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EUROPE
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04 Jan 23. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that its – E-LynXTM tactical Software Defined Radio (SDR) solution was selected by the Spanish Ministry of Defense Directorate-General for Armament and Material (DGAM) for the “URGENT ACQUISITION OF V/UHF SDR RADIO EQUIPMENT” program. This follows the Spanish MOD’s selection of the E-LynXTM SDR solution for its combat battalions in November 2020, and for its 8×8 Dragon Vehicles in November 2021. The E-LynXTM SDR solution will be manufactured and maintained in Spain as a national sovereign radio, equipped with Spain’s national crypto solution, through the cooperation between Telefonica and Elbit Systems. Designed in an open architecture approach, the E-LynXTM family of SDR systems provides interoperable multi-channel network capacity, capable of dynamic and autonomous optimization of spectrum resources and concurrent mission execution while maintaining fast, resilient and secure communications in any terrain.
04 Jan 23. Poland signs deal to buy 2nd batch of Abrams tanks. Poland’s defense minister on Wednesday signed a deal to buy a second batch of U.S Abrams main battle tanks as Warsaw beefs up its defensive capabilities and strengthens military cooperation with Washington in light of Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine. Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed the $1.4bn deal at a military base in Wesola, near Warsaw. The agreement foresees the delivery of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks with related equipment and logistics starting this year. (Source: Defense News)
20 Dec 22. Sweden’s defence ministry “purchases C-UAS equipment from MyDefence.” Denmark’s Nyheder news service reports Sweden’s defence ministry has ordered counter-UAS equipment from Denmark’s MyDefence. According to the news report: “The equipment must first and foremost be able to stop civilian drones that weigh less than 25 kilos. First, units in the Swedish Air Force and Navy will receive the equipment, and by next year the Swedish Home Guard will also have the equipment. These are portable anti-drone systems called Pitbull and Wingman… The Swedish Armed Forces have also ordered vehicle-mounted systems from MyDefence. That system is called Dobermann and can disrupt the signal between drones and operators. “The Swedish defence (ministry) is also conducting experiments with laser and microwave weapons.” For more information: https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2022-12-20-sveriges-forsvar-kober-antidroneudstyr-fra-dansk-firma (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Jan 23. The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) has confirmed the procurement of additional Modular Small Arms System (MSBS) Grot assault rifles for the Polish Army. Valued at approximately $188.65m (zl826m), the new contract will involve the delivery of an additional batch of nearly 70,000 Grot carbines in the C16 FB-A2 5.56×45mm calibre version. The approved rifle procurement contract is one of the annexes included under a broader agreement signed between the Polish MND and Łucznik Arms Factory (Fabryka Broni Łucznik – Radom) in 2020. This annex included a provision for the delivery of nearly 70,000 Grot C16 FB-A2 calibre rifles for the Polish forces by the end of 2026. The MND is further planning to approve another annex in the upcoming weeks. (Source: army-technology.com)
30 Dec 22. Lithuanian Armed Forces capabilities will increase by 18 new generation Caesar Mark II self-propelled 155 mm howitzers. Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas concluded the bilateral agreement for joining the Caesar Mark II development programme during his visit to Paris at a meeting with Minister of the Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu on December 29. According to Ministers, the agreement significantly strengthens the Lithuanian Armed Forces, no less that the military cooperation between France and Lithuania. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
05 Jan 23. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $208,736,138 firm-fixed-price contract for the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System for the Republic of Romania. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring its cumulative value to $217,136,549. Work will be performed in Kongsberg, Norway (60%); Tucson, Arizona (34%); Schrobenhausen, Germany (2%); Raufoss, Norway (1%); and various other locations each less than 1% (3%), and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Foreign Military Sales (Romania) funds in the amount of $208,736,138 will be obligated at the time of award and will not 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 Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-23-C-5432). (Awarded Dec. 22, 2022)
04 Jan 23. Rheinmetall wins triple-digit milio-euro contract for explosives factory in Várpalota, Hungary. The Hungarian state is building a new explosives plant to produce RDX (Research Department eXplosive) at its site in Várpalota, Hungary. Rheinmetall Denel Munition Pty (Ltd) from South Africa is supplying the necessary plant technology. Under the contract signed on 15 December 2022, a new plant will be built and operated by a joint venture consisting of Rheinmetall and N7 Holding, a state-owned Hungarian enterprise. The contract is worth a figure in the low three-digit m-euro range. Now that the planning phase is complete, the project will start in 2023, so that production can begin by 2027. The explosives produced in the new plant can be used for artillery, tank, and mortar ammunition, among other things. The contract covers the supply of plant engineering, technology, and process know-how as well as the associated documentation, training, and all activities necessary to achieve full-scale production. The project is a strategic investment by Hungary in cooperation with Rheinmetall in response to the shortage of explosives resulting from strong demand for ammunition in Europe and NATO. At the same time, it promotes Europe’s independence from overseas imports in this sector. Once completed and taken over by the Hungarian state, Rheinmetall AG will be the primary customer for the explosives produced by the plant.
03 Jan 23. Rheinmetall modernizes Multi Sensor Platforms for the Norwegian Air Force – upgrade to MSP600digital. Rheinmetall has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency / NDMA to modernize the Multi Sensor Platform MSP500. The total value of the order is in the low double-digit million-euro range. The framework contract covers replacement of the old MSP500 system supplied in 2002 as well as the associated simulators with the more powerful MSP600digital sensor system. The installation of the new systems starts in summer 2025. The Multi Sensor Platforms slated for modernization form part of the Norwegian air defence system – the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS). They are integrated into NASMS batteries. Purged of obsolescent features, the MSP600digital is the performance-enhanced, HD-capable, digital successor of the MSP500 and MSP600 sensor platforms used by various armed forces worldwide. The MSP600 digital system is based on the MSP600 system, which is in service with many navies, coastguards and other military and civilian users. The four-axis stabilized platform controls an electro-optical sensor package, consisting of a state-of-the-art thermal imager (day/night vision), a high-precision laser rangefinder and a high-resolution HD colour daylight camera.
SEA
05 Jan 23. Ares has signed a contract with the Turkish government to provide the Navy’s first armed unmanned surface vehicle, the local shipyard announced last week. Ares’ local partner, Meteksan, is another privately owned defense technologies firm. Ares and SSB officials declined to comment on the contract value and order quantity. However, an SSB official told Defense News that the ULAQ order is in the “dozens.” Speaking on the condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to talk to the media, the official noted the unit price is a “few million U.S. dollars, depending on the configuration.” The ULAQ passed acceptance tests in 2022 and is inching toward delivery to the Navy. In December, SSB chief Ismail Demir announced the ULAQ had enhanced operability with drones and other unmanned platforms for enhanced naval operations. He said the drone was now equipped with a new, locally built propulsion system for faster cruising. (Source: Defense News)
05 Jan 23. Lockheed Martin, Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, was awarded an $82,778,365 cost-plus-incentive-fee, undefinitized modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5105 for Spain F-110 radar component production and ship integration and test. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Kingdom of Spain. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (59%); Ferrol, Spain (14%); Andover, Massachusetts (12%); Clearwater, Florida (12%); and Rota, Spain (3%), and is expected to be completed by December 2029. FMS (Spain) funds in the amount of $31,416,337 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 (Awarded Dec. 29, 2022).
AIR
29 Dec 22. Ovzon has today received, via their new partner Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), a first order for Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service. The initial contract covers a period during the first half of 2023. Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service is the markets leading integrated solution. It combines Ovzon’s ultra-small mobile satellite terminals, highly resilient and high-performance satellite networks, and the best-in-industry service and support from Ovzon’s Network Operations Center (NOC). With this contract, Ovzon deepens its collaboration with SSC, which acts both as the main party in the dialogue with customers, mainly within the Swedish government, and as a partner in the delivery of the service. Both are important parts of the end-to-end solution that has now been created to meet the specific and critical needs of these end customers. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Dec 22. Ovzon has received a 1 MUSD order for Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service from our new French partner Nigma Conseil SAS. The demand for high-performing, mobile and resilient satellite communications is increasing rapidly throughout the world. Ovzon’s industry-leading SATCOM-as-a-Service solution is uniquely suited for organizations where communications are paramount to the success of critical missions in the most remote locations or when terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. Nigma Conseil provides world-class Communications Solutions, Security, Business Intelligence, and Digital Security consulting for discriminating clients worldwide. Ovzon’s fully managed (24/7) SATCOM-as-a-Service delivers the most reliable solutions to customers with the highest demands for secure, no-fail, easy-to-use satellite communications. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
03 Jan 23. The Nato Communications and Information (NCI) Agency has signed two separate contracts to deploy cyber security and configuration services across the Nato Enterprise. The multiple awards, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts have been awarded to King ICT Croatia and IBM Belgium. The two companies have won the new awards through an open competition. Also known as the Cyber Security Services Framework (CSSF) contracts, the agreements will come into effect from 1 February 2023. The NCI Agency stated that the contracts have a maximum value of approximately €30m for all the IDIQ award winners and for the entire performance period of the contract. In addition, the base period of the contracts is two years, with two additional one-year contract extension option. As part of the two contracts, the companies will work to install and configure different cyber security assets for the Nato Enterprise. The award also covers the provision of delivering other support services that are presently being provided by the Nato Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). (Source: army-technology.com)
USA
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05 Jan 23. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced today it was awarded a contract to provide additional counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) platforms in support of U.S. Army’s Integrated Fires/Rapid Capabilities Office’s on-going Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) program. On October 7, 2022, DRS received approximately $40m and on November 11, 2022, the company was awarded approximately $20m through a modification contract. Under the existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, this new task order requires DRS to deliver additional kinetic defeat vehicles and spares. M-LIDS allows soldiers to detect, identify, track, and defeat small UAS with electronic warfare and kinetic defeat systems. The M-LIDS system includes a mix of kinetic defeat effectors including the XM914 (30mm) cannon hosted by the Moog Inc’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP ®) turret.
04 Jan 23. Metawave Corporation, a leading provider of advanced radar sensing and perception technologies, today announced that it has been awarded a $1.7m Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the U.S. Army. Pursuant to the contract, Metawave will enhance its defense application-proven Carson™ radar technology platform to support off-road perception sensing and other advancements for autonomous ground vehicles and systems. The resulting Hudson™ technology platform utilizes Metawave’s unique long-range and all-weather detection, tracking, and perception capabilities enabled by its patented phased array beamforming and steering front-end Marconi™ chips, highly integrated Antenna-in-Package (AiP) modules, and proven high-resolution and accurate radar algorithms. The new Hudson radar platform will also incorporate enhanced processing units (GPUs) from NVIDIA, the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) computing. The contract also includes an option for a Phase III follow-on contract, which would allow for the further development and deployment of the solution. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
04 Jan 23. BAE Systems – San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-18-D-4325); Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon (N00024-18-D-4326); General Dynamics – National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO), San Diego, California (N00024-18-D-4327); Marine Group Boat Works LLC,* Chula Vista, California (N00024-18-D-4328); Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication Inc.,* San Diego, California (N00024-18-D-4329); East Coast Repair and Fabrication,* Norfolk, Virginia (N00024-18-D-4330); Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama (N00024-21-D-4443); Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., Portsmouth, Virginia (N00024-21-D-4444); and Continental Marine of San Diego LLC, San Diego, California (N00024-21-D-4445), are awarded a combined $389,000,000 in firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modifications to the previously awarded multiple award contract for maintenance, modernization and repair requirements for littoral combat ships homeported in San Diego, California. Work will be performed on the West Coast of the continental U.S. (95%); and outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) (5%). Of the work performed OCONUS, the country included is Singapore. Work is expected to be completed by October 2023. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
05 Jan 23. CAES, a leading provider of mission critical electronic solutions, has been awarded a Low Rate Initial Production Phase 2 (LRIP2) contract from Lockheed Martin Corporation. Under the contract, CAES will supply its high performing Phased Array Antennas to support Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) system. The announcement follows the Low Rate Initial Production Phase 1 (LRIP1) Contract that CAES was awarded earlier this year. The AOEW program delivers electronic surveillance and attack capabilities for U.S. Navy Ships. The AOEW system has the ability to work independently or with the ship’s onboard electronic surveillance sensor, AN/SLQ-32(V)6 which also features CAES Antennas. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
AIR
04 Jan 23. NASA has awarded the Space and Earth Sciences Data Analysis-V (SESDA-V) contract to ADNET Systems, Inc. of Bethesda, Maryland, to provide Earth and Space Science research and development at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. This is a cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum value of $468m and a five-year ordering period lasting through April 1, 2028. This is a Small Business Set-Aside contract under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19. The purpose of this contract is to provide a broad range of services to support Earth and space science research and development for Goddard’s Sciences and Exploration Directorate. Services include data operations as well as activities in information system technologies, engineering, science communication, education, and public outreach – all of which help NASA successfully carry out science missions. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Jan 23. Raytheon Intelligence & Space announced Jan. 4 it selected a Lockheed Martin bus to build a missile-tracking satellite for the U.S. Space Force. The U.S. Space Systems Command selected two satellite designs — one by Raytheon and the other by Millennium Space Systems — for a planned constellation of sensors in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Both companies’ proposals last year cleared Space Force design reviews. The Pentagon is adding a layer of MEO satellites to the nation’s missile-defense architecture to provide extra eyes on enemy hypersonic missiles. Compared to current sensors in geostationary satellites, sensors in medium orbits would see closer to Earth and track a wider area than satellites in low Earth orbit. Raytheon won a contract of undisclosed value to develop a prototype satellite, ground systems and data processing applications. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/C4ISR & Networks)
19 Dec 22. Ovzon receives order from Intelsat General Communications for DoD SaaS support. Ovzon has received, via their partner Intelsat General Communications (IGC), $16 m in renewed orders for Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service to the United States Department of Defense (U.S. DOD) — the various services are renewed for 12 months and will start in mid-December of 2022. Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service combines the company’s ultra-small, mobile, satellite terminals, highly resilient and high-performance satellite networks, and service and support from Ovzon’s Network Operations Center (NOC). Ovzon SATCOM-as-a-Service delivers strategic, operational, and tactical agility to the U.S. DOD for their important and critical missions. (Source: Satnews)
05 Jan 23. Raytheon Intelligence & Space has been awarded a prime contract to develop a prototype Missile Track Custody system for the U.S. Space Force. MTC is the service’s first Medium Earth Orbit missile tracking system. Under this contract, Raytheon Intelligence & Space will serve as the prime contractor, developing and delivering a space vehicle, hosting a state-of-the-art missile tracking mission payload and ground-based command and control and mission-data processing elements. This system was developed using model-based systems engineering significantly increasing the speed of development, while reducing cost. Raytheon Intelligence & Space will also deliver the command and control and real-time mission- data processing elements for MTC. The ground system will use the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution Mission Data Processing Application Framework (FORGE MDPAF). Raytheon’s FORGE MDPAF is a ground system framework that collects and processes data from satellites, including Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) space vehicle data from both Space Force’s Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation and the future Next-Generation OPIR constellation. (Source: ASD Network)
TECHNOLOGY
05 Jan 23. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) has been awarded the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Background Investigation Fieldwork Services Contract, a five-year single-award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract valued at $2.25bn, to provide background investigation capabilities to the DCSA. CACI has a long-standing partnership with the DCSA and has supported national security by performing security clearance background investigations for three previous, consecutive iterations of the contract. DCSA is currently responsible for conducting more than two million background investigations per year on civilian and military applicants and Federal employees or employees of Government contractors and consultants to Federal programs. Under this enterprise technology contract, more than 1,000 of CACI’s background investigators will conduct these initial investigations and periodic reinvestigations nationwide. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
03 Jan 23. Peraton has been selected by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) to provide background investigation field work services. DCSA is the primary investigative service provider for the federal government and conducts over two m investigations per year for civilian and military applicants and current employees, including federal contractors and consultants. The contract is worth up to $2.25 bn over five years. Peraton will be completing nationwide background investigation services for DCSA to support several different types of government suitability determinations, including those pertaining to government employment, government contract personnel assignments, U.S. Armed Forces personnel acceptance, and trusted access permissions for government facilities, information, and information systems. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
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03 Jan 23. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $107m to provide, operate and maintain the new Main Battle Tank (MBT) simulation and training centers of the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) Armored Corps. The new training centers will train commanders and soldiers of the Armored Corps and will maintain readiness of both regular and reserve units. The centers will be delivered over a three-year period and the contract includes operation and maintenance services for an additional period of fifteen years.
05 Jan 23. Colombia has awarded a $131.2m contract to Israel Aerospace Industries for the truck-transportable Barak MX air defense system, the government announced last week. The acquisition and deployment of an advanced air defense system is part of the Colombian military’s modernization efforts. The Colombian Air Force choose the system as its preferred solution in 2018, and the Army made the same determination in May 2022. The system is expected to help defend military bases and personnel and well as and critical infrastructure. The country is buying two Barak MX systems as well as missiles, military sources told Defense News on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak to the media. With a battle-management center built around an Elta Systems-made ELM-2084 active electronically scanned array radar, along with data fed from sensors, the Barak MX provides multilayered defense against aircraft and missiles. Its advanced fire control system can simultaneously detect, track and engage several targets. (Source: Defense News)
05 Jan 23. The Australian government announced plans Thursday to spend more than $680m to field surface-to-surface High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, launchers, missiles and training rockets by 2026. Marles didn’t state how many systems Australia will acquire. However, in May the U.S. State Department approved a potential foreign military sale to Australia of 20 HIMARS and related equipment at an estimated cost of $385m. (Source: Google/https://www.stripes.com/)
03 Jan 23. Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, announced that the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal has placed a $102m order for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs). JLTVs will be delivered to Romania, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Brazil, and Montenegro. NATO, Allied and Collation partners continue to leverage the JLTV’s superior mobility, proven protection, unmatched reliability, and interoperability for their Light Tactical Vehicle solution. To date, seven international customers have ordered or committed to this exceptional capability. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
06 Jan 23. US donates coastal patrol boat to Mozambique. In addition to the boat, Mozambican Navy officials will participate in training offered by the US-based manufacturer, SAFE Boat International. The high-speed boat is valued at $700,000 and is used for interdictions and maritime boarding operations. The donation forms part of a broader set of security assistance programmes designed to enhance the resiliency of the Mozambican Navy in fighting terrorism and transnational organised crime. The programmes include international military education and training (IMET), three joint combined exchange training (JCET) programmes, one for maritime maintenance and logistics advisors and equipment donations to improve, maintain and support the Navy in executing of its defence strategy, the US Embassy in Maputo said in a statement. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
04 Jan 23. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has signed a substantial contract with the Commonwealth of Australia for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and supporting equipment. In 2022, the Commonwealth of Australia announced the selection of KONGSBERG’s NSM to replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability under an accelerated acquisition under Project SEA1300. The NSM capability will be established and employed on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers and will enter into service from 2024. (Source: Google/EDR)
AIR
05 Jan 23. As part of the Army of Drones project, the government authorities of Ukraine have purchased 1,577 drones, 928 of which have already been handed over to the defenders of Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has said. According to him, 928 of the purchased Drone Army drones are already helping the defenders of Ukraine fight the Russian invaders. The Army of Drones project was created with the participation of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Digital Transformation on July 1, 2022. As part of the project, it is planned to purchase and repair drones at the expense of donations, as well as training courses on handling them. (Source: UAS VISION/ Interfax-Ukraine)
05 Jan 23. Taiwan has signed a NT$1.48bn (US$48.41m) contract with the United States to secure the maintenance of its 12 P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft, the Ministry of National Defense. The agreement covered the stationing of U.S. technical staff in Taiwan to assist the Air Force in upgrading and maintaining the planes, the Liberty Times reported. The Ministry of National Defense’s mission in the U.S. concluded the accord with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for a period valid until Aug. 31, 2027. The aircraft had been in service with Taiwan’s Air Force since Dec. 2017 and could carry Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Mark 46 torpedoes, and depth charges. In addition to attacking enemy vessels, the Orions could also immediately notify other military units to launch attacks. (Source: News Now/Taiwan News)
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). (See: Update No. 1 – Egypt)
03 Jan 23. GMV has been contracted by Lockheed Martin Australia to develop the control and processing centres of the SouthPAN satellite navigation system. Beyond the initial development, GMV will also be responsible for the monitoring of both processing and control centres and ensuring ongoing compliance of the centres with the expected performance levels. The SouthPAN project is a collaborative effort between the governments of New Zealand and Australia to create a highly accurate satellite positioning system. Officially named the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network, the project is set 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. The two agencies signed an initial agreement in 2020, named the Australia New Zealand Science, Research and Innovation Cooperation Agreement, which set out the framework for the project and other various research projects to be conducted between the two countries over the next 20 years. (Source: Space Connect)
30 Dec 22. Argentina buys Uvision loitering munitions from Israel. The Argentine Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 27 December signed a contract with the Israeli MoD’s Directorate of International Defense Cooperation to buy Uvision’s Hero-120 and Hero-30 loitering munitions. While no details of the contract were disclosed by the Argentine MoD, in terms of quantity of systems or the amount of the contract, sources from the ministry told Janes that this is a small batch to start army and marine corps training on loitering munitions. Based on their experiences, a larger buy may be considered, the sources said. (Source: Janes)
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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.
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