UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
07 Mar 22. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide Falcon IV® AN/PRC-163 multi-channel handheld tactical radios, which will deliver critical communications and greater interoperability with U.S. and other NATO allies during coalition operations. The L3Harris Falcon IV® multi-channel handheld radio selected by the UK MOD has been broadly adopted by the U.S. Army, US Marine Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Air Force and a growing number of key allies to provide secure, resilient and interoperable communications capabilities. The AN/PRC-163 is the most advanced hand radio available in the world today. Providing a wide range of secure communications waveforms – while simultaneously integrating voice and data communications, network routing, and gateway functions – the radios offer true resilience against peer adversary threats. In addition, the flexible software-defined architecture enables users to quickly add new waveforms and enhanced capabilities to address evolving requirements.
10 Mar 22. UK StratCom buys V60 ‘robotic dogs.’ The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the purchase of two Ghost Robotics Corporation Vision 60 (V60) quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGVs) for experimentation. Valued at GBP449,000 (USD590,332), the contract – let by the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Future Capability Group to UK reseller Edgar Brothers and publicly confirmed on 2 March – also includes a two-year warranty package. The Tactical Weaponised UGV project is exploring the use of Q-UGVs in dangerous and complex urban environments, and in extreme and complex terrain. It is envisaged that Q-UGVs can enable troops to operate faster and longer, and step back from some of the most challenging and dangerous operational tasks. The V60 ‘robotic dog’ is a mid-sized high-endurance Q-UGV designed for all-weather use in a broad range of unstructured urban and natural environments. UK Strategic Command has procured the two V60 systems to explore their application to ‘dull, dirty, and dangerous’ roles: the V60 was sourced on the basis that it is the only solution on the market with the potential to be weaponised to support counter-terrorism and urban warfare missions. (Source: Janes)
EUROPE
LAND
04 Mar 22. The Polish Armed Forces will receive 100 super high frequency (SHF) satellite terminals between 2022–24, following an agreement between the Polish Armament Inspectorate (now Armament Agency) and Polish-based company GISS, the Polish Armament Agency announced on 28 February. The PLN38.1m (USD8.8m) contract will involve the delivery of portable SHF tactical-level satellite terminals, which will provide reliable, mobile, and territorially unlimited satellite communications, the announcement stated. The agency demanded that the terminals must be operational with two types of composite antennas (60 and 100 cm) and two types of modems; GISS subsequently proposed modems manufactured by Teledyne Paradise Datacom (SCPC) and ND Satcom GmbH (TDMA), Puścian added. The agency also detailed that it required systems which could be operational for up to 12 hours – enabled by a battery system – and function with satellite operators Eutelsat, Intelsat, and Skynet, he outlined. (Source: Janes)
05 Mar 22. Finland’s YLE News reports the country is boosting its air defence system capability with a purchase of either Israel Aerospace Industries or Rafael Advanced Systems equipment. Finland’s Defence Minister, Antti Kaikkonen said Finland was improving its anti-aircraft capabilities and that Finland was preparing for “a number of scenarios” as the situation in Ukraine develops. But he emphasised that Finland was not facing any immediate threats. For more information: https://yle.fi/news/3-12345358 (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Mar 22. MilDef has won a new, major contract within the framework of the existing agreement regarding the integration of tactical IT to the Swedish Armed Forces. The value of the system integration is SEK 25m, of which SEK 15m will be delivered in 2022 and the remainder in 2023. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, procures, develops and delivers materiel and services to the Swedish Armed Forces. MilDef has collaborated with FMV since 1997 on Tactical IT and further deepened the cooperation after the acquisition of Defcon Solutions AB 2021, now MilDef Integration Sweden AB.
AIR
10 Mar 22. Astroscale Ltd., the U.K. and European subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc. (“Astroscale”), the market leader in satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, today announced that the European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Astroscale Ltd., to lead a collision avoidance study that’s part of the Collision Risk Estimation and Automated Mitigation (CREAM) activities in ESA’s Space Safety Programme. CREAM is designed to generate technologies for automated systems that can determine the likelihood of orbital collisions with greater accuracy, reduce the number of false alerts by allowing reduced time between manoeuvre decisions and close approaches, and finally to optimise manoeuvre plans that are uploaded to satellites. A team of Astroscale-led experts, based in the UK and Europe, will focus on developing concepts using innovative tools such as inter-satellite links, large ground station networks accessible as a service, and on-board processing means to allow reducing the timeframe from alert to likely collision. The CREAM 2 study, valued at €800K, will recommend late commanding paths to allow for late decisions in collision avoidance, saving time and resource from unnecessary manoeuvres. To help solve this challenge, Astroscale is partnering with GMV teams in the UK, Portugal and Romania to garner their expertise with on-ground and on-board collision avoidance processes and information sharing systems. In addition, OneWeb will share their expertise and insights on the specific methods and challenges in managing collision avoidance for large satellite constellations.
TECHNOLOGY
08 Mar 22. Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has received an order from aerial services specialist QinetiQ GmbH, Mönchengladbach, to supply two complete systems for electro-optical reconnaissance. The reconnaissance system consists of the ARGOS-II HD electro-optical infrared system (EO/IR) and the EuroNAV control and evaluation software. These core elements will be pre-integrated by HENSOLDT and scaffolded by QinetiQ for ISR Services and training of national and international JTAC customers and operators with the DA62MPP aircraft manufactured by Diamond Aircrafts Industries, Austria., The mission system with the product name MissionGrid can be used on fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition to air and naval forces, it is used for border protection, search and rescue, maritime patrol, law enforcement and asset protection. The German Federal Police use it to combat smuggling, illicit trafficking and border security operations. The reconnaissance system covers a range of up to 40 km and can detect ships as well as small inflatable boats or individual swimmers day and night as well as in bad weather. A thermal imaging camera records the images and transmits video and data in real time to base stations on the ground. The MissionGrid mission system can also be easily and modularly supplemented with the PrecISR reconnaissance radar, as well as the HENSOLDT self-protection equipment AMPS. A virtual training facility also allows users on the installation to be trained “remotely” on the mission system via a secure internet connection.
USA
LAND
08 Mar 22. Bantec, Inc. (OTCPINK: BANT) (“Bantec” or the “Company”), Bantec, Inc., a product and services company, announces that its subsidiary Howco received a substantial purchase order to supply military vehicle kit parts to a Department of Defense military contractor. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Mar 22. DroneShield has received its initial order via a GSA schedule from a U.S. Government law enforcement and public safety agency.. GSA Schedule (U.S. General Services Administration, or also referred to as Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and Federal Supply Schedule) is a United States long-term government-wide contract with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers access to more than 11 million commercial supplies (products) and services. DroneShield products are available for U.S. State, local, and tribal governments through GSA Multiple Award Schedule under Special Item Number (SIN) 334290, or alternatively via GSA’s Cooperative Purchasing Program. The public safety project includes multiple DroneSentry-C2, DroneShield’s enterprise command-and-control system, DroneShield RfOne long-range UAS direction finder sensors, and RadarZero small form-factor radar.
04 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, is being awarded a $9,215,614 modification (P00013) to previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract HR001120C0038 for the development of the integrated OpFires system. This includes risk reduction testing to achieve a system-level critical design maturity. Fiscal 2022 research and development funds in the amount of $3,773,344 are being obligated at the time of award. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas (48%); Elkton, Maryland (34%); and Huntsville, Alabama (18%), with an estimated completion date of September 2022. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
09 Mar 22. Saab Inc., Orlando, Florida, is awarded a $68,867,437 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded undefinitized contract (M67854-21-C-8051) for Force on Force Training Systems-Next (FoFTS-Next). The FoFTS-Next is the next generation of Instrumented – Tactical Engagement Simulation System (I-TESS) for the Marine Corps. The FoFTS-Next Increment 1 consists of instrumentation systems for individuals, vehicles, buildings and weapons. FoFTS-Next Increment 1 also encompasses the command and control and network systems required to transport, process, and display data from the instrumentation. The contract contains 52 option contract line item numbers, which if exercised would increase the cumulative contract value to $248,041,332. Work will be performed at the following locations: Huskvarna, Sweden (67.7%); Orlando, Florida (9.8%); Twentynine Palms, California (6.9%); Camp Pendleton, California (5.7%); Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (5.2%); Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (2.5%); Stafford, Virginia (2%); and Syracuse, New York (0.2%). Work is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2020 procurement, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $35,854,118 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2021 procurement, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $25,275,092 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2022 procurement, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $7,738,227 are obligated on this award. This contract was awarded under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2371b using competitive procedures. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-21-C-8051).
SEA
04 Mar 22. BAE Systems – San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is awarded an $125,517,541 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the USS Essex (LHD 2) fiscal 2022 docking selected restricted availability. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the USS Essex (LHD 2). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $148,226,878. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $123,421,093 2022 (98%); and fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,096,448 (2%) will be obligated at time of award, of which, funds in the amount of $2,096,448 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded using full and open competition via the System for Award Management website. Competitive proposals were received in response to Solicitation No. N00024-21-R-4420. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-4420).
09 Mar 22. MetalCraft Marine Inc.,* Watertown, New York (N00024-22-D-2270), is awarded a $43,856,283 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Force Protection Small & Large (FPS & FPL) boats for the Commander, Naval Installation Command (CNIC). Work associated with the first delivery order will be performed in Watertown, New York, and is expected to be completed by August 2023. The first delivery order is funded by fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) in the amount of $4,458,483 which will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through the beta.sam.gov website, with four offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
09 Mar 22. VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC, “VSE,” or the “Company”), a leading provider of aftermarket distribution and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for land, sea and air transportation assets for government and commercial markets, today announced that its Federal and Defense segment has been awarded a 12-month, ~$100m contract by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). VSE is the current contractor providing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Follow-on Technical Support (FOTS) to NAVSEA and has the technical capability, customer knowledge and expertise to execute repair and maintenance of critical foreign assets. Under the terms of the contract award and in conjunction with NAVSEA’s International Fleet Support Program Office (PMS 326), VSE will continue to support eligible foreign navies with a broad range of aftermarket services. Specifically, VSE will provide aftermarket services, such as life cycle optimization, integration support, systems upgrades, and supply chain distribution. These services support our customers’ transfer, acquisition, operation, and maintenance of naval vessels and systems within their inventory. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
08 Mar 22. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command has elected to exercise a follow-on option that will ultimately provide a prototype weather satellite that can produce operational data as part of the Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Weather System (EWS) satellite program. GA-EMS will deliver the EWS spacecraft with an integrated EO/IR payload along with on-orbit mission control and data collection services to support the mission. EWS will support the transition from the Defense Meteorological Support Program (DMSP) on-orbit systems to a new generation of affordable, high performance, small weather satellites. Satellite launch is anticipated in 2024. (Source: ASD Network)
08 Mar 22. Kaman Aerospace Group has secured a follow-on contract for the HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) cockpit. The contract was awarded by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, as part of a key US Air Force (USAF) programme. As agreed, the Kaman Aerospace Jacksonville Division in Florida will support the contract works using the existing workforce of engineers, technicians, assemblers and support staff. The latest contract will support HH-60W cockpit deliveries from 2022 through 2025. The HH-60W helicopter is designed to support a full range of combat rescue and other special missions of the USAF. Building on the UH-60M Black Hawk, the helicopter is capable of meeting long-range and high threat requirements. According to Lockheed Martin, the HH-60W will replace the ageing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
04 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $869,864,564 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award-fee, undefinitized modification (P00062) to a previously awarded contract (N0001919C0010). This modification adds scope for integrating mission and weapon systems capability development, including flight-test hardware, through system functional review to development test complete on the F-35A, F-35B, F-35C aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (54%); Nashua, New Hampshire (15%); Orlando, Florida (14%); Baltimore, Maryland (6%); San Diego, California (5%); Northridge, California (3%); St. Charles, Missouri (1%); Tucson, Arizona (1%); and Torrance, California (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $20,142,000; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,342,000; and non-U.S. Department of Defense partner funds in the amount of $3,747,331 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.
09 Mar 22. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical technologies for aerospace and defense, announced it received a $21.3m follow-on order from a leading defense prime contractor for high-definition video recorders to be used on an airborne fighter platform. The order was received in Mercury’s fiscal 2022 second quarter and is expected to be delivered over the next several quarters.
09 Mar 22. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a $65m contract by the U.S. Navy to execute the full rate production of Link-16 for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft, which will involve the integration of data link hardware across the fleet. Link-16 is a secure data link that allows H-1 crews to share data and communications with other aircraft and users on military networks. This capability is a critical mission enabler as the Department of Defense moves to Joint All-Domain Command and Control. Northrop Grumman’s mission systems solution for the H-1 fleet is trusted and combat-proven, with more than 450,000 total flight hours. The innovative processes, capabilities and open architecture developed for the H-1 fleet are directly applicable to other platforms and could be utilized in future aircraft development programs such as NAVAIR Vertical Take Off and Landing Family of Systems (VTOL FoS), MUX, and others.
08 Mar 22. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies business, a contract for a ground test demonstration program for a novel architecture using a rotating engine detonation concept to be jointly executed by Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, and Raytheon Technologies Research Center. The AFRL Program Office is a key partner enabling the joint Raytheon Technologies team to work in sprints to mitigate the highest risks for an advanced product while accelerating technology maturation. (Source: UAS VISION)
TECHNOLOGY
10 Mar 22. Northrop Grumman Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $91,277,706 modification (P00048) to previously awarded FA8615-19-C-6061 for electronic warfare radio frequency compatibility. The contract modification provides for software development, support for developmental testing and operational testing, initial production capabilities maturation, and hardware qualification testing. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,000,000 is being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded March 9, 2022)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
11 Mar 22. Kongsberg contract with Hanwha for C4 systems and integration for the AS9 Self Propelled Howitzers and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles under Land 8116 Phase 1 (Protected Mobile Fires). Kongsberg will integrate the Protected Mobile Fires capability into the Army’s C4 Force Structure. This involves the integration of tactical communication systems and Battle Management Systems into the CORTEX Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) architecture and the Odin Fire Control System. In doing so, Kongsberg says it will transfer hardware and software technology and expertise to Kongsberg Defence Australia to execute and support the Australian program. (Source: Google/https://www.australiandefence.com.au/)
AIR
08 Mar 22. The biggest global Mini VTOL UAV contract was awarded to ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV by the Indian Army, beating competitors from Russia, Israel, France, Ukraine, and other countries. This marks the third major order for the SWITCH UAV, as there were two previous contracts awarded to SWITCH UAV’s high-altitude variant in 2020 & 2021. ideaForge designed the SWITCH UAV knowing that its users traditionally don’t have access to clear airspace or a runway at the last mile. ideaForge leveraged India’s diverse geography as its testing ground for 15+ years, to deploy and test in the cold & mountainous Himalayas, the long coastlines, and the hot Thar desert. The SWITCH UAV is a Vertical Take-off & Landing (VTOL) 15 lb platform that can fly for over 2 hours on a single charge. It was rigorously tested and qualified for military deployment while still being half the weight of some of its competitors. (Source: PR Newswire)
11 Mar 22. Insitu Pacific secures major LAND 129 Phase 3 order. The Brisbane-based manufacturer has been selected to deliver a tranche of UAS platforms to the Australian Army as part of a $650m investment in local capability. The Commonwealth government has contracted wholly-owned Boeing subsidiary Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd to supply 24 ‘Integrator’ tactical uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to the Australian Army under the LAND129 Phase 3 project. The acquisition and initial contract period with Insitu Pacific Limited are estimated to be worth approximately $307 million, and forms part of a new $650m Commonwealth government investment in Defence capability. The contract also includes the delivery of associated ground systems and prime systems integrator services. The platforms are set to be manufactured from the company’s facility in Brisbane, with delivery expected in 2023 and 2024. The Integrator platforms are designed to deliver enhanced intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) capabilities, while also supporting the acquisition of targets for weapons systems across the Australian Defence Force. (Source: Defence Connect)
10 Mar 22. L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P., Greenville, Texas, has been awarded a $26,020,883 cost-plus fixed-fee contract for the modification and delivery of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. The contract provides for all labor and material necessary to complete the modification, installation, test and data requirements. Work will be performed in Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be completed May 31, 2024. This contract involves 100% Foreign Military Sales and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of the award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-22-F-4874).