UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
05 Jan 22. £460m logistics contract to sustain more than 600 UK jobs. A logistics system critical to UK Armed Forces operations worldwide will be supported under a new five-year, £460m contract with Boeing Defence UK. The contract supports implementation of the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper, published last year, which placed an emphasis on more productive, active and globally deployed Armed Forces. Negotiated by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, the £460m contract is being delivered three months early and is expected to save £54m over the five years. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
AIR
07 Jan 22. Marshall Aerospace has agreed a contract with Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL) to provide a comprehensive Air Traffic Management (ATM) support package, centred around the provision of a simulator-based training solution for Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) at Cambridge City Airport. The agreement will see ANSL provide a full-capability Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulator on a temporary basis, as well as an instructor to join the Airport team on secondment to lead delivery of the training.
17 Dec 21. Satellite Vu Contracts SSTL To Build Their First Thermal Data Collecting Smallsat. Satellite Vu has formally signed a contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to build the firm’s first satellite, which is scheduled to be launched into LEO in Q4 2022. The satellite will collect thermal data day and night of both the natural and the built environment at any location on the planet. The full constellation will have the ability to measure the heat signature of any building multiple times a day, enabling Satellite Vu to derive new insights in real time about building heat loss, activity and insulation. The deal comes following Satellite Vu’s £15m series A funding round, and an additional £1m grant from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Program (NSIP). The satellite has been designed with a high resolution 3.5 meter resolution mid-wave infrared imager with video capability. The satellite video generation capability adds unique advantages over traditional imagery, allowing the detection of highly dynamic features in scenes to be provided and extracted, such as 3D profiles, movement tracking, and speed measurement useful for a range of applications relating to human activity, including defence and security and disaster monitoring. The satellites and applications development has been supported by the UK Space Agency, via two National Space Innovation Grants, and a European Space Agency (ESA) General Support Technology Program (GSTP) grant. (Source: Satnews)
EUROPE
SEA
06 Jan 22. Turkey orders new refuelling vessels for fast attack craft. Four new tankers for the Turkish Naval Forces will each have a range of 500nmi and a top speed of 15kt. Turkish defence procurement agency SSB has signed a contract with a JV between Özata and Desan Shipyards to acquire four refuelling ships for the Turkish Naval Forces. The SSB had issued an RfP in December 2020 for a pair of new tankers to refuel naval vessels in ports or anchorages in a quick and secure way. The RfP made provision for two additional tankers to be ordered as an option. (Source: News Now/Shephard)
AIR
04 Jan 22. Inzpire Limited has been awarded a contract to deliver a five-week-long unmanned air systems (UAS) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) course to personnel from the Latvian Air Force in support of the nation’s procurement of a new ISR platform. Training experts Inzpire’s ISR Division will travel to Latvia to support delivery of both live-flying and classroom-based training. The contract will see the Latvian personnel study an adapted version of Inzpire’s Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) and Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) ISR Tactics course, which has been modified to suit the customer’s unique requirements with the inclusion of local area mission planning tasks. The curriculum will cover the principles of ISR and has been expanded to cover mission preparation and tactical employment of UAS.
05 Jan 22. Poland has approved a contract for the procurement of mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) under the country’s Wizjer program. The Wizjer program was scheduled to identify drones for the military in 2016 but got delayed. Delivery of the systems is now expected to take place between 2024 and 2027. Polish companies Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze will deliver a total of 25 packages with four aerial platforms each, making it a total of 100 flying machines. The contract is expected to cost 174m Polish złoty ($42.89m). (Source: UAS VISION/The Defense Post)
06 Jan 22. Thales wins VASSCO contract to support air surveillance systems. The French defence ministry’s aeronautical maintenance directorate (DMAé) has awarded Thales a ten-year contract under the VASSCO programme to provide through-life support for the principal components of the national air command and control system (SCCOA). SCCOA comprises more than 700 complex systems such as air defence radars, control centres, ground-air communications and information systems installed at 125 sites across mainland France and the overseas territories to detect and defeat air threats. The air command and control system plays a key role in airspace protection, enabling the French forces to conduct their missions effectively in France and in overseas theatres of operations. The VASSCO programme is designed to meet current and future technological challenges and guarantee higher operational availability of the system. It provides the French defence ministry’s aeronautical maintenance directorate (DMAé) with three major innovations.
USA
LAND
04 Jan 22. Jetoptera has won a new subcontract to support the US Army’s Phase II SBIR order to partner on the development of Freedom Flight Works’ special mission variant of its fluidic propulsion system (FPS). The subcontract has been awarded by Freedom Flight Works. The FPS variant has been developed for reduced signature autonomous vehicles. The project is a follow-on to the US Department of Defense (DoD) Army Phase I SBIR and Phase I option sub-contracts. These contracts have been awarded previously to further research, supply equipment, and adjust the use of Jetoptera’s patented FPS for military applications. Under this new two-year programme, a powered parafoil fluidic propulsive system (PP-FPS) will be flight demonstrated. This will help to improve and expand the joint precision airdrop delivery system’s (JPADS) capabilities. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
06 Jan 22. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4400); Colonna’s Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4401); East Coast Repair & Fabrication LLC,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4402); Mission Readiness Group, doing business as, EPSILON Systems Solutions Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4403); Marine Hydraulics International LLC, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4404); and General Dynamics NASSCO – Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4405), are awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract with a combined ceiling of $639,802,301 for complex repair, maintenance and modernization requirements of non-nuclear Navy surface combatant-class ships (CG and DDG) homeported in or visiting Norfolk, Virginia. These efforts consist of Chief of Naval Operations scheduled docking and non-docking, continuous maintenance and emergent maintenance availabilities of surface combatant class ships to be performed in the Norfolk, Virginia, port. Accordingly, the place of performance is the Norfolk, Virginia, port where the Mid-Atlantic Maintenance Center will administer the contract. The contract has an estimated ordering period of five years, which is expected to end in January 2027. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under these contracts, which are to be performed in Norfolk, Virginia. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $60,000 is obligated at initial delivery, which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The multiple award contract was competitively procured using full and open competition with six offers received via the beta.sam.gov website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
06 Jan 22. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4406); Colonna’s Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4407); East Coast Repair & Fabrication LLC,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4408); Mission Readiness Group, doing business as, EPSILON Systems Solutions Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4409); Marine Hydraulics International LLC, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4410); and General Dynamics NASSCO – Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-22-D-4411), are awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for a combined ceiling of $337,609,760 for complex repair, maintenance and modernization requirements of non-nuclear Navy amphibious-class ships (LHA, LHD, LPD and LSD) homeported in or visiting Norfolk, Virginia. These efforts consist of Chief of Naval Operations scheduled docking and non-docking, continuous maintenance and emergent maintenance availabilities of amphibious-class ships to be performed in the Norfolk, Virginia, port. Accordingly, the place of performance is the Norfolk, Virginia, port where the Mid-Atlantic Maintenance Center will administer the contract. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under this multiple award contract, which are to be performed in Norfolk, Virginia. The contract has an estimated ordering period of five years, which is expected to end in January 2027. No funding will be obligated at contract award. The multiple award contract was competitively procured using full and open competition with six offers received via the beta.sam.gov website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
06 Jan 22. BAE Systems has received a $1.9m contract from the U.S. Navy for the maintenance and modernization of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57). The value of the competitively awarded contract could reach $101.2m if all options are exercised. Under the docking selected restricted availability (DSRA) contract awarded, BAE Systems will dry-dock the ship, perform underwater hull preservation work, support the Navy’s efforts to upgrade the ship’s Aegis combat system and its command and control equipment, and refurbish the living spaces for the ship’s 285 crewmembers. The work is expected to begin in March 2022 and to be completed in April 2023. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Jan 22. BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services, Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $32,295,592 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00027) to a previously awarded contract (N0042120C0003). This modification exercises options to provide research and development, engineering, technical, and logistics support services in support of the delivery of fully integrated command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence electronic radio communication systems for shipboard installation in support of the Ship and Air Integration Warfare Division, Naval Air Warfare Center Webster Outlying Field, Saint Inigoes, Maryland. Work will be performed in Saint Inigoes, Maryland (60%); California, Maryland (30%); Bath, Maine (5%); and Pascagoula, Mississippi (5%), and is expected to be completed in June 2027. Fiscal 2022 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,210,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
AIR
06 Jan 22. Bell Boeing Joint Program Office, California, Maryland, is awarded a not-to-exceed $1,643,701,284 firm-fixed-price, performance-based logistics requirements contract for the repair, replacement, required availability, configuration management, and inventory management for supply support for 228 MV-22B (Marine); CMV-22 (Navy); and CV-22 (Air Force) Osprey aircraft components. The contract will include a five-year base period with no options. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (97%); and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (3%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2026. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $246,555,193 will be issued for delivery order N00383-22-F-0ZV0 that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and will initially be obligated at the time of award as an undefinitized contract action with a commitment of an additional $82,185,064 for period of performance from January 2022 through December 2022. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-22-D-ZV01).
30 Dec 21. Dynetics to Develop Thermal Wrap for US Army Hypersonic Prototype Weapons Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, was awarded a contract to develop Hypersonic Thermal Protection System (TPS) prototypes for the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The $478,598,908 cost-plus-fixed fee award is also to support materials research and novel inspection and acceptance criteria. RCCTO estimates Dynetics will complete the program by November 18, 2027. The TPS shields elements of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon system and the Navy Conventional Prompt Strike system from extreme environments seen during flight. The development of the hypersonic weapon systems is a joint effort between the United States Army and United States Navy. The TPS system will be developed in Alabama. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
06 Jan 22. The US Department of Defence announced in early December that Progeny Systems had been awarded a contract worth $8m. Progeny will upgrade the human-machine interfaces used by the US Navy’s Lockheed Martin AN/BLQ-10(V)2 electronic support measures. The AN/BLQ-10(V)2 is used across the US Navy’s nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet. The work will be completed in late 2023. (Source: Armada)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
06 Jan 22. The Canadian government has awarded D-TA Systems a contract for the company to build and test its prototype Portable Electronic Warfare Test System. The news was announced on 8th December via a company press release. Known as PETS, it can be set up in under 30 minutes. The system has an up-mast power amplifier and broadband horn antenna. The press release continued that PETS can be used for the functional and operational test of EW receivers. An intuitive graphical interface lets users create threat and test signals. This includes the replication of signals in dense electromagnetic environments and unique emitters. (Source: Armada)
AIR
05 Jan 22. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that its Brazilian subsidiary, AEL Sistemas S.A. (“AEL”), was awarded a contract to supply additional HermesTM 900 UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) to the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira “FAB”). The contract is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems and will be performed over a period of 16 months. Under the contract, the Company will supply its Hermes 900 UAS and spare parts. Over the past decade, the FAB has been operating a mixed fleet of Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 UAS to perform a range of missions including Homeland Security and deforestation monitoring operations in the Amazons. The Hermes 900 UAS has been selected to date by 12 countries, attesting to its competitive edge combining technological sophistication, reliability, open architecture and a solid growth path.
03 Jan 22. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that its subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), Elbit Systems Emirates Limited (“Elbit Systems Emirates”), was awarded an approximately $53m contract to supply Direct Infrared Countermeasures (“DIRCM”) and airborne Electronic Warfare (“EW”) systems for the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft of the UAE Air Force. The contract will be performed over a five-year period. Under the contract, Elbit Systems Emirates will deliver a multi-turret configuration of the J-MUSIC™ Self-Protection System together with the Company’s Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning System, providing high levels of protection and redundancy. The Company’s DIRCM systems have accumulated more than 350,000 operational flight hours to date, and are installed onboard more than 25 types of aircraft. The Company is witnessing a growing demand for this type of self-protection capabilities in light of the rising threat that aircraft face from shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles.
05 Jan 22. Egypt launches Apache upgrade. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Lockheed Martin to upgrade the sensors of Egypt’s Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters as the first step in a planned modernisation of the fleet to the latest AH-64E Apache Guardian standard. Awarded on 28 December the USD102.4m deal covers the production and delivery of hardware components and spares of the AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight (MTADS)/ AN/AAR-11 Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) system. The MTADS/PNVS extends the Apache’s optical targeting ranges, at the same time as providing the crew with high-resolution images to help avoid obstacles, such as wires and trees, during nap-of-the-earth flight. News of the award, which is set to run till 31 July 2024, came about 19 months after the US State Department approved the remanufacture of 43 Egyptian AH-64D helicopters for an estimated USD2.3bn. (Source: Janes)