UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
19 May 21. Rheinmetall has achieved another sales success in the United Kingdom. The British have ordered four more Mission Masters under the second phase (Spiral 2) of their Robotic Platoon Vehicle programme. Rheinmetall had already succeeded in placing its robotic vehicle in the Spiral 1 subproject of the UK’s RPV programme, which tests how unmanned vehicles can boost the firepower and capabilities of dismounted combat troops at platoon level. Having already procured four Mission Master vehicles with cargo modules in the spring of 2020, the British military will now be acquiring four more Mission Masters, equipped this time with a fire support module to explore potential future capabilities.
The contract was awarded at the end of February. Delivery of the four Mission Master – Fire Support vehicles will take place between May and August 2021. The order, which will be handled by Rheinmetall Canada, also encompasses training and support activities as well as spare parts.
SEA
20 May 21. Hamworthy Pumps is chosen as a subcontractor for Babcock International Group in a major global service agreement with the Royal Navy. The new service agreement with Babcock International Group makes Hamworthy Pumps the key pump supplier for the new Royal Navy Marine System Support (MSS) in a framework agreement for the next seven years. Babcock International won a £49 million contract with the Royal Navy earlier this year. Hamworthy Pumps will now contribute to the repair and maintenance services of pumps for the MSS Team. The agreement is global and includes Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and submarines. The framework agreement with Babcock International Group will form as an Asset Availability Service (AAS) arrangement.
EUROPE
LAND
20 May 21. The Dutch ministries have renewed their contract with international cybersecurity and medical imaging IT company Sectra (STO: SECT B). The contract allows the Dutch ministries to continue to purchase Sectra’s secure communication as a service. The service supports Dutch ministries and government officials in communicating classified information relating to national security without risking the confidentiality of the information. The service covers a range of solutions, which enables the Dutch ministries to offer employees the most appropriate security solution based on their individual communication and security requirements. Secure communication as a service, referred to by the Dutch ministries as VECOM, is used for both national and international communication. Sectra’s secure mobile communication solutions for encrypted voice, messaging and secure data transfer at the RESTRICTED and SECRET security levels are currently used by more than 200 users on daily basis. Several individuals also use Sectra’s RESTRICTED-approved solution for secure mobile workplaces to enable remote working and digital collaboration. The Dutch ministries have used Sectra’s secure communications service since 2007. The two-year contract extension was signed during the fourth quarter of Sectra’s 2020/2021 fiscal year.
18 May 21. Active protection system for Lynx IFV: market breakthrough for Rheinmetall’s new StrikeShield — €140m order from Hungary. The 209 new Lynx infantry fighting vehicles recently ordered by Hungary from Rheinmetall of Germany will be equipped with Rheinmetall’s StrikeShield hard-kill active protection system, or APS. Hungary is the latest customer for this innovative technology, which has formed part of the Rheinmetall portfolio since 2006. It will be supplied by Rheinmetall Protection Systems GmbH. The order is worth over €140. Hungary’s decision in favour of StrikeShield was driven by the NATO member’s commitment to taking part in demanding missions where modern anti-tank weapon systems present a dangerous threat to own forces.
StrikeShield is the third and latest generation of Rheinmetall’s acclaimed Active Defence System (ADS) technology, a specific variant of hard-kill APS. It is a distributed system whose sensors and countermeasures are integrated into the contours of the entire vehicle. Among other benefits, StrikeShield has the lowest emissions in the electro¬magnetic spectrum on the market, as well as the fastest reaction time in ambush and multi-hit situations. It protects the vehicle from shaped charge warhead threats such as rockets or missiles by neutralizing incoming projectiles before they hit the platform itself.
The StrikeShield APS will be mechanically integrated into hybrid armour tiles on the Lynx. Instead of conventional passive add-on armour modules, the platform will feature spaced passive armour tiles that incorporate the components of the APS between an outer ply and inner tiles mounted on the vehicle’s hull.
SEA
20 May 21. Romania Becomes Latest Naval Strike Missile Customer. The government of Romania signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy to purchase the Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System, or NSM CDS.
The agreement, formally referred to as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, makes Romania the first country to purchase the system via the U.S. government’s foreign military sales program.
NSM, a long-range precision missile that strikes heavily defended land and sea targets, will arm Romania with a 5th-generation anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile. As a key part of the CDS, the vehicle-launched NSM has a range greater than 100 nautical miles, flies at low altitudes and uses advanced seeker and target-identification technology. (Source: Google/ https://www.navalnews.com/)
AIR
20 May 21. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS to Greece. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of Greece has requested to buy U.S. Government, technical, and logistics support services and requisitions supporting the Foreign Military Sales Order II (FMSO II) and Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement (CLSSA) for stock replenishment, supply of standard spare parts, and repair/replace of spare parts to support the Hellenic Air Force’s defensive and transport aerial fleets; all other aircraft systems and subsystems; and other related elements of program support. The estimated total cost is $165m. There are no principal contractors for this proposed sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
20 May 21. The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has confirmed an option to Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engines for two more H160s for the French Navy. These aircraft will join the fleet of four H160s already contracted in 2020, the first of which is currently being assembled by Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, in the south of France. The six H160s will be delivered in a Search and Rescue (SAR) configuration and will gradually start operating from May 2022 from Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station (Britany), Cherbourg airport (Normandy) and Hyères naval air station (Provence). Awaiting the H160M “Guépard” deliveries in the frame of the French Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger: HIL) programme, these H160s will take over the SAR missions currently conducted by the NH90s and Panthers , allowing these combat helicopters to fulfill their main tasks at sea on board combat vessels. The French Navy’s operational feedback with these H160s will benefit the design of the military version of the aircraft and its associated support system. The H160s were ordered in 2018 and will be maintained and equipped by Babcock in partnership with Airbus Helicopters, and Safran Helicopters Engines ensuring the highest level of availability for the French Navy and the continuity of SAR operations on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts. Built by Airbus Helicopters, the six H160s will be equipped with a winch and a modular cabin that can be optimized for each mission. The H160s will be certified for use of night vision goggles which are necessary for winching operations at night. The six H160s will be modified into a light military configuration by Babcock, a provider of critical, complex engineering services to governments, to answer to the needs of the French Navy. Babcock will integrate the Safran Electronics & Defense new generation electro-optical system, Euroflir 410.
20 May 21. Croatia will update its air forces after the purchase of 12 F3R Rafale jets, a twin-engine multipurpose fighter manufactured by France’s Dassault, the Jutarni list newspaper reported. They are active fighters and the most used of all has less than 10 years in operation, the newspaper added. Such a decision is followed by all legal proceedings to confirm the purchase and subsequently to sign the contract, which if rolled out this year, it will allow Zagreb to receive the first six fighters in 2024 and the remaining ones one year later. The newspaper said the agreement would include aircraft, training and weapons, so the total cost would amount to less than one billion euros. In a Defense Council’s session, the support for the Executive to conduct the purchase was passed, so it allows to reveal who the final supplier will be. Croatian President and Armed Force Supreme Commander Zoran Milanovic refused to comment on the Rafale fighter jets’ definition and noted that he did not make any suggestion about which model to purchase. (Source: News Now/Prensa Latina)
17 May 21. HENSOLDT to deliver radar electronics for ‘Quadriga’ Eurofighters. Having been commissioned back in March to produce and deliver ECRS Mk1 radars, sensor solutions supplier HENSOLDT has now been awarded a further order worth some 50m euros under the German Air Force’s Quadriga procurement programme for 38 Eurofighter combat aircraft. (You can find a video of the Eurofighter sensor technology here.) In the context of the Quadriga programme, HENSOLDT has been commissioned by the European EuroRADAR consortium to produce and deliver radar electronic components which will be manufactured at HENSOLDT’s site in Ulm. In addition to HENSOLDT, the consortium also includes Indra, Leonardo Italy and Leonardo UK. (Source: ASD Network)
17 May 21. Orolia has been selected by the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide the core GNSS simulation engine for the Galileo Second Generation (G2G) RF Constellation Simulator (G2G RFCS). While the first launched Galileo satellites are reaching the end of their theoretical operational life, the Galileo Second Generation (G2G) initiative includes the preparation of a future generation of Galileo global infrastructure, from satellites to ground segments in order to maintain current services as well as to provide improved performance and RNP (Required Navigation Performance) features to all users. In this context, Orolia has been selected to participate in the G2G RFCS activity, which will support G2G signals evolution requirements. The primary objective of the G2G RFCS initiative is to design, develop, manufacture, and test an enhanced radio frequency constellation simulator dedicated to Galileo engineering and experiments. This simulation technology will enable scientists and industries to verify, demonstrate, and validate the future G2G configuration. (Source: PR Newswire)
17 May 21. Rheinmetall and Thales awarded subcontract from Lockheed Martin to deliver training services to the joint Franco-German C-130J squadron. Thales and Rheinmetall have been tasked with certifying the future training centre organization for the Franco-German C-130J transport aircraft fleet. The two companies are participating in the project as subcontractors (50/50) to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor of the France/Germany Multinational Training Centre and manufacturer of the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. Awarded in March 2021, Rheinmetall and Thales will provide personnel and services related to the certification of the training centre organization. The training centre qualification is to be completed in Q1 2024, and the training operation will commence in 2024. The initial establishment and certification phase may be followed by an optional operating phase. If the operating phase is awarded, Thales and Rheinmetall will provide all management personnel, qualified flight and ground crew instructors as well as maintenance personnel for the operation of all training devices.
The training centre is to be established at Évreux in Normandy, home to the French Air Force’s 62nd Transport Squadron, and will host the new French and German C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as a joint transport squadron. The accompanying training centre is to be certified as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), certified by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC). The Franco-German transport aircraft project is one of Europe’s key air force programmes. In Évreux, Germany and France intend to jointly operate a total of 10 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft starting this year. The plan calls for joint cockpit crews as well as mixed teams on the ground. France has already taken delivery of a total of four Super Hercules, whereas Germany will contribute six aircrafts to the squadron, with deliveries starting in 2022. These six aircrafts will replace the German Transall C-160. With this project, Thales and Rheinmetall are continuing an already successful cooperation in the field of Franco-German aviation training, within the TATM “Tiger Aircrew Training Means”, for the German and French crews of the Tiger attack helicopter.
USA
LAND
18 May 21. AM General, a global leader in military grade tactical vehicles and mobility systems, recently received a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract from the United States Army to provide two HUMVEE 2-CT Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer Systems (MHS) for the U.S. Army’s characterization test. AM General and its strategic partner, Mandus Group, have been integrating the soft recoil technology (SRT) onto light, mobile, transportable, and survivable platforms without sacrificing firepower. SRT is a disruptive technology that will reduce the firing loads for direct and indirect weapons systems, enabling combat systems to meet emerging requirements. The technology is ready now and can be deployed on existing weapons platforms for an immediate effect on the battlefield. Soft recoil enables reduction in overall system weight, making systems more agile and responsive to benefit the supported maneuver commander. (Source: PR Newswire)
19 May 21. CAE USA will create a next-generation Mission Command System to provide SOCOM a digital ecosystem that delivers a common operational picture. CAE today announced that CAE USA has been awarded a contract valued at more than US$135m, including options, by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to lead integration efforts for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Global Situational Awareness initiative. USSOCOM has exercised the first option of the contract valued at more than US$19m. Last year, CAE USA was among several companies awarded an initial prototype contract to demonstrate the capability of leveraging a digital ecosystem to fuse data from a variety of sources to deliver a common operational picture (COP). Following further evaluation of prototypes demonstrated during research and development, USSOCOM selected CAE USA to lead the integration and architecture development efforts under a program called Mission Command System/Common Operational Picture (MCS/COP). The scalable next-generation Mission Command System will unify the SOF enterprise through the creation of an integrated common operational picture, which will deliver enhanced and improved global situational awareness. (Source: ASD Network)
19 May 21. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL), a world leader in secure wireless communications technologies, announced today, that during its third quarter of fiscal 2021, its Santa Clara, California-based subsidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., a world leader in high-power amplifiers, was awarded a $2.0m order for rugged Ka-band high power traveling wave tube amplifiers (“TWTAs”) for a U.S. military communications system that provides a secure internet connection to U.S. soldiers without the need for fixed infrastructure. (Source: ASD Network)
20 May 21. L3Harris Technologies Inc., Clifton, New Jersey, received a maximum ordering limit increase modification in the amount of $438,000,000 on an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92241-20-D-0001) for the Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures program. This modification raises the maximum ordering amount to $493,000,000 and adds pricing for procurement of modules and parts. This contract has a five-year ordering period. The first task order was funded with fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance funds at the time of contract award. All subsequent task orders will be funded with appropriate funding. The majority of the work will be performed in Clifton. This contract is a non-competitive award and is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302.1. U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity.
20 May 21. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $19,834,648 firm-fixed-price contract for new M1076A0 Palletized Load System trailers. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $19,834,648 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-F-0232).
SEA
18 May 21. BAE Systems, Inc. has won a U.S. Navy competition to serve as the design agent for the mechanical portion of the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). With this $164m award, BAE Systems will provide design and support of the system that is embedded in cruisers and destroyers and launches a wide arsenal of offensive and defensive missiles. The contract calls for BAE Systems to provide design, development, test, product improvement, and sustaining support for current and legacy VLS systems. BAE Systems will also continue to design and support canisters used to store, transport, and launch the missiles from the VLS. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 May 21. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $7,594,682 firm-fixed-price modification (P00002) to contract FA8682-21-C-0004 for 137 Lots 4 and 5 Long-Range-Anti-Ship Missiles and tooling and test equipment. This modification provides for initial spares of production parts being produced under the basic contract for future repairs. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed Sept. 20, 2024. Fiscal 2020 U.S. Navy (USN) weapon procurement funds in the amount of $76,087; fiscal 2021 USN weapon procurement funds in the amount of $5,241,135; fiscal 2020 U.S. Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $384,435; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $1,893,025 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $424,771,696. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
AIR
13 May 21. NASA awards $135m to US SMEs. The space agency has issued contracts to hundreds of small businesses across the US for the development of innovative technologies.
NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program has awarded 140 new Phase II contracts valued at US$105m ($135m) to 127 US small businesses, aimed at funding their development of new technologies.
The SMEs selected for Phase II funding received initial SBIR Phase I contracts in 2020 to demonstrate the capabilities of their innovations for potential contributions to NASA’s human exploration, space technology, science, and aeronautics programs.
The Phase II awards provide each recipient with up to $750,000 to advance their technologies toward potential commercialisation, with the SMEs to spend up to two years developing, demonstrating, and delivering their proposed projects. (Source: Space Connect)
17 May 21. ABL Space Systems announced its fourth contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). ABL was awarded “Responsive Launch II” by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a DoD organization that aims to strengthen U.S. national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology across the military and growing the national security innovation base. This award builds on ABL’s growing portfolio with the Department, which includes over $50M+ in active contracts.
Responsive Launch II is a multilateral effort between various DoD launch stakeholders, including DIU, the Space and Missile Systems Center Rocket Systems Launch Program, and the DoD Space Test Program. Within this Area of Interest, DIU sought solutions that increased flexibility to place payloads in their “mission-designated orbits” with minimal delay. This capability is key to achieving “responsive space access, mobility, and logistics” as outlined by the United States Space Force. (Source: PR Newswire)
18 May 21. BAE Systems, Inc. has received a $325.5m contract from the Defense Logistics Agency for advanced Military Code (M-Code) Global Positioning System (GPS) modules that will provide reliable and secure positioning, navigation, and timing data with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. The modules will help warfighters conduct operations in contested electronic warfare environments. Under the multi-year contract, BAE Systems will deliver Modernized GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 1 Common GPS Modules (CGMs) compatible with the advanced M-Code signal to support the U.S. Department of Defense and international allies through 2030. BAE Systems will manufacture the modules, manage their inventory on behalf of the Defense Logistics Agency, and use them to build military-grade GPS receivers for ground and precision-guided munitions. BAE Systems’ portfolio of M-Code GPS receivers provides flexible, efficient, and reliable navigation and guidance solution. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 May 21. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a production contract option for 18 additional GQM-163A “Coyote” supersonic sea-skimming target vehicles. This award represents the first of three options that can be exercised against the full-rate production contract awarded last year. The $55.4m award brings the GQM-163A targets ordered to date to 218. Northrop Grumman designed and developed the Coyote starting in the early 2000s, with the first flight in 2003. The company has since delivered 124 targets to the U.S. Navy and successfully launched them 81 times. To create efficiencies and save time for the production of this target system, the company uses 3D printing technology to build mockups and tooling, and to prototype design modifications.
19 May 21. The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $14bn contract to Lockheed Martin to build new F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets for five countries through 2026. The service on Monday announced a contract for the production of 128 Block 70/72 jets, the latest and most advanced version of the venerable fourth-generation fighter, on behalf of Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Morocco. Lockheed moved its production line from Texas to its Greenville, South Carolina, plant in 2019 to centralize its manufacturing of F-16s. The aircraft has been updated since the last jet was delivered to the Air Force in 2005, and the service “has seen an uptick of our partner nations requesting detailed information and requests for U.S. Government sales,” Col. Anthony Walker, senior materiel leader for the service’s international division, said in a release. (Source: Military.com)
14 May 21. SES Government Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES, in close partnership with a key U.S. Government customer, designed, developed and fielded an O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) reachback capability to provide mission-critical communications for a key combatant command. The awarded task order for USD 11.8m is against the single-award USD 516.7m Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for medium earth orbit (MEO) low-latency high-throughput satellite (HTS) services. This is the 15th task order awarded to SES GS on this BPA. With this agreement, SES Government Solutions expands its high-throughput, low-latency services in support of mission-essential combatant command requirements, as the customer needs evolve, by providing innovative, flexible and secure communications solutions. Using O3b services, U.S. Government customers can take advantage of the field-proven capabilities to support the provisioning of enterprise services to deployed warfighters. The solution leverages the MEO constellation by providing fiber-like connectivity to austere deployed locations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
18 May 21. The Department of Defense’ Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations / Low Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC), Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, Directorate of Defense Research & Development (Ma’fat), has contracted with revolutionary telepresence platform, XTEND, for a new hyper-enabled small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) product, called “SKYLORD XTENDER”, beginning in 2020. The initiative will deliver multiple, tactical sUAS platform prototypes to – U.S. Department of Defense tactical units for Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E). (Source: PR Newswire)
TECHNOLOGY
17 May 21. BAE Systems Information and Electronics, Burlington, Massachusetts, was awarded a $9,652,584 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to research, design and develop a Weapons Integrated Navigation System prototype. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Burlington, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of July 13, 2024. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $2,300,173 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912CG-21-C-0007).
17 May 21. Forward Networks, the industry leader in network assurance and intent-based verification, today announced that it has been named a manufacturer on the Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – Software 2 (ITES-SW2) contract for the U.S. Army Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS). This contract is held by Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, and is effective through August 30, 2025. ITES-SW2 is a firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract vehicle for commercial off-the-shelf software products and related services and hardware. The contract has no fees, and ordering is open to all Army, DoD, and Federal agencies and authorized systems integrators on a worldwide basis. Under this contract, Carahsoft provides software, software maintenance, and ancillary services from Forward Networks to support Federal agencies’ enterprise software needs. (Source: PR Newswire)
14 May 21. InfoScitex Corp., Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded two shared ceiling $243,050,000 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts for completing research and development. The first contract is the Aerospace Systems Technology Research and Assessment (ASTRA) Aerospace Technology Development and Testing (ATDT) for conducting research, development, and demonstration of transformative aerospace capabilities and multi-domain operations (MDO) modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A). The ATDT contract (FA8650-21-D-2602) is awarded with one initial task order (FA8650-21-F-2603) for control automation research with a price of $16,949,999. The second contract (FA8650-21-D-2606) is for the ASTRA Multi-Domain Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MDMSA). The MDMSA contract will focus on MDO MS&A tool development and MDO analysis. The MDMSA contract is awarded with two initial task orders: one task order (FA8650-21-F-2604) for advanced high-speed operations and analysis research with a price of $6,400,000; and one task order (FA8650-21-F-2605) for multi-domain technology simulation-based engineering with a price of $14,771,892. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for both contracts and both are expected to be completed May 1, 2028. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,267,501 will be obligated at the time of award on the first task order. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
14 May 21. Perspecta Enterprise Solutions LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded an Enterprise Information Technology (EIT) application development services production other transaction agreement (HS002-1219-0001) with a base period of 12 months and four optional 12-month periods. The total estimated agreement value at the time of award is $473,803,770, with a not-to-exceed value of $500,000,000 for all periods of performance and contract line item numbers. This agreement is based upon the successful completion of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s (DCSA) security enterprise architecture and data analytics prototype other transaction agreement HS0021-19-9-0002, which was competitively awarded to Perspecta on May 14, 2019. The transaction continues the development and operations of the prototype solutions pertaining to major components of a comprehensive IT system for managing all background investigations and security clearance adjudications for federal employees and contractors. Through use of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) processes, this transaction will support the development, enhancement and expansion of defense business system capabilities throughout operations of the EIT application. Work will be performed within the National Capital Region surrounding Fort Meade, Maryland. It has an estimated completion date of May 14, 2026. Fiscal 2021 Budget Activity 08, DCSA funds for $29,343,005 were obligated at the time of the award. DCSA Acquisition and Contracting, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
14 May 21. South Korea awards contract for series production of indigenous coastal surveillance radar. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has awarded a KRW164bn (USD145.4m) contract to defence systems company LIG Nex1 for the mass production of the indigenously developed Maritime Surveillance Radar-II. (Source: Jane’s)
SEA
20 May 21. BAE Systems Australia confirmed that it has entered into agreements with Victoria-based Macaky Consolidated Industries as well as South Australian companies Century Engineering and Novafast International to deliver support for the upcoming Hunter Class frigate prototype. The three participating SMEs are expected to support BAE Systems Australia’s prototype by developing the piping systems across the ship at the shipyards in Osborne, South Australia. Other local companies taking part in the frigate program are BlueScope Steel AIS, Infrabuild Steel Centre, APS Adelaide Profile Services and TQCSI-Yaran. (Source: Defence Connect)
18 May 21. The United Arab Emirates has awarded a 3.5bn durham (U.S. $952.7m) contract to Abu Dhabi Ship Building to produce four Falaj 3-class offshore patrol vessels, the largest-ever order for the company. ADSB, a subsidiary of the local defense conglomerate Edge, announced the contract with the Emirati Defense Ministry and the Navy on Tuesday. He added that the company is building all four hulls at its facility and will manage the integration of all systems that will then be fitted onto the vessels. (Source: Defense News)
AIR
14 May 21. Taiwan awards F-16 missile maintenance contract. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) signed a TWD291m (USD10.4m) contract with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for follow-on support and maintenance of US-made missiles used on the Republic of China Air Force’s (RoCAF’s) fleet of F-16 multirole fighter aircraft.
Work will be performed by US military personnel in Chiayi City and Hualien County, where the F-16s are based, and is expected to be completed by 31 December 2025, according to a notice posted on 12 May on the Taiwanese government’s procurement website. The RoCAF’s F-16s can currently be armed with AGM-88 High-speed Anti-radiation Missiles (HARM), AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), and AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles. (Source: Jane’s)
18 May 21. South Korea Orders Hydrogen Powered Drones. South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will introduce hydrogen powered drones to its military pilot operations from November with a new deal with Doosan. The new deal, worth KRW 8.31m ($730,000), will see the hydrogen power pack drones from Doosan implemented into South Korea’s arsenal as it makes a transition to eco-friendly technology. The drones boast extended refuelling ranges allowing for longer missions in addition to less sound and vibrations compared to contemporary variants showcasing the potential of hydrogen drones in military operations. These operations could include reconnaissance and covert surveillance with the drones being harder to detect. South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will introduce hydrogen powered drones to its military pilot operations from November with a new deal with Doosan. The new deal, worth KRW 8.31m ($730,000), will see the hydrogen power pack drones from Doosan implemented into South Korea’s arsenal as it makes a transition to eco-friendly technology. (Source: UAS VISION/H2 View)
13 May 21. Through Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the capacity to identify potential threats to Canadian security and sovereignty, including in the Arctic. Following an open and competitive process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Department of National Defence, has awarded a contract for the in-service support and maintenance of the 3 King Air 350ER aircraft to Team CERTAS, consisting of General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, from Ottawa, Ontario, and Voyageur Aviation Corporation, from North Bay, Ontario. This initial in-service support and maintenance contract is valued at approximately $72m (including taxes) over 8 years and will create or maintain up to 40 well–paying aerospace sector jobs in Canada. This work will support the Royal Canadian Air Force with general aircraft maintenance and deployment logistics, and provide training and engineering services. (Source: PR Newswire)
18 May 21. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Sierra Vista, Arizona, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $75,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, single-award contract for the Global Hawk RQ-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The contractor will provide multi-country aircrew and maintenance training consisting of program management support, courseware modification and development, pilot training, sensor operator training, and airframe and ground maintenance training to support the U.S. government and Air Force Security Assistance Training international partners’ mission objectives. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds will be obligated at the time of task order award. The Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Joint Base San Antonio‐Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-21-D-0002).
19 May 21. Australia’s Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 19 May that Sikorsky Australia had been selected by the US Navy (USN) to provide additional support to the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk Romeo multimission helicopters. Under a recently awarded AUD10m (USD7.7m) sustainment contract expansion, Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, “will deliver more sustainment support and maintenance” to the RAN’s MH-60R fleet at its maintenance, logistics and repair facility in Nowra, New South Wales, said the DoD in a statement. (Source: Jane’s)