UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
07 Feb 22. AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, announced a 10-year extension of its component maintenance, repair, and overhaul contract with International Aerospace Management Company (IAMCO), which is responsible for depot-level maintenance for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) E-3A AWACS aircraft fleet. The services will be performed at AAR’s Component Repair facility in Amsterdam.
08 Feb 22. UK selects Dassault Falcon as ‘Royal’ replacement aircraft. The United Kingdom has selected the Dassault Falcon to replace the recently retired BAe 146 aircraft operated by the Royal Flight of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced a GBP80m (USD109m) order for two Falcon 900LX aircraft for 32 Squadron (The Royal) on 8 February, noting that the tri-jets will be provided by Bristol-based Centreline under a GBP80m (USD108m) contract. “The contract with Centreline, placed by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) – the MoD’s procurement arm – includes the purchase of two Dassault 900LX aircraft and two years of initial support, plus three option years if required,” the ministry said, adding, “[The] Dassault 900LX was successful in this competition as the standout candidate in performance, cost value, and time requirements”. As noted by the MoD, the aircraft will be initially operated by a mixed crew of civilian and RAF personnel, and will be upgraded with missile jamming systems and military communications to deliver the full capability when crewed by RAF personnel. (Source: Janes)
EUROPE
LAND
10 Feb 22. Norwegian equipment supplier Oskar Pederson has secured a contract to deliver combat uniforms for four Nordic countries. Under the contract, Oskar Pederson will supply the Nordic combat uniform system for Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The move marks the first time that the four countries have agreed to a common procurement project, under Nordic defence cooperation Nordefco. According to the Swedish Armed Forces statement, all four countries were seeking to acquire a modern, flexible uniform system suitable for adverse Nordic climatic conditions. The outfit configurations are the same for all countries, but each country will have distinct camouflage patterns on the outer garments. Separate configurations for jungle and desert conditions will also be made available. (Source: army-technology.com)
07 Feb 22. Patria to upgrade Swedish armoured vehicles. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded a contract worth approximately EUR 28m (SEK 300m) to Patria for upgrade of Patria XA 202/203 (Patgb 202/203) wheeled armoured vehicles. In total 168 vehicles will be refurbished at the Patria facilities in Hämeenlinna, Finland. The vehicles were delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces at the beginning of the 2000s. Patria will make a mid-life upgrade (MLU) to the entire fleet of armoured six wheeled personnel carrier vehicles operated by the Swedish Armed Forces. The work will start immediately with the first deliveries already this year and with the entire fleet upgraded by the end of 2025. The upgrades include the engine, chassis, electrical and hydraulic enhancements and will provide decades of added service life for the vehicles.
09 Feb 22. Senop to provide night vision systems for the 6×6 vehicle programme. Senop Oy has signed a framework agreement with Patria to supply driver’s night vision systems, which will be installed on 6×6 CAVS (Common Armoured Vehicle System) armoured personnel carriers (APC). The agreement includes a purchase order which secures the continuation of already ongoing deliveries of Senop driver’s Night Vision Systems to all Latvian APCs and Finnish pre-series vehicles. In addition to this, it also enables deliveries to other potential countries participating in the programme. Senop driver’s Night Vision Systems provides optimum vision and improved situational awareness for the demanding and rapidly variable conditions encountered by drivers 24/7. With simple integration into vehicles and compact, rugged structure, Senop driver’s Night Vision System is designed for harsh battlefield environments.
SEA
10 Feb 22. Thales Selects Cambridge Pixel’s Technologies for Major Minehunter CMS Upgrades. Our radar interface hardware, tracking, and distribution technologies will be used by Thales UK as part of a major investment by the UK Ministry of Defence to enhance the Royal Navy’s minehunting combat management systems’ performance. A total of six Hunt class minesweeper ships and seven Sandown class minehunter ships will receive this upgrade.
10 Feb 22. Turkey’s own Atmaca missile to replace Harpoons on its Navy ships. Turkey’s first indigenous anti-ship cruise missile, the Atmaca, will replace the country’s aging inventory of American-made Harpoon missiles, military and industry sources said. Roketsan won the development contract from the Turkish government in 2009. In 2018, Roketsan teamed up with military-electronics specialist Aselsan, Turkey’s largest defense firm, to jointly manufacture Atmaca, which incorporates features of the Harpoon and French Exocet missiles. It will be fitted aboard the Ada-class corvettes, the Istanbul-class frigates and the TF2000-class anti-air warfare destroyers. (Source: Defense News)
04 Feb 22. Vestdavit receives contract to supply davits for Finnish Squadron 2020 corvettes. Norwegian company Vestdavit has been awarded a contract to supply the davits that will equip the four new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes being procured for the Finnish Navy under its Squadron 2020 corvette programme. Under the agreement, Vesdavit will supply eight of its high specification telescopic davits – two for each ship. Announcing the contract on 1 February, Vesdavit said its davits were selected for their high level of reliability and redundancy for the rapid-response launch and recovery of interceptors and other craft in difficult sea conditions. (Source: Janes)
AIR
09 Feb 22. The U.S. State Department has approved a $300m Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of France for the continuation of MQ-9A Reaper® Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and related equipment. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), developer of the MQ-9A Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft, is the principal contractor. The follow-on support will enhance the French Air & Space Force (FrASF) fleet of MQ-9s and includes aircraft components, spares and accessories, training equipment and simulator software, as well as capability upgrades to the Predator® Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS).
08 Feb 22. D-Orbit SpA has today placed an order with GomSpace for the P60 power systems and batteries. The total value of the order is 9 MSEK. Delivery is expected in Q2/Q3 2022. The GomSpace power system has been a critical component in ION Satellite Carrier, the orbital transportation vehicle designed, manufactured, and operated by D-Orbit. With this order, the cooperation will continue for the coming ION missions. ION is space vehicle able to deploy satellites into precise and independent orbital slots, allowing D-Orbit’s customers to start their missions faster and in optimal operational conditions. (Source: PR Newswire)
03 Feb 22. Maxar Technologies (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence, today announced a new five-year agreement with European Space Imaging and Space Imaging Middle East, strategic partners serving customers in Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. European Space Imaging and Space Imaging Middle East provide Maxar high-resolution satellite imagery to a wide spectrum of government and commercial organizations for applications including border security, disaster response and agriculture. Continuing an 11-year partnership, European Space Imaging has reserved dedicated capacity on Maxar’s existing WorldView satellite imaging constellation, accessed directly via its ground station in Germany. The agreement also provides for upgrades to European Space Imaging’s ground station that would allow it to access Maxar’s next-generation WorldView Legion satellites. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Feb 22. As part of France’s SYRACUSE IV military satellite telecommunication programme, the French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales and its partners the 17-year MELISSA2 contract for the development, integration and support of aircraft satcom stations. To meet the connectivity needs of the French Air and Space Force as high-intensity conflict returns, Thales will provide a resilient, high-data-rate satellite station capable of connecting large military aircraft in all circumstances. The Thales terminal is derived from a proven satcom product that has accumulated over 30,000 flight hours on commercial airliners. The militarised version is specifically designed to maintain connectivity with command centres in jammed environments and severely degraded flight and weather conditions. It operates with France’s SYRACUSE IV sovereign satellite system and is also compatible with any allied military or commercial satellites.
08 Feb 22. Thales Alenia Space, joint venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %), announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the French Space Agency CNES to develop a DFMC (Dual Frequency Multi Constellations) SBAS prototype in the frame of the next generation of SBAS, like EGNOS, the European navigation satellite system. This prototype will complement both GPS and Galileo systems taking benefit of signals transmitted in multiple frequencies for better performances in particular dedicated to aviation navigation and landing, but also to any applications demanding a highly reliable and a highly accurate positioning information.
When developed, this prototype will be deployed and tested in an operational mode in real condition using a geostationary satellite. The performances will be analyzed in details according to international standard criteria as accuracy, availability, continuity and service integrity. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
08 Feb 22. Sensor solution provider HENSOLDT brings its experience in the area of Tactical Data Links, IFF and sensor fusion develop an independent next-generation Tactical Data Link through a European project called ‘ESSOR MIDS’ (MIDS= Multifunctional Information Distribution System). In the frame of the ESSOR (= European Secure Software-defined Radio) programme, managed by the procurement organization OCCAR, ‘ESSOR MIDS’, to which HENSOLDT is subcontractor, has been awarded a multimillion Euro contract to contribute to the concept development of new hardware and encryption techniques to build the basis of a new data distribution system. This contract is co-funded by four ESSOR nations (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) and the European Commission in the frame of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) under grant agreement No 044. The ‘ESSOR MIDS’ project sets the path to a long-term structured cooperation to develop joint technologies for European military software-defined radio systems. Participants are France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The aim is to provide data and voice communication technologies among European forces in joint military operations. At first, France, Germany, Italy and Spain design the Fighter Terminal, called F-ESSOR MIDS. In parallel, a complete product line for helicopters, missiles and individual soldiers is also initiated. This current concept phase will last until 2025.
USA
LAND
07 Feb 22. Avon Protection Ceradyne LLC, Irvin, California, has been awarded a maximum $45,762,327 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for second generation advanced combat helmets. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are California and New Hampshire, with a Feb. 1, 2023, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-22-D-1516).
09 Feb 22. DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) an Australian/US global leader in Artificial Intelligence based platforms for protection against advanced threats such as drones and autonomous systems, has entered into a contract framework with the State of Texas for simplified purchase of its solutions by state and local government, education, and other public entities. The contract has been signed following a substantive due diligence process over the past 18 months. It is now active and valid for a 5-year acquisition period until February 2027. By adding DroneShield to its state-wide law enforcement procurement vehicle, the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) provides a streamlined purchasing path to any Texas agency requiring immediate protection from the threat of rogue drones. DroneShield’s DIR contract products include eight-week threat-assessment packages for agencies who need to evaluate the quantity and types of drones operating in their area, as well as turn-key counter-drone detection, classification, tracking, and defeat solutions. DroneShield’s comprehensive counter-drone products deliver hand-held protection, go-anywhere vehicle-mounted defense, and persistent long-range security for fixed sites.
07 Feb 22. Global Military Products, Inc. (GMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Ordnance, LLC, has been awarded a 5-Year IDIQ contract valued up to $750m from Army Contracting Command-Rock Island to deliver Special Ammunition and Weapon Systems (SAWS) to the U.S. Government and its allies. SAWS are those munitions and weapon systems which are not type classified into the U.S. inventory, and are used for either training, testing, or delivery to U.S. allies. Many are non-NATO or former Soviet bloc arms and munitions. GMP’s parent company, Global Ordnance, LLC was formed in 2013 to capture and perform SAWS contacts. It then acquired Chemring Military Products, Inc., also a SAWS contractor, in 2019, changed its name to Global Military Products, and now performs its defense business from the GMP entity. As an incumbent on the PD SAWS contract for a decade, GMP has delivered over $500M in Special Ammunition and Weapon Systems to the US and our allies around the world. This new 5-year IDIQ contract is the 4th consecutive IDIQ award issued to the GMP Team in support of PD SAWS. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Feb 22. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE® 500 science and technology leader, today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation to modernize the service’s gunnery training simulation systems. The single-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a total estimated value of $104m and a period of performance of five years. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida. Through this contract, Leidos will perform technology refresh and concurrency updates to the simulators. Gunnery Training Simulators utilize a computer-based simulator that connects the body of a weapon to a virtual reality system. These are used to augment training on a variety of crew-served weapons. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Feb 22. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it has recently received an approximately $50 million contract value increase for an existing Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Combat System and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Program. Under this Program, Kratos is providing specialized products, hardware, engineering and other services and deliverables. Kratos C5ISR business manufactures and provides specialty hardware, products and systems in support of certain of the United States and its Allies most important and Mission Critical National Security programs, including Unmanned Aerial Drone systems, Missile & Radar Systems, High Power, Directed Energy and Hypersonic Systems, Naval Combatant and Space and Satellite Communication Systems. Work under this program is being performed at secure Kratos and customer manufacturing facilities and locations. Due to customer, competitive, security related and other considerations, no additional information will be provided related to this National Security related Program. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
08 Feb 22. The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $94,902,277 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides engineering services and supplies, to include capability defect package fixes and acoustic software improvement efforts in support of the continued development and sustainment of the P-8A Acoustic Operational Flight Program. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (80%); Seattle, Washington (10%); California, Maryland (8%); and St. Louis, Missouri (2%), and is expected to be completed in January 2027. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(l). The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001922D0007).
08 Feb 22. The U.S. Air Force has awarded a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to Electra.aero, Inc. (“Electra”) to support the development of Electra’s hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The contract, awarded through the Air Force Agility Prime program, will accelerate Electra’s plan to begin flight testing a full-scale hybrid eSTOL technology demonstrator aircraft later this year, and charts a clear transition path for future Air Force acquisition of Electra’s eSTOL aircraft. Electra’s hybrid eSTOL technology has the potential to deliver differentiated payload and range capability to the U.S. Air Force with substantially greater access to landing zones. Electra was previously awarded an Agility Prime SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract earlier last year, which accelerated the development of Electra’s hybrid-electric propulsion system technology. The Agility Prime program aims to champion the innovation and tech transition of electric aircraft into the advanced air mobility market for both military and commercial applications. (Source: PR Newswire)
09 Feb 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $315,806,063 fixed-price incentive (firm target), cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost-plus-fixed-fee, undefinitized modification (P00015) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0032). This modification adds scope for the procurement, delivery, installation, and configuration of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter support equipment and non-aircraft spares. Additionally, this modification provides for site activations and integrated contractor support for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (80%); and Fort Worth, Texas (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2027. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $44,226,673; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $5,668,017; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $100,375,581; FMS customer funds in the amount of $10,334,286; and non-U.S. DOD partner funds in the amount of $2,217,513 will be obligated at the 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.
07 Feb 22. SciTec won a $5m contract from the Space Force to develop a software application that analyzes data from U.S. missile-warning satellites, the company announced Feb. 7. The Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), run by the U.S. Space Systems Command, selected SciTec and two other companies to develop apps to process infrared sensor data from Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites. SciTec is a small business based in Princeton, N.J. The $5m nine-month contract is to process data from SBIRS sensors in highly elliptical orbit. The company’s app will be hosted on a government-owned ground system known as FORGE, short for future operationally resilient ground evolution. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
11 Feb 22. Skydio announced that the U.S. Army has selected the Skydio system for its Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record. This contract has a base year value of $20.2m, ensuring Soldiers have access to the world’s most advanced autonomous drone technology. The Firm-Fixed-Price Five Year Production Other Transaction (OT) agreement will be worth up to $99.8m over the period of performance. Managed by the Program Executive Office for Aviation’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS) Project Management Office, the SRR program aims to equip Soldiers with a rapidly deployable small UAS solution to conduct Reconnaissance and Surveillance (R&S) activities. After evaluating proposals from over 30 small UAS SRR vendors, and rigorous testing of five finalists in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit, the U.S. Army chose Skydio for final integration based on Soldier feedback and design review packages intended to assess the overall product performance, quality, and production readiness. (Source: UAS VISION)
09 Feb 22. The US Naval Surface Warfare Centre has contracted Teledyne FLIR Defence to maintain electro-optical sensor solutions used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Valued at up to $43.9m, the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will see the company deliver replacement parts and technical support for numerous land and sea-based systems. Some of the systems deployed by the US Navy and Coast Guard are the Star SAFIRE 380-HD, BRITE Star II, and Sea Star SAFIRE III. (Source: naval-technology.com)
07 Feb 22. Tomorrow.io, developer of a leading platform for global weather and climate security, has been awarded a $19.3m contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to develop a constellation of weather satellites that will provide the USAF with three-dimensional global weather and ocean data. The contract was awarded as part of the AFVentures Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) pilot program, which focuses on securing large-scale, strategic capabilities for the Department of Defence. Tomorrow.io’s constellation is expected to launch in late 2022. (Source: PR Newswire)
TECHNOLOGY
10 Feb 22. AI Cloud leader DataRobot today announced its selection as an AI partner under a five-year $249m-ceiling Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC). Through this contract, DataRobot is tasked with transforming AI throughout the DoD ecosystem by providing its AI Cloud platform and services to accelerate the government’s use of emerging AI technologies including Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and Neural Networks (NN). DataRobot will support JAIC’s commitment to strategic and world-class AI solutions by:
- Providing a unified AI platform to enable all users across the DoD to quickly and successfully build and deploy mission-enabling AI projects
- Detecting, measuring, and standardizing bias prevention as a routine step in the machine learning process, driving more reliable operations and strategic solutions
- Operationalizing solutions for Testing and Evaluation (T&E) of AI-enabled systems, automated products, and autonomous systems
- Integrating AI T&E tools and services in alignment with JAIC’s architectures, technical standards, and security standards
DataRobot’s end-to-end AI Cloud platform brings together disparate data and users, spanning expert data scientists to IT operators to analysts, through enhanced collaboration and continuous optimization across the entire AI lifecycle. Built as a multi-cloud platform, DataRobot AI Cloud can be deployed in a combination of public clouds, data centers, or at the edge, with governance to protect and secure even the most highly-regulated organizations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Feb 22. General Dynamics Mission Systems announced today that it was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to develop and produce a certified hand-held device to manage and transfer cryptographic key material and mission planning data. Under this contract, awarded by the Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, General Dynamics will design and build a National Security Agency-certified key-loader: The Next Generation Load Device-Medium (NGLD-M). The initial value of this multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract is $229m, with a 10-year period of performance, during which the U.S. Army plans to procure 265,000 units. (Source: PR Newswire)
04 Feb 22. Honeywell International Inc., Clearwater, Florida, has been awarded a $54,392,796 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for space technology advanced research. This contract provides for research and development for the Strategic Grade Compact Inertial Measurement Unit. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Florida, and is expected to be completed by May 1, 2027. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,259,879 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-22-0020).
10 Feb 22. Orbital Insight, the leader in geospatial intelligence, today announced that it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to deliver a new technology platform for identifying intentional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) interference and manipulation operations across the world. The platform will leverage commercially available data to detect GNSS spoofing, where falsified or manipulated GNSS signals are used to confuse adversaries or obscure illicit activities, presenting risk to both government and commercial operations. Orbital Insight was selected through DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) solicitation process seeking commercial solutions to counter the growing threat of GNSS disruptions to national security. (Source: PR Newswire)
09 Feb 22. Peraton Labs has been awarded a contract under the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) program to design, develop, integrate, test, and evaluate a multi-domain network orchestration solution. The solution will enable real-time, autonomous discovery and configuration of interconnected military networks and support on-demand connectivity in the most challenging tactical environments. The contract is worth up to $20m over a 42-month period. The goal of MINC is to ensure that critical data finds a path to the right user at the right time in highly contested, highly dynamic and heterogeneous communications environments. Peraton Labs’ solution will replace static configuration of individual tactical networks with automated, mission-driven, and secure control across diverse networks of networks. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
10 Feb 22. United Arab Emirates – Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy a Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II to provide funds for blanket order requisitions under a Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Agreement (CLSSA) for common spares/repair parts to support the United Arab Emirates’ Homing All the Way Killer (HAWK), Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT), and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems, additional support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. An earlier FMS case, valued at $30m, provided this requirement. The amended FMS case would extend the funding to cover an additional three years. The estimated total case value is $65m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner. The UAE is a vital U.S. partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The UAE intends to utilize this follow-on support to maintain its air defense weapon systems in accordance with U.S. maintenance requirements and standards. This sale supports the UAE’s existing ability to deter and defend against hostile threats by maintaining the operational readiness of critical air defense systems. The proposed sale will contribute to the UAE’s ability to effectively integrate with U.S.-led coalitions and operate independently in support of U.S. interests and the security of U.S. forces in theater, and is consistent with U.S. bilateral and multilateral defense plans in the CENTCOM region. The UAE will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Feb 22. Bahrain Defence Forces select BATS C-UAS equipment. February 4, 2022 Philip Butterworth-Hayes Counter-UAS systems and policies. Belgian Advanced Technology Systems (BATS) has announced that Bahrain Defence Forces has bought an undisclosed number of C-UAS systems and associated logistics and training services. According to a company press release the DroneGuard, BATS’ C-UAS solution, features a suite of technology sensors (4D radar, COMINT, COMJAM, Ultra Long Range EO/IR) closely integrated and managed by a C2 system that will enable BDF to detect, classify, track and counter multiple drone targets. DroneGuard underwent extensive demonstrations and trials with BDF during 2021, says the company, and successfully passed 21 over 21 scenarios. For more information: https://www.bats.be/press-uk/bahrain-defence-forces-select-bats-for-supply-of-c-uas-systems (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Feb 22. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS to Jordan. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of Jordan has requested to buy one hundred fourteen (114) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary High Explosive (HE) Tri-Mode Fuze (GMLRS-U) (M31) Rockets, and one hundred fourteen (114) Reduced Range Practice Rockets (RRPR). Also included are support equipment; publications and technical data; personnel training and equipment; systems integration support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $70m. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Dallas, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
07 Feb 22. The United States has approved a possible $100m sale of equipment and services to Taiwan to “sustain, maintain, and improve” the Patriot missile defense system used by the self-ruled island claimed by China, the Pentagon said on Monday. A statement from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington. Upgrades to the Patriot Air Defense System would “help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region,” the DSCA said in a statement. “This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the agency said. The main contractors would be Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N) and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), it said. (Source: Reuters)
08 Feb 22. The Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic Places Order for RBS 70 NG. Saab has received an order for deliveries of the short-range air defence systems RBS 70 NG to the Argentine Armed Forces. The Argentine Navy has been a user of the RBS 70 since 1984 and is now upgrading to the latest RBS 70 NG. The contract entails a further expansion of the country’s usage of the RBS 70 NG system to the Air Force and to the Army. The RBS 70 NG systems, training simulators and missiles delivered, will therefore be used by the Argentine Army, Navy and the Air Force. RBS 70 NG is the latest iteration of Saab’s short-range ground-based air defence system. With this order, five nations have signed contracts for RBS 70 NG, including the Czech Republic, Brazil, and Sweden. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
08 Feb 22. South Korea submits procurement requests for two Phalanx CIWS units. The South Korean government has raised a request to Washington, seeking to procure two Mk 15 Phalanx Block 1B Baseline 2 close-in weapon system (CIWS) units. The estimated contract value of this procurement, which includes 4,000 rounds of 20 mm ammunition, spare parts, and technical support, will be about USD39m according to details published in a US congressional record for 31 January. In addition to this request, Seoul may also procure up to four additional Phalanx CIWS units. The potential procurement of these additional units will bring the total procurement value to USD129m, the record further noted. Details of the proposed sales were recorded as part of updates made to the chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, in compliance with Washington’s arms export controls. “The proposed sale will improve Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by being able to defeat anti-ship missiles and close-in threats that have pierced other lines of defence,” read the record. (Source: Janes)
AIR
09 Feb 22. The Commonwealth has awarded Aerospace & Mechanical Consulting Engineers, in partnership with Armor Composite Engineering, a $2.13m contract to support the continued development of unique lightweight armour for Defence’s C-130J Hercules airlifter. It is hoped that the new solution onboard the aircraft would decrease aircraft fatigue as well as the threat of injury to ADF members. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price explained that the project will create more defence jobs, and demonstrates the government’s enduring support for the defence industry and sovereign defence supply chains. (Source: Defence Connect)
09 Feb 22. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced it received a $10,534,348 firm-fixed-price U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract award on Jan. 21, 2022. The contract includes the delivery of Puma™ LE small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) over a six-year period to an allied nation, as well as add-on air vehicle kits, initial spares packages, training and support. Weighing only 23.5 pounds (10.7 kilograms), the ultra-lightweight Puma LE is hand or bungee launchable. The aircraft comes equipped with the Mantis™ i45 gimbaled EO/IR sensor suite and secondary payload bay with dedicated power supply and Ethernet for a total payload capacity of 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms). On-board batteries provide up to 6.5 hours of flight endurance with an operational range of 37.2 miles (60 kilometers) when used with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA) and Puma Smart 2500 Battery.
02 Feb 22. Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (“Yahsat”) has announced that its dedicated government arm, Yahsat Government Solutions (“YGS”), has been awarded an AED 24m contract by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to provide advanced and secure satellite communication services. Yahsat will design, deliver and integrate the satellite communication systems in vessels produced by ADSB. The Company will work closely with ADSB, an expert in new build, repair, maintenance, refit and conversion of naval and commercial vessels, to include secure and reliable end user communications solutions using YGS’ terminal over Yahsat’s wide satellite network, ideal for naval satellite communications. The satellite communication systems to be commissioned on the vessels have been designed, integrated, assembled and factory tested in-house by the YGS team, demonstrating the Group’s dedicated efforts to strengthen local resources and capabilities to support customers’ needs. (Source: Satnews)
08 Feb 22. Japan to upgrade 68 F-15J Eagles under JSI programme. The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) plans to upgrade 68 Boeing-Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle fighter aircraft through the Japan Super Interceptor (JSI) programme, it confirmed on 4 February. The MoD also said that the estimated life-cycle costs of the 68 Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) aircraft over 30 years – including the upgrade – will amount to JPY646.5bn (USD5.6bn). An MoD document said the upgrade includes the integration of long-range stand-off missiles, radars that can lock multiple targets simultaneously, an increased munitions payload, and enhanced electronic warfare capability. According to Japan’s 2021 defence white paper, the JASDF operated, as of March 2021, a total of 201 single-seat F-15Js and twin-seat F-15DJs. The MoD has previously upgraded the combat capabilities of 102 of these aircraft: 68 F-15Js and 34 F-15DJs. The remaining 99 aircraft are to be replaced by 147 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter aircraft – 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs – during the coming decade. An official from the MoD’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) told Janes. (Source: Janes)
10 Feb 22. The US State Department on Thursday approved the potential $14bn sale to Indonesia of 36 F-15 fighter jets and other assorted military equipment. The proposed sale will improve “the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region,” said a statement, adding that it “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” It did not mention China, whose rise Washington is seeking to counter in the region, and gave no indication when the sale could be concluded. (Source: https://www.thedefensepost.com/)
10 Feb 22. Indonesia will order 42 Rafale fighter jets, French Defence Minister Florence Parly, who is currently on a trip to the Asian country, confirmed on Thursday. Dassault Aviation said the deal marked the start of a long-term partnership and would allow it to rapidly step up its presence in Indonesia. The deal comes as Paris, which views itself as a global maritime power, seeks to expand its geopolitical ties in the Indo-Pacific to react to the creation of a new strategic alliance between the U.S., Britain and Australia. (Source: Reuters)
09 Feb 22. Magellan Aerospace Corporation (“Magellan”) announced today a contract award from MDA Ltd. (“MDA”) to provide spacecraft avionics for their next Earth observation mission named CHORUS. The new spacecraft builds on MDA’s RADARSAT heritage and will continue the work of RADARSAT-2, which remains operational serving its worldwide customer base. The avionics subsystems for CHORUS will be developed at Magellan’s Winnipeg facility, home of western Canada’s Advanced Satellite Integration Facility. Magellan has expertise in the development of satellites buses and spacecraft avionics. In 2019, Magellan delivered three satellite buses for the Canadian Space Agency’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission under subcontract from MDA. These satellites, launched into orbit in June 2019, combine the Magellan satellite buses and the MDA C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Feb 22. Thomas Global has been chosen by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) to deliver TFD-7000 Series flight displays for the latter’s Boeing 757 fleet. The TFD-7000 liquid crystal display (LCD) retrofit for Boeing 757/767 and 737 Classic aircraft offers high-resolution imaging and enhance operational efficiency. The displays also deliver a growth platform for new functionality to facilitate emerging airspace needs while solving the problems associated with cathode ray tube (CRT) obsolescence. In addition, the TFD-7000s do not require an extensive flight deck modification. As a result, the displays help in saving aircraft downtime and crew retraining expenses. (Source: airforce-technology.co
TECHNOLOGY
09 Feb 22. IronNet, Inc. (NYSE: IRNT) (“IronNet”), an innovative leader Transforming Cybersecurity Through Collective Defense℠, today announced the execution of a multi-year contract with a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country —which is remaining anonymous to help protect its operational security—to enable it to better defend its most important governmental, financial, and infrastructure enterprises, country-wide, against cyber attacks. The GCC country will use IronNet’s leading AI-based Network Detection and Response (NDR) solution, as well as the IronNet Collective Defense℠ platform, to facilitate real-time, collaborative cyber defense spanning key ministries and enterprises, as well as between public and private organizations in an effort to more quickly detect vulnerabilities across critical industry and government sectors. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) backbone of the IronNet Collective Defense platform will enable the country to deploy the solution quickly across hundreds of enterprises and maintain a dynamic cyber radar view of threats on enterprise networks comprehensively and at network speed. Today’s agreement represents IronNet’s largest AWS cybersecurity deployment in this region to date. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Feb 22. Microbio wins grant to fund threat detection technology. The biosecurity company has secured funding to develop sovereign biothreat detection capability. Brisbane-based biotech company Microbio has secured a co-investment of $407,000 via the Commonwealth government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). The company is expected to leverage the funding to establish sovereign manufacturing capabilities to support the identification of potential biological threats. This is set to include the manufacture of specific oligonucleotides — a component used in its patented one-tube, seven-pathogen test, designed to rapidly detect Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBAs). Microbio’s InfectID-SSBA diagnostic tool was developed in collaboration with DMTC’s Medical Countermeasures Initiative (MCMi), Queensland University of Technology and Defence scientists. Microbio is among a number of companies to secure AMGC funding, including Black Sky Aerospace, which received just under $500,000 to fund its work to manufacture the materials required to develop solid rocket motors for its sovereign space and defence projects. (Source: Defence Connect)