overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) remote sensors, use infrared radiation to visualize adversary weapons and assets. The Slingshot Aerospace tool has the following goals with respect to three missions: (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Apr 21. Viasat Inc., Carlsbad, California, has been awarded an estimated $19,924,688 five-year, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for sustainment of multiple aircrafts. This contract provides the repairs of Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, California, and is expected to be completed March 31, 2026. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 defense working capital funds will be used with no funds being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity and contract number (FA8539-21-D-0006).
TECHNOLOGY
15 Apr 21. Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, has been awarded a $8,514,889 modification (P00009) for the Phase 2 effort on previously awarded contract HR001119C0019. The contract is for research and development of an advanced networked sensor to detect and identify biological weapons of mass destruction threats in support of the SIGMA+ program. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $17,598,617. Work will be performed in Columbus, Ohio, with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,337,197 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
09 Apr 21. General Atomics, San Diego, California, has been awarded a $22,164,736 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) – Track A program. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (71%); Louisville, Colorado (19%); Rockville, Maryland (3%); Seattle, Washington (4%); and Cullman, Alabama (3%), with an estimated completion date of October 2022. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $2,175,000 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is a competitive acquisition in accordance with the original broad agency announcement HR001120S0031. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR001121C0066).
REST OF THE WORLD
SEA
15 Apr 21. Logistic Engineering Services (LES) and BAE Systems Maritime Australia have signed a services agreement (SA). LES has been tasked with delivering software capability, training and consultancy services in support of the prime’s Hunter Class Frigate Program. Through its offering, LES, a veteran-owned SME, is expected to help BAE deliver ongoing training to its expanding workforce while also providing consultancy services in other technical fields. BAE has also purchased LES’ sovereign software (eMRD and eLORA) to support the management of specific Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) data. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
15 Apr 21. Airbus signs major integrated support contract with Egypt for C295. The Egyptian Air Force, the largest C295 fleet operator worldwide, has recently signed a five-year services contract with Airbus for the performance-based support of its fleet, composed of a total of 24 aircraft. The Egyptian Air Force joins now the community of C295 operators that benefit from the provision of integrated and performance based services which ensure that all elements of support are in place where and when required, in order to optimize fleet availability and mission readiness. The contract includes the provision of material services, on-site technical support as well as on-wing maintenance. Since the delivery of the first aircraft in 2011, Airbus has been providing support through a wide service portfolio with the highest quality standards including both technical and personnel resources. In signing this contract, Egypt goes further by reaffirming and extending their trust in Airbus by implementing the first integrated support contract.
12 Apr 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, New York, is awarded a $447,230,778 firm-fixed-price order (N0001921F0841) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0017). This order provides for the production and delivery of 12 MH-60R aircraft for the government of the Republic of Korea. Work will be performed in Owego, New York (52%); Stratford, Connecticut (40%); and Troy, Alabama (8%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $447,230,778 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.