Sponsored By Comtech
www.comtech.com
————————————————————————
UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
22 Dec 22. JFD, a part of James Fisher and Sons, has secured a third in-service support (3ISS) contract to continue delivering support services for the Nato Submarine Rescue System (NSRS). Valued at £63m, the contract will allow JFD to continue providing complete safety critical operational assurance services and solutions for Nato’s system. This 3ISS contract was awarded by the NSRS Authority, on behalf of three participant countries, including the UK, Norway and France. It is valid for a period of next five years and will come into effect from summer next year. The contract also includes an additional nine-year extension option. According to JFD, the NSRS is a fly-away international submarine rescue initiative that provides support to the submariners in case of any life-threatening submarine incident. Prior to the latest 3ISS award, the company was supporting the NSRS platform under the ‘second in-service support’ (2ISS) contract, which began in 2015. (Source: naval-technology.com)
27 Dec 22. L3Harris Technologies Inc., L-3 Telemetry and Radio Frequency Products, San Diego, California, is awarded a $21,908,546 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0064). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of 374 modernized radios, to include 335 for the Navy and 39 for the government of the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed in March 2025. Fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,623,965; and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $2,284,581 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.
EUROPE
LAND
22 Dec 22. Bittium has received a purchase order from the The Finnish Defence Forces for Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system’s products. The ordered tactical routers and radio heads are related to several Finnish Defence Forces’ ongoing projects where Bittium TAC WIN provides broadband IP network connections for mobile communication stations and command posts. The system supports the combat doctrine of the Finnish Defence Forces where mobility, leading the troops on the move, and effective communications play a key role. The resilient and modular system is used by all three service branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. The value of the purchase order is approximately EUR 6.6m (excl. VAT). The order is based on a Framework Agreement between Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces, according to which the Finnish Defence Forces purchase Bittium TAC WIN system’s products for tactical communications. The Framework Agreement covers the years 2021–2024, with a total value of approximately EUR 30m (excl. VAT) at the maximum. According to the Framework Agreement, the Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders for the products each year. The deliveries for the ordered products begin during the year 2022. The purchase order does not change Bittium’s financial guidance for the year 2022.
21 Dec 22. The Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order with Sweden’s Saab to deliver ammunition for the Latvian Armed Forces’ Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifles. The estimated value of this order is approximately $17.72m (SEK185m). It has been awarded as part of the existing framework agreement signed between Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). This agreement allows Latvian MoD to procure Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system as well as its ammunition over a period of next ten years from the time of signing orders. Under this framework agreement, Saab received a similar order, worth around $18.73m, from the Latvian MoD in 2018. Apart from Latvia, the framework agreement also allows FMV to make cost effective purchases for the Swedish and Estonian armed forces. Both Latvia and Estonia ordered Carl-Gustaf M4 systems from Saab in May 2020. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
21 Dec 22. Saab has signed an agreement with FMV on the life extension of two Koster-class mine countermeasures ships. The order value is SEK 350m. The contract also includes options for FMV to order measures regarding the remaining three ships in the Koster-class. The total value of the options are SEK 270m. The contract with FMV means that Saab will carry out life extensions of two Koster-class mine countermeasures ships. The modernisation involves an exchange of systems for life extension and enhanced capabilities to ensure continued operability. The programme includes, among other things, a new navigation radar installation and improved capabilities linked to combat systems. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
27 Dec 22. France and Poland have signed a deal for the sale of two French observation satellites to Poland, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Twitter. The Polish Armament Agency said the net value of the deal is around 575m euros ($611.69m) and that the launch into space of the Polish satellites produced by Airbus Defence & Space (AIR.PA) is to be completed by 2027. (Source: Reuters)
23 Dec 22. Lithuania’s Defence Ministry has signed a deal to buy Switchblade 600 drones from the United States, becoming the first European NATO member to order the kamikaze system. The deal is worth about €45m (U.S. $48m), the statement said. The American company AeroVironment makes the kamikaze drones, sometimes referred to as loitering munitions. Lithuanian MoD spokesperson Martynas Bendikas declined to say how many Switchblade 600 systems it ordered. As part of its efforts to combat Russia’s ongoing invasion, Ukraine has used Switchblade 300 drones in battle. Likewise, other countries along Russia’s western front are purchasing combat UAVs. Poland, for example, leased a set of MQ-9A Reaper drones from General Atomics in October, and it’s preparing to purchase the unmanned aircraft. And Romania this month inked a framework agreement with Israel’s Elbit Systems to buy up to seven Watchkeeper X drones earlier this week. (Source: Defense News)
21 Dec 22. Albania agreed to purchase three Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, the model that is becoming increasingly popular after its use by the Ukrainian forces against Russian invaders, the government press office said Wednesday. The government did not say how much it paid for the drones, which carry lightweight, laser-guided bombs. The deal was signed Tuesday. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, would be armed and ready to fight, “which I hope will never occur.” They also will be used to monitor the country’s territory for drug planting, fires, flooding and any terrorist activity. The Bayraktar company will train 30 members of the Albanian military on air control and operation. They will operate from the Kucova air base, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the capital, Tirana. The air base is being renovated to support NATO air supply operations, logistics support, air policing, training and exercises. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
22 Dec 22. Slovenian Armed Forces to receive new Belin-V UASs. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia has contracted C-Astral to deliver two Belin-V unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) to the Slovenian Armed Forces. Under the EUR1.26m (USD1.34m) deal, C-Astral will supply six air vehicles before the end of 2022. Two ground control stations, two tablet-based controllers, two AstralTrack 5xu antennas, and four tactical radio stations are scheduled for delivery by the end of May 2023 at the latest. The Belin-V is a battery-powered aircraft and is based on C-Astral’s Bramor family. It operates at the tactical level and provides an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. The aircraft has an endurance of up to three hours and can be controlled out to a distance of 40km via a line-of-sight communications link. The air vehicle has a blended wing design and features a pusher propeller. The gimballed payload is carried under the nose and typically features electro-optical and infrared cameras. (Source: Janes)
22 Dec 22. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $36m to supply four F-16 Full Mission Simulators (FMS) to the Polish Air Force (PLAF). The contract will be performed over a 28-month period. The simulation technology at the core of the Mission Training Center enables higher quality training and improves mission readiness. Featuring a 360-degree display system, the interconnected simulators provide a high fidelity, full mission training experience. By providing an immersive real flight experience with no safety limitations, Elbit Systems’ training solution will provide PLAF F-16 pilots with a range of skills from basic familiarity with the aircraft to advanced combat flight competencies in complex operational arenas. Elbit Systems’ training and simulation technologies can also provide the future simulation infrastructure of the PLAF, enabling connectivity to additional training devices for Live, Virtual and Constructive training.
USA
LAND
22 Dec 22. Elbit America Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $99,100,000 modification (P00019) to contract W15QKN-17-D-0007 for the production, kitting, delivery, fielding, testing and training of mortar fire-control systems. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 28, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
28 Dec 22. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded an undefinitized contract action (UCA), with a not-to-exceed value of $527,740,864, inclusive of all options. This UCA will be awarded for a sole-source, hybrid (cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee) modification (P00054) under contract HQ085121C0002. This UCA expands performance of the Aegis Weapon System to implement Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities into an Aegis Guam System. An initial obligation of $11,394,512 using fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation funds will occur at the time of award. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with period of performance from time of award through Dec. 31, 2027. The value of the contract increases from $811,633,012 by $425,365,356 to $1,236,998,368. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
23 Dec 22. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $102,961,926 modification (P00383) to contract W56HZV-20-C-0050 for bilateral modification to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2024. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Brazil, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Romania) funds in the amount of $102,961,926 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
29 Dec 22. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced it was awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract award worth up to $325m over a five-year period to support the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This sole-source IDIQ is an extension of a $350m IDIQ contract awarded to Viasat in 2017. Under the contract award, Viasat will continue to provide advanced mission equipment, services and support to sustain and improve situational awareness, integration, terrestrial networking, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), tactical satellite communications, information assurance and network management capabilities of Special Operations Forces. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
22 Dec 22. BAE Systems – Jacksonville Ship Repair LLC, Jacksonville, Florida, was awarded an $119,261,837 firm-fixed-price contract action for maintenance, modernization, and repair of USS Lassen (DDG 82) fiscal 2023 Depot Modernization Period. The scope of this acquisition includes all labor, supervision, facilities, equipment, production, testing, and quality assurance necessary to prepare for and accomplish the CNO Availability for managing critical modernization, maintenance, and repair programs. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $137,918,372. Work will be performed in Mayport, Florida, and is expected to be completed by April 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through April 2024. Fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $74,044,929 (62%); fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $40,806,891 (34%); and fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,410,017 (4%) will be obligated at the time of award, of which $4,410,017 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the System for Award website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-23-C-4486). (Awarded Dec. 13, 2022)
AIR
23 Dec 22. AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $110,590,500 firm-fixed-price modification (P00022) to a previously awarded contract (N6134020C0007). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of 26 TH-73A Lot IV aircraft and related data in support of the Advanced Helicopter Training System program for the Navy. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (80%); Mineral Wells, Texas (5%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (15%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $110,590,500 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.
23 Dec 22. The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $497,094,402 firm-fixed-price contract for CH-47F aircraft. 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 Dec. 30, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-23-F-0120).
27 Dec 22. ERAPSCO, Columbia City, Indiana (N0001919D0012 P00017); and Lockheed Martin Corp., Manassas, Virginia (N0001919D0013 P00022), are awarded firm-fixed-price modifications to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. These modifications exercise options for the production and delivery of up to 36,000 AN/SSQ-125A series production sonobuoys for the Navy. The estimated aggregate ceiling for all modifications is not-to-exceed $222,459,840, 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 September 2025. 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.
30 Dec 22. Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, California, is awarded a $15,515,343 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure and deliver a quantity of two XQ-58A unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with sensor and weapon system payloads to accomplish the penetrating affordable autonomous collaborative killer – portfolio objectives, including technical services non-recurring engineering, system/subsystem integration, installation, testing, ground and flight operations, logistics, and maintenance for the UAS as well as government-owned, contractor-operated operations for flight test and demonstration events at government test ranges. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,515,343 will be obligated at the time of award, $15,515,343 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 4023. The Naval Air Warfare Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042123C0010).
30 Dec 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $7,842,191,056 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00019) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0009). This modification adds scope to procure 127 F-35 Lot 16 aircraft, to include 89 F-35A aircraft, 23 F-35B aircraft, and 15 F-35C, as well as definitizes a modification (P00016) in support of F-35 Lot 15 aircraft procurements and associated auxiliary equipment in support of the Joint Strike Fighter program for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed Fort Worth, Texas (57%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); Nagoya, Japan (2%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in August 2026. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,407,157,591; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) in the amount of $2,225,999,290; FMS customer funds in the amount of $ 1,488,017,560; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $1,721,016,615 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.
23 Dec 22. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $1,051,400,000 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), undefinitized advanced acquisition contract. This contract procures long lead time materials, parts, components, and efforts necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of 118 Lot 18 aircraft F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S Department of Defense (DOD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (57%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); Nagoya, Japan (2%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in January 2024. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $172,000,000; fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $289,000,000; FMS customer funds in the amount of $427,200,000; and non-U.S. DOD funds in the amount of $163,200,000 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 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0003).
22 Dec 22. Raytheon Missile and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $317,415,034 modification (P00009) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract (N0001921C0723). This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of AIM-9X production Lot 23. This modification procures 290 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round Tactical Missiles (160 for the Air Force, 12 for the Army, 118 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS)); 181 AIM-9X Block II plus All Up Round Tactical Missiles for FMS; 146 Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (70 for the Air Force, 76 for FMS); 178 All Up Round Containers (66 for the Air Force, 3 for the Army, 109 for FMS); 13 spare Advanced Optical Target Detectors (6 for the Air Force, 7 for FMS); nine spare Advanced Optical Target Detector Containers (3 for the Air Force, 6 for FMS); 27 Spare Block II Guidance Units (Live Battery) (20 for the Air Force, 7 for FMS customers); 14 spare Block II+ Guidance Units (Live Battery) (2 for the Air Force, 12 for FMS); three spare Block I Propulsion Steering Sections for the Air Force; five spare Block II Propulsion Steering Sections for the Air Force; 33 Guidance Unit Containers for FMS; 38 spare Block II Captive Air Training Missile Guidance Units (Inert Battery) (10 for the Air Force, 28 for FMS); 278 Tail Caps (8 for the Air Force, 270 for FMS); 72 Tail Cap Containers (2 for the Air Force, 70 for FMS); two Block II Tactical Sectionalization Kits for FMS; one Block II plus Tactical Sectionalization Kit for FMS; three Block II CATM Sectionalization Kits for FMS; six spare Block II Electrical Units for the Air Force; 13 Multi-Purpose Training Missile for FMS; four Dummy Air Test Missiles for FMS; two lots of support equipment for FMS; 22 General Purpose Controllers for FMS and two other lot spare assets, one for the Air Force and one for FMS. Additionally this modification provides non-recurring engineering associated with the Systems Improvement Program III transition to production activities. Work will be performed in North Logan, Utah (28.09%); Tucson, Arizona (21.64%); Linthincum Heights, Maryland (18.88%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (11.46%); Murrieta, California (8.42%); Saint Albans, Vermont (7.75%); Ann Arbor, Michigan (1.44%); Warrington, Pennsylvania (1.22%) and various locations within the continental U.S. (1.10%), and is expected to be completed in August 2026. Fiscal 2023 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $104,926,370; fiscal 2022 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,366,689; fiscal 2021 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $586,343; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $5,657,712; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $203,877,920 will be obligated at the time of award, $6,244,055 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
23 Dec 22. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $74,695,424 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract procures 28 V-22 AE1107C engines (24 for production aircraft and 4 spare engines) in support of the V-22 Osprey for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $74,695,424 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 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0017).
TECHNOLOGY
23 Dec 22. The Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University (ARL/PSU), University Park, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $734,972,174 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-D-6401 to exercise an option for research, development, engineering, and test and evaluation in support of programs throughout the Department of Defense (DOD) within its core competency areas including: (1) Guidance, navigation and control of undersea systems; (2) Advanced thermal propulsion concepts and systems for undersea vehicles; (3) Advanced propulsors and other fluid machinery for marine systems; (4) Materials technology and manufacturing technology to meet the unique requirements of Naval systems and components; (5) Atmosphere and defense communications systems research that supports and complements maintained capabilities; and (6) Mission related and public service oriented research, technology developments, test evaluation and systems analysis required to provide a quick response to rapidly evolving DOD and other government agency requirements. Work will be performed in University Park, Pennsylvania and is expected to be completed by February 2028. Funds of multiple different appropriation types and years from program offices and agencies throughout the DOD may be obligated on individual task orders for efforts that fall within the core competency areas. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
23 Dec 22. Carahsoft Technology Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $431,999,156 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of ServiceNow products. 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 Dec. 22, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-23-D-0005).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
23 Dec 22. AV-Comm Space and Defence has won a contract with Lockheed Martin to build and maintain four satellite ground station facilities for the SouthPAN project. The Southern Positioning Augmentation Network, SouthPAN for short, is a joint initiative between the Australian and New Zealand governments to create an extremely accurate satellite positioning system. The system is expected to improve the location accuracy of users from the current standard of about 10 metres to as little as 10 centimetres. Geoscience Australia and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) are responsible for the roll out and operation of the program. As part of the $25m contract, AV-Comm will be responsible for building and servicing four radio frequency uplink subsystems which will all incorporate 11-metre diameter satellite dishes. In addition to the uplink facilities, AV-Comm will also provide assistance and support for the installation and continued maintenance of 28 global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) reference stations throughout both Australia and New Zealand. (Source: Space Connect)
29 Dec 22. The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Volcano anti-tank mine-laying systems to Taiwan for an estimated $180m, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation are the prime contractors for the potential sale. U.S. law requires the executive branch to notify Congress of potential arms sales that are over a certain amount. But these notifications are usually not made unless lawmakers have given the State Department and Pentagon informal approval to move ahead. The potential deal comes as China ramps up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims, including almost daily Chinese air force missions near the island during the past three years. Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement that the sale would take effect in about a month and that the system would help boost the island’s “asymmetric warfare” capacity to make its forces more agile. (Source: Reuters)
AIR
22 Dec 22. Argentina’s Army, Air Force to split new order of Bell Textron helos. Argentina has ordered six 407 GXi helicopters from Bell Textron Canada, representatives of the country’s Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces Joint Staff announced Wednesday in Buenos Aires. The helo will replace part of Argentina’s aging fleet of French-made SA 315B Lama light helicopters, which the Army and Air Force have used for 45 years in mountain-rescue and liaison roles. Three of the 407 GXi helos will go to the Army, and the other three to the Air Force. The deal is worth $38m, military sources in Buenos Aires told Defense News on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the contract. The original requirement, issued almost a decade ago, was for 12 helicopters. This latest contract does not include options for additional aircraft. Deliveries are to start in the second half of 2023. (Source: Defense News)
22 Dec 22. Korea Aerospace Industries said Friday it signed a 302bn won ($235m) deal with Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration to provide light armed helicopters (LAH). Under the contract, KAI will supply the South Korean military with 10 LAH units starting in December 2024. The deal also requires KAI to provide integrated product support, including training for first-time operators and a maintenance float. The KAI LAH is the second domestically-developed helicopter following KAI’s utility helicopter KUH-1 Surion, which started production in 2012. The newly produced LAH will replace the Korean military’s aged 500MD and AH-1S helicopters in performing air strike missions against armored vehicles. KAI said the helicopter is equipped with a digitalized cockpit which is furnished with state-of-the-art equipment including a smart multi-functional display, and an integrated electronic map computer. It is armed with a 20 millimeter turret machine gun, guided air-to-surface missiles, and rockets. (Source: News Now/http://www.koreaherald.com/)
23 Dec 22. Leonardo Awarded $1bn CAN Contract for the AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” SAR Helicopter Mid-Life Upgrade Project. The contract includes upgrades of 13 existing Cormorant SAR helicopters and the augmentation of a further three aircraft, delivering greater capabilities and extending fleet life expectancy to 2042+. The programme will be executed by Team Cormorant led by Leonardo and comprising IMP Aerospace and Defence, GE Canada and Collins Aerospace Canada. The Canadian Department of National Defence has awarded Leonardo (through Leonardo U.K. Ltd of Yeovil) a $1bn CAN (€690m) contract for the AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU) Project for 16 aircraft in total, comprising 13 existing Cormorant Search and Rescue Helicopter (CSH) currently in-service and the augmentation of a further three aircraft. This contract will enhance the aircraft’s systems and technologies, ensure compliance with emerging airspace requirements, extend the life expectancy of the fleet to 2042+ and enable the return of Cormorant helicopters to the Main Operating Base (MOB) Trenton. After distinguished 20-years of service life, the CH-149 Cormorant fleet will now undergo a mid-life upgrade, further to Team Cormorant’s proposition. The team is a collaboration of Leonardo and is supported by its principle Canadian subcontractor IMP Aerospace and Defence together with GE Canada, and Collins Aerospace Canada. The majority of the CMLU work will be performed in Canada, primarily at IMP’s Halifax, N.S. facilities. The CMLU Project will transition Canada’s AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” SAR helicopter fleet to the latest standard currently being delivered for SAR in Norway and arguably the best search and rescue helicopter in the world. The CMLU Project will include; state-of-the-art avionics, a new glass cockpit, more powerful digitally-controlled engines, wireless in-cabin communications, the latest SAR sensors including Electro Optical Infra-Red device and Mobile Phone Detection Location System –enabling less search and more rescue.
————————————————————————-
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is a leading global technology company providing terrestrial and wireless network solutions, next-generation 9-1-1 emergency services, satellite and space communications technologies, and clouded native solutions to commercial and government customers around the world. Our unique culture of innovation and employee empowerment unleashes a relentless passion for customer success. With multiple facilities located in technology corridors throughout the United States and the world, Comtech leverages its global presence, technology leadership and decades of experience to create the world’s most innovative communications solutions.
————————————————————————-