UNITED KINGDOM
TECHNOLOGY
20 Oct 21. A contract extension for the world’s largest fusion research facility, Joint European Torus, has been signed by the UK and the European Commission The contract extension will secure at least €100m in additional inward investment from the EU over the next two years. The news brings reassurance for the more than 500 staff at site in Culham, near Oxford. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
LAND
21 Oct 21. Calian® Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), provider of trusted solutions across Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning and IT and Cyber Solutions segments, was selected by the French Ministry of Defence Land Forces to develop scenario and exercise script for upskilling 60,000 troops as part of one of their core 2022-2023 defence exercise programs, Exercise HEMEX ORION 2023. The French Ministry of Defence, a net new defence customer, chose Calian based on a solid track record of managing complex training requirements while ensuring reduced time to competency. Exercise HEMEX ORION 2023 aims to increase readiness of the armed forces, training combat formations and supporting arms to plan and conduct high-intensity operations. Calian specializes in simulating high-intensity situations such as these and will produce a four-phase program, linked to a common scenario, culminating in a land-based exercise that combines simulated and real manoeuvres. During this land-based exercise, participants from Rapid Reaction Corps-France (HQ RRC-FR) will practice newly acquired skills on French terrain in real-time. HQ RRC-FR employs 450 personnel, including 70 non-French officers and non-commissioned officers from 12 different EU and NATO countries. These personnel are trained to perform a wide variety of missions, from initial entry to stabilization operations. Through HQ RRC-FR, France can contribute according to its position and international commitments, while remaining consistent with the requirements of national security and defence, within the framework of the EU or NATO.
11 Oct 21. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions, was selected by John Cockerill Defense (JCD) to provide turret drive stabilization technology for use in the weapons system used onboard the new Combat Boat that JCD is supplying to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will supply John Cockerill Defense with its cost-effective, scalable Turret Drive Servo System (TDSS) to provide the aiming and stabilization functionalities of the Combat Boat’s Cockerill® 3030 series weapons system. The Combat Boat, which features both manned and unmanned onboard weapons systems, will enable the Indonesian MoD to quickly respond to piracy threats in its territorial waters. Curtiss-Wright’s TDSS will deliver target location accuracy and precise turret stabilization with the flexibility required by system integrators to define and deploy exact solutions. Further, the TDSS will uniquely enable system designers to upgrade and add stabilization functionality as their mission requirements change.
13 Oct 21. Leonardo Signs Contract to Supply Daylight Optics for Bundeswehr Assault Rifles. Leonardo, through its subsidiary Leonardo Germany GmbH, has signed a framework agreement with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the supply of up to 107,929 daylight optics for use on both current and new Bundeswehr assault rifles. Leonardo will deliver ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4x sights adapted to the requirements of the Bundeswehr. The specific adaptations refer to a modified reticle and a housing with an integrated Picatinny rail. The most important design change is the ability to operate the switching mechanism from 1x to 4x magnification on both sides of the new sight for assault rifles, while retaining the compact design and robustness of the optic. First deliveries of the sight will take place in the third quarter of 2021. (Source: ASD Network)
21 Oct 21. Rheinmetall has chalked up another success in the artillery domain. DMO, the Dutch procurement agency, has just placed an order with Rheinmetall for illumination and smoke/obscurant shells from Rheinmetall’s ammunition family. The NATO nation will take delivery of the projectiles in mid-2023. Worth a figure in the two-digit m-euro range, the order forms part of a multi-year ammunition framework contract between the Dutch armed forces and Rheinmetall. The contract encompasses the supply of 155mm illumination rounds respectively M1808 Base Bleed and M1809 Boat Tail projectiles as well as the smoke rounds RH1901 Base Bleed und RH1902 Boat Tail. Complementing high explosive shells already fielded by the Dutch military. Tested and qualified under the most extreme conditions, Rheinmetall’s entire ammunition family delivers above-average performance with respect to safety, reliability, consistency and enhanced range. In the last months, also the 155mm Illumination IR and Smoke/obscurant shells have been successfully qualified. The 155mm Assegai IR illumination shells allow artillery batteries to illuminate the battlefield, enhancing the reconnaissance and detection capabilities of state-of-the-art night observation devices. The 155mm smoke/obscurant projectiles use Rheinmetall smoke/obscurant technology. When fired from the already fielded 155mm L52 howitzer with modular propelling charges already in service, the illumination and smoke/obscurant projectiles attain a range of 40 kilometres. Using the special top charge increases the range by a further 15 percent. The latest Rheinmetall artillery ammunition order underscores the Group’s role as a complete system house for artillery products, capable of supplying weapons and ammunition alike. An international project team from Rheinmetall Denel Munition Ltd of South Africa and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH of Germany proved this once again during a live fire demonstration a few weeks ago at the Alkantpan proving ground in South Africa. Dutch officials were able to witness online the successful qualification and 40-kilometre range certification from their offices in the Netherlands. Besides the smoke/obscurant and infrared illumination shells, Rheinmetall also presented its new RH141 projectile at Alkantpan. Newly engineered, this insensitive high explosive round is designed to be fired from the L60 howitzer, which is now under development.
SEA
15 Oct 21. The Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded a contract for the preliminary and detailed design works for the French Navy’s ocean patrol vessel (OPV). The contract was awarded to Naval Group. Its value has not been disclosed. This contract comes following a framework agreement signed by the French Defence Procurement Agency in October last year regarding the study, development, production and operational maintenance for an initial ten ocean patrol vessels Naval Group was awarded the first contract to carry out design and value analysis. This contract was approved by the French Defence Procurement Agency in June this year. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
21 Oct 21. Italy confirms P.180 EVO Plus acquisition, P.1HH cancelled. The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana – AMI) has confirmed to Janes that the country’s armed forces are procuring six Piaggio Aerospace P.180 light utility aircraft to replace legacy units. Meanwhile, the P.1HH HammerHead programme has been officially cancelled. Speaking to Janes on 20 October, a spokesperson of the press office of the AMI said that the new aircraft will be Piaggio EVO Plus models, and that these are yet to be assigned to a specific military service, be it the army, navy, air force, or Carabinieri. However, he said that the six P.180s will replace legacy platforms and that “once the registration numbers to be retired are identified, a breakdown by service will be finalised and a decision will be made on the final configuration of the six P.180 aircraft”. Such information will likely be provided once a contract is formalised. The acquisition of six new Piaggio aircraft is part of a EUR171m (USD200m) package authorised by decree by the Italian Minister of Defence Lorenzo Guerini on 30 September. The deal also includes a P.180 flight simulator and an extension of the maintenance contract for the Viper engines that power the Aermacchi MB-339 jet trainers in service with the national acrobatic team (Frecce Tricolori). (Source: Janes)
USA
LAND
21 Oct 21. Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN), a leading developer of innovative wearable computing technologies and solutions, announced that it has received a $1.1 m order to provide eyepieces for the Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS). The order is expected to be delivered through 2022. The JETS Target Location Designation System (TLDS) is an Army-led, joint-interest program with the Air Force and Marine Corps. The JETS system is a one-man-portable, handheld capability locator designed to rapidly acquire, and precisely locate and accurately engage targets with precision-guided munitions, and improve the effectiveness of engagement with unguided munitions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
20 Oct 021. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed the transfer of two MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to the U.S. Marine Corps on October 15, 2021. The two aircraft have been operated by the USMC since 2018 under a Company Owned/Company Operated (COCO) lease agreement in support of an Urgent Operational Need. The Reapers represent the first increment of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) Program of Record (POR). The transfer of aircraft includes two Ground Control Stations and associated support equipment. The two COCO MQ-9As, using remote split operations from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, have been in operation for the USMC as part of a lease agreement between GA-ASI and Naval Air Systems Command, accruing over 12,000 flight hours supporting operations in the Middle East and informing the requirements and expectations for the MUX POR. The MUX POR will include an additional 16 new MQ-9As, which the Marine Corps will begin procuring in 2022 to support an Early Operational Capability in 2023 and Initial Operating Capability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) by 2025.
15 Oct 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Controls, Grand Prairie, Texas, has been awarded an $80,656,080 contract modification (P00027) to previously awarded contract FA8210-17-C-0001 for the Advanced Radar Threat System – Variant 2 (ARTS-V2) Production Option Two. The modification provides for the exercise of Production Option Two and the delivery of five full ARTS-V2 systems. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 14, 2023. Fiscal 2021 other procurement funds in the amount of $80,656,080 are being obligated at the time of award, and the total cumulative face value of the contract is $539,360,101. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.
20 Oct 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $206,832,036 undefinitized modification (P00012) to a cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (0097) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001914G0020). This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering, detailed aircraft modification execution planning and technical data packages in support of modifications to the F-35 developmental test fleet aircraft. These modifications are necessary to support flight tests for the F-35 developmental test fleet and for the capabilities delivered under the F-35 Block 4 modernization in support of the Joint Strike Fighter Program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60%); Patuxent River, Maryland (20%); and Edwards Air Force Base, California (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $5,000,001; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,000,001; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $2,202,771 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.
TECHNOLOGY
19 Oct 21. BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $154,107,055 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides engineering support for the rapid integration of command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems onboard small and large craft, commercial and militarized vehicles, transit cases, mobile communications, fixed base stations, command centers, and intelligence systems in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Webster Outlying Field, Special Communications Mission Solutions Division. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Maryland (56%); and Jacksonville, Florida (44%), and is expected to be completed in October 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042122D0001).
19 Oct 21. The U.S. Air Force has awarded the BAE Systems-Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) team a contract to provide a prototype design for the next-generation open architecture signals intelligence (SIGINT) technology under its Global High-altitude Open-system Sensor Technology (GHOST) program. The award continues BAE Systems, Inc.’s development efforts to provide full-spectrum awareness and actionable intelligence with a SIGINT sensor design. Under the contract, awarded earlier this year, the team will provide a sensor prototype that gives insight into adversaries’ actions by collecting and analyzing electronic signals. It will exploit the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, critical to battlefield superiority, to detect, identify, locate, and track RF emissions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
20 Oct 21. Envistacom, LLC, a leading technology provider of advanced communications, cyber, and other related technologies, solutions, and services to the aerospace, defense, and intelligence communities, today announced it has been selected for two prime pool awards on the General Service Administration’s (GSA) ASTRO indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide mission support for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. Designed to meet DoD Combatant Command mission requirements, ASTRO is a multi-agency, multiple award IDIQ contract vehicle that includes research, development, maintenance, support, and operations services related to manned, unmanned, and optionally manned platforms and robotics. ASTRO includes ten pools, each representing functional domain areas including data operations, mission operations, aviation, ground, space, maritime, development/systems integration, research, support, and training. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
18 Oct 21. The U.S. Army through the Consortium Management Group (CMG)/ Consortium for Command, Control and Communications in Cyberspace (C5), awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] a Project Agreement to continue development of the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) program, which will provide critical situational awareness capabilities to the U.S. Army. In today’s complex, digital environment, the U.S. military requires a Joint All-Domain Operations-capable force to counter near-peer adversaries. As evidenced in the Department of Defense’s most recent plans to execute its Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) Superiority Strategy, each military service must be able to fight and win in the EMS. The U.S. Army says TLS will play a critical role in realizing the service’s Army of 2028 vision. Designed for tactical vehicles, TLS will deliver an integrated suite of signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare, and cyberspace operations capabilities to enable the Joint All Domain Operational (JADO) capable force. (Source: ASD Network)
20 Oct 21. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced it was awarded a Department of Defense (DoD) contract to provide vulnerability assessment testing and response support under a new pilot program focused on improving the cybersecurity and resilience of DoD weapon systems. Viasat will be the first external cybersecurity team to perform these assessments through the pilot, which aims to drive efficiencies to automate mission and threat-based security assessments at-scale using analytics and a proven methodology for intelligence gathering, threat modeling, vulnerability analysis and exploitation. As part of the pilot, Viasat will analyze key components within a highly complex, interconnected DoD weapon system architecture that could be vulnerable to an attack. The analysis will also include cyber and software defined radio threat assessments to address networking, Internet of Things and radio frequency interfaces to the weapon system. Viasat was selected based on its extensive experience and award-winning expertise in DoD cybersecurity, as well as its unique view of the threat landscape across global government and commercial services and a customizable approach to information security.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
19 Oct 21. Australian DoD has awarded a $3.3m contract to technology company Cyborg Dynamics Engineering to fund the development of its semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). As part of the contract, awarded via the Defence Innovation Hub, Cyborg Dynamics is expected to integrate a number of local technologies into a modular, robotic platform, which could enhance the load carriage, fire support capabilities and protection of dismounted soldiers. The firm is also set to explore on-board AI target recognition and advanced driving technologies, which could support a single person operation. This is tipped to improve in-field soldier capabilities and lethality and reduce operator risk by supporting a robotic-assisted force. (Source: Defence Connect)
SEA
15 Oct 21. Canada upgrades maritime COMINT/SIGINT capability under Project Strongbow. Canada is investing in an improved communications intelligence (COMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability, known as Project Strongbow, for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) 12 Halifax-class frigates. Under a CAD40.9m (USD32.5m) contract, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is to supply a new COMINT/SIGINT solution that will replace the obsolete AN/SRD-504 VHF/UHF equipment suite. The new capability is expected to be delivered from 2023, and is projected to remain in service for at least the next 15 years. (Source: Janes)
TECHNOLOGY
20 Oct 21. Five research projects have been awarded $500k to expand satellite technologies under a joint partnership with the United Kingdom and Australia. Under the UK-Australia Space Bridge Framework – announced in February – the two nations are set to boost the size of the industry collaboratively, furthering their longstanding relationship. It marks the first move made since the framework was established earlier this year. The projects were revealed by SmartSat CRC and the Satellite Applications Catapult – an industry consortium – in conjunction with UK Science and Innovation Network, Austrade and the Australian Space Agency. (Source: Space Connect)
20 Oct 21. Hensoldt SA selected to deliver spectrum management system to Saudi Arabia. Hensoldt South Africa will be providing a nationwide spectrum management system to Saudi Arabia’s Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC). Hensoldt announced it is in the process of delivering the system, consisting of mobile, transportable and fixed monitoring stations, as well as regional and national control centres. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
19 Oct 21. Leidos Australia wins maritime security contract. Defence is funding the global defence company’s local development of new underwater sensor technology. The Commonwealth government has awarded a $1.6m contract to Leidos Australia via the Defence Innovation Hub for the development of fibre-optic sensor technology for underwater reconnaissance missions. Leidos, which bases its Australian operations from Victoria, is expected to work alongside WA company Terra15 and the University of Melbourne’s School of Engineering to develop the capability, which aims to significantly reduce the cost of existing systems. (Source: Defence Connect)