UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
01 Apr 22. Cohort plc, the AIM listed technology group, announced that its subsidiary Marlborough Communications Limited (MCL) has received two orders from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) for its long-term partner INVISIO’s hearing protection and communication ancillaries, for use on armoured fighting vehicles and in dismounted close combat, one of the most demanding and challenging noise environments within the UK military. Deliveries commence in the second half of 2022 through to mid-2023. The first order, which is valued at over £9m, is for the INVISIO V-Series Gen II platform for use on armoured fighting vehicles. The solution offers the user efficient communication and unique dual hearing protection by combining the in-service INVISIO X5 in-the-ear headset and its T7 over-the-ear headset, which both connect to the INVISIO V60 control unit. The second order is for further deliveries of INVISIO’s Tactical Hearing Protection System Dismounted Close Combat Users program (THPS DCCU). The THPS DCCU provides superior hearing protection and enhanced situational awareness for dismounted close combat personnel.
SEA
30 Mar 22. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of Tomahawk Weapon System Follow-On Support to the UK. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has requested to buy follow-on support for all three segments of the United Kingdom’s Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS). This includes the All Up Round (AUR), Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TTWCS), and Theater Mission Planning Center (TMPC). The support includes recertification of the UK’s missiles; unscheduled missile maintenance; spares; procurement; training; in-service support; software; hardware; communication equipment; operational flight test; engineering and technical expertise to maintain the TWS capability; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $368.53m. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
AIR
30 Mar 22. BAE Systems has been awarded an 11-year contract to continue its support for the UK’s Royal Air Force Hawk fleet. The £590m contract secures hundreds of engineering jobs in North Wales, home to No. 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK’s next generation of world-class fighter pilots. As well as providing availability support to the RAF’s Hawk T2 fleet, BAE Systems and its partner Babcock International will provide depth maintenance to the RAF’s iconic Red Arrows display team from RAF Valley in Anglesey, ensuring the Hawk fleet continues as a global ambassador for the UK. The Hawk aircraft is heralded by the RAF as its chosen jet trainer to train its student pilots who will ultimately go on to operate aircraft including Typhoon, F-35 and next generation combat aircraft. (Source: News Now/https://www.aero-mag.com/)
31 Mar 22. Boeing-Led Industry Team Wins NATO E-3 Replacement Study Contract. Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to conduct a Risk Reduction & Feasibility Study of future air surveillance, command, and control concepts. The study by a Boeing-led industry team will guide capability development efforts by the alliance members in advance of the planned retirement of NATO’s E-3 AWACS in 2035. Boeing teamed up with leading NATO industry partners through the ABILITI team to deliver true multi-national, multi-domain expertise focused on a systems-of-systems.
30 Mar 22. Elbit Systems UK has been selected by the Future Capability Group of the UK Ministry of Defence to deliver autonomous swarms of Vertical Take-Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as part of the British Army’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) project. Elbit Systems UK will provide five autonomous swarms of six UAS each, operated using TORCH-X RAS, an operational open-architecture, platform-agnostic C4ISR solution that provides automated UAS mission management aided by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, as well as full autonomy solutions for the platform level. The autonomous swarms of UAS will be used for surveillance, with the capability to fly and continuously monitor, scan and discover for up to eight hours. The information obtained will be constantly relayed between the other UAS as well as back to the Ground Control Station (GCS), with any changes to an environment or landscape highlighted on the GCS. This will be delivered through the use of stills and video feeds, alongside integrated mapping capabilities to provide real-time, precise information.
31 Mar 22. Rolls-Royce has agreed a new £105m contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to provide support for the Adour engine which powers the Hawk jet trainer aircraft, including those flown by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – the Red Arrows. The 11-year contract will enable Rolls-Royce to provide the maintenance, repair and overhaul to the two variants of the Adour engine in service in the UK with the work carried out at Rolls-Royce’s UK Defence Headquarters in Bristol as well as representatives deployed at RAF Valley to provide on sit advice to operations. (Source: ASD Network)
EUROPE
LAND
30 Mar 22. Patria 8×8 vehicle selected by Slovakia. The Government of the Slovak Republic has announced Patria to be the winner of the tender for BOV 8×8 programme. Patria will supply Slovakia with armoured wheeled vehicles as well as contributes to the creation of new jobs in the regions with currently high unemployment rates. The government decision was based on bids submitted at the end of 2021, as well as vehicle and weapon system tests carried out in February 2022. Patria’s offer was the best match to the requirements. Through BOV 8×8 programme Patria will also contribute to development of the Slovak engineering and defence industry with top-notch experience and innovations. By involving Slovak industries locally in the programme, Patria will create new jobs, either directly in the partner companies or with their suppliers or subcontractors. BOV 8×8 programme will also influence in regions’ educational opportunities and economy.
30 Mar 22. Major order from Hungary: Rheinmetall to supply a comprehensive array of ammunition worth several hundred million euros. A reliable supply of modern ammunition is a mainstay of national and alliance defence. The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has contracted with Rheinmetall to supply an extensive package of ammunition worth several hundred million euros. The order encompasses ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, artillery, and decoy systems. Delivery is starting in 2023 and is to be complete by 2031. Most of the ammunition will be manufactured in Hungary. The package includes three variants of 30mm x 173 ammunition; 120mm tank ammunition; and 155mm artillery shells including propelling charges and fuzes. On order also are 40mm and 76mm decoy cartridges for the Rosy and Maske smoke/obscurant systems, plus 12.7mm and 7.62mm ammunition. The procurement of this extensive array of ammunition constitutes a further important step by Hungary – a member nation of both NATO and the EU – in the modernization of its armed forces. The new ammunition will also boost interoperability with the armed forces of Hungary’s partner nations.
30 Mar 22. Thales has signed a contract with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann for the delivery of 4 PAAG to the German Armed Forces to equip the BOXER armoured vehicle. The Stabilized Panoramic Above Armour Gimbal (PAAG), built in Thales premises in Glasgow, UK, is an electronic surveillance system that is remotely controlled from inside the BOXER and gives users a stabilized long-range ‘Detection, Recognition, Identification’ (DRI) and weapon aiming ability on the move during daylight and night conditions. The Stabilized Panoramic Above Armour Gimbal (PAAG), built in Thales premises in Glasgow, UK, is an electronic surveillance system that is remotely controlled from inside the BOXER and gives users a stabilized long-range ‘Detection, Recognition, Identification’ (DRI) and weapon aiming ability on the move during daylight and night conditions.
SEA
29 Mar 22. Leonardo has been awarded a contract by Damen to supply its OTO 127/64 LightWeight (LW) Vulcano medium-calibre naval gun for the German Navy’s new Type 126 frigates. Under the contract, announced on 29 March, Leonardo will initially supply gun systems to equip the four Type 126 frigates on order, with the addition of two optional vessels. The scope of supply also includes maintenance support, simulators for crew training, and onboard activities for the integration and commissioning of the system. Dutch-owned Damen Shipyards was awarded a design and construction contract in June 2020 to deliver the four new Type 126 frigates for the German Navy in co-operation with German shipyards Blohm+Voss and Lürssen (the latter working in co-operation with Kiel-based German Naval Yards). French-based mission system specialist Thales will be responsible for the full integration and delivery of the mission and combat system. (Source: Janes)
AIR
25 Mar 22. Greece signs for additional Rafales. Greece has signed for additional Dassault Rafale combat aircraft from France, with both countries’ defence ministers sealing the earlier announced order on 24 March. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Greek Minister of National Defence, and Florence Parly, French Minister of the Armed Forces, signed a contract for six new Rafales for Greece, adding to the 18 ordered to bring the Hellenic Air Force’s (HAF’s) fleet up to 24 aircraft. The contract finalises the announcement for the new fighters made in September 2021 by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (Source: Janes)
30 Mar 22. The French Ministry of Defence has selected Indra’s air traffic management and radar system for three air bases, through the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA). The installation of the systems will enhance safety, as well as improve the efficiency of air operations from the bases. According to a company statement, Indra’s systems were already implemented at the Le Luc-en-Provence airbase. The project involved the deployment of a PSR2 radar and an automated air traffic management system.
Currently, Indra is now working to implement the systems at the DAX air base in Landas. In the following months, the company will install a PSR 2D primary radar and one of its secondary radars at the French Air Force’s front-line base in Solenzara, Corsica. The statement said: “Indra’s PSR 2D S-band solid-state radar incorporates the latest state-of-the-art digital technologies. Together with the company’s air traffic automation system, it constitutes one of the most effective systems for the detection, monitoring, automation and control of military air bases. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
29 Mar 22. MBDA Awarded 2 Contracts by Greece for Naval and Aircraft Weaponry. MBDA strengthens its close relationship with Greece’s armed forces with two contracts for armaments for the Hellenic Navy and Hellenic Air Force, signed on Thursday, 24 March 2022. The contracts were signed by Admiral Aristeidis Alexopoulos, General Director for Defence Investments and Armaments of the Greek Ministry of National Defence, and Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA at a meeting in Athens. The first contract will supply the ASTER 30 B1 area air defence and MM40 Exocet Block 3C anti-ship missiles for three Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI HN) – plus an optional additional frigate. The second contract will supply weaponry for six additional Rafale combat aircraft. This follows on from the contract signed in January 2021 for the weaponry for 18 Rafale aircraft. The additional six aircraft will be equipped with the same weapons package: the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, the SCALP cruise missile, the MICA multi-mission air-to-air missile, and the AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile. Companies in the Greek defence industry will be involved in the realisation of these contracts, as well as in the missiles’ follow-on support phase. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
LAND
25 Mar 22. InDyne Inc., Sterling, Virginia, has been awarded a $66,286,547 contract modification to previously awarded contract FA2517-18-C-8000/FA2518-22-C-0001 to exercise Option Year Four to extend the term of the contract for Solid State Phased Array Radar Systems. The modification provides for continued management, operation, maintenance and logistical support. Work will be performed at Beale Air Force Base, California; Cape Cod Space Force Station, Massachusetts; Clear Space Force Station, Alaska; Thule Air Base, Greenland; Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, Colorado; and Royal Air Force Fylingdales, United Kingdom, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2023. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance funds will be obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $285,226,547. The Space Acquisition Management Directorate, Peterson AFB, Colorado, is the contracting activity.
29 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, has been awarded a $75,020,810 contract modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8730-21-C-0022 for the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) system. This modification provides for the exercise of options for the initial two 3DELRR radars, production management and supporting tasks under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 29, 2024. Fiscal 2022 other procurement funds are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $94,361,365. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.
31 Mar 22. USMC adds to Saab’s tactical engagement simulation system contract. The US Marine Corps (USMC) has awarded Saab Inc a contract modification within the Force on Force Training Systems – Next (FoFTS-Next) programme, the company announced in March. The contract, which is worth approximately USD122m, modifies the initial undefinitised single award task order contract (SATOC) that was awarded in June 2021 and valued at USD54m. At that stage, the potential total value was USD127.9m. This latest modification increases the potential total value to USD248m.Under the FoFTS-Next programme, Saab will supply its latest GAMER laser-based tactical engagement simulation system (TESS), which will include instrumentation equipment – known as the Marine Corps Training Instrumentation System (MCTIS) in USMC service – and logistic and training exercise support. The system is planned to be fielded between 2023 and 2026 at USMC bases in California, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, North Carolina, and Virginia. (Source: Janes)
SEA
31 Mar 22. BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $55,271,778 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5380 to exercise options for the procurement of MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) canisters and ancillary hardware. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, South Dakota (90%); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (10%), and is expected to be completed by February 2024. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. government (99%); and the governments of Japan and Chile (1% combined) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Fiscal 2022 defense-wide procurement funds in the amount of $28,417,927 (51%); Foreign Cooperative Projects (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,019,982 (29%); fiscal 2022 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,473,411 (18%); FMS Japan funds in the amount of $356,810 (1%); and FMS Chile funds in the amount of $3,648 (less than 1%), and will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
28 Mar 22. BAE Systems – San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is awarded an $89,432,169, firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the USS Mustin (DDG 89) fiscal 2022 depot modernization period. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the USS Mustin (DDG 89). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $95,201,563. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by November 2023. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) in the amount of $65,912,200 (73.7%); fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,485,155 (19.6%); and fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,034,814 (6.7%) will be obligated at time of award, of which funding in the amount of $6,034,814 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website. Competitive proposals were received in response to Solicitation No. N00024-21-R-4485. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-4485).
25 Mar 22. The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded a $72,550,000 fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6307 for all efforts, tooling and equipment, and materials for the design, manufacture, and testing of an Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Test Asset System. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (44%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (24%); Waukesha, Wisconsin (6%); Smithfield, Pennsylvania (5%); Torrance, California (4%); Katy, Texas (3%); Groton, Connecticut (3%); Camden, New Jersey (2%); Joplin, Missouri (2%); Thousand Oaks, California (2%); East Aurora, New York (1%); Rancho Dominguez, California (1%); South El Monte, California (1%); Irwindale, California (1%); and Farmingdale, California (1%), and is expected to be completed by August 2023. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,900,000 (62%); and fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,100,000 (38%) will be obligated at time of award, of which funding in the amount of $17,900,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
29 Mar 22. CMC Electronics today announced that it was selected to supply its state-of-the-art mission-ready avionics and software applications for the all-new Calidus B-250, a next-generation light attack combat and training aircraft. CMC’s solution includes the PU-3000, the latest generation certified avionics computer with video processing capabilities powering both a Large Area Display (LAD) and a heads-up display for critical missions. The PU-3000 is an open-architecture system that comes equipped with a Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK will allow Calidus and third parties to develop and customize their own software applications such as PFD, EICAS and more. In addition to Calidus’ custom applications, the PU-3000 will host CMC’s Synthetic Vision System (SVS) and Flight Management System (FMS) software applications. The SVS enhances operational flexibility and safety by increasing the pilot’s situational awareness, reducing workload and minimizing flight technical errors, particularly during the approach and landing phases of flight. In addition to complying with the latest CNS/ATM and RNP/PBN standards, the FMS integrates tactical mission features and an advanced graphical interface that is highly intuitive. CMC’s highly adaptable FMS software can be hosted on CMC avionics computers, smart displays, or avionics computers offered by other suppliers. (Source: PR Newswire)
31 Mar 22. DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $13,007,117 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5395 to exercise options for production of the AN/SPQ-9B radar systems and associated equipment. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by January 2025. Fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,007,117 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
30 Mar 22. ERAPSCO, Columbia City, Indiana (N0001919D0012 P00014); and Lockheed Martin Corp., Manassas, Virginia (N0001919D0013 P00017), are awarded a $222,012,360 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of up to 18,000 AN/SSQ-125A series production sonobuoys for the Navy. The estimated aggregate ceiling for all modifications is not-to-exceed $222,012,360, with the companies having an opportunity to compete for individual orders. ERAPSCO will perform work in De Leon Springs, Florida (69%); and Columbia City, Indiana (31%), while Lockheed Martin will perform work in Manassas, Virginia (90%); and Clearwater, Florida (10%). Work is expected to be completed in December 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
28 Mar 22. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Scottsdale, Arizona, is awarded a $49,889,282 contract modification under an existing sole-source, indefinite-quantity, indefinite-delivery production contract (N00039-18-D-0002) for the continued procurement, manufacturing, testing and delivery of AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radio (DMR) systems, High Frequency Distribution Amplifier Group (HFDAG) components and engineering services. DMR is a modular, software reprogrammable radio system with embedded cryptography that provides all radio frequency (RF) to-baseband and baseband-to-RF conversion functions required for United States naval line-of-sight, beyond line-of-sight and satellite communications systems. This action will allow for the execution of emergent requirements that were not anticipated at the onset of the contract. Specifically, this action will allow the government to continue procuring hardware and services that fill an unanticipated need, within the scope of the contract but exceeding the originally estimated quantities. The proposed contract action will increase the ceiling values of existing firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee line items by $49,889,282, increasing the current contract value from $186,087,426 to $235,976,708. Contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. Shipbuilding and conversion, Navy; and other procurement, Navy funds will be placed on contract with a production delivery order issued after award of the contract modification. Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is expected to be completed in December 2022. This is a sole source acquisition subject to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) — one source or limited sources. The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, awarded the contract action on behalf of the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence.
31 Mar 22. The US Navy has selected Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) REMUS 300 uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) for the next generation small UUV programme. The SUUV programme of record is being facilitated by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a part of the US Department of Defense (DoD). The selection of HII follows the completion of a two-year rapid prototyping effort, which also included a number of assessments by the user and spiral upgrades to enhance the design of REMUS 300. The next-generation SUUV programme, also known as Lionfish, will replace the Mk18 Mod 1 Swordfish programme, which is based on the REMUS 100 design. (Source: naval-technology.com)
31 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin Space, Titusville, Florida, is awarded a $19,625,091 fixed-price-incentive, cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00010) to exercise options under a previously awarded contract (N0003021C0100) for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. Work will be performed in Cape Canaveral, Florida (27.2%); Magna, Utah (21.3%); Elkton, Maryland (14%); Denver, Colorado (12.6%); Sunnyvale, California (11.8%); Palo Alto, California (6%); Camden, Arkansas (3.1%); Titusville, Florida (2.8%); Melbourne, Florida (1.1%); and other various locations (less than 1.0% each, 1.67% total). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2022 operational and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,696,422; fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $536,546; fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $869,250; and fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,522,873 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded to the contractor on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
28 Mar 22. NewSat awarded multi-million dollar, base plus 4 option year contract to provide cybersecurity, engineering, and technical support to the Navy’s Communications and Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation program office (PMW/A-170). (Source: PR Newswire)
31 Mar 22. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $650,746,530 fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract for hardware production of the AN/SPY-6(V) Family of Radars and associated hardware. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $3,160,609,600. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts (35%); Scottsdale, Arizona (13%); San Diego, California (11%); Stafford Springs, Connecticut (10%); Sykesville, Maryland (8%); Dallas, Texas (4%); Bergenfield, New Jersey (4%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (4%); Chesapeake, Virginia (3%); Hanahan, South Carolina (3%); Indianapolis, Indiana (3%); Bloomfield, Connecticut (1%); and Huntsville, Alabama (1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2025. If all options are exercised, work will continue through June 2028. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $421,699,574 (65%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $175,568,375 (27%); and fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $53,478,581 (8%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.sam.gov website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-5500).
AIR
24 Mar 22. The USAF has selected BAE Systems, with support from FlexRadio, to provide software defined radios for its Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) program. The contract, which has a value of $176m, provides a secure alternative to satellite communication methods. The AHFRM solution maintains over-the-horizon communications while defeating jamming from potential threats in a drop-in compatible radio design that maximizes FlexRadio’s commercial off-the-shelf technology. Its scalability, modularity, and capacity provisions for future modernization needs and adjacent operational requirements. (Source: ASD Network)
31 Mar 22. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Boulder, Colorado (N66001-22-D-0057), is awarded a $99,630,284 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Relay Ground Station Asia (RGS-A). The RGS-A will enable the Space System Command (SSC) Next Generation Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Ground System to operate the Legacy SBIRS Geosynchronous (GEO) space vehicles. This effort requires the design, procurement, development, integration, and testing of advanced technology RGS-A hardware and software capabilities to provide uplink and downlink capability to the Legacy SBIRS GEO, Defense Support Program (DSP), Next Gen GEO, and Next Generation Polar space vehicles. Work will be performed in Boulder, Colorado (60%); and Guam (40%). The period of performance of the base award is from April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2027. Fiscal 2022 funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Space Force) funds. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirement was competitively procured using full and open competition via a request for proposal (N66001-22-R-0024) published on the beta.sam.gov website and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce Central website. Two timely offers were received. Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. NIWC Pacific awarded the contract on behalf of its organizational partner, U.S. Space Force.
31 Mar 22. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, is awarded a $98,360,230 fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract. This contract procures weapon replaceable assemblies hardware to include 304 advanced threat warning sensors; 77 control indicator unit replaceable replacements; 75 Department of the Navy (DoN) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) processor units; 60 Guardian laser transmitter assemblies (GLTAs); 209 GLTA shipping containers; 129 high capacity cards; 94 large aircraft system processor replacement smart connector assemblies; 57 personal computer memory international association cards; and 78 battery kits, as well as associated systems engineering, technical support, analysis and studies in support of integration of the DoN LAIRCM system onto various aircraft for the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and the Air Force Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois (43%); Goleta, California (21%); Longmont, Colorado (9%); Apopka, Florida (8%); Blacksburg, Virginia (7%); Boulder Colorado (3%); Carlsbad, California (3%); Verona, Wisconsin (2%); Ashburn, Virginia (2%); Salt Lake City, Utah (1%); and Tripp City, Ohio (1%), and is expected to be completed in July 2024. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $73,834,503; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $19,551,314; and fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $4,974,413 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001922C0042).
31 Mar 22. Raytheon Missile and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $218,364,323 modification (P00004) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract. This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of AIM-9X production Lot 22 and additional Lot 21 requirements to include 367 AIM-9X Block II all up round tactical missiles (48 for the Navy, 162 for the Air Force, and 157 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers); 20 AIM-9X Block II+ all up round missiles (six for the Navy, eight for the Air Force and six for FMS customers); 109 Block II captive air training missiles (38 for the Navy and 71 for the Air Force); 153 all-up round containers (45 for the Navy, 64 for the Air Force, and 44 for FMS customers); four spare advanced optical target detectors for the Air Force; two spare advanced optical target detector containers for the Air Force; 118 spare Block II guidance units (live battery) (64 for the Navy and 54 for the Air Force); two spare Block II+ guidance units (live battery) for the Air Force; 16 spare captive air training missile guidance units (inert battery) (10 for the Navy and six for the Air Force); two spare Block I propulsion steering sections for the Air Force; nine spare Block II propulsion steering sections (six for the Navy and three for the Air Force); 36 tail caps (six for the Navy, 24 for the Air Force, and six for FMS customers); 10 tail cap containers (two for the Navy, six for the Air Force, and two for FMS customers); seven Lot 22 spares assets (four for the Navy and three for the Air Force); 25 Block II tactical sectionalization kits for the Navy; 25 Block II captive air training missile sectionalization kits for the Navy; and 50 general purpose controllers for the Air Force. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (31%); North Logan, Utah (10%); Keyser, West Virginia (9%); Niles, Illinois (8%); Vancouver, Washington (5%); Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (5%); Goleta, California (4%); Cheshire, Connecticut (4%); Heilbronn, Germany (3%); Simsbury, Connecticut (2%); San Jose, California (2%); Valencia, California (2%); Anaheim, California (2%); Cajon, California (2%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1%); Anniston, Alabama (1%); San Diego, California (1%); Chatsworth, California (1%); Amesbury, Massachusetts (1%); Claremont, California (1%); Sumner, Washington (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (4%), and is expected to be completed in March 2025. Fiscal 2022 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $42,252,033; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,411,627; fiscal 2022 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $1,355,909; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $102,424; fiscal 2021 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $94,872,015; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $102,424; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $73,814,180 will be obligated at the time of award, $2,411,627 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
31 Mar 22. Slingshot Aerospace announced today it is developing a digital replica of the space environment for the U.S. Space Force as part of a new $25m contract aimed at quickly delivering training and war gaming capabilities. The company’s Digital Space Twin simulates the space environment and maps on-orbit objects and space weather in real-time. Slingshot has been developing the tool as a commercial product for the last two years and, through the new contract, will adapt it for Space Force missions to “enhance their ability to analyze and respond to current and future threats,” Slingshot said in a press release Thursday. The company plans to deliver the commercial version before it completes the government product. As an analysis tool, the digital twin could be used in war gaming and mission planning or to design future constellations. Digital products like this are a priority for the Space Force as it builds out its cloud-based Digital Engineering Ecosystem — an environment for industry to collaborate with the service, conduct program reviews and share virtual models. Under the 39-month contract, the company will also deliver its Slingshot Laboratory space simulation platform, which can be used by the Space Force to teach the fundamentals of advanced aerodynamics. Slingshot will develop four pilot programs to support Basic Military Training, the National Security Space Institute, the 319th Combat Training Squadron and the 533rd Training Squadron. (Source: Defense News)
TECHNOLOGY
25 Mar 22. DoD Announces $117m Defense Production Act Title III Agreement with GlobalFoundries to Strengthen the Domestic Microelectronics Industrial Base. As part of the nation’s effort to sustain the microelectronics manufacturing capability necessary for national and economic security, and in support of Executive Order 14017, America’s Supply Chains, the Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $117m agreement to GlobalFoundries (GF). GF will transfer its 45 nanometer (nm) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) semiconductor manufacturing process from its soon-to-be sold Fab 10 facility in East Fishkill, New York, to its Fab 8 facility in Malta, New York. This agreement will ensure access to 45nm SOI semiconductors critical to DoD systems. This agreement is the latest collaboration in the longstanding partnership between the DoD and GF to provide silicon-based semiconductors for defense aerospace applications
29 Mar 22. MarkLogic Corporation, a leader in complex data integration and portfolio company of Vector Capital, today announced that it has won part of the new $240m Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center’s (JAIC) Data Readiness AI Development contract. The Basic Ordering Agreement, secured by MarkLogic’s public sector team, centers on providing support to the DoD to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact across the DoD with the goal of transforming DoD through AI. MarkLogic will work with JAIC to help identify appropriate AI use cases, develop capabilities, and scale data impact across the defense AI marketplace. Specifically, MarkLogic’s industry-leading technology will help the DoD prepare data for use in AI applications by providing an easily accessible path to solve complex technical challenges involved in preparing data for AI. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 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 $4m order from a leading commercial technology company for advanced silicon packaging to be used in electronic warfare, AESA beamforming and C4ISR systems. The order was received in Mercury’s fiscal 2022 third quarter and is expected to be delivered over the next several quarters. Mercury’s RF system-in-package (SiP) technology, like the Company’s recently announced RFS1140 product, will enable new sensor processing applications for a variety of defense platforms and programs while the secure and trusted chip-scale open system architecture (OSA) directly addresses the DoD’s requirement for onshore manufacturing of critical, state-of-the-art microelectronics.
31 Mar 22. Mercury Mission Systems LLC, Torrance, California, has been awarded a maximum $14,447,980 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for digital data transfer computers. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(5), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with a March 30, 2027, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2027 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-22-D-0002).
29 Mar 22. Raytheon Co., Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $10,084,858 modification to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract HR001121C0007 to exercise Phase 2 option of the Airspace TacticaL Automation System (ATLAS) effort supporting the Air Space Total Awareness for Rapid Tactical Execution (ASTARTE) program. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $17,665,272. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts (37%); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (4%); Fulton, Maryland (10%); Cambridge, Massachusetts (40%); Dulles, Virginia (6%); and Durham, North Carolina (3%), with an estimated completion date of June 2023. Fiscal 2022 research and development funds in the amount of $6,324,445 are being obligated at the time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
27 Mar 22. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that it was awarded contracts with an aggregate value of approximately $130m to deliver an artillery munitions production line in a country in Asia-Pacific. The contracts will be performed over a period of 2.5 years. Under the contracts, Elbit Systems will build a turnkey industrial complex for enhanced manufacturing of artillery munitions.
31 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is being awarded a $1,423,660,558 modification (P00049) to a previously-awarded contract (HQ0147-17-C-0032) for the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Interceptors and associated one-shot devices to support the U.S. government and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case requirements. The THAAD Interceptors and associated one-shot devices will be procured under fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract line items. The value of this contract is increased from $6,336,954,438 to $7,760,614,995. The work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Sunnyvale, California; Huntsville, Alabama; Camden, Arkansas; and Troy, Alabama, with an expected completion date of Aug. 1, 2027. Fiscal 2021 U.S. government procurement funds in the amount of $371,608,643; and KSA FMS funds in the amount of $1,052,051,914 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
31 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin, Liverpool, New York, was awarded a $3,268,232,049 firm-fixed-price contract for full-rate production of AN/TPQ-53 radar systems and associated spare parts and services, and deployment to various Foreign Military Sales countries. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2027. U.S. Army contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-22-D-0001).
25 Mar 22. Bahrain is set to upgrade the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) to better combat current and future threats. Bahrain placed a request with the US to upgrade nine M270 MLRS to an M270 A1 minimum configuration. The potential $176m foreign military sale (FMS) was approved by the US State Department. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress regarding the possible sale. The scope of the potential upgrade will include the delivery of the Common Fire Control System (CFCS), the Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS), a 600hp engine and associated engine compartment modifications, an Improved Electronics Distribution Box (IEDB), and other hardware. The sale will include spare parts, logistics and engineering support, test equipment, integration and test support, and software delivery, among others. Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor. (Source: army-technology.com)
28 Mar 22. Kenya’s Ministry of Defence has awarded Saab a contract for live training systems in a first for the Swedish company. According to Hans Lindgren, Head of Business Development at Saab’s Training & Simulation business unit, the order includes a complete, new generation solution for live training and covers soldier systems (personnel detection devices), vehicle training systems, hand grenades and training applications for a variety of weapons. Under the deal, signed in late 2021, Saab will supply around 800 soldier kits based on its Gamer product line, Lindgren told Shephard Media. The Gamer manpack system has at its core a personal protection device (PPD) and small arms transmitter (SAT). The SAT, which fires laser beams, can be used as the simulator for assault rifles, machine guns, crew-served weapons and sniper rifles. The PPD and SAT sets are tracked and monitored by the Gamer manpack, a mobile computer and VHF radio that collects and stores all data per individual. This data can be compiled into a comprehensive AAR (After Action Review) and a playback of the event can be viewed in a virtual environment. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
SEA
29 Mar 22. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has signed a contract to construct two multi-purpose vessels (MPV) for the Indian Navy. Signed with the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the overall cost of the contract is estimated to be $116.31m (Rs8.87bn). According to the contract, the company is required to begin delivery of the multi-purpose vessels from May 2025. The contract was signed in the presence of vice-chief of the naval staff vice-admiral SN Ghormade and additional secretary and director general acquisition Pankaj Agarwal. The contract comes under the Government of India’s (GOI) Buy-Indian flagship, and the related construction of the vessels will take place at L&T’s shipyard in Chennai, India. The two MPVs will perform multi-role support functions, including patrol and maritime surveillance patrol, launching and recovering the torpedoes. The vessels will be capable of carrying out various missions such as aerial, surface, anti-submarine warfare firing exercises and underwater targets for gunnery. MPVs will provide cost-effective solutions to serve a wide range of the Indian Navy’s requirements. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
30 Mar 22. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has secured a contract to supply an advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite for Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft. Awarded by India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), the contract is valued at around $263m (Rs19.93bn). The addition of EW systems will increase the battle-survivability of fighter jets during operations against enemies’ ground-based and airborne fire control and surveillance radars. The system is designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Separately, BEL signed another contract with the MoD for Instrumented Electronic Warfare Range (IEWR) for the IAF. The IEWR will be used to assess airborne EW equipment and validate their deployment during operations. This contract values $146.31m (Rs11.09bn). (Source: airforce-technology.com)
25 Mar 22. Gilmour Space bags $52m federal funding for launch. The federal government has announced a $52m boost of funding into the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN) to support local launch capabilities. It is also set to assist the network’s goal in creating more jobs and showing the younger generation they can have a future in space. The ASMN is a group of 30 homegrown Australian companies and universities, spearheaded by Gilmour Space Technologies and the Queensland government, focused on growing the sector’s launch and manufacturing capabilities together. Last September, the ASMN partners pushed a $157m bid to the state government to build a manufacturing and test hub and launch vehicle development facility in Queensland, and this grant is expected to support that mission under the $1.3bn Modern Manufacturing Initiative. (Source: Space Connect)
31 Mar 22. India to procure 15 Light Combat Helicopters. India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft will be manufactured under a limited-series production run at a cost of INR38.87bn (USD513.8m). The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) added in a press statement that an additional INR3.77bn had been approved for infrastructure. Ten of the new aircraft are intended for the Indian Air Force (IAF), while five will go to the Indian Army. HAL said that the limited-series production variant will have an indigenous content of 45%. However, the regular-series production is expected to increase this content to 55%. An HAL source told Janes that these content calculations are estimates based on the number of domestic vendors able to supply locally manufactured systems or components in the near future. “HAL is confident of increasing the indigenous content of the LCH because the firm has built up expertise in helicopters as opposed to the Tejas [fighter aircraft],” the source said. (Source: Janes)
25 Mar 22. Uganda contracts India’s HAL to maintain Su-30 fleet. Uganda has awarded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a contract to maintain and support its Su-30 combat aircraft fleet in a historic deal. The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General Charles Lutaaya, Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Air Force, at the Indian High Commission in Kampala. In announcing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the beginning of March, the Indian Embassy in Uganda said the agreement with HAL is the first major defence agreement with Uganda following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unveiling of ’10 Principles of India-Africa Engagement’ in mid-2018. HAL has a manufacturing license from Russia to build the Sukhoi Su-30 – the Indian Air Force also operates the type. The Uganda People’s Defence Air Force acquired six Su-30MK2 Flankers between 2011 and 2012. They are operated by the Su-30 Squadron at Entebbe International Airport. (Source: Google/https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
31 Mar 22. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $41,200,000 requirements type contract for the Foreign Military Sales workload of the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod and Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) navigation pod sustainment. This contract provides for all actions necessary for the contractor to return an unserviceable item to serviceable condition. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia; and Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2027 . This contract involves 100 percent Foreign Military Sales. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Warner Robins, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8540‐22‐D‐0001).
TECHNOLOGY
01 Apr 22. Australian Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price has confirmed that the federal government will restart a series of revised competitive grants programs, aimed at supporting sovereign defence capabilities and helping businesses win defence work oversees. The announcement, which was delivered at the annual Defence Connect Budget Lunch, included plans to restart a renewed Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant program. It is further expected that the federal government will invest an additional $80m over half a decade to not only help Australian businesses grow their domestic capabilities, but also win defence contracts with overseas partners under the new Defence Readiness Grant Program and the Global Competitive Grant Program. The minister’s office is scheduled to release further information on the grants shortly Earlier this week, Commonwealth Procurement Rules were updated to enable Defence contracts valued up to $500,000 to be offered exclusively to SME suppliers, either on an individual basis or collectively via a tender process. The amendment, set to take effect on 1 July 2022, represents a 150 per cent increase to the existing threshold of $200,000. The amendments follow the completion of the Australian Standard for Defence Contracting and Defence Procurement Review. Finance Minister Simon Birmingham noted the benefits of the revision for the local industry and in supporting the broader push to bolster sovereign industrial capability. (Source: Defence Connect)
29 Mar 22. DISER invests $32m in CRC-Ps. Q-CTRL and its research partners have won a $1.75m grant to help integrate quantum science into space manufacturing for defence and agriculture. The Federal department of Industry Science Energy and Resources (DISER) has awarded more than $32m in grants to 13 industry-led joint research projects under round 12 of the Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) initiative. These grants will help leverage a further $56 m of cash and in-kind contributions from 62 project partners. Two of these projects are of direct relevance to the defence portfolio: Hypersonix’s DART hypersonic airframe receives $2.95m as part of a $6.74m R&D program; and Q-CTRL receives $2.75m as part of a $5.5m R&D program integrating quantum science into space manufacturing for defence and agriculture. CRC-Ps can run for up to three years and must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business, and one Australian research organisation partner. In the DART CMP Airframe project Hypersonix Launch Systems Pty Limited is working with partners LSM Advanced Composites Pty Ltd, the University of Southern Queensland and Romar Engineering Pty Ltd to develop a composite reusable hypersonic platform capable of Mach 12. This will be powered by the company’s SPARTAN hydrogen fuelled scramjet engine. Thie project takes advantage of the weight savings and reusability of high temperature composites and will deliver a new sovereign manufacturing capability for high temperature oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composites. The project build will comprise of a complete UAV airframe, including composite aeroshell and aerodynamic control surfaces, flight avionics, and hydrogen fuel system. Additive Manufacturing/ 3D Printing will be used additionally. The UAV will undergo hardware-in-the-loop bench as part of flight readiness testing. It will be a world first in delivering a reusable hypersonic UAV, says DISER Q-CTRL will integrate quantum technology into space manufacturing for defence and agriculture, working with partners MOG Laboratories and the Australian national University (ANU). This project addresses critical industry-identified challenges in the space sector by focussing on building novel technology for geospatial intelligence enabled through advances in domestic precision manufacturing. (Source: Rumour Control)
29 Mar 22. Hypersonix and partners win $2.95m CRC-P grant for reusable hypersonic UAV. Aerospace engineering business Hypersonix Launch Systems together with the University of Southern Queensland, LSM Advanced Composites and New South Wales-based Romar Engineering, have been awarded a $2.95m Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant from the Federal Government. The project, titled ‘DART CMP Airframe – a reusable hypersonic platform’, is a hypersonic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that can travel at up to Mach 12. It is powered by the company’s SPARTAN hydrogen fuelled scramjet engine. The project will deliver a new sovereign manufacturing capability for high temperature oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composites. The deliverables include a complete UAV airframe including composite aeroshell and aerodynamic control surfaces, flight avionics, and hydrogen fuel system. (Source: Rumour Control)