UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
21 Jul 21. NGC Awarded UK MoD C2 Digital Enterprise Agreement. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has signed a digital enterprise agreement for Interoperable C4I Services (ICS) and command and control (C2) technical consultancy with Defence Digital, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) organisation responsible for making sure that effective digital and information technology is put into the hands of the military and business front line. ICS combines an open architecture and a unique set of track management and situational awareness capabilities to facilitate the creation, visualisation and distribution of the common operating picture. This picture provides military commanders the information they need to plan, execute and manage military operations. ICS is developed and supported in the UK, and it has continuously evolved to provide the core C2 systems for UK MoD and NATO HQs/ships for over 25 years. It is also fielded by many other nations to power their national C2 systems. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
22 Jul 21. A £195m contract for a further 13 cutting-edge Protector aircraft has been signed. Defence Minister Jeremy Quin announced the new contract during a visit to GKN Aerospace (GKNA), who are manufacturing key parts of aircraft on the Isle of Wight. Protector is a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) that will provide critical surveillance capability for the RAF and will be equipped with a suite of surveillance equipment and precision strike weapons to deploy against potential adversaries around the globe, all while being operated from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. 16 aircraft have now been ordered from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) and are expected to enter service with the RAF by mid-2024, doubling the capability currently provided by Reaper. The investment also includes four additional ground control stations and associated support equipment. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
19 Jul 21. New contract for Anglo-French Innovation Technology Partnership. MBDA has been awarded a contract by France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to lead the new Complex Weapons Innovation Technology Partnership (CW ITP).* The new four-year contract follows on from the work of the Materials and Components for Missiles Innovation Technology Partnership (MCM ITP) over the last 13 years to continue developing generation-after-next missile technology. The Governments of both France – through its Defence Innovation Agency – and the UK – with the Integrated Review – have shown a commitment to harness the opportunities innovation can present for the benefit of their Defence capabilities. The CW ITP enables both counties to co-operate in that endeavour and solve the challenges future capabilities will need to overcome. The CW ITP’s new framework will see it focus on five enduring technical areas (ETAs) identified as unique and critical to the field of complex weapons:
- Materials, Structures & Electronics;
- Mission Systems & Algorithms;
- Seekers;
- Propulsion; and
- Lethality.
The development funding provided by CW ITP in these areas will help sustain France and the UK‘s industrial and scientific base. A renewed group of French and UK companies, split equally across the two countries, will lead these ETAs. CW ITP will also introduce greater collaboration across these areas through ‘Dynamic Challenges’ that will look at technologies with applications across them, as well as any new potential technology areas. It will also look to fund more ‘Disruptive Innovation’ through short, three to six month, technology projects that whilst at the smaller end of funding, carry a high risk of not being successful but high reward if they are. Additionally, CW ITP has increased the funding to research activities of French and UK SME’s and academia through efficiency savings on costs of managing the projects. CW ITP will have an annual budget of 12m euros – 50% from Dstl/DGA and 50% from Industry – to fund up to 30 projects every two years. These research activities will focus on developing technologies with a low readiness level (up to TRL 3 or 4). * Dstl signed the contract on behalf of the two nations.
EUROPE
LAND
22 Jul 21. Bittium continues to supply the Estonian Defence Forces with products and systems for tactical communications. The products and systems are complementing a tactical communications system delivered to the Estonian Defence Forces already earlier. The products and systems to be delivered include the products of the software defined Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system that is used to form a wireless broadband network, Bittium Tough Comnode™ devices, Bittium Tough VoIP™ product family’s products, Bittium Tactical Network Management™ system, Bittium Tactical Power Pack™ battery units, and software maintenance related to the systems. The deliveries are based on a Framework Agreement between Bittium’s Estonian partner Telegrupp AS and the Estonian Defence Forces. The Framework Agreement covers the period from 2021 to 2025 and based on the agreement Bittium has received the first purchase orders valued approximately at EUR1.4m. The orders include product deliveries for the year 2021 and software maintenance for the years 2021-2025. Telegrupp AS acts as the integrator for the products and systems delivered to the Estonian Defence Forces, and within the Framework Agreement, also third-party products will be delivered. The product and system deliveries continue the reform that aims to improve IP data transfer capability of the Estonian Land Forces. Bittium has already previously supplied the Estonian Defence Forces with a tactical communications system including the Bittium TAC WIN system and Bittium Tough VoIP products that contributes to the reform as part of a bigger system entity. Bittium’s tactical communications system modernizes the IP data transfer, improves the performance of the network, and diversifies the wireless and wired connectivity of the system entity used by the Estonian Defence Forces. The purchase orders do not change Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2021, published in Bittium Corporation’s Business Review January-March 2021 on April 29, 2021.
23 Jul 21. Blighter selected to provide advanced integrated target acquisition radars for fleet of Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Blighter Surveillance Systems (‘Blighter’, www.blighter.com) the British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning radars and surveillance solutions, has been selected to provide a minimum of 25 target acquisition radars for a fleet of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs). The initial contract with a major European defence company will last for approximately 3-5 years, with the possibility to extend, and provide a minimum of another 60 radars in the following phase. Blighter B400 series target acquisition radars, set to be integrated with the defensive capabilities of this fleet, provide long-range, targeting capability for the weapons system and are already in use across the world, including as part of an integrated mobile border security platform deployed in Europe. The B400 radars are versatile by design, and suited to fixed, mobile and portable applications. With extensive defensive and offensive capabilities, the vehicles will be dependent on the accuracy of the target acquisition radars to achieve full operational effectiveness.
21 Jul 21. Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with laser light modules. The Bundeswehr has selected Rheinmetall to supply laser light modules for the German armed forces. A corresponding framework contract has now been signed, which envisages delivery of up to 130,000 laser light modules. To begin with, 2,460 devices worth a total of €3m will be delivered. For Rheinmetall, the framework contract represents up to €178m in potential sales. This is the largest order for laser light modules ever booked by the device’s maker, Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics of Stockach, Germany. The framework contract is initially set to run for seven years. Because the devices can be mounted via a standard inferface onto all assault rifles, submachine guns, machine guns and sniper rifles currently in the Bundeswehr inventory, they will greatly improve the ability of German troops to fight at night. Delivery will begin this year. The Bundeswehr will initially take delivery of 360 devices earmarked for integrated verification management. These will be followed by the remaining 2,100 laser light modules now on order. The device selected is a version of the Rheinmetall’s latest-generation LLM-VarioRay laser light module. Intended primarily for small arms carried by infantry and other soldiers who fight on foot, it is used for detecting, identifying and marking targets. Weighing around 250 grams including the bracket, the LLM-VarioRay can be mounted on any assault rifle with a MIL-STD 1913 rail/STANAG 4694 and operated via a trigger cable. It features a powerful white lamp, a red-light laser marker, an infrared laser marker and an electrically focusable infrared illuminator. The light source can be selected with a rotary switch and is infinitely adjustable. The device has a fully integrated, factory-aligned laser block, enabling easy adjustment and alignment of the aiming device and weapon. Together with night observation and thermal imaging devices, it lets German troops perform a full range of operational missions around the clock and in all weathers. Among other things, the LLM-VarioRay product family forms part of the German soldier system “Future Soldier – Expanded System” (IdZ-ES). It is also in service with the British Army, which calls it the Laser Light Module MK3, and with the Swiss Army, where it is known as the Laser-Licht-Modul 19.
SEA
20 Jul 21. Naval Group has signed a contract with the Fleet Support Service to carry out maintenance operations on the French Navy’s nuclear attack submarines (SSN). The multi-million-euro contract has a duration of over three years. It includes the routine maintenance activities necessary for the operational maintenance (MCO) of Rubis and Suffren-class SSNs. These activities include engineering services, maintenance of tools and spares, management of the spares stock, training platforms, as well as maintenance of nuclear installations necessary for the MCO of submarines. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
20 Jul 21. The French Air Force Buys Another Nine PC-21. In 2017 the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace purchased 17 PC-21s and has successfully trained its future military pilots on the world’s most modern training system since then. The Air Force has now ordered a further nine PC-21s to reinforce its training programme with additional Pilatus training aircraft. The Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace, one of the world’s most prestigious air forces, has ordered a further nine PC-21s, proving with this additional contract how efficient the Pilatus training system is. The PC-21s will be deployed to train future military pilots who will subsequently step up to the nation’s multi-role lead-fighter. The PC-21s will replace the twin-engine jet trainers which were previously used for pilot training. (Source: News Now/https://defencereviewasia.com/)
22 Jul 21. Thales has been awarded the contract to supply Scorpion® helmet-mounted sight and display systems and digital multi-function displays for all the Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft in service with the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy. From reconnaissance to air defence and precision strike missions, the Rafale has helped ensure the success of countless military operations. But future aircrews will have to analyse more data in less time on combat missions carried out in increasingly complex environments. Coupled with the aircraft’s weapon systems, the Scorpion® helmet-mounted sight and display enhances tactical situational awareness and enables crews to respond more quickly and with greater agility to a whole range of threats. Its progressive rollout on the Rafale F4 standard will be a decisive advantage in ensuring the success of airborne missions and protecting populations. The helmet-mounted display symbology brings together information from the aircraft’s onboard sensors to help pilots perform their missions even in the most challenging situations. It creates a continuum between the cockpit and the outside world to radically improve awareness of the tactical situation. Coupled with the weapon system, the display can be used to designate and track targets anywhere in the crew’s field of view in daylight and at night. Scorpion® delivers all of these capability enhancements in addition to the protection and survivability functions of a conventional flight helmet. It is optimised for weight and balance to maximise pilot comfort and mission effectiveness. The 400 digital multi-function displays on order will replace the lateral displays on France’s in-service Rafale aircraft, which are primarily used to inform the pilot about the status of the aircraft’s systems and provide imagery from its onboard sensors. The new equipment offers a larger display area, an improved touchscreen interface and greater processing power.
21 Jul 21. Mechatronics manufacturer VINCORION has received an order to supply 100 hydraulic Rescue Hoist Systems (RHS) for military transport helicopters. The contract has a total value of approximately 11.5m euros, spread over the period between now and 2028. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2021. Field-Proven for Loads of up to 400 kg and Rescue Operations up to 270 kg. VINCORION’s hydraulic Rescue Hoist System is mainly used for search and rescue and military missions, but also as a cargo hoist while the helicopter is on the ground. In rescue mode, the hoist reaches a maximum speed of 1.25 meters per second with a hoisting capacity of up to 270 kg. In cargo mode, the system reaches speeds of up to 0.4 meters per second and can move up to 400 kg. VINCORION can look back on decades of expertise in the field of hoisting technology. The mechatronics specialist, with locations in Altenstadt, Essen, and Wedel, Germany, manufactured the first of more than 130 rescue hoists for the legendary Bell UH-1D helicopter back in the 1970s.
TECHNOLOGY
23 Jul 21. Elettronica has been named as the coordinator for the CARMENTA project. This is a large consortium of 14 leading European defence companies notably Airbus Deutschland, Airbus Defence and Space, Airbus Helicopters España, BPTI, DA Group, Indra, Hensoldt Sensors, Indra, Leonardo, MBDA, Saab, Terma and Thales. These companies represent eight EU nations: Italy, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain and Sweden. CARMENTA will develop the next generation of Self Protection Systems (SPSs), both for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. These SPSs will be capable of addressing a wide spectrum of current and evolving threats using different countermeasures. Artificial intelligence and machine learning, alongside open architecture, will ease the integration of these self-protection systems on current and future platforms. These approaches will let equipment be easily updated as it moves through its service life. Elettronica achieved outstanding results in the EDIDP’s Excellence, Innovation, Competitiveness and Growth evaluation criteria. The grant awarded via the CARMENTA programme is worth approximately €8.1m.
USA
LAND
19 Jul 21. USMC details two pathways for future Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle fleet. The US Marine Corps (USMC) is moving ahead with plans to design a new Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) and has awarded two companies with prototyping contracts, but has also tasked BAE Systems with studying if the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) could be modified for the requirement. The service announced this tentative roadmap on 16 July and said it will begin negotiating 22-month ‘other transaction agreement’ deals with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Textron Systems for an ARV prototyping phase. Each company will then deliver its vehicles to the service in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2023 and the USMC will spend six months evaluating them. The USMC officials envision developing a next-generation platform with a combination of capabilities that will enable Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) battalions to function as a battlefield manager. (Source: Jane’s)
15 Jul 21. Counter drone company Citadel Defense reports new contract awards worth USD4m from an undisclosed US government customer for the company’s Titan technology to provide radio frequency sensors for both standalone and highly integrated layered defense solutions. The Titan systems will be utilized for pre-deployment training, mobile security, and fixed site protection. According to a company press release, Titan uses an automated decision engine to match threats with optimized electronic countermeasures without requiring an operator’s manual response, interpretation of the threat scenario, or expertise in discriminating complex signal characteristics. With four years’ AI performance and maturation, Citadel technology is designed to deliver smart, fast decisions while responsibly taking operators out of the loop. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
20 Jul 21. Kymeta (www.kymetacorp.com), the communications company making mobile global, announced today it has been awarded a $950,000,000 ceiling Indefinite-Delivery/ Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). The contract is part of a multiple award multi-level security effort to provide development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. Kymeta’s next-generation solutions, including the Kymeta™ u8 terminal and Kymeta Connect™ connectivity services, offer seamless and uninterrupted mobile satellite-cellular and is designed to meet the needs of defense agencies, government, public safety, and commercial customers around the world. Today, the u8 is the only commercially available flat panel antenna that is compatible with LEO and GEO satellite constellations. Kymeta u8 terminals, antennas, and ODUs are easy to set up and acquire service within minutes of installation. The u8 is also available in a transportable configuration called the u8 GO, which is ideal for rapid deployments. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
20 Jul 21. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) received a contract from Moog, Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) to procure 33 WESCAM MX™-GCS sighting systems in support of the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense Increment 1 (M-SHORAD Inc. 1) program. L3Harris will provide a fully-digital above-armor sighting system in a single lightweight package to Moog. The sighting system will be integrated onto Moog’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP®) turret; providing the capabilities required to counter unmanned aircraft systems, rotary-wing and fixed-wing threats. Deliveries to Moog will begin in 2021. L3Harris’ WESCAM MX-Series systems are active in over 80 countries. Operating across air, land and maritime domains, these intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems support more than 200 different platforms. General Dynamics is the Prime on the M-SHORAD program.
16 Jul 21. Liteye Systems, based in Denver Colorado, has received a follow-on contract award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to provide service and support for deployed counter unmanned defense systems. The Department of Defense has prioritized counter-unmanned aircraft systems as a defensive platform and working with industry to develop technology and solutions to maximize capabilities domestically and overseas. Liteye has been providing service and support for CUAS systems downrange since 2016. Liteye’s CUAS solutions can be layered with multiple capabilities to Detect, Track, Identify and Defeat a wide range of malicious small UAS threats being encountered today. The Containerized variant features a state-of-the-art operator suite, hardened for use in any climate, and can easily be moved between locations. The Liteye services team provides 24/7 reach-back support, training, and system updates to ensure that the systems remain effective against the threats that are continuously increasing in complexity. (Source: UAS VISION)
21 Jul 21. Parsons Government Services Inc., Pasadena, California, has been awarded a ceiling $953,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Air Base Air Defense services. This contract provides the USAFE-AFAFRICA with a layered base defense capability. This capability will be employed across various sites within the area of responsibility. Work will be performed at various locations throughout Europe and Africa and is expected to be completed July 20, 2031. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with five offers received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,834,393 will be obligated via the first task order, which will be awarded with the basic contract. The 764th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is the contracting activity (FA5641-21-D-0002).
20 Jul 21. Saab has secured an approximately $75m order from the US Army to deliver Carl-Gustaf shoulder-fired ammunition. The latest order is part of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) framework agreement signed by the company with the US Army in 2019. This agreement enables the US Army, US Marines and US Special Forces to place orders over a five-year period to acquire Carl-Gustaf ammunition and disposable AT4 shoulder-fired weapons. It includes seven kinds of ammunition such as anti-armour, smoke, anti-structure, and illumination rounds. The order has been booked under the Q2-2021 log and deliveries are expected to take place in 2022. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
19 Jul 21. Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia (N64498-21-D-0007); CACI International Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (N64498-21-D-0008); Gryphon Technologies LC, Washington, D.C. (N64498-21-D-0009); Life Cycle Engineering, Inc.,* Charleston, South Carolina (N64498-21-D-0010); McKean Defense Group LLC,* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (N64498-21-D-0011); and Reliability & Performance Technologies LLC,* Dublin, Pennsylvania (N64498-21-D-0012), are each awarded a cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of engineering and technical services program management, and information technology support services for Navy surface ship programs including DDG-51, DDG-1000, LCS, LPD, LX(R), LHA(R), Landing Crafts, Military Sealift Command, Coast Guard, International Program (Foreign Naval program initiatives) and test sites for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. The maximum combined value of all six contracts is $218,593,779. Serco is awarded a maximum value $39,541,849; CACI is awarded a maximum value $35,777,234; Gryphon is awarded a maximum value $38,839,253; LCE is awarded a maximum value $35,721,880; McKean is awarded a maximum value $32,866,855; and R&P is awarded a maximum value $35,846,708. Each awardee will be awarded $100,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at time of contract award. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $300,000 (50%); 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $200,000 (33%); and 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $100,000 (17%) will be obligated at time of award, of which $100,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the task order level as contracting actions occur. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (34%); Washington, D.C. (28%); Norfolk, Virginia (12%); Mayport, Florida (10%); San Diego, California (10%); and Bath, Maine (6%). The contracts are expected to be completed by February 2026. These contracts were competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with six offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.
16 Jul 21. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Marlborough, Massachusetts, was awarded a $67,723,503 cost-plus fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-5501 for AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. This modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this modification to $781,000,000. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (54%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (11%); Moorestown, New Jersey (10%); Newport News, Virginia (6%)’ Kauai, Hawaii (5%); Wallops Island, Virginia (4%); Fair Lakes, Virginia (4%); Chesapeake, Virginia (2%); Bath, Maine (2%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (1%); and San Diego, California (1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2021. If all options are exercised, work will continue through November 2024. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,126,410 (44%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,941,141 (19%); fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,147,355 (17%); fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,885,854 (10%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,325,767 (6%); and fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversions (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,390,814 (4%) will be obligated at time of award, of which funds in the amount of $3,885,854 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded July 13, 2021)
19 Jul 21. Teledyne Awarded $39.2m U.S. Navy Contract for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced today that its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., was awarded an indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract with a maximum base value of $27.4m from the U.S. Navy for the Littoral Battlespace Sensing-Glider (LBS-G) program. The contract, awarded under full and open competition, includes a single five-year ordering period and five one-year option periods. The option periods, if exercised, have a ceiling value of $39.2m. Teledyne Slocum gliders are long-endurance, buoyancy-driven autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that provide a highly persistent means to sample and characterize the ocean water column properties. They can do this at spatial and temporal resolutions not possible using other vessels or tactical units alone. The AUVs host a range of oceanographic sensors to support antisubmarine warfare, mine countermeasures and Naval Special Warfare mission areas. Teledyne Brown Engineering and sister company, Teledyne Webb Research, will perform the design, development, fabrication, production, test, and support of the LBS-G systems. Under a previous contract awarded in 2009, Teledyne delivered 203 gliders to the U.S. Navy. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
22 Jul 21. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced receipt of two firm-fixed-price orders totaling $15,940,378 from the United States Air Force. The orders, received on April 19, 2021 and May 6, 2021, encompass the procurement of Puma™ 3 AE unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and spares packages, as well as Raven® UAS spares packages. The Puma 3 AE systems and spares were delivered on April 30, 2021. Delivery of the Raven spares is anticipated by November 2021. The AeroVironment Puma 3 AE UAS is designed for land and maritime operations. Capable of landing in water or on land, the all-environment Puma 3 AE and Mantis i45 EO/IR sensor suite empower operators with extended flight time and a level of imaging capability never before available in the tactical UAS class. The hand-launched Puma 3 AE has a wingspan of 9.2 feet, weighs 15 pounds and can operate for up to 2.5 hours. The aircraft also has a range of 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) with a standard antenna, and up to 37.2 miles (60 kilometers) with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA). It also features reduced system packaging with a flyable configuration and GCS in one case.
19 Jul 21. KBR (NYSE: KBR) won two recompetes totaling more than $120m to provide leading-edge engineering services for U.S. Navy training systems and aircraft survivability equipment. Most recently, KBR won a $64.9m task order to develop and upgrade training system hardware and software, as well as electronic classroom content and interactive courseware for the E-2/C-2 Airborne Command and Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231). KBR will also research and develop recommendations for live, virtual, and constructive training that is interoperable with other platforms. This work will enhance training effectiveness for aircrew and maintainers, increasing overall readiness for the Navy. Additionally, KBR won a $55.3m task order to perform research and analysis, including forecasting and predictive modeling, for the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office (PMA-272). The company will boost the reliability, availability, and maintainability of aircraft survivability equipment. This equipment includes electronic systems that safeguard aircraft and crews against infrared and laser missiles and other threats on the battlefield. KBR will also develop and manage databases and electronic technical manuals.
16 Jul 21. The National Reconnaissance Office has extended and expanded its contract with Planet Federal for commercial satellite imagery, the company announced July 15. Under the contract, the U.S. intelligence and defense communities will continue to have access to Planet’s unclassified daily 3-5 meter resolution imagery while also gaining limited access to the company’s video capabilities. The NRO first subscribed to Planet’s imagery service in 2019. Financial details of the subscription are not public. Planet first began providing imagery to the intelligence community through a multiyear contract awarded by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in 2016. The NRO took over that arrangement in 2019, as part of NGA’s effort to transition responsibility for acquiring commercial satellite imagery for the intelligence community to NRO. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
19 Jul 21. SES Government Solutions (SES GS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES, today announced it was awarded a contract of USD 14.5m to support Thule Air Base in Greenland with critical communications capabilities. The SES GS solution leverages C-band technology, which is highly resilient to weather effects, and provides a dedicated reachback beam leveraging single hop connectivity directly to the user site. The SES GS solution also provides redundancy at all levels, to include antennas, uplink and downlink telemetry, ground infrastructure, and restoration capabilities. This award is an example of the company’s proven track record of providing reliable services in harsh climate conditions in the Arctic, while ensuring the mitigation of physical antenna degradation. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
16 Jul 21. Vectrus wins two contracts under AFCAP V to provide support for USAF. Under the two task orders, valued at $40, Vectrus will provide installation and other support services to the USAF. The task orders have been awarded under the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program V (AFCAP V) contract. AFCAP V is a $6.4bn indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle that provides contingency planning, deploying, training, as well as equipping of forces. Contracts under this vehicle also include emergency and contingency construction, as well as logistics and commodities. This IDIQ contract is a multiple-award and includes several other companies. It has a base performance period of eight years. AFCAPV V is aimed at providing resources and management required to establish, maintain, operate, and dismantle remote sites and operations in support of global contingency and humanitarian missions for the US Department of Defense (DoD). (Source: airforce-technology.com)
21 Jul 21. Silvus Technologies, Inc. (“Silvus”) today announced the company has been selected as ALTI UAS’ (“ALTI”) primary radio, providing high-quality video and flight data for all medium and large unmanned aircraft. The radios were selected for their proven performance at extended ranges and their ability to reliably maintain a data link in austere environments – an essential requirement due to the surveillance and security applications of ALTI’s aircraft. StreamCaster radios, which ALTI has previously used for demonstration and development platforms, were also selected for their sophisticated eigen beamforming technique. As ALTI continues development of their largest aircraft and corresponding data link, StreamCaster radios will be essential to maintaining the same level of performance and reliability at extended ranges. (Source: PR Newswire)
TECHNOLOGY
21 Jul 21. Aliro Quantum has secured several contracts through AFWERX, a program from the U.S. Air Force focused on expanding technology, talent, and transition partnerships for rapid and affordable commercial and military capability. Aliro is using the funding to advance the development of critical software needed to design and operate quantum networks. Like classical networks, quantum networks require hardware independent control plane software to manage data exchange between layers, allocate resources, and control synchronization. Networked quantum computers are needed to run transformational quantum applications such as ‘physics-based’ secure communications and distributed quantum computing. Aliro is bringing classical networking know-how to quantum networking by delivering Quantum Entanglement as a Service (EaaS) to enable the distribution of entangled quantum states between nodes. Aliro’s software control plane and simulation technology provide the foundation for enabling EaaS on today’s quantum networks. EaaS is the key technology for the unhackable secure networks of today and the quantum internet of tomorrow. (Source: PR Newswire)
20 Jul 21. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) has been awarded the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Decisive Action Task order, a single-award task order worth approximately $1.4bn to continue providing DTRA with mission expertise in support of countering and deterring Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), and threat networks. This task order continues and expands CACI’s previous work as part of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization’s (JIDO) Focused Support/Decisive Effort (FS/DE) task order. Under this task order, CACI will provide DTRA with a wide range of analytical expertise to drive and enable mission solutions to counter and deter multi-faceted threats. CACI will also enhance the agency’s situational understanding of threat networks and support combatant commands with the integration of analysis, capabilities, and technologies, to defeat adversary networks that pose a threat. The task order has a one-year period of performance with four one-year options and was awarded under the General Services Administration (GSA) One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) pool 1 contract. Work will be performed within and outside the Continental United States. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
22 Jul 21. Greystones Group, a leading provider of AI/ML-based analytics, system engineering, force modernization & cyberspace operations, has been awarded one of several prime positions on the unrestricted Air Force Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) (IDIQ) contract, valued at $950M over 10 years. ABMS is the Air Force component of DoD’s Next Generation Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) concept, designed to enable all Services to operate as a unified force across multiple integrated platforms and domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum). The contract allows Greystones to compete on efforts to transform command and control capabilities across the Air Force in an open architecture family of systems. (Source: PR Newswire)
20 Jul 21. Polysentry, a technology company that provides artificial intelligence (AI) enabled software platforms for analyzing large datasets, today announced that it has been awarded a $950m ceiling contract with the United States Air Force. Under this award, Polysentry will offer its software in support of the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) program, which is part of the Department of Defense’s Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) force modernization initiative. The awarded $950,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract is for the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). This contract is part of a multiple award, multi-level security effort to provide development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
20 Jul 21. Vitro Technology Corporation, an Austin-based deep tech startup, has won a Direct to Phase II SBIR contract with the US Air Force defending the critical infrastructure of our nation’s nuclear arsenal. Remote monitoring of infrastructure is referred to as the “Internet of Things” or IoT. Vitro’s patented IoT hardware and software delivers “Zero Trust” IoT, an innovation that has won the company a national position in thought-leadership. In December 2020, the IoT Cybersecurity Act became law. Since the adoption of IoT technology, cybersecurity hacks have become a common theme in the news. Despite the political turmoil of 2020, Congress recognized the fact that cybersecurity, specifically the security of the “Internet of Things”, is a clear and present danger to our national security and infrastructure. The IoT Cybersecurity Act is designed to address this problem directly. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
20 Jul 21. Citadel Defense Secures $4m Contract for Titan C-UAS Solution. Citadel Defense has secured $4m in new government contracts in June as demand for combat-proven counter drone solutions accelerates. Rapid proliferation of small, low-cost drones threatens personnel and critical assets, impacting the military’s ability to conduct successful operations. The undisclosed government customer has selected Citadel’s Titan as the preferred radio frequency sensor for both standalone and highly integrated layered defense solutions. The Titan systems will be utilized for pre-deployment training, mobile security, and fixed site protection. (Source: UAS VISION)
20 Jul 21. Collins Aerospace Awarded Contract to Support Next Phase of Australia’s Land 17 Program. Collins Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply the next generation Digital Terminal Control Systems (DTCS) under the Australian Defence Land 17 Phase 2 program. This is a follow on from the original Phase 1 program that Collins have been supporting for over 10 years. The DTCS is a targeting system utilized by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and Joint Forward Observers (JFOs) to request and coordinate support missions delivered by land, sea or air platforms. Collins Aerospace will work with the ADF to ensure that the DTCS delivered meet requirements throughout the system’s life of type. (Source: ASD Network/Collins Aerospace)
19 Jul 21. DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) has sold a quantity of its RfOne MKIITM long-range sensors to the Australian Army. The capability is being delivered immediately to allow the Australian Army to assess its future counter-drone requirements and options. The deployment of these long-range sensors will highlight the flexibility, resilience, and capabilities of DroneShield equipment in a dynamic field environment, while also assisting the Australian Army in establishing its counter drone requirements and future capability options.
SEA
20 Jul 21. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $231,400,000 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5310 to definitize the initial award, and procure an additional 70 MK41 Vertical Launching System modules and ancillary equipment for DDG 51-class destroyers and FFG 62-class frigates. This contract modification combines purchases for the U.S. government (80%); the Commonwealth of Australia (13%); and Spain (7%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland (46%); Indianapolis, Indiana (27%) Fort Walton Beach, Florida (15%); Farmingdale, New York (5%); Saginaw, Michigan (3%); Waverly, Iowa (2%); Thomaston, Connecticut (1%); and St. Peters, Missouri (1%), and is expected to be completed by July 2025. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $91,645,715 (40%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $91,645,715 (40%); FMS Australia funds in the amount of $30,691,427 (13%); and FMS Spain funds in the amount of $17,417,143 (7%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
19 Jul 21. Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $35,660,407 firm-fixed-price order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00024-19-G-5107 for the procurement of AEGIS modernization (AMOD) kits for Navy DDG 51-class destroyers and for the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (59%); and the government of Japan (41%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts (72%); Chesapeake, Virginia (14%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (12%); San Diego, California (1%); and Burlington, Massachusetts (1%), and is expected to be completed by July 2024. Foreign Military Sales (Japan) funds in the amount of $14,507,284 (41%); fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,319,235 (35%); fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,662,300 (21%); and fiscal 2021 defense-wide procurement funds in the amount of $1,171,588 (3%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) — 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 (N0002421F5314).
AIR
22 Jul 21. Indonesia will buy more KAI trainer jets. Indonesia has signed a contract to buy more KAI T-50 jet trainers, as Thailand indicated its desire to add to its inventory of the jets, marking continued success for the South Korean aircraft. Korea Aerospace Industries made a filing to the Seoul stock exchange on July 20 announcing the sale of six more T-50i jet trainers to Indonesia, listing a contract value of $240m. This would bring Indonesia’s fleet of T-50i advanced trainers to 20 aircraft, with 16 acquired in 2012 to replace its older BAE Systems Hawk 53 trainers dating from the 1980s that are currently operating in the advanced and lead-in fighter training role. Deliveries of the T-50i began in 2014 and were completed in 2018, but two have subsequently been involved in accidents in 2015 and last August. (Source: Defense News)