UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
22 Apr 21. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (MADG) has been awarded a contract by the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency for upgrades to the NATO Deployable Air Command and Control Component’s (DACCC) communications systems. The upgrades will modernise the way in which NATO’s transportable shelters transmit, relay and receive critical mission data from ally nations by replacing the current communications suite with a future-proof voice over internet protocol-based communication system. This vital equipment will help to ensure that the DACCC can continue to support NATO, both within its European territory and on deployment in the planning, tasking and execution of all air command and control operations.
EUROPE
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21 Apr 21. Thales to deliver the Ground Alerter 10 – an early warning system to the German Federal Armed Forces for camp and convoy protection.
- The Ground Alerter 10 (GA10) will provide C-RAM (Counter – Rocket, Artillery, Mortar) alert and impact zone early warning for camp protection as well as dismounted operations in convoy protection.
- The GA10 brings precious seconds that saves lives for soldiers to evacuate or take cover.
- Portable and the most lightweight system of its class, with a fully automatic 24 hours/7 sense and warn capacity, it offers an outstanding low power consumption facilitating battery-power only – very tactical for out-of-area missions.
Thales is pleased to bring many years of experience and proven systems competency to the German forces again, with the contract for GA10 C-RAM systems. The signing of the contract is the result of a tender issued late December 2020 by the German procurement agency, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). In addition to training, documentation and initial spare parts requirements, the contract includes an option for the delivery of more systems, with a first handover planned end 2021.
SEA
20 Apr 21. Patria has been awarded a contract for the delivery of Patria Sonac ACS Acoustic Minesweeping Systems to the Royal Norwegian Navy by the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA). This contract is a very important milestone in Patria’s strategic efforts to become one of the leading companies providing underwater and maritime intelligence and surveillance solutions, especially in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) domains. The new state-of-the-art minesweeping product further strengthens Patria’s naval product portfolio and improves the company’s competitiveness and position in the global MMCM market. Patria Sonac ACS utilizes Patria’s patented sound source technology offering unprecedented acoustic performance over a wide frequency spectrum fully supporting Mine Setting, Target Simulation, and Mine Jamming modes of operation. The innovative design allows accurate reproduction of true pre-recorded or synthesized submerged or surface target signatures making it highly efficient against modern intelligent influence sea mines. Thanks to its compact size, Patria Sonac ACS is especially well suited for future lightweight autonomous multi-influence minesweeping systems.
AIR
18 Apr 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today, further to the Company’s announcement of January 5, 2021, that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $1.65bn (approximately €1.375bn) for the establishment and operation of the International Flight Training Center of the Hellenic Air Force, as part of an agreement between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense. The contract will be performed over a period of approximately 20 years and will include price indexation. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will supply new M-346 training aircraft and will maintain the entire training fleet, comprised of dozens of M-346 and T-6 training aircraft for a period of approximately 20 years. In addition, the Company will provide its latest advanced Embedded Virtual Avionics (EVA) onboard the training aircraft, deliver networked flight simulators and an array of Ground-Based Training Stations (GBTS) as well as a command and control systems to enable efficient management of the flight training operation.
23 Apr 21. HENSOLDT has been awarded a contract worth approximately €200m in the frame of ‘Quadriga’ procurement programme of 38 Eurofighter/Typhoon combat aircraft by the German Air Force. The contract placed by Airbus Defence and Space comprises production and delivery of radar systems and core electronics components which will be produced at HENSOLDT’s site in Ulm and at consortium partner Indra’s site in Spain. The new radar is based on state-of-the-art AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology. In contrast to conventional systems with a purely mechanically rotating antenna, the radar beam is electronically controlled by a multitude of individual transmit/receive modules. This principle in combination with a highly sophisticated multichannel receiver allows several tasks to be performed at the same time, and no longer one after the other like previously, e.g. tracking individual targets while scanning a wide expanse of the airspace in front of the aircraft. HENSOLDT was already involved in the development and production of the sensor systems currently used in Eurofighter aircraft. At present, the company has a workforce of 2,500 people at its main production site in Ulm and is planning to hire 300 new employees for the HENSOLDT Group this year. The sensor specialist is investing 30 million euros in the construction of a radio frequency technology development centre in Ulm, among other things. In addition to electronic components for the new Eurofighter radar, AI-based sensors for a wide range of applications will also be developed there.
16 Apr 21. France has ordered a second prototype of the VSR700 unmanned helicopter demonstrator that Naval Group is developing alongside Airbus Helicopters. Announced by Airbus on 15 April, the move is intended to further the effort to fly the VSR700 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a French Navy vessel under the Système de Drone Aérien de la Marine (SDAM) programme, or Navy Airborne Drone System in English. As previously revealed by Airbus Helicopters, the VSR700 is essentially a Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopter that has been fitted with autonomous technologies that include a sense-and-avoid capability. While no performance specifications for the VSR700 have been disclosed, the Cabri G2, on which it is based, is powered by a 180hp Lycoming O-360 piston engine (derated to 145hp), has a gross weight of 700kg, a maximum speed of 185km/h, a range of 700km, and a service ceiling of just under 13,000ft. Airbus has noted that the VSR700 will have a maximum take-off weight of between 500 kg and 1,000 kg and that the VSR700 operator will supervise the flight plan rather than flying the aircraft itself. “It offers the best balance of payload capability, endurance, and operational cost. It is capable of carrying multiple full-size naval sensors for extended periods and can operate from existing ships, alongside a helicopter, with a low logistical footprint,” the company said. (Source: Jane’s)
16 Apr 21. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Military Aircraft Systems, Melbourne, Florida is awarded a $99,038,122 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N0001918C1037). This modification adds scope to procure long lead items and associated services in support of the production and delivery of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the government of France. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (27.3%); El Segundo, California (16.7%), Menlo Park, California (12.1%); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (9.3%); Woodland Hills, California (5.8%); Edgewood, New York (5.3%); Potez, Aire-sur-l’Adour, France (4.2%); Greenlawn, New York (4.2%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (2.9%); Owego, New York (2.5%); Clemmons, North Carolina (2.0%), Melbourne, Florida (1.5%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (6.2%), and is expected to be completed in April 2027. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $99,038,122 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.
20 Apr 21. Orolia announced today that it has been selected to be part of the European Commission’s SERENITY project. This project will define the Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Two-Way Communication (TWC) service, including a service demonstration in mid-2022 with a new Orolia SAR beacon and the Cospas-Sarsat operational chain. The SERENITY consortium is led by Telespazio France and includes the French Space Agency CNES, Thales Alenia Space France, Orolia and Pildo Labs. The TWC service will bring the SAR/Galileo service to a new level by enabling a two-way communication between compatible distress beacons and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). The RCC will be able to provide rescue teams with key information regarding the nature and conditions of the distress situation. This new service will improve the efficiency of rescue team actions by enabling them to deploy adequate resources and assets faster, based on the information received from the distress location. This new functionality will complement the latest Galileo Return Link Service (RLS), which allows users in distress to receive automatic acknowledgement that their signal has been received, thus reducing panic and reassuring users. With its second-generation portable aircraft beacon, the Ultima-S, Orolia is one of the world’s first manufacturers to offer SAR beacons equipped with Galileo RLS. As part of the SERENITY project, Orolia will design and develop the new SAR beacon demonstrator to provide the TWC service, in coordination with the Search and Rescue community. The SERENITY consortium has prepared an online User Consultation Questionnaire for all military and civilian beacon users, as well as members of Search and Rescue Units.
USA
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22 Apr 21. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced it received a $13,010,560 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract order on March 24, 2021 from the U.S. Army for Switchblade® 300 tactical missile systems contractor logistics support. The contract has a total potential value of $40,852,467, for which funding was authorized via a DoD-approved Joint Urgent Operational Need Statement. Logistics support services are scheduled to be delivered through March 2024.
21 Apr 21. DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., Bridgeton, Missouri, was awarded a $25,428,875 modification (P00088) to contract W56HZV-16-C-0028 for Joint Assault Bridge systems. Work will be performed in West Plains, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of April 28, 2023. Fiscal 2020 weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $25,428,875 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
20 Apr 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America LLC, (“Elbit Systems of America”), was awarded a delivery order valued at approximately $41m for the supply of night vision systems and various spare components to the U.S. Marine Corps. The order will be executed in Roanoke, Virginia and will be supplied through March 2022. This order is part of a $249m five-year Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract from September 6, 2019, under which the U.S. Marine Corps are supplied with Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggle (“SBNVG”) systems consisting of high-performance, white phosphor image intensifier binoculars, modular uncooled thermal imaging sensors and common external power supplies – providing Marines improved mobility and situational awareness during night operations.
16 Apr 21. US Army Joint Counter-UAS Office (JCO) has selected Fortem Technologies’ DroneHunter as the interim command and control standard for countering small unmanned drones for the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control system, or FAAD C2. DroneHunter is a kinetic, non-lethal interceptor designed to stop dangerous drones, including RF-silent drones, at a safe distance before they harm people or cause damage to property. Built on open architecture, FAAD C2 is designed for easy integration with multiple sensors, effectors and warning systems to launch rapid, real-time defense against short range and manoeuvring threats. The system collects, processes, and disseminates real-time target tracking and cuing information to all short-range air defense weapons and provides command and control (C2) for the Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) System-of-Systems (SoS). (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
20 Apr 21. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Corrine, Utah, has been awarded a ceiling $2,311,900,000 cost-plus-award-fee contract with an ordering period of 18.5 years for sustaining engineering support and program management support services for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) propulsion subsystem. This contract provides for assistance to the government in maintaining the Minuteman III weapon system. Work shall be in areas including, but not limited to; sustaining engineering, maintenance engineering, modification of systems and equipment, hardware and software maintenance, developmental and production engineering, procurement, replenishment, repair and refurbishment. The contractor shall be required to conduct materials and subcomponent analysis and test, including aging surveillance test and evaluation. The primary focus shall be to identify aging mechanism, anomalous behavior, and ensure any modifications or changes to the system which shall maintain and/or improve system-level performance. The location of performance is primarily Corrine and Magna, Utah, with various other locations. Work is expected to be completed Nov. 5, 2040. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,679,461 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8214-21-D-0001.)
21 Apr 21. Raytheon Technologies, Woburn, Massachusetts, is awarded a not-to-exceed $243,247,000 modification (P00091) to a previously awarded contract (HQ0147-12-C-0006) for one AN/TPY-2 Radar (Radar #13) to support Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Battery #8. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,244,567,329 from $1,002,297,329. The work will be performed at Woburn, Massachusetts. The period of performance is from April 21, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2021 procurement funds in the amount of $113,199,400 are obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
20 Apr 21. ThinKom Solutions, Inc., has been selected to supply phased-array satellite terminals for a pilot program evaluating communications on-the-move (COTM) options for U.S. Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT). The ABCT COTM solution will integrate enhanced mobile network solutions directly onto select vehicles to make command posts more expeditionary, while enabling soldiers to retain network connectivity as they drive across the battlefield. The Army is currently setting the stage for an ABCT On-The-Move (OTM) pilot this year, to evaluate new commercial network system prototypes integrated onto select ABCT vehicles. The goal is to enhance mobile battlefield ABCT network communications, mission command, situational awareness and ultimately unit lethality. Three ThinKom ThinSat® 300 vehicular satellite antennas were acquired by General Dynamics Mission Systems for testing as a design option for mounting on command-post vehicles in armor formations. As a subcontractor, ThinKom provided these three antennas as part of the Army’s contract award to General Dynamics on Sept. 30, 2020, to support integration, engineering and fielding services for the ABCT COTM experimentation effort. The Ku-band ThinSat 300 antennas are based on ThinKom’s patented and proven Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) phased-array technology. VICTS antennas are currently deployed on 1,600+ aircraft with over 20 million accrued operational hours, representing an impressive 100,000 hours mean-time-between-failure record. Vehicle-mounted VICTS antennas are also widely deployed in a range of commercial and government COTM programs. ThinKom’s low-profile, lightweight antennas provide industry-leading spectral efficiency and are capable of sustaining network connectivity at high vehicle speeds, on-road or off-road. They support robust network operations at very high and extremely low elevation-angle requirements with near-instant connectivity recovery after partial or sustained blockages. Designed to work with a full range of modems and networks, the ThinKom system provides flexible “future-proof” interoperability options with current and next-gen satellite systems, including geostationary and low earth orbit constellations.
15 Apr 21. ZeroEyes, Inc. announced an AFWERX Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award that will allow the company to develop and integrate an active shooter deterrence capability for the US Department of Defense that will leverage both the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) based weapons detection solution and small hand-held drones. AFWERX is the Air Force’s team of innovators who encourage and facilitate connections across industry, academia and the military to create transformative opportunities and foster innovation. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
19 Apr 21. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $107,194,022 not-to-exceed, undefinitized contract action for long lead-time material (LLTM) in support of one Amphibious Assault Ship Replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9). This action will be the fifth increment of LLTM awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries under contract N00024-20-C-2437. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (50%); Kingsford, Michigan (15%); Saratoga Springs, New York (12%); Brunswick, Georgia (9%); Knoxville, Tennessee (5%); Chesapeake, Virginia (4%); Wellsville, New York (3%); and North Tonawanda, New York (2%). Work is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $80,395,516 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 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).
16 Apr 21. Ultra Electronics Oceans Systems Inc., Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $69,816,849 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract containing firm-fixed-price provisions. This contract is for production of transducers and installation kits. Work will be performed in Quincy, Massachusetts (68%); and Hingham, Massachusetts (42%), and is expected to be completed by April 2026 (with the latest possible delivery taking place nine months thereafter). Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,852,130 (95%); and fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $321,867 (5%) will be obligated at time of award on the first delivery order, of which $321,867 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the beta.sam.gov website with one offer received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-21-D-C100)
AIR
19 Apr 21. DARPA has awarded contracts for the first phase of the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program. The goal of the DRACO program is to demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system above low Earth orbit in 2025. The three prime contractors are General Atomics, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin. Phase 1 of the program will last 18 months and consist of two tracks. Track A will entail the preliminary design of an NTP reactor and propulsion subsystem concept. Track B will produce an Operational System (OS) spacecraft concept to meet mission objectives and design a Demonstration System (DS) spacecraft concept. The DS will be traceable to the OS concept, but specifically focus on demonstrating an NTP propulsion subsystem.
General Atomics will perform the Track A reactor development work. Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin will independently perform the Track B work to develop OS and DS spacecraft concept designs. DRACO’s Phase 1 is expected to inform follow-on phases for detailed design, fabrication, and on-orbit demonstration. Any follow-on phases will be solicited by DARPA in a future announcement. (Source: ASD Network/Darpa)
20 Apr 21. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced the U.S. Army has exercised an option on its Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems (LMAMS) contract for additional Switchblade® 300 tactical missile systems for the Army and for export to an allied nation. The $44,961,751 contract option increases the total value of the contract to $122,523,677. Delivery will take place over a two-year period.
AeroVironment received the contract option on March 16, 2021 and it will be managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal and the U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. AeroVironment’s combat proven Switchblade 300 is back-packable and rapidly deployable from ground platforms, including a multipack launcher, providing warfighters with rapid-response force protection and precision strike capabilities up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) from its launch location. Its high precision, combined with specialized effects and patented “wave-off” feature, results in Switchblade’s ability to minimize or even eliminate collateral damage.
20 Apr 21. Amazon Secures ULA’s Proven Atlas V Rocket for 9 Project Kuiper Launches. Atlas V provides important reliability and schedule assurance in launch agreement. United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced today that Amazon has secured Atlas V for nine launches supporting deployment of its ambitious Project Kuiper initiative. Project Kuiper is an initiative that will increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 advanced satellites in low earth orbit. The Atlas V missions will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. (Source: ASD Network)
20 Apr 21. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $436,691,186 modification (P00077) to contract W58RGZ-16-C-0023 for full rate production of Apache AH-64E aircraft. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $436,691,186 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
21 Apr 21. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $73,951,846 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001921F0876) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0006). This order provides for the design, development, and test of software and ancillary hardware necessary for the integration of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile onto the P-8A aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (72%); Patuxent River, Maryland (21%); Grand Rapids, Michigan (5%); and St. Louis, Missouri (2%), and is expected to be completed in October 2024. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,320,587 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
22 Apr 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Sunnyvale, California, was awarded a $27,132,214 modification (P00010) to contract HR0011-20-C-0028, adding Phase 2 tasks to the previously awarded procurement contract for the Blackjack satellite integration program. During the 15-month Phase 2 baseline program, the Lockheed Martin team will advance its satellite integration approach through critical design review, performing assembly, test, and integration activities on multiple types of commoditized buses, the Blackjack Pit Boss, and various payloads. Lockheed Martin further will provide for the integration of the various Blackjack components into a launch vehicle for on-orbit spacecraft testing. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $40,456,057 from $13,323,843. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (80%); Denver, Colorado (10%) Cape Canaveral, Florida (8%); and San Luis Obispo, California (2%), with an expected completion date of July 2022. Fiscal 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $12,664,795 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
20 Apr 21. Vertex Aerospace, LLC was recently awarded a $881,982,979 Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) task order to provide supply chain management for the E-6B Mercury Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) and Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission. The scope of the contract includes furnishing and delivering material required to support Organizational and Depot level maintenance and aircraft modifications and will take place at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and Travis AFB, California. (Source: PR Newswire)
TECHNOLOGY
21 Apr 21. Kratos Awarded Approximately $30m to Support Space-Related National Security Efforts. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it had received more than $30M to support space-related U.S. national security efforts. The follow-on awards are to previous contracts, implementing advanced technologies to provide better system performance. (Source: ASD Network)
20 Apr 21. OmniSync helps deep technology and life science companies raise debt-free and equity-free funds from the government through its unique product, TurboSBIR. Omnisync was competitively awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract from the US Air Force’s AFWERX program. STTR, a sister to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, is a highly competitive award that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in research and development, in collaboration with a non-profit research institution, with the potential for commercialization. For its Air Force STTR, OmniSync has partnered with researchers from the University of North Texas on an exciting project that will enable more technologies to be transferred from universities into the commercial space. OmniSync is particularly interested in bringing new and revolutionary technologies to the US Air Force to solve their most pressing needs, through a highly streamlined process of technology assessment, team building, rapid commercialization, and acquisition. (Source: PR Newswire)
22 Apr 21. Perspecta Inc. (NYSE: PRSP) announced today that its innovative applied research arm, Perspecta Labs, received a prime award for work on low-cost, resilient tactical radio communications under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Resilient Networked Distributed Mosaic Communications (RN DMC) program. The contract, which represents new work for the company, has a potential total value of $18.5m over a 45-month period of performance if all options are exercised. The directional antennas and high-powered amplifiers currently used to support long-range tactical communications in remote areas are expensive and vulnerable to jamming and interference. The RN DMC program aims to deliver resilient, long-range tactical communications via self-forming, self-healing “mosaic” antennas made up of small, low power and cost transceiver elements (tiles) that can be hard-carried by warfighters and hosted on ground vehicles, high-altitude platforms and satellites. Perspecta Labs will prototype, implement, test and validate an adaptive distributed array system solution that works with existing tactical radios and unmodified tactical waveforms. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
19 Apr 21. Indian customer selects Defsys counter drone solution to combat attacks on Indian security forces. Defsys Integrated Systems has delivered its Smartshooter long distance RF-based detection and jamming (soft kill) solution to a customer in India. The company says the order follows increasing numbers of incidents targeting Indian security forces from Chinese and Pakistani drones, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. Smartshooter is designed to provide a counter drone capability to the frontline in engaging with this emerging threat.
The report says Chinese and Pakistani drones equipped to drop grenades and drugs are being used more frequently now than before as a new weapon and means to distribute illegal items into India. In December 2020 a Pakistani drone carrying 11 hand grenades was neutralized in Punjab from a field near the International Border in Gurdaspur. Prior to that in Aug 2019 another drone carrying weapons was neutralized by the forces. Incidents are increasing and the needs to effectively neutralize the drones are a priority. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
SEA
19 Apr 21. MBDA’s Sea Ceptor ordered for Canadian Surface Combatant. MBDA has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Canada to equip the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) with the Sea Ceptor air defence weapon system. Utilising the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) as its effector, Sea Ceptor will undertake the Close-In Air Defence System (CIADS) role on-board the new CSC frigates. Sea Ceptor provides exceptional self-defence performance, with a rapid response time and a high rate of fire to defeat multiple threats simultaneously. Its state-of-the-art Soft Vertical Launch (SVL) technology enables full 360° coverage with close range performance normally only associated with trainable launcher systems. Sea Ceptor will be integrated with Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat Management System 330 (CMS 330) as part of a multi-tier air defence capability. The CAMM missiles will be quad packed in Lockheed Martin’s Extensible Launcher System (ExLS), which is part of the Mk41 family of vertical launcher systems. MBDA’s role on CSC will create a positive impact on the Canadian defence industry and its supply chain through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy. This contract will bring significant investment by MBDA in research and development to Canada across a wide range of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cyber security and advanced materials. This investment will be made across small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academia and other key industries across Canada, supporting high technology jobs. In addition, the CSC program will further strengthen the partnership between MBDA and Lockheed Martin Canada, which has already seen Sea Ceptor and CMS330 providing world-class air defence capabilities to the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Chilean Navy.
AIR
20 Apr 21. Morocco to Acquire 13 Bayraktar TB2 Drones. Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) signed an acquisition contract of 13 Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) with Turkey to the tune of MAD 626m ($70m). Under the agreement, Morocco will receive four driving ground stations, a configurable simulation system for driving drones, and a digital system for tracking and storing information. A drone operations center will be set up in Moroccan airbases. (Source: UAS VISION/Morocco World News)