EUROPE
LAND
07 Oct 21. Latvia to receive M3 amphibious bridging systems. Latvia is to become the latest operator of the M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system made by General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), the company announced on 6 October. Four M3 units are being provided, a GDELS spokesperson told Janes, with the contract for them covered by the US Army under an initiative to help Latvia address a NATO requirement for additional wet-gap crossing solutions in the Baltics. GDELS declined to put a value on the contract. (Source: Jane’s)
SEA
11 Oct 21. Damen Naval has chosen OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) to provide a complete navigation suite for the German Navy’s F126 programme. The contract includes the provision of ECPINS-powered integrated bridge management systems (IBMS) for the frigates. It also covers land-based test and training sites. ECPINS is a military-grade navigation software designed for ships and submarines. It forms the centre of OSI’s IMO type-approved Integrated Navigation System – MSC 252(83). It is a known Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information System (WECDIS) among Nato and allied navies. Under the F126 programme, the IBMS will be incorporated into the Thales TACTICOS Management System. The IBMS system will help provide the position navigation and time (PNT) for all the systems and networks of F126. (Source: naval-technology.com)
08 Oct 21. DALO signs framework agreement with OceanScan-MST to deliver LAUVs. The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has signed a framework agreement with Portugal’s OceanScan-Marine Systems & Technology for an initial purchase of up to six Light Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (LAUVs) to support the Danish Mine Counter Measure (MCM) Division. A contract award notice was released by DALO on 28 September. Delivery is expected to start in the first quarter of 2022. LAUV is a modular and man-portable underwater vehicle that can be adapted for a range of commercial and military applications that includes mine‐countermeasures, rapid environment assessment, anti‐submarine warfare, search‐and‐rescue operations, port surveillance and security, and oceanographic and hydrographic survey operations. The LAUV has a diameter of 150mm, is 1.15 to 2.3m long and weighs 15 to 35kg depending on the configuration. The LAUV can operate in stand‐alone or networked operations to a depth of 100m. Each vehicle features three sections: the nose (wet) section includes sensors; the main (dry) section houses batteries; and the tail (dry) section has a servo motor. It is powered by lithium-ion batteries and can operate for up to 8 hours. (Source: Jane’s)
USA
LAND
13 Oct 21. US DoD announces new orders to improve domestic sUAS industrial base. The orders are part of Defense Innovation Unit’s strategy to accelerate ‘capable and secure’ sUAS adoption. The US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has made eight new awards to strengthen the domestic small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) industrial base for national and economic security. With a total value of some $14m, the awards have been granted through the Defense Production Act, Title III Program. Systems and Technology Research, Vantage Robotics Skydio, Auterion Government Solutions, Kutta Technologies, Shield AI, and Tomahawk Robotics are the companies receiving the awards. Meanwhile, Auterion Government Solutions has received two separate awards. (Source: army-technology.com)
14 Oct 21. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL), a leading global provider of next-generation 911 emergency systems and secure wireless communications technologies, announced today, that during its first quarter of fiscal 2022, it was awarded $4.6m of funding from the U.S. Army to provide ongoing system refurbishments, sustainment services and baseband equipment. This most recent order continues its sustainment of the U.S. Army’s family of ground satellite terminals including providing spare parts, repairs, upgrades, refurbishments, logistics and engineering services, and training. (Source: ASD Network)
11 Oct 21. GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin expand agreement on PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement. GKN Aerospace has signed a follow-on contract with Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] to supply launch tubes for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) through 2025. Along with the follow-on contract, an additional agreement was reached for a development contract set to begin October 2021 for tooling, pathfinder units, and qualification necessary to manufacture the mid-section and seeker housing with production of PAC-3 MSE hardware beginning in 2024.
12 Oct 21. XTEK’s wholly-owned US subsidiary HighCom Armor Solutions has received a US$1.1m ($1.5m) purchase order from an undisclosed US federal government department for the delivery of specialist ballistic armour products. The company is expected to leverage its experience producing ultra-light high-performance hard armour plates and ballistic helmets from its manufacturing facilities in Columbus, Ohio, and Adelaide, South Australia XTEK is scheduled to deliver the equipment over the second and third quarters of the 2022 financial year. (Source: Defence Connect)
11 Oct 21. The U.S. Army has ordered 1,000 new L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) Falcon® IV AN/PRC-171 Compact Team Radios to ensure soldiers at any tactical level can transmit crucial information to command teams across an integrated network. The Army placed its first delivery order of the Compact Team Radio, an easy-to-use and ruggedized solution leveraging robust technologies from fielded and emerging company products. This affordable radio allows voice and sensor data from all users to be shared in true Joint All-Domain Command and Control fashion, supporting the Army’s connected-network vision. The AN/PRC-171 offers more than 20 hours of continuous and reliable voice and data communications on a single battery and can seamlessly interface with other L3Harris solutions, including the Enhanced Night Vision—Binocular (ENVG-B). The radio fully supports the Army’s unified network strategy, offering a broad portfolio of waveforms that can survive through disadvantaged line-of-sight, with flexibility to upgrade waveforms as new technology emerges. The radio’s accessories are interchangeable with the rest of the L3Harris Falcon family of radios and supported with in-field upgrades to emerging wideband and narrowband resilient waveforms. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
11 Oct 21. Leonardo DRS, Inc. has received a contract to produce advanced infrared weapon sights with automatic targeting for the U.S. Army. This is the second contract awarded to Leonardo DRS by the US Army for the Family of Weapon Sight-Crew Served (FWS-CS). The firm, fixed-price contract award is worth $18.9m for the LRIP phase. Through the contract, Leonardo DRS will be the sole producer of the advanced, uncooled, FWS-CS for the U.S. Army. The FWS-CS system automatically calculates the target hit location allowing the user to increase the probability of hitting the first burst of rounds on target. The advanced technology uses a state-of-the-art ballistic computer to operate in various environmental conditions to automatically calculate and provide the gunner with a target hit point. The complete FWS-CS system includes the weapon sight, wireless remote, and wireless helmet-mounted display. The system integrates a high-resolution 10um high-definition thermal focal plane array, color day camera, laser range finder and ballistic solution computer to auto-adjust reticles for range and environmental conditions, allowing users to the fire the weapon precisely with the disturbed reticle technology. The FWS-CS communicates on the inter-soldier wireless network protocols using an ultra-wideband link. This capability allows the squad leader wireless capability to check their gunner’s sight picture. The FWS-CS can be used as a weapon-mounted sensor used for surveillance and enhanced target engagement of crew served weapons during daylight, darkness, adverse weather, and austere battlefield conditions. The mounted operator can detect and recognize targets at greater distances than their crew served weapon system’s maximum effective range.
12 Oct 21. Liteye Systems, based in Denver Colorado, has been awarded a $5,500,000, multiple-year contract to integrate its Liteye SHIELD C-sUAS payload in the US Army (RCCTO) HEL prototype effort. The Army, acting as the Executive Agent for C-sUAS remains focused on the elimination of UAS threats. The objective of C-sUAS HEL prototype effort is to develop, integrate, manufacture, and ultimately test a prototype HEL System(s) in an operationally relevant environment. This contract enables the rapid prototyping of a near-production representative, cost-effective HEL System(s), which will be integrated with current military battle management systems. Liteye’s SHIELD payload will provide the detection, tracking, and identification of Group 1 & 2 UAS in a range of combat environments which will utilize the new 3D SPYGLASS™ Radar developed in Colorado with Numerica Corporation. The HEL “hard kill” capability will be provided by a partner company and integrated with Liteye’s SHIELD payload to be tested and demonstrated during operational tests and evaluations. The platform integration of SHIELD will support the US Army’s maneuver capability in the Brigade Combat Teams and will also be compatible with robotic vehicles like Pratt & Miller’s Expeditionary Modular Autonomous Vehicle (EMAV).
12 Oct 21. Lockheed Martin wins accelerated missile radar contract. The prime has been tapped to ramp up production of its missile radar systems. The US Army Sentinel A4 Program Office has awarded an accelerated contract to Lockheed Martin for the production of five additional radar systems designed to detect and identify cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, and rocket, artillery and mortar threats. The contract has been awarded two years ahead of the timeline for the development process in previous programs, with the new Sentinel A4s scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2022. (Source: Defence Connect)
SEA
08 Oct 21. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $482,115,887 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-2120 for lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia-class submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (96%); Newport News, Virginia (3%); and Newport and Quonset, Rhode Island (1%), and is expected to be completed by October 2022. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $53,151,801 (51%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $28,616,832 (27%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,094,582 (9%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,390,454 (6%); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,724,999 (4%); and fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,165,077 (3%) will be obligated at time of award, of which $3,165,077 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The statutory authority for this sole source award is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) — 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.
13 Oct 21. US Navy exercises contractual option for Sarcos Defense robot. The US Navy has chosen to exercise its contractual option to expand the testing, assessment, and demonstrations of Guardian DX, a robotic system of Sarcos Defense, for tasks that are particular to the navy. These tasks would have a focus on the navy’s maintenance, modernisation, and sustainment aspects. Claimed to be the defence option of the Guardian XT mobile robotic system, the Guardian DX robot is teleoperated. Guardian XT is itself a type of Guardian XO, which is a complete-body, industrial exoskeleton run on battery. As a dexterous robot, the Guardian DX robot with dual arm is designed to function with the same dexterity as humans, while ensuring the operators remain at a safe distance in difficult and dangerous conditions, such as at height. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
14 Oct 21. Low boom supersonic transport company Exosonic, Inc. is proud to announce a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract award from the US Air Force (USAF). The contract will fund the development of a low boom supersonic uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrator. Awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s AFWERX, the contract is in partnership with Air Combat Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate. Exosonic is excited to develop the first purpose-built supersonic UAV to aid the USAF in its pilot training mission. This vehicle will demonstrate technologies directly relevant to Exosonic’s quiet supersonic airliner and build a short-term path to revenue. The company plans to reinvest the profits from UAV sales to fund future supersonic product developments, such as the airliner. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
14 Oct 21. Amprius Technologies, Inc., a supplier of Silicon Anode Li-Ion Batteries via its Si-Nanowire platform, has announced a contract award with the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The contract, an 18-month rapid prototyping effort, includes the design, development, and validation of state-of-the-art, high energy density lithium-ion batteries to be used in unmanned aircraft system (UAS) applications such as drone systems used by the U.S. Army. With the surge of increasingly hostile and lethal battlefields, new technologies —including reconnaissance drones — are being deployed on a regular basis to help ensure safety. To be effective, the drones must be lightweight enough to be easily carried onto the field and provide enough flight time to complete mission objectives. This is a nearly impossible task with conventional batteries that are both heavy and offer limited flight time capabilities. (Source: UAS VISION)
12 Oct 21. Telos has secured an order to provide the cyber risk management solution, named ‘Xacta’, for the US Air Force (USAF). Under the $19.4m expansion task order, the cybersecurity firm will deliver assessment and authorisation of sensitive compartmented information (SCI). The company will also provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) networks and weapons platforms. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
11 Oct 21. Israeli MoD selects IAI for Carmel armoured fighting vehicle programme. IAI’s AFV solution is based on automatic and autonomous systems. The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMoD) has selected Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) as the prime contractor for the Carmel future armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) programme. The selection follows a live demonstration of a two-man crew, closed hatches AFV by IAI. The next phase of the Carmel includes the development, integration and demonstration of technologies for a multidimensional combat team. Central technologies that IAI is developing for land manoeuvring forces include command system, situational awareness system, lethality system, mobility system, and operations system. (Source: army-technology.com)
11 Oct 21. Ultra has secured a contract to provide a full set of command, control and intelligence (C2I) systems for the Tunisian Armed Forces (TAF). Under the $11m order, the C2I systems will be equipped with sensors and remote sites to offer an advanced Common Operational Picture for the TAF. The order has been placed through the US Navy International Program Office. It will see Ultra’s air defence systems integrator (ADSI) and situational awareness management system (SAMS) being integrated into the TAF at different locations. These sites also include the Joint Operations Command Center (JOCC). Ultra will deliver a full spectrum C2I that serves as a ‘real-time’ connection between tactical data links, sensors, and intelligence data. ADSI’s multi-domain surveillance and efficient mission planning capabilities enable TAF to ‘train and react’ to the objectives of the mission. So far, ADSI had been deployed in more than 30 countries. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
13 Oct 21. Ocea OSV 115 hydrographic survey vessel for Nigeria. After receiving the 60 metre NNS Lana hydrographic survey vessel from Ocea earlier this year, the Nigerian Navy has ordered a 35 metre hydrographic survey vessel from the French shipbuilder. The OSV 115 SC-WB is designed for several missions, including oceanographic/hydrographic operations/survey; oil spill operations; general patrol; search and rescue; and diving support. Equipment that will be carried on board includes a multibeam echosounder; a single beam echosounder; water sampling, storage and analysis equipment; and a wet laboratory. A 5.6 metre hydrographic boat fully equipped for surveys in small and very shallow waters will also be carried. The vessel has a capacity for 12 crew and passengers and will be able to reach a top speed of 12 knots and a range of 3 000 nautical miles at 10 knots. The Nigerian Navy has received a large number of vessels in recent years from Ocea, including the NNS Lana, two 35 metre FPB 110 Mk II patrol boats and two 17 metre C-Falcon interceptors. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
AIR
14 Oct 21. AAR Government Services Inc., Wood Dale, Illinois, is awarded an $85,030,595 modification (P00014) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, time and materials, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001918D0111). This modification exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon aircraft depot scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, depot in-service repair/planner and estimator requirements, technical directive incorporation, airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support, and removal and replacement of engines in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in October 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
14 Oct 21. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $131,660,582 modification (P00007) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001918D0113). This modification exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon CFM56-7B27A/3 and CFM56-7B27AE engine depot-level maintenance and repair in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia (97%); and Seattle, Washington (3%), and is expected to be completed in October 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
11 Oct 21. Myriota wins $5.48m IoT contract from DIH. The Defence Innovation Hub has awarded a $5.48mi contract to Adelaide-based Myriota Pty Limited to expand its cutting-edge satellite communications network for use by Defence. Under the contract, Myriota will use its network of nano-satellites to retrieve data from sensors across hundreds of Defence platforms, forming a global, space-enabled communications network. The partnership will see military assets tagged with a ruggedised device, and provide secure and private location data through direct-to-orbit technology anywhere on Earth. Military battlefield commanders and logistics teams will have an accurate picture of tagged asset locations, with data to be visualised via a web application as part of the contract, says Myriota. (Source: Rumour Control)
12 Oct 21. DoD/DCSA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and Related Defense Services to Australia. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) has notified Congress that the Government of Australia has requested to buy twelve (12) MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters; thirty (30) T-700-GE-401C engines (24 installed, 6 spares); twelve (12) APS-153(V) Multi-Mode Radars (installed); twelve (12) AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (installed); thirty-four (34) Embedded Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service (GPS/PPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (24 installed, 10 spares); twenty (20) Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems (MIDS) – Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) (12 installed, 8 spares); twelve (12) GAU-61 Digital Rocket Launchers (aircraft provisions only); twelve (12) Airborne Low Frequency Sonars (ALFS) (aircraft provisions only); eighteen (18) AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (12 installed, 6 spares); eighteen (18) AN/ALE-47 Chaff and Flare Dispenser, Electronic Countermeasures (12 installed, 6 spares); twelve (12) AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) Systems (installed); twenty-four (24) M299 Missile Launchers; twelve (12) GAU-21 Crew Served Guns aircraft provisions (installed, includes aircraft adapter, ammunition bin, and other accessories); twelve (12) M240D Crew Served Gun Cradles (installed); and eighteen (18) AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink Radio Terminals (12 installed, 6 spares). Also included are AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 UHF/VHF radios with Communications Security (COMSEC); AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; KIV-78; KIV-6; KOV-21; KGV-135A; Advanced Data Transfer Systems (ADTS); Airborne Low Frequency Sonars (ALFS) Training Simulators/Operational Machine Interface Assistants (ATS OMIA); spare engine containers; trade studies with industry to determine the feasibility and cost of implementing provisions for additional passenger seating and modifications to achieve enhanced crew survivability; defense services; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communication equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; United States (U.S.) Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; obsolescence engineering, integration, and test activities required to ensure readiness for the production of the Australian MH-60R helicopters; and other related elements of programmatic, technical and logistics support. The total estimated value is $985m. The principal U.S. contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Owego, NY. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
14 Oct 21. StandardAero Inc., San Antonio, Texas, is awarded a $101,397,381 modification (P00016) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, time and materials, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001918D0110). This modification exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon CFM56-7B27A/3 and CFM56-7B27AE engine depot-level maintenance and repair in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (86%); Cincinnati, Ohio (11%); and San Antonio, Texas (3%), and is expected to be completed in October 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
TECHNOLOGY
11 Oct 21. Australian Government awards geospatial intelligence contract. Two Australian businesses and a NSW university will share in a $1.2m contract in second round of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) Analytics Labs Program as part of a program to strengthen Australia’s critical geospatial intelligence capabilities. Spatial consulting agency NGIS, Perth-based technology company ISOLABS and the University of Wollongong are the successful applicants for the contract. The AGO and not-for-profit company FrontierSI worked together to identify the successful applicants. The $1.2m program is designed to improve the AGO’s understanding of the modern machine analytics capabilities developed by industry, while raising industry awareness of AGO’s current and emerging challenges. The successful organisations have each been awarded six-month contracts to deliver rapid insights to AGO. As was the case in the program’s first round, participants will work closely with AGO subject matter experts to demonstrate potential uses for modern machine analytic technologies in the development of geospatial-intelligence capabilities. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price congratulated the successful applicants, saying their proposals demonstrated the immense value that could be realised when Defence and Australia’s defence industry team up to overcome key challenges. (Source: Rumour Control)
11 Oct 21. Victorian government supports SME design and manufacturing capabilities. The Victorian Government has put $1.36m towards a new Smart Enough Factory program that will help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Victoria’s defence industry modernise their design and manufacturing processes. Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula launched the program which is designed to help companies transform their operations by deploying digital technologies to drive value and productivity – spearheading their competitive advantage. (Source: Rumour Control)
11 Oct 21. The Australian DoD has awarded DMTC Limited a $3m contract through the Defence Innovation Hub to develop new textile technology that could improve the protective equipment used by the Australian Defence Force. DMTC Limited operates under a novel, cooperative structure to bring together leading industry partners, universities and research organisations to develop innovative, cutting-edge technology to enhance ADF capability. The Defence Innovation Hub invests in innovations generated by Australian industry, and research organisations, with a view to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base over time. (Source: Rumour Control)
11 Oct 21. Uni of Adelaide signs four cyber security research agreements with DST Group. Scientists at the University of Adelaide has signed four research agreements with DST Group in the area of advanced cyber capabilities. The University’s research will be led by Professor Debi Ashenden, Associate Professor Hung Nguyen and Associate Professor Damith Ranasinghe from the University’s School of Computer Science. (Source: Rumour Control)
11 Oct 21. Qinetiq, Uni of Melbourne, to develop micro-grid with $5.4m Hub grant. Defence has awarded Qinetiq in Melbourne a $5.4m contract via the Defence Innovation Hub to develop an innovative, deployable micro-grid that will help address an increase in the demand for power in the modern battlefield. (Source: Rumour Control)