UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
23 Nov 21. UK Boxer armoured vehicle programme further develops with KMW and WFEL sub-contract for AeroGlow HaLO emergency lighting systems. In a further sub-contract award, as part of the UK Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle Programme for the British Army, KMW and WFEL have signed a contract with AeroGlow International for the supply of the latest HaLO Vehicle Egress Lighting Systems. This contract is for the delivery of bespoke HaLO systems, with deliveries commencing in 2021 and running through to 2031. The awarding of this sub-contract to a UK SME demonstrates the commitment to source 60% by value of the Boxer contract from within the UK, protecting sovereign engineering and manufacturing skills and ensuring that the vehicles remain supported through their 30-year operational life. (Source: Joint Forces)
30 Nov 21. BAE Systems awarded £2.4bn munitions contract to equip UK Armed Forces. BAE Systems has been awarded a new 15-year contract for the supply of munitions to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The contract, worth £2.4bn, will sustain approximately 4,000 jobs across the UK. This new agreement, which will supersede the current contract due to conclude at the end of 2022, will guarantee the delivery of munitions products and engineering support to the UK Armed Forces. BAE Systems directly employs 1,260 people who are involved in either munitions. (Source: News Now/BAE Systems)
SEA
30 Nov 21. Undersea weapon, sensors and integrated systems specialist Advanced Acoustic Concepts has chosen underwater positioning technology from maritime technology company Sonardyne to work for the US Department of Defense (DoD). Advanced Acoustic Concepts chose Sonardyne’s portable Micro-Ranger 2 Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) system following a market review of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTs) systems suitable for its needs, particularly around supporting its existing DoD programs and providing its operatives with increased situational awareness during open ocean missions. Micro-Ranger 2 is designed to provide everything needed to start tracking divers, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous or unmanned underwater vehicles or any other subsea targets, all from a single IP-67-rated ruggedised case small enough to operate anywhere, from anything. It can track up to 10 targets to over 3,000 ft (995 m) and comes complete with a surface-deployed Micro-Ranger Transceiver, a GNSS antenna, and two of Sonardyne’s smallest transponders, the Nano. The one-box solution also houses a built-in battery to support more than 10 hours of continuous use, as well as ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity to connect to a user’s laptop for fast and easy tracking.
TECHNOLOGY
30 Nov 21. JET Engineering Systems Solutions Ltd. have just been awarded over £720,000 grant funded project to deliver 5G connectivity that will improve safety, reduce carbon emissions, and increase efficiencies during the assessment and installation phases of Off-shore Wind Farms.
EUROPE
LAND
30 Nov 21. iXblue and its local representative Grafinta have received a contract to deliver critical navigation systems for the Spanish Army’s 8×8 VCR Dragón vehicles. The contract involves the supply of more than 240 Advans Series inertial navigation systems (INS). The deliveries will also include the Ursa U5 and Vega V5 systems. Ursa U5 is a north-finding INS for military land vehicles while Vega V5 is a higher-performance INS developed for both navigation and pointing applications. Both of the systems use iXblue’s fibre-optic Gyroscope technology to provide navigation services, even in GNSS-denied environments. As agreed, the first batch is scheduled for delivery at the start of 2022. Once the systems are delivered, GMV will integrate the iXblue systems with its GNSS technology and navigation algorithms. (Source: army-technology.com)
21 Nov 21. MILSATCOM Solutions To Be Provided To The Irish Defence Forces By Marlink. The agreement will see the country’s defence forces concentrate their communications infrastructure via the company’s expertise, consolidating traffic into Marlink’s global, smart hybrid network, combining relevant connectivity carriers, including VSAT and L-band networks. The Irish Defence Forces require connectivity via secure satellite backhaul on a 24/7 basis. Systems to be deployed include high throughput VSAT between command centers and remote locations as well as mobile SATCOM solutions for military personnel. Marlink will enable connectivity for the Irish Defence Forces via numerous designated sites, including fixed operational deployments in Lebanon and Syria, as well as mobile troop deployments in Europe and Africa. (Source: Satnews)
03 Dec 21. Bundeswehr orders new AGDUS passive systems from Rheinmetall for Combat Training Centre. Rheinmetall is supplying new simulation technology for the German Army’s Combat Training Centre. Earlier this year, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) awarded Rheinmetall a procurement contract for 440 state-of the-art “Training Device, Duel Simulator (AGDUS), Passive Vehicle” systems. The contract is worth a figure in the upper single-digit million-euro range. Delivery begins in 2021 and is scheduled to be complete by December 2023. The order underscores once again the great expertise of Rheinmetall in the field of training, simulation and especially live simulation. By simulating the effects of weapons fire, the laser-supported Training Device, Duel Simulator (AGDUS) enables highly realistic combat training. It consists of sensors on the vehicle that receive laser signals; the central electronics; and a display and control unit. The systems enable highly realistic combat training through precise determination of the simulated hit location and a detailed damage simulation based on vehicle-specific damage models. All data and facts concerning the laser-based engagement are relayed in near-real time to the exercise control cell, where the results of hits are depicted optically. The AGDUS passiv version used up till now is a cable-based system. In the new version, the “AGDUS passiv” vehicle target system features a wireless connection to the central electronics. The connection to the sensor modules necessary for detection relies on radio transmission. Furthermore, the equipment now includes a roof sensor that enables detection of hits from shots fired from above, e.g. from rooftops. The sensor modules can by arrayed and expanded in accordance with specific training requirements. Encompassing the so called casualty model which calculates the consequences of a hit for crew and vehicle, the connection between the sensors and the central electronics features a short-range radio transmission system. This is based on a proprietary solution from Rheinmetall involving a multi-frequency process to assure stability of training. The signals are bundled and transmitted simultaneously via two or more radio links (frequency diversity). To assure the required stability, the transmitter and receiver operate in parallel, thus avoiding breaks in transmission. The updated AGDUS passiv features state-of-the-art sensors and detectors that are among the most sensitive on the market today. Their high sensitivity guarantees reliable detection under adverse weather conditions like fog, even at extended ranges of engagement – a major plus in all types of training operations.
SEA
26 Nov 21. Lithuania orders navigation radars for OPVs. Lithuania has ordered GEM Elettronica Columbus Mk2 3D navigation radars from Leonardo for its offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), the Ministry of National Defence (MND) confirmed to Janes on 19 November. The ministry announced on its website on 27 October that the EUR7.9m (USD8.9m) contract was signed the previous week, with its Defence Resource Agency carrying out the procurement. Leonardo will install and integrate the radars, provide technical documentation, and train their operators by the end of 2023. The radars will be installed on Lithuania’s former Royal Danish Navy (RDN) Flyvefisken‐class (Standard Flex 300) Žemaitis, Dzūkas , Aukštaitis, and Sėlis OPVs. Identification friend or foe antennas will also be integrated into the radars. The MND said the radars would be used mainly for the safe navigation of straits and canals and on the high seas, as well as for search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. The systems have a detection range of 100 km, according to the ministry, which added that the secondary purpose of the radars would be to detect and track surface and aerial targets for onboard weapons, even in extremely poor hydrometeorological conditions both during the day and at night. The MND expected defence savings from providing both navigation and detection/tracking with a single sensor. (Source: Janes)
AIR
29 Nov 21. Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems Sector, Northridge, California, is awarded a $46,161,550 firm-fixed-price modification (P00002) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0013). This modification exercises an option to procure full rate production Lot 11 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) to include the conversion of 51 AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs) into AGM-88E AARGM all-up-rounds, as well as related supplies and services necessary for their manufacture, spares, and fleet deployment for the government of Germany. Work will be performed in Northridge, California (80%); and Ridgecrest, California (20%), and is expected to be completed in March 2025. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $46,161,550 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.
29 Nov 21. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $10,377,842 modification (P00012) to previously awarded delivery order (FA8620-15-G-4040, FA8620-19-F-2310) for the Netherlands MQ-9 update. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2021. This contract involves 100% Foreign Military Sales to the Netherlands. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $8,504,176 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
02 Dec 21. Indra has won a contract worth $39.5m to outfit Boeing CH-47D/F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters with new self-protection systems. These aircraft belong to the Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra (FAMET/Spanish Army Aviation). Media reports said that the CH-47s are being upgraded as part of a wider effort to convert the 17 FAMET Chinooks from the Delta to Foxtrot configuration. The upgrade is expected to finish in 2025. No details were released on exactly which self-protection systems will equip the helicopters. Reports did note, however, that these will include a new DIRCM. It is highly likely that this will be Indra’s InShield DIRCM. (Source: Armada)
USA
LAND
01 Dec 21. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it was awarded a five-year $80.5m task order supporting the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center’s (DOD IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC). CACI will provide advanced engineering research, analysis, and development of mission technology to enhance the capabilities of aircraft mission systems for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS). The task order will modernize components and systems on both manned and unmanned platforms including the EP-3E, P-8A, MQ-8, and MQ-25 UAS for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard. CACI will develop next generation technology for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare (EW) mission systems, and survivability systems while providing all aspects of logistical support required to meet operational demands. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Dec 21. Kopin ® Corporation, a leading developer and provider of high-resolution microdisplays and display modules and subassemblies for defense, enterprise, consumer and medical products, today announced it has received a $19.8m order for its eyepiece subassembly which is a critical component in the US Army’s Family of Weapon Sight-Individual (FWS-I) thermal sight system. The FWS-I thermal sight system uses a sophisticated video “see through” AR optical module using Kopin’s CyberDisplay ® LCDs and our custom-designed Pancake ® optics. This is the second large production order received by Kopin for the FWS-I eyepiece subassembly and the order has scheduled deliveries of the FWS-I eyepiece subassemblies into the fourth quarter of 2022. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Oct 21. On 29th October the US Army awarded a three-year contract to Lufbarrow and Company. The contract will cover the provision of assistance to the army’s product manager, terrestrial spectrum warfare. An announcement regarding the contract stated that it will include the delivery of artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology to assist the merging of cyber warfare, EW and signals intelligence capabilities. (Source: Armada)
01 Dec 21. Udelv wins US Air Force’s AFWERX Phase II SBIR contract. The fully autonomous delivery technology company will work on enhancing flight line readiness. Autonomous delivery vehicle company Udelv has won a US Air Force (USAF) contract to improve readiness of flight line by supporting aircraft maintenance. Udelv will provide an autonomous delivery solution that will decrease the delivery turnaround time (TAT) of key equipment that assist in aircraft maintenance and increase flight line readiness. The company will perform the work under USAF AFWERX Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
AIR
01 Dec 21. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced it received a $4,151,320 firm-fixed-price U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract award on Sept. 27, 2021 to provide Puma™ 3 AE and Wasp® AE small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), initial spares packages, training and support to an allied nation. Delivery is anticipated by September 2022. AeroVironment’s Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft system is designed for land and maritime operations. The hand-launched Puma 3 AE has a wingspan of 9.2 feet, weighs 15 pounds and can operate for up to 2.5 hours. The aircraft also has a range of 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) with a standard range antenna, up to 24.9 miles (40 kilometers) with AeroVironment’s Extended Range Antenna (ERA) and up to 37.2 miles (60 kilometers) with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA). It also features reduced system packaging with a flyable configuration and Ground Control System (GCS) in one case. Capable of landing in water or on land, the all-environment Puma 3 AE and Mantis i45 EO/IR sensor suite empower operators with extended flight time and a level of imaging capability never before available in the small UAS class.
29 Nov 21. Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $149,067,738 modification (P00013) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPRPA1-17-D-009U) with four one-year option periods for performance-based logistics and engineering support for the V-22 platform. This is a firm-fixed-price requirements contract. Locations of performance are Texas and Pennsylvania, with a Nov. 30, 2022, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Foreign Military Sales to Japan. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2023 Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, Navy and FMS appropriated funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
29 Nov 21. The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded Blue Canyon Technologies a $14.6m contract to build a small satellite that can explore deep space, out beyond where most U.S. Space Force satellites operate. Blue Canyon Technologies will build and demonstrate a small satellite capable of operating for three years out beyond geosynchronous orbit — 22,236 miles above the Earth’s surface. The contract reflects the Department of Defense’s increased interest in fielding new satellites capable of exploring what’s going on in cislunar space — a term roughly defined as the area between the Earth and the far reaches of lunar activity (about 272,000 miles out), but is more commonly used to refer to the area between geosynchronous orbit and said lunar activity. A 2020 memorandum between NASA and the Space Force calls for collaboration between the civil and military space organizations in advancing new cislunar situational awareness capabilities. The Space Development Agency originally planned to field multiple space situational awareness satellites to explore cislunar space. They would have acted as deep space counterparts to the Space Force’s Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program satellites, which patrol geosynchronous orbit and allow operators to get visuals of activity in that region. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
29 Nov 21. Kratos Unmanned Systems Division (KUSD) has recently received a $4.1m contract award from an international customer for high performance, unmanned aerial target drone system aircraft and related services. KUSD is a recognized industry leader in the design and production of affordable, high performance, jet powered, unmanned aerial aircraft and systems for threat representative target drones and tactical applications. Work under this contract award will be performed at secure Kratos manufacturing facilities and at customer locations. Due to competitive, security related, and other considerations, no additional information will be provided related to this contract award. (Source: UAS VISION)
27 Nov 21. Kratos Receives Initial Production Order for Affordable, High Performance Jet Engines for Aerial System Application.Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it has recently received an initial production order for a new, affordable, high performance jet engine for an aerial vehicle application from a national security related customer. Kratos is currently under contract from several government and other national security related customers for the development of next generation, affordable, high performance turbojet, turbofan, and other engine types for unmanned aerial system (UAS) aircraft, cruise missiles, powered munitions, and other related leading technology systems. Work under this new, initial production order will be performed at a secure Kratos manufacturing facility. Due to competitive, customer related, security related, and other reasons, no additional information will be provided related to this recent contract award. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Nov 21. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $124,902,953 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8682-21-C-0004 for Lot Four and Five of Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles and tooling and test equipment. The contract modification provides for the purchase of an additional 42 Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles and 24 Weapons Data Links in support of Lot Six. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Troy, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 22, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $124,902,953 are being obligated at time of modification award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $549,674,649. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
30 Nov 21. Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems, Orlando, Florida is awarded a $121,025,345 modification (P00022) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N6833518C0681). This modification exercises an option to procure 35 full-rate production electronic Consolidated Automated Support System (eCASS) units, associated data, engineering support services, and related equipment, including one genie lift, one test program set development suite, three self-maintenance and test/calibration operational test program sets, four calibration equipment suites/kits, 40 rack rail kits, 41 shore installation kits, 42 ship installation kits, 47 core stations, and 109 mission equipment kits in support of the Navy’s AV-8B, C-2, E-2D, EA-6B, EA-18G, E-2, F/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F, H-60R/S, T-45 and V-22 programs and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $76,847,505; fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $36,023,721; FMS funds in the amount of $6,160,114; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,761,277; and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $232,728 will be obligated at time of award, $232,728 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
02 Dec 21. Nanoracks, Voyager Space, and Lockheed Martin Awarded NASA Contract to Build First-of-its-Kind Commercial Space Station. Starlab to anchor NASA’s Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Destinations project as the space economy continues to grow. Nanoracks, in collaboration with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], has been awarded a $160m contract by NASA to design its Starlab commercial space station as part of the agency’s Commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Development program. Starlab will enable NASA’s initiative to stimulate the commercial space economy and provide science and crew capabilities prior to the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS). The initial $160m award to Nanoracks is made via a funded Space Act Agreement through 2025. This initial NASA-provided funding will be supplemented with customer pre-buy opportunities and public-private partnerships. Fully owned by Nanoracks, Starlab is planned to reach initial operating capability in 2027, which ensures continuous human presence in LEO by U.S. entities. NASA will have the opportunity to purchase crew and payload services on Starlab through separate services contracts with Nanoracks. Nanoracks has unparalleled commercial experience on the ISS. Joined by Voyager Space’s sophisticated investment strategy and expertise in operational integration and Lockheed Martin’s engineering knowledge and strategic vision, the Starlab team presented a formidable program for the future of LEO commercialization. The basic elements of the Starlab space station include a large inflatable habitat, designed and built by Lockheed Martin, a metallic docking node, a power and propulsion element, a large robotic arm for servicing cargo and payloads, and the George Washington Carver (GWC) Science Park. The GWC Science Park is a state-of-the-art laboratory system which will host a comprehensive research, science, and manufacturing capability. Starlab will have the capacity to continuously host up to four astronauts to conduct critical science and research.
01 Dec 21. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Marlborough, Massachusetts, was awarded a $273,353,649 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, and cost only modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-19-C-5501) to exercise options and add advanced radars detection laboratory generator support for Air and Missile Defense Radar; and Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, integration and production support efforts. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (54%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (11%); Moorestown, New Jersey (9%); Newport News, Virginia (6%); Kauai, Hawaii (5%); Wallops Island, Virginia (4%); Fair Lakes, Virginia (4%); Bath, Maine (2%); Chesapeake, Virginia (2%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (1%); San Diego, California (1%); and Silver Spring, Maryland (1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2022. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion funds (Navy) in the amount of $14,060,000 (28%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,987,933 (23%); fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,466,143 (17%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,872,198 (13%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,465,420 (7%); fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,978,555 (6%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,195,424 (4%) and; fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $902,513 (2%) will be obligated at time of award, of which $2,978,555 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 30, 2021)
30 Nov 21. Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded an undefinitized $447,601,042 not-to-exceed modification (P00011) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price incentive (firm target), cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N0001921C0011). This contract provides for the procurement of recurring sustainment support activities including maintenance of support equipment, common program activities, unique and common base recurring sustainment, repair of repairables, field service representatives, common replenishment spares, conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant F-135 unique maintenance services, and short take-off and landing F-135 unique services in support of the F-35 Lightning II F135 propulsion system for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Air National Guard, non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (47%); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (15%); Indianapolis, Indiana (13%); Windsor Locks, Connecticut (6%); West Palm Beach, Florida (5%); Brekstad, Norway (2%); Leeuwarden, Netherlands (2%); Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia (2%); Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, South Carolina (1%); Cameri, Italy (1%); Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (1%); Edwards AFB, California (1%); Hill AFB, Utah (1%); Iwakuni, Japan (1%); Luke AFB, Arizona (1%); and Patuxent River, Maryland (1%), and is expected to be completed in May 2022. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $44,006,026; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $41,480,264; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,092,764; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Air National Guard) funds in the amount of $5,525,000; non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $29,576,990; and FMS funds in the amount of $16,311,383 will be obligated at time of award, $98,104,054 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
26 Nov 21. Silent Arrow has announced that the United States Air Force, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), has awarded the company a contract entitled “Guided Bundle Derivative of Silent Arrow for Side Door and Palletized Swarm Deployment at High Speeds and Altitudes” effective November 12, 2021. Under this Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) Phase II contract, the commercially successful Silent Arrow® GD-2000 (Glider, Disposable, 2000 pounds) platform will be scaled down and redesigned as a new product line called the Silent Arrow Precision Guided Bundle (SA-PGB), which will initially be developed as an autonomous cargo delivery glider. The SA-PGB is specifically designed for side door and multi-unit (swarm) ramp deployment, compatible with a much-expanded fleet of delivery aircraft ranging from the civilian Cessna Caravan to the military C-17. The SA-PGB will be designed and built at Silent Arrow’s headquarters in Irvine, California and 15 aircraft will be shipped to the company’s flight test center in Pendleton, Oregon for operational evaluations at the Pendleton UAS Test Range. Initial specifications include 500-pound max weight, 350-pound cargo capacity, 39 inches long and deployable from high altitudes and airspeeds. Silent Arrow’s tightly integrated packaging with its patented spring-deployed wing system, industry-leading payload capacity, 40-mile standoff distance and low unit cost, has received enthusiastic reception from U.S. and foreign customers and is currently being delivered and operated to directly serve heavy-payload, autonomous cargo resupply needs throughout the world. (Source: UAS VISION)
TECHNOLOGY
23 Nov 21. ATLAS’ SBIR Grant Advances M2M Learning Capability. ATLAS Space Operations has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to advance its machine-to-machine learning capability. The ATLAS SBIR involves the use of over one billion data points from all aspects of the ATLAS communications platform to improve reliability and performance. Antenna tasking, equipment monitoring, and communications optimization are all being improved through continuous machine-to-machine learning protocols. (Source: Satnews)
02 Dec 21. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has executed a $316m contract option for BAE Systems’ advanced M-Code Global Positioning System (GPS) modules, raising the contract funding to $641m. The modules provide dependable positioning, navigation, and timing for ground troops, vehicles, aircraft, and precision munitions. The contract will ensure the availability of Common GPS Modules (CGM) for advanced military GPS receivers with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities that enable operation in contested environments. Under the contract option executed in November, BAE Systems will manufacture CGMs for future ground, airborne, and weapon GPS receivers for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its allies. The award builds on a May 2021 $325m contract and enables BAE Systems to continue to meet domestic and international demand for Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 1 M-Code modules in GPS receivers through the end of the decad (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Nov 21. Cole Engineering Services Inc., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $957,739,868 firm-fixed-price contract to provide cyber training platform capabilities, cyber acquisition blue team support, training content, training related event operations, training solutions and overall cyber training system architecture development and sustainment. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 29, 2029. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-22-D-0002).
30 Nov 21. Infinity Fuel Cell & Hydrogen, Inc.™ Receives US $900k Add-on to Existing Project From Axiom Space. Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc.,™ today announced execution of an agreement with Axiom Space to add $900,000 funding to an existing project. The money is earmarked to produce a full-scale prototype of a specific Infinity™ technology that has been under development for Axiom since last year. Infinity continues to be a supplier of choice for its various patented and proprietary technologies applicable to electrolyzers and air-independent fuel cells for zero-gravity applications in space. Infinity’s air-independent fuel-cell design is also applicable for underwater use and is currently being tested for such in a contract with the Office of Naval Research. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Dec 21. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR) announced today the Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Cross-Mission Ground & Communications Enterprise (ECX) awarded it a $43m contract to continue its delivery of a data and decision platform to support national security objectives. This $43m contract is an additional extension, expanding upon previous awards from April and August this year. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $91.5m. This award provides continued capabilities for Project Brown Heron which enables all-domain situational awareness and decision-making at NORAD/USNORTHCOM (N-NC), and the Space C2 division under the Cross Mission Ground & Communications Enterprise (ECX). The Palantir platform, known as Warp Core, is being utilized to make decisions from large volumes of data in support of these missions. Warp Core leverages Palantir as a configurable enterprise data management and operations software solution that enables the integration and management of data from various data sources and supports application delivery, in-depth analysis, and data-driven decision-making across echelons and functional communities, including for users who operate on multiple security levels across multiple networks. As the application and data landscape continue to rapidly expand in both scale and complexity, Warp Core simplifies and streamlines data management and integration, to aid in everything from readiness to improved decision-making. Warp Core’s work also extends beyond Space Domain Awareness missions and was recently used by SSC and its partners to assist the evacuation of U.S. allies from Afghanistan. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Nov 21. Veraxx Engineering Corporation (Veraxx), a provider of high-fidelity training devices and solutions for U.S military and international pilots and aircrew, has won a $46m contract to provide technical upgrades and enhancements for the Marine Corps’ Aviation Distributed Virtual Training Environment (ADVTE). This contract was competitively awarded from an unrestricted competition. The ADVTE is a persistent, closed-loop, network-customized training solution that enables geographically-dispersed training systems to participate in integrated and networked virtual training events. In addition to providing technical upgrades and enhancements, Veraxx will also sustain ADVTE equipment including network exercise control centers, common virtual training areas, and other related aviation training equipment. Work will be performed in North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, and Japan. (Source: PR Newswire)
30 Nov 21. Z Advanced Computing, Inc. (ZAC), the pioneer Cognitive Explainable-AI (Artificial Intelligence) (Cognitive XAI) software startup, has won a 2nd contract for the 3D image recognition from any angle, from the US Air Force (USAF). ZAC had a breakthrough demo for the USAF for complex 3D image/object recognition, in which ZAC has made major AI and Machine Learning (ML) breakthroughs: ZAC has achieved complex 3D Image Recognition using only a few training samples, and using only an average laptop with low power CPU, for both training and recognition. This is in sharp contrast to the other algorithms in industry that require thousands to billions of training samples, trained on large GPU servers. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
30 Nov 21. Cubic Awarded Contract Amendment from Canadian Government to Continue Supporting the CWES Program. Cubic Corporation announced today that its Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) business division was awarded a two-year contract amendment from Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of Canada’s Department of National Defence. The amendment provides that CMPS will continue providing live simulation support to the Canadian Army, extending its Contractor Conducted Logistics Support contract through October 2023. The two-year contract extension provides continuing logistics assistance to the Canadian Weapon Effects Simulation (CWES) program, supporting CWES live training at four Canadian Forces Bases: Gagetown, New Brunswick; Valcartier, Quebec; Petawawa, Ontario; and Wainwright Alberta, as well as other deployed locations. Included in the contract amendment are logistics support for the Multi – Code Instrumented Harness Kit (IHK); the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV), utilizing Cubic’s latest Wireless Vehicle Kit (WVK); and the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) WVK and the Urban Operations Training System (UOTS). All of these are new CWES capabilities recently delivered by Cubic to the Canadian Army. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
26 Nov 21. Indra has been awarded a contract to equip its Pegaso electronic defence system aboard the South Korean Navy’s first KSS III Batch II submarine. The contract has been signed with Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard. The defence system offers a probability of signals interception in working band close to 100% and monitors the electromagnetic (EM) signals emitted in its environment to collect signal intelligence.It integrates both sensors into a single antenna to enhance efficiency, optimise space, and reduce the submarine’s radar section. The features in the system make detection more difficult for the enemy. Indra’s system also incorporates True Wideband Digital Reception. This feature promptly covers a broad spectrum of the radar and communications bands. The advanced Pegaso system will strengthen the Korean Navy’s situational awareness, surveillance, reconnaissance, and deterrence capabilities on missions. It will effectively contribute to the Electronic Order of Battle (EOB) in the real-time operations, besides collecting high-value intelligence for the entire fleet. Furthermore, Pegaso’s capabilities include automatic and instantaneous detection classification, identification, and the recording of pulsed or continuous wave signals. (Source: naval-technology.com)
TECHNOLOGY
29 Nov 21. Local Australian businesses secure grants to expand global defence footprint. Five small manufacturing businesses from across the country have received funding from the Commonwealth government to enhance their presence in the global marketplace.
Grants totalling $1.1m have been issued to five Australian small businesses as part of the Defence Global Competitiveness initiative.
The grants have been awarded to Queensland-based Buzzworks ($239,600), South Australia-based Electro Cad Australia ($240,000), Western Australia-based Orbital Corporation ($240,000), NSW-based Advanced Navigation ($240,000), and Victoria-based Visit Industrial ($197,993).
The companies are expected to leverage the funding for the following purposes:
- Buzzworks — to purchase equipment for the rapid design and prototyping of human augmentation systems for combat soldiers and for soldier rehabilitation.
- Electro Cad Australia — to purchase manufacturing equipment used to support the development of complex defence components to bolster sales in the global supply chain.
- Orbital Corporation — to purchase equipment for the manufacture and assembly of high precision components for the export market.
- Advanced Navigation — to purchase equipment for the manufacture of fibre-optic coil components, for autonomous and unmanned surface and aerial vehicle and vessel export opportunities.
- Visit Industrial — to purchase specialised machinery for the manufacture of components for export use.
The award of this latest tranche of competitiveness grants follows the launch of the Australian Defence Export Office App, which includes a pocket version of the Australian Defence Sales Catalogue. (Source: Defence Connect)
01 Dec 21. Assac Networks – a company specializing in cyber solutions for the complete protection of mobile devices for government agencies, defense and commercial organizations – today announced that it has been awarded a contract for the supply and installation of the unique ShieldiT system, for a government entity in one of the GCC countries. The ShieldiT system is the only app that provides full protection of satellite, IP and wireless communications, against both hacking and tapping. Installation is already underway, based on existing infrastructure, making it a cost-effective solution.
01 Dec 21. The Ontario Aerospace Council announced today it has selected the B2BeeMatch platform to facilitate networking, intelligence-sharing, benchmarking, and other business development activities for the organization’s members. Under the terms of the agreement, Red Dot Digital is creating a custom platform for the global aerospace industry, called Aero+B2BeeMatch, within its B2BeeMatch ecosystem. The move is expected to accelerate the digital transformation seen across multiple sectors, including aerospace, which has been disproportionately impacted by pandemic-related factors such as record declines in commercial aviation. Aero+B2BeeMatch is scheduled to launch December 2, 2021 and will be complementary for year one to current OAC members. Canadian aerospace is a global industry leader. Canada is the only country that ranked in the top five across civil flight simulators, civil engines, and civil aircraft sub-segments in 2020, yet global competition continues to become ever fiercer. Moreover, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often lack the connections to make the most of their advanced manufacturing and other world-class capabilities. Aero+B2BeeMatch will leverage artificial intelligence to match businesses with each other and promote networking across other industrial clusters, thus diversifying revenue streams and facilitating the cross-border offset requirements common to the aerospace and defence industry. SMEs benefiting from increased revenues and exports are expected to be more inclined to reinvest in R&D, leading to intellectual property generation, training and upskilling, job creation, and the adoption of new technologies.
02 Dec 21. Cirrus RTPS announced in mid-November that the company had been awarded a contract by the Australian government’s Defence Innovation Hub. In its own words, the Defence Innovation Hub “invests in innovative technologies that can enhance defence capability and grow the Australian defence industry and innovation sector”. Peter Freed, Cirrus RTPS’ managing director told Armada that this recent contract “does not lead to our supplying a system to the Australian Defence Force.” However, “the contract may well lead to supply contracts in the future.” Mr. Freed added that two work strands form this contract: The first is a hardware suite of Electronic Support Measures (ESMs) based on low-cost commercial antennas and software defined radios. These ESMs will operate autonomously collecting signal of interest parameters. Data from these ESMs will be fed into the company’s Sensor Association and Fusion Engine (SAFE). SAFE will crunch the data and produces a Common Operating Picture (COP) depicting emitters of interest. “The task of fusing sensor data into a single COP is well known and well-studied,” Mr. Freed said. “What makes SAFE unique … is how it forms the COP … Conventional algorithms for sensor data fusion are very hungry for computing power.” Mr. Freed says that SAFE has a computational profile “that still grows as the number of sensor measurements needing to be processed grows, but only at a linear rate.” He says that this enables SAFE to process “a much greater number of sensor measurements. This allows comparatively lower detection thresholds to be used, in turn allowing the identification and tracking of weaker contacts.” Cirrus’ contract is expected to be completed in early 2023. (Source: Armada)