UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
05 Nov 21. Elbit Systems UK has been selected to deliver the Interim Combined Arms Virtual Simulation (Deployable) ICAVS(D), a pathfinder project for the British Army’s Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP). Replacing the current in-service system, Unit-Based Virtual Trainer (UBVT), by 1 April 2022, ICAVS(D) has the potential to significantly exceed the current capability in scale, size and complexity. Drawing from the latest high specification hardware and using Defence Virtual Simulation software, the platform will deliver immersive virtual training and will help inform the requirements for the future replacement of the UK’s Command and Staff Training (CAST) and the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) systems. Usable by both regular and reserve soldiers in the British Army, ICAVS(D) will also provide the ability to conduct experimentation and collective readiness training, from vehicle crew to Combined Arms Sub-Unit. The platform will allow for rehearsal of complex operational environments in all weathers, terrains and environments, accurately reflecting the range of operational settings and equipment expected in contemporary operating environments. Delivered as a full service by Elbit Systems UK’s Training Support Team, ICAVS(D) will be able to support the British Army’s training at a time and place of their choosing. It can be deployed within barracks and on training areas, giving users significantly increased flexibility in when and where they are able to train. This contract follows Elbit Systems UK’s other major training programmes for the UK Armed Forces. These include the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer and Joint Fires Mobile Trainer for the Army, Project Selborne for the Royal Navy, and the delivery and operation of three types of aircraft through its subsidiary Affinity, for the UK Military Flying Training System.
08 Nov 21. Lincad announced a new contract with Thales UK to supply its SquadNet batteries for the company’s industry-leading networking soldier radios. As an experienced designer and manufacturer of defence batteries and charging systems, Lincad supplies to a range of global customers, often working to military specifications, and its products represent the very latest in battery and charger technology and design. The SquadNet battery is a bespoke 3.6V, 3Ah battery that has been specifically designed to power the Thales SquadNet radio that operates on the modern battlefield to provide effective combat communications. Operating in demanding environments, the batteries provide a resilient and trusted power management solution, ensuring that infantry soldiers have access to reliable and robust voice communication and situational awareness. The SquadNet soldier radio has a point-to-point range of up to 2.5km, automatic relay mode, blue force tracking and an extended, 24-hour battery capacity to extend mission life and reduce the need to carry spare batteries. It comes with built-in GPS and secure communications over IP networks to enable positional data to be transmitted over Bluetooth to another Android device for soldiers to keep track of each other’s positions. The radio is designed to work in areas where other radios may fail, including woodlands, urban environments and undulating ground. The unit is lightweight and encased in a robust, compact outer shell to protect against damage in the field.
SEA
09 Nov 21. Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence, security and aerospace company has been awarded a c.£100m, 13-year contract by the UK’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) for the design, manufacture, delivery/commisioning and in-service support to the Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) Increment 1. Babcock will deliver the programme together with its collaboration partners, Elbit Systems UK (ESUK) and QinetiQ. Part of the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme, MEWSIC Increment 1 covers the acquisition, integration and through-life support of a sensor suite and a command & control system and its associated systems for in-scope Royal Navy platforms. The solution includes provision of training solutions, technical test and integration facilities alongside the support services. Babcock is the prime contractor within the BEQ collaboration of Babcock, ESUK and QinetiQ, who will all work together on the programme. The collaboration will operate as a single team to deliver an innovative world leading solution, based upon proven operational technology providing in-depth knowledge of the platforms and experience in delivering digital Electronic Support Measures on a global basis. The programme will see upgrades to the Radar Electronic Support Measure and Electronic Warfare Command and Control capabilities for maritime platforms. This capability will support the execution of all military tasks that exploit electromagnetic energy to enable enhanced shared situational awareness, informed command support, effective decision support and force protection.
09 Nov 21. Elbit Systems UK Ltd. (“Elbit Systems UK”), was awarded a contract valued at approximately $100m (approximately £73 m) by Babcock International Group Plc. (LSE: BAB), to provide the Royal Navy with new Electronic Warfare capabilities under Increment 1 of the Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) Program (“the Program”). The contract will be performed over a period of 13 years and will include in-service support.. Under the Program, Elbit Systems UK will design, manufacture and deliver maritime Electronic Warfare (EW) suites comprised of fully digital full-spectrum Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) and EW Command and Control (EWC2) systems. These latest generation technologies will enhance the situational awareness and anti-ship missile defense of front-line platforms and improve their capability to exploit the electromagnetic environment.
AIR
08 Nov 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that Affinity Flying Training Services Ltd. (“Affinity”), its UK joint venture (“JV”) with Kellog, Brown and Root Ltd. (NYSE: KBR) (“KBR”), was awarded an approximately $88m (approximately £65m) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (“UK MOD”) for the operation of four additional Texan T-6C aircraft for the UK Military Flying Training System (“UKMFTS”) program. The contract will be performed over a 12-year period. Elbit Systems and KBR each hold a 50% share in Affinity and will evenly benefit from the contract. The four additional Texan T-6C aircraft will be operated predominantly from Affinity’s site at Royal Air Force (“RAF”) Valley, where they will join the 10 existing Texans that are already in service. The UKMFTS is the UK’s program to deliver and support the RAF pilot training, procurement, operations and maintenance services. Taking place at RAF Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Valley on three different types of aircraft, Affinity has delivered over 20,000 flying hours for the UKMFTS program.
TECHNOLOGY
11 Nov 21. Leidos has won a contract to deliver geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) capability in support of the UK’s National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI). The contract has been awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and will be executed as part of the PICASSO programme. The three-year contract has an option of an additional year and is valued at up to £70m, including all options. PICASSO programme is a collection of legacy systems, said Leidos in a statement. The enduring capability programme provides UK forces with intelligence derived from strategic or tactical mapping and digital geographic information and imagery. This integrated geospatial intelligence on the battlefield helps the British Armed Forces and Partners across Government (PAG) in making informed decisions on national security tasks. According to the company, the programme will be eventually shifted to a common service management model, which will be delivered according to the approaches of the industry standard.
EUROPE
LAND
03 Nov 21. Sweden acquires hundreds of logistics vehicles. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has placed two orders with Scania and Volvo for 487 logistics vehicles, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2022. The Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) on 2 November announced the acquisition of 487 logistics vehicles for the Swedish Armed Forces. The trucks were ordered from Scania and Volvo with initial deliveries taking place from spring to winter 2022. The FMV placed two orders with a total value of approximately SEK700m ($82m) to replace an ageing Swedish military fleet. (Source: Shephard)
AIR
08 Nov 21. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has concluded a contract with ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH as the main contractor for the procurement of three Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), introduced in the Bundeswehr under the name “Sea Falcon”, for the K130 corvettes of the German Navy. With the implementation of the project “Reconnaissance and Identification in the Maritime Operational Area (AImEG)”, the corvettes’ capabilities for imaging reconnaissance will be significantly expanded: in future, objects can be detected and identified with the Sea Falcon far beyond the on-board sensor system. One UAS consists of two Skeldar V-200 unmanned aerial vehicles, a ground control station integrated on the corvette from which the aircraft is controlled, and equipment with tools and spare parts. The Sea Falcon is based on the type Skeldar V-200 from the Swedish manufacturer UMS Skeldar AB and can operate for up to 5 hours with a maximum take-off weight of 235kg, a maximum speed of 75 knots and a payload of up to 40kg. It can take off and land automatically on the deck of the corvette in up to 20 knots of wind speed and “Sea State 3”. An integrated sensor transmits real time optical and infrared images to the ground control station. The AImEG project, which has now been contracted, comprises over a period of 4 years (Source: UAS VISION)
TECHNOLOGY
08 Nov 21. A4ESSOR and OCCAR sign procurement contract for ENC project. The joint venture company will also work on improving the pre-existing ESSOR framework. The contract is related to the ESSOR New Capabilities (ENC) project and has obtained funding from the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). It follows EDIDP ESSOR’s ‘Grant Agreement’ signed by OCCAR and partners in July last year. Non ESSOR nations based firms Telespazio Belgium and Edisoft (Portugal) will take part in the contract. Telespazio is a joint venture (JV) between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%). The ENC project aims to develop three new secure and interoperable waveforms namely, ESSOR NBWF, ESSOR 3DWF and ESSOR SATCOM WF. Furthermore, the alliance will also improve the ESSOR Framework. This work will support the portability of the waveforms on national radio terminals. It will also help in handling the waveforms throughout their entire lifecycles. (Source: army-technology.com)
USA
LAND
12 Nov 21. Raytheon wins $340m contract to sustain radars of Mobile Sensors programme. The company will be responsible to keep the radars, communications, as well as their subsystems, operational. Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RI&S) has won a contract for mobile sensors operations and maintenance services of the Cobra King radar system. Under the $340m indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, RI&S will operate and sustain the radar and communication system that monitors missile launches and gather data. The company’s workforce will keep the radars, communications and their subsystems in operating condition round-the-clock. (Source: army-technology.com)
09 Nov 21. Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security screening technologies, today announces that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) to provide 110 radiation portal monitors (RPM). Partnering with Radiation Solutions, Inc., the RPM’s will be deployed across land border crossings throughout the US. The RPM is a passive checkpoint which can detect potentially dangerous radiation emitting material which passes through its detection zone. The portal is capable of scanning trucks, vehicles, containers, packages and people.
SEA
10 Nov 21. The U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) has awarded GE Power Conversion an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to maintain the electric and hybrid electric power and propulsion systems aboard its vessels. The five-year contract potentially could be worth $125 m. The contract covers maintenance, modernization and upgrades, training, repairs, parts, remote technical support, and program management on 35 vessels, with more ships to be added as they are built and turned over to MSC after commissioning. The vessels operate throughout the world, and GE’s support is expected 24/7, 365 days per year. The contract also includes Planned Maintenance Industrial Assist (PMIA) for shipyard maintenance, Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity services support, and hardware and software configuration management. As the original equipment manufacturer, GE Power Conversion received a three-year maintenance contract from MSC in 2012 covering just a few ships. Later, the contract was renewed, and more ships added, with GE earning excellent reviews for both contracts in the Contractors Past Performance Rating System.
05 Nov 21. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a not-to-exceed $66,637,726 undefinitized contract action 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 McLeansville, North Carolina (34%); Riviera Beach, Florida (26%); Annapolis, Maryland (21%); and Hanover, Maryland (19%), and is expected to be completed by November 2024. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) $5,557,989 funding will be obligated at time of award and will not 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 Defense 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.
05 Nov 21. Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc., Marion, Massachusetts, is awarded a $105,668,584 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-6412 to exercise options for the production of MK 48 Mod 7 guidance and control sections and MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System kits. This modification is in support of the MK54 MOD 7 heavyweight torpedo program. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (60%); Clearwater, Florida (25%); Braintree, Massachusetts (10%); and Marion, Massachusetts (5%), and is expected to be completed by December 2025. Fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) in the amount of $105,668,584 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.
AIR
10 Nov 21. US-based electronic display devices manufacturer Kopin has secured a follow-on order under the F-35 joint strike fighter (JSF) programme. As part of the $2.8m order, the company will supply high-brightness liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for the JSF programme. The company has so far delivered thousands of microdisplays for the F-35 pilot helmets. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
05 Nov 21. Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $10,863,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Advanced Raptor Enhancement & Sustainment (ARES) for the F-22 Program Office. This contract vehicle provides support for the necessary supplies and services to sustain and modernize the F-22 Raptor, including modernization hardware kit procurement and services such as upgrades, enhancements and fixes, as well as performance-based logistics services. The location of performance is Fort Worth, Texas, and if all options are utilized, work is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2031. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $200,000 are being obligated on the first delivery order at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-22-D-0001). There is known congressional interest pertaining to this acquisition.
05 Nov 21. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $97,336,915 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8682-21-C-0001. The contract modification is for 94 Lot 20 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range missiles with containers. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Troy, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020-2022 missile procurement funds in the amount of $97,336,915 are being obligated at the time of award, and the total cumulative face value of the contract is $536,515,914. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
TECHNOLOGY
09 Nov 21. The Defense Department has awarded $32.6m to invest in electromagnetic spectrum management tools. The awards were made to three companies that are a part of the National Spectrum Consortium: Peraton Labs, which will get $18m for its Operational Spectrum Comprehension, Analytics, and Response (OSCAR) solution for a near-real time, automated method to improve spectrum use efficiency; Leidos, which gets $8.4 m for its RISA or Risk Informed Spectrum Access solution targeting spectrum deconfliction in space, time, and frequency; and Shared Spectrum Company, which will get $6.2 m for its Multiband Instrumented Control Channel Architecture (MICCA) solution for which Peraton is a subcontractor. The awards were made via an other transaction agreement (OTA) through the National Spectrum Consortium. DOD has increasingly used OTAs to rapidly buy and fund prototype development as well as fielding new technologies. (Source: Defense Systems)
11 Nov 21. Cloud-native email security provider Area 1 Security has received a small business innovation research (SBIR) grant from the US Air Force (USAF). With this funding, the company will showcase its Cloud email security solution to the USAF. Financing for the company will be offered through the USAF’s AFWERX innovation programme. AFWERX is a platform of solutions that aims to strengthen the USAF and its members. Under the latest SBIR Phase I order, Area 1 Security will launch its advanced anti-phishing solutions and technology to USAF teams. The programme seeks to develop a technical framework for future projects. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
10 Nov 21. Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, North Logan, Utah, is being awarded a $300,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Under this contract, the contractor will perform research, development, engineering, state of-the-art and proof-of-concept spaced-based sensor systems, and advanced technology research and development. The ordering period is from Nov. 23, 2021, through Nov. 22, 2028. One offer was solicited and one offer was received. The work will be performed in North Logan, Utah; and Huntsville, Alabama. At least one task order will be issued shortly after award and fiscal 2022 research, development, test and engineering funds will be obligated on that task order in an amount of at least $100,000. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0854-22-D-0001).
REST OF THE WORLD
AIR
11 Nov 21. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) was awarded contracts in an aggregate amount of approximately $74m from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of South Korea, to supply a range of airborne munitions as part of the Precision Fires Program of the Republic of Korea Air Force. The contracts will be performed over a five-year period.
30 Oct 21. Smallsat mission integrator NanoAvionics has signed a contract with the Korean company, Contec, that includes supplying a 16U nanosatellite as well as mission integration and launch services. The launch of the Earth observation (EO) nanosatellite is planned for the first half of 2023. The contract also marks the beginning of a two-way collaboration between NanoAvionics and Contec, a provider of ground station services, which NanoAvionics intends to use for its future mission operations in order to extend its global transmission cadence. The payload of NanoAvionics’ modular 16U satellite bus will consist of an integrated imager with 1,5 m resolution, supplied by NanoAvionics partner, and Contec’s laser communication terminal (LCT). For the efficient delivery of satellite data, Contec will use its existing ground station in Jeju (South Korea) and further 12 stations, to be built by 2022, in Alaska, Sweden, Ireland, and other countries across the globe. Contec will also analyze the raw image data, pre-process it and provide insights for applications across various segments, including urban change detection, maritime and junk monitoring and crop yield prediction. The company, established in January 2015, as a spin-off from KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute), is already in discussions with local governmental bodies in South Korea which intend to use the satellite imagery obtained from the mission. (Source: Satnews)