UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
28 Jul 21. UK DE&S has announced a base overhaul and set of automotive upgrades to prepare Challenger 2 for the Challenger 3 programme has begun. Work to prepare Challenger 2 vehicles, including a base overhaul and set of automotive upgrades, has begun, creating a foundation for the Challenger 3 upgrade programme. The British Army’s Challenger 2 fleet is due to receive a base overhaul as part of its standard in-service maintenance schedule. This will be followed by a series of automotive upgrades under a ‘Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme’ (HAAIP) which ensures the British Army’s Challenger 2 vehicles remain highly effective and capable until Challenger 3 enters service. The HAAIP programme is being led by DE&S, with engineering work completed by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and integration work by Babcock. Under the programme, a number of automotive upgrades will be made to existing in-service Challenger 2 tanks to increase their mobility and stability, both of which are critical to providing the foundation for the new turret and systems that will upgrade the vehicle to a Challenger 3. The upgrades will also ensure the tanks remain mobile and agile in the battlespace. Once upgraded, the vehicles will be delivered to RBSL who will deliver the Challenger 3 programme under the £800m contract secured by DE&S. They will use the modified vehicles as the trial and demonstration platforms. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
AIR
29 Jul 21. Multi-million pound Tempest funding set to advance the UK’s future Combat Air capability. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a contract worth approximately £250m to progress the design and development of Tempest, the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The contract, signed by BAE Systems, officially marks the start of the programme’s concept and assessment phase. Continued funding of Tempest underlines the UK Government’s confidence in the progress and maturity of the programme, which is set to deliver the military, industrial and economic requirements of the national combat air strategy. The programme is being delivered by Team Tempest – combining the expertise of the UK MOD, BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce. Working with international partners, the team is leading progress towards a UK-led internationally collaborative Future Combat Air System which will ensure the Royal Air Force and its allies retain world-leading, independent military capability. The concept and assessment phase contract will see the partners develop a range of digital concepts, embedding new tools and techniques to design, evaluate and shape the final design and capability requirements of Tempest.
28 Jul 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $38,969,779 modification (P00047) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee contract (N0001919C0010). This modification increases the scope to develop the generic net enabled weapons and improved electronic attack mechanization capabilities from system functional review to development test complete on F-35A/B/C aircraft for the Air Force and the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (86%); and El Segundo, California (14%), and is expected to be completed in October 2024. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount $420,232; and non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $2,150,693 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.
EUROPE
LAND
27 Jul 21. BAE Systems has signed a contract with Finland to upgrade the Finnish Army’s fleet of CV90s. The agreement, worth up to $32m USD with options, includes a mid-life extension program to increase the vehicles’ combat efficiency for the future battlefield. The CV9030FIN prototype and test series vehicles will be upgraded first, with the remaining lifecycle upgrades carried out between 2022-2026. As part of the contract, BAE Systems Hägglunds, the original manufacturer of the CV90, will work closely with Finnish industry to upgrade the general availability and maintainability of the vehicle, further develop in-service safety, and enhance the system’s technology and software. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
26 Jul 21. Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is supplying new radars to the German Armed Forces to modernise their airspace surveillance and build up Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has placed an order for the delivery and installation of four long-range radars as part of the “Hughes Air Defence Radar Nachfolgesystem” (HADR NF) programme. For this purpose, Hensoldt has entered into a cooperation in the field of BMD-capable long-range radars with ELTA Systems Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). The HADR NF system operates in the S-band, which allows more precise target acquisition in space than other systems. Thanks to the cooperation with ELTA, the German customer can be supplied with a combination of a national partner for integration, certification and long-term support, as well as market-available systems that have been tried and tested in the field. Since the threat to Europe from long-range weapons has existed for years, there is agreement among the European countries that a protective shield consisting of their own and NATO systems must be established or expanded.
SEA
23 Jul 21. Fassmer and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) have signed a contract for new experimentation and test support ships. The contract signing for the design and construction of the vessels took place on 22 July. Wehrtechnische Dienststelle (WTD) 71 will operate the ships. It is the Bundeswehr technical centre for ships and naval weapons, maritime technology, and research. The centre has a total of nine sea-going vessels with special capabilities for the performance of its tasks. The two new identical vessels are known as ‘Messboote Seeversuche Küste’ in German. The name means ‘sea and shore trial instrumentation ships’. They will be designed in accordance with the civilian standards and altered to suit the unique needs of defence tests. According to BAAINBw, the new experimentation and support vessels will support the securing and recovery of torpedoes during trials. (Source: naval-technology.com)
29 Jul 21. Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA) has confirmed its receipt of two separate contracts, worth just under $3m, for the delivery of Marine Evacuation Systems (MES), large capacity life rafts, and associated hardware to two undisclosed European navies. LSA is expected to design, manufacture and pack the systems from its facility in Hobart, with delivery scheduled from between 2023 and 2025. These latest contracts are in addition to existing orders with the Royal Navy and the US Navy. LSA has been tasked with delivering MES for three Type 26 frigates from between 2024 and 2026, and two expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessels from between 2022 and 2023. The US government has also ordered the evacuation systems for ‘special purpose’ vessels, with delivery expected from 2021 to 2023. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
28 Jul 21. HENSOLDT modernises German Air Force identification systems. As part of the modernisation of all NATO identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) systems to the particularly secure new “Mode 5” standard, sensor solution provider HENSOLDT is equipping air surveillance radars of the German Air Force with the latest generation of IFF systems. As part of an order from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, BAAINBw, HENSOLDT is supplying secondary radar systems and individual components worth several million euros. IFF systems are of central importance for all military operations. Based on automated electronic signals, they ensure that friendly units such as ships or aircraft are detected or identified at an early stage by responding to interrogation signals with the correct signal. Potentially hostile units that do not respond can thus be delineated. This is particularly important when forces are operating together to avoid the mistaken firing of friendly forces – so-called “friendly fire” incidents. All NATO countries are currently converting their IFF systems to the latest Mode 5 standard, which uses advanced cryptographic techniques to secure against electronic jamming by adversaries. HENSOLDT is one of the few European suppliers able to deliver both certified IFF devices of the latest technology and the corresponding encryption computers. More than a thousand IFF devices, such as the MSSR 2000 I secondary radar and the LTR-400 transponder, are in service with NATO and partner nations. The company also offers integration and testing services as well as support in the certification of IFF equipment according to the specifications of the American IFF authority AIMS.
28 Jul 21. Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $482,895,193 modification to contract FA8675-21-C-0034 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production Lot 35. The modification provides for the exercise of the pre-priced options for Lot 35 production of AMRAAM missiles, AMRAAM Telemetry System, initial and field spares, and other production engineering support hardware and activities. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an expected completion date of May 31, 2024. This contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales to Canada, Hungary, Korea, Netherlands, and Qatar, which accounts for 28% of the contract value. Fiscal 2020 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $24,899,127; fiscal 2021 Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $229,760,527; fiscal 2021 Air Force operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $365,403; fiscal 2021 Air National Guard operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $167,072; fiscal 2021 Air Force research and development funds in the amount of $5,581,859; fiscal 2019 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $165,229; fiscal 2020 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $77,648,516; fiscal 2021 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $4,400,107; fiscal 2020 Navy research and development funds in the amount of $2,034,491; fiscal 2021 Navy research and development funds in the amount of $238,334; fiscal 2021 Army operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $167,072; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $137,467,456 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Dominance Division Contracting Office, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
USA
LAND
28 Jul 21. Altitude International Holdings, Inc (OTCQB: “ALTD”) along with its Strategic Water Partner, Russkap Holdings, have been contracted by the US Department of Defense to create a new mobile water delivery system. ALTD’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Altitude Water (formerly Trident Water), will be manufacturing these unique mobile units that will give all branches of the military the ability to utilize atmospheric water generation while in transit. (Source: PR Newswire)
26 Jul 21. American Rheinmetall Vehicles LLC, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $26,600,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase 2 concept design. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 16, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,600,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-C-0110). (Awarded July 23, 2021)
26 Jul 21. BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $26,600,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase 2 concept design. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 16, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,600,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-C-0111). (Awarded July 23, 2021)
28 Jul 21. Calnetix Technologies’ Defense and Aerospace Division has been selected by the United States Army Ground Vehicles Systems Center (GVSC) for the design and development of a 500-kW bi-directional inverter. The high-frequency and power-dense inverter will be demonstrated in the medium-sized Robotic Combat Vehicles (RCV-M) and Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) variants as a part of the Platform Electrification and Mobility (PEM) effort. Calnetix’s proposed solution was selected based on the company’s extensive experience with existing wide-band-gap silicon carbide (SiC) two-level inverters with voltages up to 4,160 volts and power levels exceeding 1 megawatt. By leveraging this existing architecture and control scheme, Calnetix will design the 500-kW PEM inverter to meet the requirements specified by the U.S. Army. Calnetix’s PEM inverters, using SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technology, will drive traction motors and pair with hybrid electric generators to provide mobility and on-board electrical power to ground combat vehicles, enabling a step-change in vehicle performance and operability. The company will deliver a number of inverters during the multi-year technology development phase.
26 Jul 21. Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) has secured a Small Form Factor (SFF) Radio Phase 2 task order from the US Air Force (USAF). Valued at around $10m, the contract has been awarded under the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Data Link Enterprise (DLE). The latest contract will see Cubic develop two prototype variants, a SFF Software Definable Radio (SDR) and a generic Open Mission Systems/Open Communication Subsystem (OMS/OCS) 3U VPX Air Data Terminal (ADT). (Source: army-technology.com)
26 Jul 21. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $26,600,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase 2 concept design. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 16, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,600,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-C-0112). (Awarded July 23, 2021)
29 Jul 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $98,116,251 modification (P00018) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0092 for missiles for the Army Tactical Missile Systems Guided Missile and Launching Assembly Service Life Extension Program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri; Lufkin, Texas; Willison, Vermont; Boulder, Colorado; Camden, Arizona; Grand Prairie, Texas; Clearwater, Florida; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) funds; and fiscal 2019, 2020 and 2021 missile procurement, Army funds in the amount of $98,116,251 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
26 Jul 21. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $26,600,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase 2 concept design. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 16, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,600,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-C-0113). (Awarded July 23, 2021)
26 Jul 21. Point Blank Enterprises Inc., Miami Lakes, Florida, was awarded a $26,600,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase 2 concept design. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Miami Lakes, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 16, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,600,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-21-C-0116). (Awarded July 23, 2021)
SEA
26 Jul 21. DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $28,896,216 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N0002420C5605 to exercise options for Consoles, Displays, and Peripherals Technical Insertion 16 hardware, to support the Navy’s future surface ship combat systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to complete July 2022. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,495,039 (64%); fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,275,982 (11%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,133,651 (10%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,827,910 (9%); FMS (Japan) funds in the amount of $547,800 (1%); fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $155,459 (1%); fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $155,459 (1%); FMS Korea funds in the amount of $131,776 (1%); fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $125,708 (1%); and fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $47,432 (1%) will be obligated at the 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.
28 Jul 21. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $94,799,829 delivery order N62793-21-F-7800 (cost-plus-fixed-fee [level-of-effort], cost-plus-incentive-fee [completion], and firm-fixed-price). The delivery order is placed against contract N00024-19-D-4306 for planned incremental availability execution on CVN-78. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $29,779,156; and fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,982,194 will be obligated at time of award, of which funds in the amount of $29,779,156 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
22 Jul 21. VTG wins contract to install counter-UAS laser on additional US ships. The company will install and integrate the directed energy weapon aboard five US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Digital transformation solutions provider VTG has secured a prime, single-award contract from the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD). The contract will see VTG equip additional US ships with a new laser designed to counter threats from uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The company will install and integrate the directed energy weapon AN/SEQ-4 Optical Dazzler Interdictor, Navy (ODIN) on five US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
26 Jul 21. BAE Systems, Inc. has received a $117m contract from Lockheed Martin to produce next-generation missile seekers for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The seeker technology enables LRASM to detect and engage specific maritime targets in contested environments with less dependence on traditional navigation systems. The next-generation seeker design reduces overall missile costs. Following design improvements conducted under a Diminishing Sources/Affordability contract, BAE Systems is producing next-generation seekers for Lots 4 and 5 that are more capable and easier to produce, with less-complicated manufacturing processes. The next-generation seekers have replaced obsolescent and limited-availability parts, dramatically reducing the system cost. The LRASM contract will support missiles for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. allies through Foreign Military Sales, as well as research, development, test, and evaluation services. BAE Systems’ work on the LRASM seeker is conducted at the company’s facilities in Wayne, N.J.; Greenlawn, N.Y.; and Nashua, N.H. (Source: News Now/BUSINESS WIRE)
28 Jul 21. DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $301,369,831 task order off of the Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solution (ACES) multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aircraft maintenance flight operations support, with an expected completion date of July 31, 2026. This contract will provide all Organizational level (O-level), Intermediate level (I-level), and maintenance support services for all training aircraft (T-1A Jayhawk, T-6A Texon II and T-38C Talon), and services will be performed at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma. Fiscal 2021 funds in the amount of $602,687 will be obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-20-D0010).
22 Jul 21. QinetiQ Inc. has been awarded $24m by the US Army to build three additional SPECTRE next generation full spectrum hyperspectral prototype sensors. This will be managed under the C5 Other Transaction Authority (OTA) by the Consortium Management Group, Inc. (CMG). QinetiQ developed and demonstrated the state-of-the-art prototype sensor for a U.S. Army Program of Record. SPECTRE provides improved performance at a fraction of the size and weight of the sensors currently in use by the U.S. Government. This compact, integrated capability enables multi-mission Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and crewed aircraft to operate in parallel to other critical sensor payloads and weapons. SPECTRE unites many years of system and component development by the U.S. Army and industry partners. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Jul 21. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $26,947,749 modification (P00196) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for UH-60M green aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 special funds in the amount of $26,947,749 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
TECHNOLOGY
27 Jul 21. DIU awards Anduril Industries contract for counter-drone AI technology. Pentagon’s Silicon Valley outreach arm awarded Anduril Industries a five-year contract worth up to $99m that makes the company’s counter-drone artificial intelligence technology available across the military, the company announced Tuesday. The award from the Defense Innovation Unit will provide the military with counter unmanned aircraft system capabilities that can defend forces from “hobby drones to those flown by state actors,” according to the defense technology company. The technology uses the company’s Lattice artificial intelligence operating system and a network of sensors to autonomously detect, classify and track targets. The deal will allow the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines to purchase the counter-drone solutions as a service, meaning Anduril will manage and sustain the systems that a customer purchases. Anduril’s suite of autonomous c-UAS solutions ingests surveillance data to detect, track and alert military users to potential threats. That system has been used for base security at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. (Source: Defense News)
22 Jul 21. US Air Force awards Black Sage IDIQ contract to provide counter drone command and control software. The US Air Force has awarded counter drone company Black Sage an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to USD950,000,000. The award covers 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)” says a Black Sage press release. 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. Black Sage is supplies open architecture DefenseOS command and control software including AI/ML automated target discrimination and threat evaluation, ISR functionality, EW and hard-kill effectors. For more information visit: www.blacksagetech.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
28 Jul 21. Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $151,434,777 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Geospatial Information Operations and Technology Integration II. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Poland, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, the Philippines, Djibouti, and Manassas, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 5, 2025. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $26,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Army Geospatial Center, Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W5J9CQ-21-F-0015).
27 Jul 21. Digital consulting firm Raft has secured a $36m contract to support US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s AFLCMC Detachment 12, commonly known as Kessel Run unit. The contract involves providing Kessel Run with DevSecOps software engineering expertise, Kubernetes infrastructure, and multi-region platform services as part of the cloud computing and IT integration (CITI) initiative. The move will help Kessel Run to upgrade legacy software systems, as well as support external US Department of Defense (DoD) software initiatives. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
28 Jul 21. SRC has secured a position in the US Air Force (USAF) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for threat radar tech support. With a ceiling value of $950m, the multiple award contract will support the service’s advanced radar-threat systems, joint-threat emitter (JTE), and branch modernisation programmes. It will provide prototypes, hardware and software upgrades, engineering analysis, and other support services to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Range Threat Systems Branch. These services and support will modernise combat test and training ranges. SRC is one of the 20 companies that won a seat on the potential six-year IDIQ contract. The company said it had developed an array of electronic attack receivers (EAR) that improve existing threat simulator platforms’ capabilities. These receivers process signals emitted by aircraft during training missions. The EARs identify and parameterise electronic countermeasures. Under this effort, SRC will focus on developing, producing and modifying range threat emitter and combat training systems. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
27 Jul 21. Aquaterro secures landmark $35m defence contract. The Melbourne-based firm has been tapped to develop upgraded combat helmets for the ADF. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price has confirmed the award of a $35m contract to Aquaterro for the refurbishment and upgrade of the Australian Defence Force’s combat helmets. The tiered combat helmet is designed to provide personnel with protection against ballistic, fragmentation and blunt force trauma by leveraging a ballistic protection shell, suspension and retention systems, and accessory mounts and rails. It is anticipated that the upgrades will extend the life of the ADF’s current helmets by approximately five years. With this new deal, Aquaterro will become the first company outside the United States to refurbish the Team Wendy-built helmets. (Source: Defence Connect)
27 Jul 21. Silentium Defence wins $7.4m passive radar contract from Australian Army. Adelaide-based Silentium Defence has secured a $7.4m contract from the Department of Defence to supply its MAVERICK M-series passive radar system to the Australian Army for capability development and evaluation activities. Silentium’s MAVERICK M-series is the first high-performance, low-power, soldier-portable, covert radar system for air defence, land, and maritime surveillance. It provides critical sovereign capability for the ADF and its allies and an undeniable advantage in the air, land, and maritime domains – the ability to see without being seen. (Source: Rumour Control)
AIR
28 Jul 21. Japanese firms sign $225m deals to maintain Ospreys for Navy, USMC. The U.S. military has signed two Japanese firms to maintain its V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft across the Pacific under contracts worth $225m. Under the contracts, NIPPI Corp. and Subaru Corp. will compete for individual, depot-level maintenance orders to “provide the best value to the U.S. Government,” according to a news release Tuesday from Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka. Depot maintenance involves major repairs, overhauls or complete rebuilding of aircraft systems. The Yokosuka logistics center partnered with Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific to let the contracts. The Yokosuka logistics center provides service and support for all U.S. military services in the 7th Fleet’s area of operations. Fleet Readiness provides support for naval aviation units on ships and on land in the Western Pacific and sometimes the Middle East. The five-year contracts allow four one-year extensions and one six-month extension if terms are met. With all extensions the contracts expire Dec. 31, 2030. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy)
26 Jul 21. Raytheon Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a $212,053,200 delivery order against the F100 production program’s indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F100-PW-229 install engines. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Morocco and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8626-16-D-0028).
26 Jul 21. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) awarded Schiebel with a 3-year extension contract for the sustainment of its CAMCOPTER S-100. The extension allows the RAN to continue to experiment and develop knowledge using the S-100. After winning the RAN contract back in 2016, Schiebel has built on its initial acquisition contract resulting in this substantial extension. The contract includes field support services, engineering and logistics elements, as well as the creation of a sovereign Australian CAMCOPTER S-100 training capability delivered by Schiebel Pacific Pty Ltd. (Source: UAS VISION)
28 Jul 21. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has signed a four-year logistics support services contract with Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky. The contract will see Sikorsky provide logistics support for the FAB’s 16 UH-60L Black Hawk multi-mission helicopter fleet. It will help improve flight availability for the 16-aircraft fleet. The company will maintain storage of common spare parts locally and provide a regional Sikorsky field service technician for support while Sikorsky Engineering will offer direct technical support. The agreement simplifies and accelerates access to spare parts. The contract value has not been disclosed. (Source: airforce-technology.com)