UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
03 May 22. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) has been awarded a contract by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) to provide its turret drive stabilization technology for use in the weapons system on the British Army’s Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. Under the contract, valued at approximately $25m, Curtiss-Wright will supply RBSL with its cost-effective, scalable Turret Drive Servo System (TDSS) and other system components in support of the UK MOD’s tank upgrade program. Curtiss-Wright’s TDSS aiming and stabilization system will provide the Challenger 3 with the ability to maintain target location accuracy and precise turret stabilization, even while moving at full speed. The TDSS uniquely enables system designers to upgrade and add stabilization functionality as mission requirements change, allowing system integrators to choose the right level of motion control and stability for the platform.
29 Apr 22. Lockheed Martin Corporation, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $223,989,404 modification (P00033) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0077 for the recapitalization of the Multiple Launch Rocket System into the M270A2 configuration. Work will be performed in Camden, Arizona; Grand Prairie, Texas; and New Boston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2026. Fiscal 2022 missile procurement, Army and Foreign Military Sales (United Kingdom) funds in the amount of $223,989,404 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
SEA
29 Apr 22. Raytheon Missile and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $102,188,787 firm-fixed-price contract for fiscal 2022 Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procurements for Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2/2A Guided Missile Round Pack (GMRP), spare replacement components and recertification. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (75%); the government of Egypt (17%); the government of Japan (4%); the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) (3%); and the government of Turkey (1%). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (48%); Ottobrunn, Germany (33%); Keyser, West Virginia (8%); Glenrothes Fife, Scotland (3%); Midland, Canada (1%); Joplin, Missouri (1%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1%); Camarillo, California (1%); Williamsport, Pennsylvania (1%); Dallas, Texas (1%); and various other locations each under 1% (2%), and is expected to be completed by March 2025. Fiscal 2022 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $75,471,023 (74%); FMS (Egypt) funds in the amount of $17,200,660 (17%); FMS (Japan) funds in the amount of $4,865,784 (4%); FMS (UAE) funds in the amount of $3,114,342 (3%); fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,074,978 (1%); and FMS (Turkey) funds in the amount of $462,000 (1%) will be obligated at the time of award, of which $1,074,978 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c) (4), International Agreement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-5400).
AIR
26 Apr 22. Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the development and integration of a new launch system for Gripen C/D and Gripen E. The order, valued at approximately SEK 400m, was placed during the first quarter. The order includes the development and integration of a new launch system for air-to-air missiles and countermeasure pods on Gripen C/D and Gripen E. The contract also includes options for subsequent series orders of launcher systems. The launchers can be integrated with existing variants of weapon pylons and can carry all Gripen air-to-air missiles. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
06 May 22. The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has placed a firm order with Thales for 21 additional TALIOS pods. The new target designation pods will equip Rafale aircraft currently in service with the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy. As theatres of operations become more complex, maintaining an accurate picture of the tactical situation is becoming increasingly crucial to the ability of pilots and commanders to make timely decisions and achieve a strategic advantage. Shortening the time it takes between gathering intelligence and defeating targets of interest is a key objective for armed forces all over the world. In an increasingly connected operational environment, the TALIOS[1] pod will enable Rafale F4 standard aircraft to perform both air reconnaissance and ground/surface attack missions. The pod provides a wide-area search and target identification capability and can then switch instantly into target acquisition and tracking mode. Its high-resolution sensors provide a colour picture of the tactical situation to simplify the tasks of Rafale pilots. Thales has also developed a new Vision Permanent™ mode, which superimposes real-time video on a 3D map of the operational environment, enabling air crews to observe and understand the tactical situation in a significantly shorter time. TALIOS will ultimately incorporate artificial intelligence algorithms to provide an unprecedented level of assistance in target detection and recognition and further accelerate the decision-making process, particularly in high-intensity engagements.
USA
LAND
05 May 22. BlueHalo and its Titan Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Team announced a $4m order of Titan Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) kits by the Department of Defense. The award is in support of an elite unit within the conventional U.S. Army, and will be used to defeat enemy drones on the battlefield abroad and at secure locations in the United States, providing fixed-site and mobile force protection. The decision to invest in Titan systems was made after Titan out-performed competing technologies at Government evaluations based on both efficacy and ease of use by warfighters. (Source: PR Newswire)
29 Apr 22. Lockheed Martin Corporation, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $204,725,645 fixed-price-incentive contract for production of High Mobility Artillery Rock Systems M142 launchers and support requirements. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Archbald, Pennsylvania; Camden, Arkansas; York, Pennsylvania; Palm Bay, Florida; Brownsboro, Alabama; Boca Raton, Florida; Whippany, New Jersey; Jackson, Mississippi; and Clearwater, Florida, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2025. Fiscal 2022 missile procurement, Army funds and Department of Defense Public Enterprise funds in the amount of $81,303,650 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-22-C-0047).
29 Apr 22. Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is being awarded a $304,909,664 modification (P00051) to a previously-awarded (HQ0147-17-C-0032) contract to exercise an option. The total value of this contract is increased from $7,834,700,609 to $8,139,604,003. Under this modification, the contractor will produce and deliver Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Interceptors and associated one-shot devices to support U.S. government requirements. The work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Sunnyvale, California; Huntsville, Alabama; Camden, Arkansas; and Troy, Alabama, with an expected completion date of Dec. 1, 2027. Fiscal 2022 procurement funds in the amount of $304,909,664 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
03 May 22. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue preparing the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) for developmental test and full hardware qualification. Northrop Grumman is preparing IVEWS for a series of hardware and software verification tests leading up to F-16 flights planned for later in 2022. The company will also continue development of the infrastructure needed to move the system to production once testing is complete. In 2021, the company’s IVEWS and AN/APG-83 SABR radar demonstrated pulse-to-pulse interoperability at the Northern Lightning joint exercise, operating against a range of airborne and ground-based threats. IVEWS leverages an open-systems, ultra-wideband architecture, providing the instantaneous bandwidth needed to defeat modern threats. This F-16 system is part of a mature product line of electronic warfare capabilities that can be adapted to virtually any platform. (Source: News Now/ASD News)
SEA
03 May 22. Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $230,545,382 fixed–priced incentive (firm target) contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-2227 to exercise the option for the detail design and construction of Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 16. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (63%); Fairfax, Virginia (10%); Novi, Michigan (10%); Houston, Texas (3%); Slidell, Louisiana (2%); Franklin, Massachusetts (2%); Rhinelander, Wisconsin (2%); and Chesapeake, Virginia (1%); with other efforts performed at various locations throughout the U.S. (4%), and various locations outside the U.S. (3%). Work is expected to complete by October 2025. Fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $230,545,382 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, D.C., is the contracting activity.
04 May 22. Martin Defense Group,* Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded a $54,435,390 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the development of low-cost littoral Unmanned Surface Vessels for Mobility Enhancement (USVME). Technologies to sustain Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) in austere and remote environments are required to support Marine Corps expeditionary logistics. Autonomous/unmanned support and resupply capabilities are a key focus area for development. This contract provides for USVME System concepts to address the required capability identified for Marine Corps expeditionary logistics. Work will be performed in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by May 3, 2027. The maximum dollar value, including a 60-month base period and one 48-month option period, is $54,435,390. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,248,105 are obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under the Office of Naval Research long range broad agency announcement (BAA) (N00014-22-S-B001). Since proposals are received throughout the year under the long range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014-22-C-1033).
AIR
29 Apr 22. Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded a $302,152,612 modification (P00053) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm target), cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001917C0015) for the production and delivery of four MV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30.08%); Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (15.22%); Amarillo, Texas (12.73%); Red Oak, Texas (3.33%); East Aurora, New York (2.55%); Park City, Utah (2.20%); McKinney, Texas (1.33%); Endicott, New York (1.15%); various locations within the continental U.S. (27.49%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (3.92%), and is expected to be completed in November 2025. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $302,152,612 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.
05 May 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas is awarded a $372,461,030 undefinitized firm-fixed-price modification (P00003) to an order (N0001921F0398) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0008). This modification adds scope to procure F-35 Lightning II Lots 15-16 ancillary mission equipment requirements for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Additionally, this modification adds scope to procure F-35 Lightning II initial spares for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-U.S Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $116,596,160; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $49,860,712; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,732,939; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $ 90,680,424; FMS funds in the amount of $2,067,174; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $3,483,749 will be obligated at the time of award, $92,413,363 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
03 May 22. NIC4, a subsidiary of Network Innovations, announces that it has been awarded a Service Provider Registry (SPR) prototype, a component of the Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Enterprise Management and Control (EM&C). This software development effort is for the U.S. Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC) through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) as an Other Transactional Authority (OTA) Agreement Award. The SPR prototype represents the company’s fourth major award under the EM&C program. The purpose of the SPR prototype is to provide a structured, authoritative catalog of commercial and military SATCOM services that can be allocated to fulfill Department of Defense (DOD) SATCOM mission requirements. It is an essential part of the EM&C planning element that will combine knowledge of missions, services, terminals and threats for optimal planning and provisioning of DOD terminals for mission operations. The SPR prototype will also capture descriptions and parameterization of space and ground segment infrastructure. The implementation will be developed and delivered as a set of scalable microservices within a stackable, secure, cloud-built architecture. It will be hosted on a government provided platform-as-a-service that includes cyber security and automated testing as an integral part of the software development and deployment process. This will enable rapid delivery of incrementally expanded feature sets in an agile framework.
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 22. The CPI TMD Technologies Division of Communications & Power Industries has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contract for the supply of compact MPMs (Microwave Power Modules) to be used in an airborne, military, data link application. CPI TMD Technologies Division is a world-class supplier of advanced microwave and radio frequency (RF) products.
02 May 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 Fab 10 facility in East Fishkill, New York, to its Fab 8 facility in Malta, New York. The effort is a follow-on from an $8 m award issued last year through which GF conducted initial engineering baseline activities for the transfer. This agreement will ensure access to 45nm SOI semiconductors critical to DoD strategic 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. (Source: US DoD)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
25 Apr 22. Nexter is to supply eight 105LG artillery guns and Arrowtech ERG 3 105mm extended range ammunition to the Armed Forces of Senegal. The contract for the supply by Nexter to the Armed Forces of Senegal of eight 105 LG guns and 105mm ammunition came into effect on April 20. The 105LG is a 105mm towed artillery gun renowned for its reliability and unmatched lightness (1,650 kg). Its ability to be transported by any type of vehicle, aircraft, helicopter, and even parachute, ensures it is ideally mobile for troops operating in extreme climates and difficult terrain. The Senegalese army chose this gun because it perfectly meets the requirements of modern combat: thanks to its lightness and unrivalled rate of fire, it can be put into battery in less than 30 seconds by a crew of five gunners, firing twelve rounds per minute, and this, at a maximum range of 17 km thanks to Nexter Arrowtech’s ERG 3 105mm extended range ammunition. If necessary, it can escape detection by trajectory radars thanks to the very low arrow of its trajectories in tense firing, up to a range of 11km. It is also capable of direct fire up to 2km. The 105 LG, qualified by the French Army, is already in service with the armies of many countries: Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, and very recently Malaysia, which confirms the renewed interest in artillery of this calibre worldwide. Moreover, this contract with the Armed Forces of Senegal is the first direct sale between Nexter and the Armed Forces of Senegal. It comes shortly after Nexter supplied the six NARWHAL remotely operated naval which equip the three patrol boats ordered for the Senegalese Navy. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
SEA
05 May 22. Australia to announce a $2bn investment to build unmanned submarines for the Royal Australian Navy amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The Defence Department and military technology company Anduril Australia will co-fund a project to develop three Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (XLAUVs) over the next three years. (Source: News Now/https://www.9news.com.au/national/au)
05 May 22. Australia’s anti-ship missile defence capability is set to be bolstered by a new multi-bn dollar acquisition. Minister for Defence Peter Dutton has announced over $2bn would be invested in the acquisition of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM Block 2) capability for the Royal Australian Navy. The ESSM Block 2 advanced surface-to-air missile – to be supplied by BAE Systems Australia, L3 Harris, and G H Varley – is designed to counter anti-ship missile threats. The weapons leverage an advanced active radar missile seeker, capable of hitting targets at a range in excess of 50 kilometres. Dutton revealed the first tranche of the missiles has already arrived in Australia for initial integration and testing. The ESSM Block 2 is expected to be deployed from the RAN’s Surface Combatant Force, which includes the Anzac Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers. Local industry stakeholders are tipped to benefit from the deal, providing components and supporting the project from locations in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Newcastle. According to Minister Dutton, the ESSM Block 2 delivery has been facilitated by Australia’s participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Sea Sparrow Consortium. (Source: Defence Connect)
02 May 22. Rohde & Schwarz Australia will design and manufacture an integrated communications system (ICS) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Hunter Class Frigate Program (HCFP), following signature of a contract with BAE Systems Australia’s (BAESA) maritime division that allows for the addition of scopes of work over time. Under the initial scope of the early engineering contract, Rohde & Schwarz Australia will provide in country program management, systems engineering, integration, installation and verification services for the acquisition and introduction into service of the ICS. Rohde & Schwarz Australia Head of Maritime Domain Kieran McLaughlin said the company will leverage experience gained from integration of its Naval Integrated Communications System (NAVICS) into the Type 26 frigate now being delivered into service with the Royal Navy, as well as the Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats (ECCPB) for the RAN.
AIR
27 Apr 22. Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT, TASE: GILT) has been selected in a multimillion-dollar deal with Intelsat to provide the satellite cellular backhaul solution for a leading mobile telecommunication company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Intelsat deployed its CellBackhaul service with Gilat’s SkyEdge II-c platform and Capricorn VSATs, connecting with a Ku-band satellite to bring mobile communications to nearly 1,000 previously underserved and unserved remote sites. The implementation brings mobile services to deep rural sites in the DRC, geographically the second-largest nation in Africa, with a growing population of more than 90 m people. Working together, Intelsat and Gilat are extending mobile connectivity to areas where terrestrial backhaul networks are impractical, expensive, or otherwise unfeasible to deploy. With Gilat hubs and VSATs, Intelsat’s CellBackhaul satellite cellular backhaul solution combines the extended reach and resiliency of Intelsat’s largest-of-its-kind global network with network design, installation, and operation services, making it possible for mobile network operators to deploy services in areas where traditional terrestrial backhaul services are unavailable. (Source: Satnews)
02 May 22. NewSat have been awarded a Global Tactical Advanced Communication Systems II (GTACS II) Task Order (TO) by U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) on behalf of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD). Under this multi-m-dollar Foreign Military Sales (FMS) TO, NewSat will provide a system-wide upgrade for the Jordanian Border Security Program (JBSP) to addresses obsolescence issues and enhancing the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) capabilities to detect, interdict, and deter illegal border crossing attempts while maintaining the existing system architecture, whenever and wherever possible. (Source: PR Newswire)
03 May 22. Schiebel S-100 UAV selected for Australian navy requirement. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has selected Schiebel’s S-100 Camcopter for an initial phase of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) programme to acquire a maritime unmanned aircraft system (MUAS), a ministerial spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 3 May. The S-100 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will now proceed through a single-source procurement process for the first block of the AUD1.3 bn (USD960 m) three-block MUAS programme under Project Sea 129 Phase 5. The number of S-100s under consideration for the first block has not been disclosed, although an unconfirmed media report referred to an initial procurement of 40. Proposed by Raytheon Australia and its partner Schiebel Pacific, the S 100 was chosen without an open tender from five shortlisted contenders for single-source consideration in a move that would advance initial operating capability (IOC) by 18 months, the ministerial spokesperson said. (Source: Janes)
TECHNOLOGY
02 May 22. Assac Networks – a company specializing in cyber solutions for the complete protection of mobile devices and secured communications for government agencies, defense and commercial organizations – today announced that it has been awarded contracts for the supply and installation of its unique ShieldiT system, for law enforcement agencies in three African countries. Two of the projects relate to an autonomous server and licenses, with the third relating to the use of Assac Networks’ multi-tenant server, in which the company will also provide the mobile devices themselves, on which the system will be pre-installed. Assac Networks’ flagship product, ShieldiT, is the only solution with a unified, managed anti-hacking and anti-tapping capabilities for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) smartphones, which are the most vulnerable point in an organization’s IT network today. The system has been already deployed by governmental authorities around the world, and has been proven to prevent cyberattacks.
03 May 22. QuantX Labs secures funding to bolster space-based navigation capability. The Adelaide-based company has received government funding to accelerate the development of its space-based navigation and timing technology, tipped to improve precision across defence operations. SmartSat CRC has awarded $1 m to QuantX Labs to support the development of its optical atomic clock satellite payload, designed to strengthen sovereign navigation and timing capability. Specifically, the partnership aims to accelerate the space-qualification and commercialisation of a new type of atomic clock, which leverages high-precision lasers to interrogate a specially prepared vapour of Rubidium atoms. This involves making atoms jump from their lowest energy state into an excited state by exposing them to particular colours of laser light. The optical clock technology – created by Precision Measurement Group at The University of Adelaide and later developed into a product in collaboration with QuantX Labs and the SmartSat CRC Aurora Space Cluster start-up incubator – is tipped to improve the precision of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including GPS. The technology is the core feature of QuantX Labs’ alternate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) product, which has defence, space and critical infrastructure applications. (Source: Defence Connect)
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