UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
31 Oct 22. UK awards Crenic integration contract for force protection ECM. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has appointed PA Consulting Services as systems integrator for the recapitalisation of land and littoral force protection electronic countermeasures (FP ECM) under Project Crenic. A five-year contract valued at GBP45m (USD 52.15m) was awarded to PA Consulting in late September, but revealed publicly only on 28 October. The systems integrator contract, which includes five one-year options, was placed by the FP ECM team in the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, working in conjunction with UK Strategic Command, Army Headquarters, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Project Crenic is a GBP400m programme intended to deliver next-generation FP ECM protection in the land and littoral domains for the British Army, and ground elements of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It is specifically designed to protect personnel from the threat posed by explosive ordnance initiated using the electromagnetic environment as a command mechanism. (Source: Janes)
SEA
01 Nov 22. Kraken Robotics has secured a $1.1m purchase order to deliver multiple AquaPix synthetic aperture sonars (SAS) for NATO navy customers. The company revealed that the AquaPix sonars are being procured to equip the autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) of two different Nato navies. According to Kraken, AquaPix is a time efficient system capable of enhancing the survey results and offering highest resolution seabed pixel. This system can be deployed with the naval vessels to provide rapid environmental assessment, mine countermeasures as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Deliveries under the order, awarded by an unnamed customer, are anticipated to take place in the first half of next year. The AquaPix SAS is a configurable and cost-effective system that has been designed to replace the high-end side scan systems. This off-the-shelf system provides higher range, better resolution and improved area coverage rates than the conventional Side Scan Sonar systems. It is a modular and versatile system that can be used for long range, 2cm x 2cm ultra high-definition SAS imaging. (Source: naval-technology.com)
01 Nov 22. Lockheed Martin Space, Titusville, Florida, is being awarded a $581,181,943 fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (PZ0001) to previously awarded and announced un-price letter contract N0003022C0100 for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. This contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Kings Bay, Georgia (17.5%); Orlando, Florida (15.1%); Magna, Utah (11.3%); Bangor, Washington (8.6%); Titusville, Florida (5.5%); Morris Plains, New Jersey (3%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (2.9%); Arlington, Washington (2.6%); Santa Rosa, California (2.4%); Jacksonville, Florida (2.2%); Chandler, Arizona (2.1%); Norcross, Georgia (1.8%); Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1.5%); Campbell, California (1.4%); Oak Ridge, Tennessee (1.2%), and locations less than 1% each, (19.8% total). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2027. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount $57,014,441; and fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $90,134,878 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The maximum dollar value of the modification, including the base and all option items, if exercised, is $1,195,689,899. 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, with one proposal received. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
02 Nov 22. BAE Systems Awarded £80m in Typhoon Avionics Support Contracts. BAE Systems will continue to service and support the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft’s avionics for the platform’s founding nations’ air forces in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy, for the next five years. The agreements, worth £80 m, secure ongoing service and repairs for key avionics equipment such as displays, flight controls, and Helmet Mounted Displays, ensuring that the Typhoon is ready for deployment at all times.
TECHNOLOGY
28 Oct 22. Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is awarded a $73,447,380 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract (N00039-16-D-0075) in support of the NATO Improved Link Eleven program. This modification includes requirements to increase Link Level Communication Security 7M encryptor procurement and sustainment, to include warranty provisions and training courses. The new contract total value is $135,769,336. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California. Work is expected to be completed by September 2026. No funds will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of award. Other procurement (Navy) and Foreign Military Sales funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued upon award of the contract modification. This sole source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) — only one responsible source, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1. Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
LAND
31 Oct 22. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $25m from the Finnish Ministry of Defence to supply radio communications systems to the Finnish Army. The contract will be executed over a two-year period. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will supply advanced secured radio communications systems that enable enhanced tactical command and fire control and are backward compatible with analogue radio equipment that is currently in use by the Finnish Army. Military radio communications solutions of Elbit Systems have been selected to-date by several European and NATO countries including Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Spain and others.
02 Nov 22. The Government of Finland has requested to buy one hundred fifty (150) M30A1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) (Steel Case), or M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Missile Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS), or a combination of both; and two hundred fifty (250) M31A1 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) Warhead (Steel Case), or M31A2 GMLRS-U IMPS, or a combination of both. Also included is a Quality Assurance Team (QAT); transportation services; and other related elements of program and logistics support. The total estimated cost is $535 m. The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Corp, Missile and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, TX. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. There is a request pending for diversion of 50% of this procurement from U.S. stock. That final decision will determine which version GMLRS could potentially be procured. (Source: glstrade.com)
31 Oct 22. Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) – Belgian CLV The Belgian MoD has contracted Oshkosh Defense for 322 Oshkosh Defense Command and Liaison Vehicles (CLVs). The contract values €135m and deliveries are expected to begin in 2023. Belgium is procuring these vehicles to replace its fleet of Iveco Lynx armoured vehicles. With this contract, Belgium became the fourth European country to buy the vehicle alongside Lithuania, Slovenia and Montenegro. (Source: Paulo Dominonni via LinkedIn)
AIR
25 Oct 22. Beyond Gravity has been selected to supply equipment for Loft Orbital’s Longbow spacecraft based on the Airbus Arrow platform — the physical equipment is referred to as the Power Control & Distribution Unit (PCDU). The PCDU provides mission critical power supply capabilities and on-orbit configurability for “The Hub” that carries all payloads of a Loft Orbital’s satellite and provides an independent electrical, computing and communication environment. Beyond Gravity will deliver PCDU flight units for more than 15 Loft Orbital satellites. (Source: Satnews)
27 Oct 22. Leonardo has announced today the signing of a contract by Italy’s Carabinieri for the supply of 20 AW119Kx single engine helicopters for its Air Service. The aircraft will be assembled at Leonardo’s Vergiate facility (Varese) with deliveries expected in the 2023-2026 period. The contract also includes a comprehensive turnkey logistics support package and training services for pilots and maintenance technicians. The delivery of the helicopters will allow the Carabinieri to meet its fleet modernisation requirements in order to further strengthen and enhance the security of national communities. This will be made possible carrying out a range of patrol and reconnaissance tasks over land, identifying critical targets, gathering investigation evidence, as well as supporting ground units’ activities. Other duties also comprise environment monitoring and protection, and, if asked by National Disaster Relief Authority, fire-fighting in addition to rescue missions. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
USA
LAND
03 Nov 22. Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $1,284,062,023 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery requirements type contract for construction equipment. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Other contracts are expected to be awarded under this solicitation (SPE8EC-21-R-0004) and awardees will compete for a portion of the maximum dollar value. The ordering period end date is Oct. 27, 2027. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2028 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8EC-23-D-0002).
31 Oct 22. U.S. Army Awards USD 1.498bn IDIQ CROWS Contract to KONGSBERG. The United States Army has today awarded a 5-year IDIQ contract valued up to USD 1.498bn to Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace AS for the continued delivery of the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). Between the M151 and M153 variants KONGSBERG has delivered more than 18,000 systems to the U.S. Armed Services. These systems are in-service within every branch of the U.S. military and many US agencies, providing protection for soldiers within combat vehicles, facilities, and vessels. The KONGSBERG PROTECTOR family of remote weapon stations is the most widely used system in the world, providing commonality among NATO and allied forces. (Source: Google/https://www.marketscreener.com/)
01 Nov 22. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) announced today delivering its 10,000th Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular to the U.S. Army and receiving a new production order for additional ENVG-Bs. The recent delivery of nearly 600 ENVG-Bs to the Army’s Security Force Assistance Brigade closed out the Army’s initial 10,000 unit order, marking a major milestone in the company’s four-year-old ENVG-B program. The Security Force Assistance Brigade will be the ninth Army brigade to field L3Harris’ night vision system. The ENVG-B provides additional real-time battlespace intelligence for close-combat soldiers when connected with Falcon® IV tactical radios via the Intra-Soldier wireless network, bringing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance video directly to the goggle provides to speed target identification and provide an immersive battlespace perspective. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
27 Oct 22. Collins Aerospace has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to develop a modern Common VLF Receiver Increment 2 (CVRi2) for the future Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC). This 30-month, $42m Period of Performance (POP) contract for initial development will help modernize U.S. Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) capability. The new product line features the CVRi2, which is a pre-, trans- and post-attack, survivable, beyond-line-of-sight communication system that will be used to disseminate command and control orders and provide presidential direction to nuclear forces. As a key component of the SAOC Weapon System, CVRi2 is Open Mission System (OMS) and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) compliant, while incorporating modern OpenVPX architecture ruggedized specifically for SAOC’s nuclear hardened environment. The CVRi2’s open architecture will enable the U.S. Air Force to own the technical baseline and support decades of future growth. CVRi2 is also architected to support other airborne and ground platforms that are part of the NC3 capability. CVRi2 also provides a launch program to transition technologies developed on the Software Programmable OMS Compliant (SPOC) program to a fielded system. SPOC’s OMS infrastructure backbone is combined with VLF Radio Frequency subassemblies to create the core Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) within the CVRi2 system. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Nov 22. Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today announced L3Harris Technologies’ (NYSE: LHX) selection of Garmin’s G3000™ tandem integrated flight deck as part of a U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Armed Overwatch program contract. L3Harris’ Sky Warden™ platform includes the first forward-fit deployable combat aircraft featuring Garmin’s G3000 tandem integrated flight deck. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Nov 22. L3 Technologies Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded a $20,717,731 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for the Manned/Unmanned Teaming hardware and technical and engineering support for the Apache attack helicopter. 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 Jan. 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-22-F-0293).
02 Nov 22. Sikorsky Aircraft Co., a Lockheed Martin Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $21,354,094 firm-fixed-price modification (P00002) to an order (N6134022F7009) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0029). This modification exercises options to procure one CH53K containerized flight training device (2F243-3), as well as associated technical data based on low-rate initial production Lot 4 configuration in support of CH-53K phase II training system efforts. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia (67%); Stratford, Connecticut (18%); and Orlando, Florida (15%), and is expected to be completed in February 2025. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,354,094 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity.
31 Oct 22. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a not-to-exceed $280,946,361 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) to a previously awarded contract (N0001922C0004). This modification exercises an option to procure long lead items in support of full rate production Lot 8, CH-53K aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $230,000,000 and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $50,946,361 will be obligated at 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.
01 Nov 22. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, was awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to deliver a preliminary design for a satellite that would carry an array of sensors to very low Earth orbit (VLEO) for in-situ ionosphere measurements. The award is part of DARPA’s Ouija program, which aims to use sensors on satellites to provide new insights into high-frequency (HF) radio wave propagation in the ionosphere, the area spanning the upper edges of the Earth’s atmosphere to the lower regions of space. The program seeks to quantify the space HF noise environment and improve characterization of the ionosphere to support novel HF capabilities. DARPA’s award utilizes Spire’s pioneering Space Services model, which offers organizations fast and scalable access to space through a subscription model that eliminates the high upfront cost of building and maintaining infrastructure in space. Organizations can leverage Spire’s established space, ground, and web infrastructure to deploy and operate a constellation of satellites, a hosted payload, or a software application in space. Spire handles the end-to-end management, from manufacturing to launch to satellite operations, and the customer operates the system through a web API. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Nov 22. Survitec has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin to develop new flight equipment as part of a capability upgrade for the mission proven F-16 in service with air forces worldwide. Survitec will leverage its 70 years of experience in the design and certification of high-performance functional garments to meet the safety and comfort needs of pilots operating the latest and most advanced F-16 configuration. The F-16 Pilot Flight Equipment will use a fully modular design philosophy employed on F-35 Lightning II. Survitec holds the sole source contract for the full below-neck Pilot Flight Ensemble (PFE).
TECHNOLOGY
03 Nov 22. ECS, a leader in advanced technology, science, and digital transformation solutions, has won a five-year, $430m, recompete contract to support the Army Endpoint Security Solution (AESS). ECS will continue their work providing managed service operations and developing enhanced functionality for AESS 2.0, the next generation of the AESS platform. Overseen by United States Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER), AESS protects up to 800K endpoints across the Army unclassified and classified networks. As the AESS managed services provider (MSP), ECS provides the Army with traditional and advanced protections (such as data loss prevention, extended detection and response, and machine learning), threat prevention, web control, firewall, and adaptive threat protection. The ECS-designed, cloud-ready platform delivers automatic security, instantaneous visibility, and specialized protections for traditional endpoints as well as public and private clouds. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
03 Nov 22. KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded two contracts totaling over $120m to conduct advanced analytics, modeling, estimation, research, integrated program management, acquisition technical assistance, architecture trade studies, data science, and data management, in support of the U.S. government’s evaluation of strategic space system acquisitions. Under the terms of the contracts, KBR will develop analytic products and systems engineering services that inform investment decisions for major systems acquisitions, with an emphasis on spacecraft systems, information technology systems, and space system sustainment activities. Work is expected to be performed through 2027.
28 Oct 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $111,107,767 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00017) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0026). This modification adds scope for the development of a Common Reprogramming Tool (CRT) minimum viable product, as well as establishing network connections required to establish the CRT development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture needed to commence development of enhanced reprogramming tools in support of efforts to replace legacy programming tools utilized by reprogramming labs to modernize and revolutionize F-35 reprogramming. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in October 2024. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $4,731,945; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,655,054; and non-U.S. Department of Defense partner funds in the amount of $1,595,546 will be obligated at the time of award, $8,386,999 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 Nov 22. Lumen Technologies has secured a contract to deliver crucial network transport and communication services in the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility (AOR). The performance period of this indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract is between August 2022 to August 2032. As part of this ten-year award, the company will provide high capacity, end-to-end communications services and capabilities, including internet, ethernet and wavelengths, to the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). All these crucial services will support the country’s interests across various strategically complex regions, including Alaska. Furthermore, the effort will allow the US Department of Defense (Dod) to attain the national security objectives across 36 countries in the Asia Pacific region. (Source: naval-technology.com)
03 Nov 22. Peraton/Arcfield, Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded a $15,694,715 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00015) under a previously announced contract (N0003021C0016) for program support services for the Navy’s Strategic Weapons Systems Reentry Subsystem. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado (75%); Washington, D.C. (15%); Albuquerque, New Mexico (8%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (1%); and Omaha, Nebraska (1%). Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,255,559; fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,575,000; and fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,547,500 will be obligated at time of award. Funding in the amount of $2,547,500 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The total dollar value of the modification is $15,694,715, and the total cumulative face value of the contract is $58,611,621. This contract was initially awarded as a sole source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
REST OF THE WORLD
SEA
02 Nov 22. Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that the Australian Government has ordered an additional Guardian-class Patrol Boat from Austal Australia for A$15.2m. The 39.5 metre steel hull patrol boat, to be constructed in Western Australia and delivered in September 2024, is in addition to the 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats ordered by the Australian Government under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) in 2016. Fifteen of the 21 vessels have been delivered to 11 Pacific Island nations under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program, since 2018. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Nov 22. Babcock subsidiary Naval Ship Management has been selected as the Regional Maintenance Provider West, managing the sustainment of Royal Australian Navy ships in Henderson, Western Australia. The contract, with an expected value of $32 m, will oversee the maintenance and sustainment of two Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels. Though, the contract can be extended to $300 m if the six Anzac Class frigates, which are expected to be based in Western Australia, are included in the initial five-year period. (Source: Defence Connect)
01 Nov 22. EM Solutions wins RAN SATCOM support services contract. Australia’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) has selected EM Solutions to carry out Introduction into Service and Support Services for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) existing fleet of Cobra Maritime Satellite Communications (SATCOM) terminals for a period of three years, through to August 2025. The terminals were built by EM Solutions which won the Pacific 2019 SME Innovation Award for their design. EM Solutions is now part of the Electro Optic System (EOS) Group. The contract which is initially valued at approximately $25.7m, gives CASG the ability to purchase additional terminals as needed to meet requirements for new ship builds and for the provision of enhanced SATCOM capabilities to existing ships. In recent years, EM Solutions’ Cobra terminals have been purchased and installed through various individual ADF project offices. This contract, however, provides for consistent sparing, support and training packages to be developed across the entire installed base. The awarding of the contract represents a vote of confidence in the capabilities of Australia’s sovereign defence industry and will enable EM Solutions to add further value to its world-leading products and systems. The development and implementation of the contracted services will occur at EM Solutions’ Brisbane facility, enhancing Australian Industry Capability in the area of maritime SATCOM. (Source: Rumour Control)
AIR
01 Nov 22. RJAF Agrees to Purchase Bell 505s to Boost Training Capabilities. Aqaba, Jordan (Nov. 1, 2022) Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the signed agreement for the sale of 10 Bell 505 helicopters to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) today at The Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference (SOFEX) in Aqaba, Jordan. The contract includes the delivery of the aircraft with a flight training device and a comprehensive computer-based training package to enable an enhanced approach to basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training at the King Hussein Air College in Mafraq, Jordan. (Source: ASD Network)
03 Nov 22. CMC Electronics announced today that it was selected by aviation technology leader Merlin to provide its civil-certified PU-3000 avionics computer to power their autonomous flight solutions. Merlin’s autonomy systems aim to reduce crew in large cargo aircraft, and to eliminate crew entirely in small aircraft, solving a key aviation issue in an industry facing a severe global pilot shortage. As a strategic partner to Merlin, CMC will provide its latest multicore avionics computer certified by Transport Canada to host their advanced flight control software that enables autonomous flying. The PU-3000’s open architecture platform offers high-performance multicore processing capability and an unrivaled set of interfaces, allowing Merlin to easily adapt the system for use on different aircraft types. The PU-3000 allows customers to retain their intellectual property by implementing their own applications using CMC’s comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK). The computer can host software applications developed to various Design Assurance Levels, up to DAL A. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Nov 22. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that it has been selected by Global Air Navigation Services (GANS), a leading specialized provider of Air Navigation services, Engineering & Technical services, and consultancy in the field of Air Navigation, to provide aircraft arresting systems to the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense. Under the contract, valued at approximately $19m, Curtiss-Wright will provide specialized arresting systems supporting both tailhook and non-tailhook equipped aircraft. Curtiss-Wright is performing the work within its EMS division in the Naval & Power segment. The products covered by this agreement will be shipped to GANS from the Curtiss-Wright Engineered Arresting Systems – ESCO facility in Aston, PA, including components from the Curtiss-Wright Arresting Systems facility in Merpins, France.
28 Oct 22. KAI awarded attack helicopter contract for Marines. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been awarded a contract to develop an attack helicopter for the Republic of Korea (RoK) Marine Corps. In an announcement on 27 October, KAI said that it had signed a contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to develop the helicopter at a cost of KRW438.40 bn (USD308.65 m). The contract is to be executed within 46 months, KAI said in a regulatory filing. The company told Janes that three prototypes will be produced. KAI added in a statement that it had proposed the development of the MUH-1 Marineon amphibious helicopter into an attack helicopter as it is a “proven light armed helicopter (LAH)”. The company said that the helicopter must be capable of covering amphibious manoeuvres of the marine corps, its “amphibious assault helicopters and air assault forces”. It must “provide air fire support for ground combat units between the final operations,” KAI added. (Source: Janes)
03 Nov 22. The Government of Australia has requested to buy twenty-four (24) C-130J-30 aircraft with four (4) each Rolls Royce AE-2100D turboprop engines installed; twenty-four (24) Rolls Royce AE-2100D turboprop engines with Quick Engine Change Assembly (QECA) and propellers installed (spares); sixty (60) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) (EGI) security devices, airborne (48 installed, 12 spares); thirty-two (32) AN/ALQ-251 Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems; twenty-seven (27) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems (24 installed, 3 spares); sixteen (16) AN/AAQ 24(V)N LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) (12 installed, 4 spares); and twenty-four (24) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (installed). Also included are AN/AAQ 24(V)N LAIRCM Infrared Missile Warning Sensors (MWS), Control Interface Unit Replacements (CIRU), and classified memory card User Data Modules (UDM); KYV-5M communication security modules; AN/ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radios; AN/ARC-210 radios; AN/ARN-153 tactical airborne navigation (TACAN) systems; AN/ARN-147 receivers; AN/ARN-149(V) automatic direction finders; AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; AN/AAR 47 missile warning systems; AN/APN-241 Low-Power Color Radars (LPCR); AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS); AN/ALR-56 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR); AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; MX-20HD electro optical/infrared targeting systems; AN/KIV-77 IFF cryptographic appliques; Advanced Digital Antenna Production (ADAP) system components; integration support and test equipment; aircraft and support equipment; secure communications equipment, precision navigation, and cryptographic devices; classified software delivery and support; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories; maintenance and maintenance support; classified manuals, publications, and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $6.35bn. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, Marietta, GA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
02 Nov 22. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) signed a six-year agreement with Quickstep Holdings Limited (ASX:QHL) for the supply of F-35 components to support the global aerospace program. The order was signed under an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian-owned and operated company, with work to be completed in Sydney, New South Wales. Northrop Grumman manufactures the centre fuselage section for all three F-35 variants. In 2012, the company integrated Quickstep into its global supply chain for the F-35 and has become Northrop Grumman’s largest Australian supplier for the program. The Australian Government joined the global F-35 program in 2002, and for the last 20 years, more than 70 directly-contracted Australian businesses have made significant contributions to the design and development phases of the program.
28 Oct 22. Ultra Maritime and UMS Skeldar awarded contract to evaluate UAS-based ASW solution for Canada. Ultra Maritime and UMS Skeldar have received a phase-two contract to evaluate the development of an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonobuoy dispensing capability for rotary-winged unmanned aerial systems (UASs). Under the award, granted by the Canadian Department of National Defence’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEas) programme, the two companies will evaluate the technical and operational feasibility of deploying sonobuoys from a Skeldar V-200 vertical take-off and landing UAS to track potentially hostile submarines operating in Canadian waters. Speaking to Janes, Richard Hjelmberg, vice-president for business development, UMS Skeldar, said the phase-two contract would continue to develop initial proof-of-concept studies completed during 2021. Work would include conducting structural installation and integration work on the UAS to be able to fit the sonobuoys onboard. (Source: Janes)