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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
27 Jan 23. UK government funds GBP8m drone surveillance programme to protect sensitive infrastructure. Anti-drone detectors are to be deployed around nuclear plants, transport hubs, oil rigs and other sensitive infrastructure across the UK to protect them from aerial terrorist attacks under a GBP8 m Home Office project, says an article in The Telegraph. The Government has quietly commissioned the counter-drone technology which will also be deployed at major public events such as the Coronation of King Charles, the Commonwealth games and Eurovision song contest, says the article. Some 1,000 flights, affecting 140,000 passengers over three days, had to be cancelled or diverted when an unauthorised drone entered Gatwick’s airspace in January 2019,” concludes the report. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
SEA
02 Feb 23. Fischer Panda UK to supply onboard power systems for 18 MoD Police patrol boats. 18 newbuilding MST HPB-1500 High Speed Patrol Craft for the UK & Gibraltar Ministry of Defence Police will benefit from super-efficient, compact and lightweight variable speed Panda 15i (12kW / 15kVA) marine generators. The Panda 15i uses the proven and reliable Kubota D902 three-cylinder diesel engine. This robust workhorse of an engine runs extremely smoothly and quietly, at 54db(A) @ 7m (@ max rpm). Combined with Fischer Panda’s innovative inverter based variable speed technology, the result is an incredibly compact and lightweight high power output generator.
TECHNOLOGY
30 Jan 23. Turkey-based defence technology company Savunma Teknolojileri ve Mühendislik (STM) has been awarded two separate contracts to perform technological transformation work on NATO’s intelligence infrastructure. Awarded by the Nato Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), the contracts will support two separate projects, named Intelligence Functional Services (INTEL-FS 2) – Spiral 2, and BMD functions in INTEL-FS backend services and user applications. The deal was signed during a meeting held at the NCI Agency’s headquarters in the Hague, the Netherlands, to mark the beginning of the two projects. Prior to STM’s selection, the agency held pre-award discussions to assess different commercial/technical proposals by software companies within Nato member nations. As part of the contracts, STM will develop software to support Nato commands in direction, collection, process, dissemination, and the use of intelligence information within the service. The software will further support the Nato military bases and commands across the globe to maintain the required intelligence flow. Associated work is expected to complete in the next three and a half years. (Source: army-technology.com)
EUROPE
LAND
27 Jan 23. BAE Systems receives contract for 20 additional CV90 Mjölner mortar systems for Swedish Army. This new order for 20 additional CV90 mortar systems for the Swedish Army brings the total fleet to 80 vehicles, planned to be in service by 2025. BAE Systems has received a contract modification from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to build 20 additional CV90 mortar vehicles. The approximately $30m contract has been awarded to the BAE Systems Swedish joint venture HB Utveckling AB, which combines BAE Systems’ Hägglunds and Bofors manufacturing capabilities. Production will be performed at BAE Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden.
30 Jan 23. Eurosam, MBDA and Thales have signed in service support (ISS) contracts with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation’s (OCCAR) FSAF–PAAMS Programme Division. The new contract represents the second major milestone of the ISS contracts renewal. The new ISS#3 contract is for a period of five years, starting from 2023 to 2027. Under the latest contract, the companies will provide spares and perform repairs for sol-air moyenne portée/terrestre (SAMP/T), principal anti air missile systems (PAAMS), sistema anti-air missile-Italia (SAAM/IT), SAAM/FR systems and ASTER munitions. The SAMP/T air defence system is produced by EUROSAM, a Franco Italian consortium co-owned by MBDA and Thales. It offers protection against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, combat aircraft and uncrewed combat air vehicles. In an announcement on OCCAR website, Thales and FSAF-PAAMS PD were able to hold talks on an additional work package. This package covers contractual upgrade to improve the operational availability of the Module Radar Identification (MRI). (Source: naval-technology.com)
30 Jan 23. The Finnish armed forces have contracted with EuroSpike GmbH, a joint venture of Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH, Diehl Defence, and Rafael, to supply Spike antitank guided missiles. For Rheinmetall, the order is worth a figure in the mid-double-digit m-euro range. Of great importance for Rheinmetall, this order also underscores the tremendous trust placed in EuroSpike GmbH: the German-Israeli joint venture is now an industrial mainstay of the antitank capability of many EU and NATO member nations. The German armed forces were among the first Spike users. A version of the system known as the Mehrrollenfähiges Leichtes Lenkflugkörpersystem (MELLS; multi-role light guided missile system) is in service with the Bundeswehr. Made by EuroSpike – a joint venture in which Rheinmetall holds a 40% stake – the MELLS is a latest-generation effector designed for engaging armoured targets at ranges of up to 4,000 metres or, depending on the model, up to 5,500 metres. Rheinmetall possesses extensive experience with the MELLS. The company has already integrated this advanced guided missile into various combat vehicles.
27 Jan 23. Saab received an order in mid-December 2022 for the anti-armour weapon AT4 from the French Armament General Directorate (DGA). The order value is approximately EUR 24m and deliveries will take place in 2023. The order was booked in Q4 2022. The AT4 family is a range of lightweight, man-portable, disposable weapons characterised by ease of use. AT4 can be used against tanks and heavy combat vehicles as well as threats in buildings and fortifications and to protect fixed installations, supply points and other vital assets. (Source: ASD Network)
02 Feb 23. Saab has received a new order to continue providing support for the ground-based air defence (GBAD) systems currently in service with the Swedish Armed Forces. The contract has been awarded by the Swedish Defence Material Administration (Försvarets materielverk – FMV). It has an estimated value of approximately $16.49m (Skr170m). The company stated that this order was booked in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. The performance period of the new award is two years until 2025, and has an additional option to extend the contract for another three-year period. Under the contract, the company will provide a wide range of support services for the ground-based multi-mission surveillance systems, including Giraffe AMB and Giraffe 75. In addition, Saab will deliver support for the Swedish Armed Forces’ RBS 90 and RBS 70 short-range air defence (SHORAD) systems. The company will carry out the majority of the associated work at its facilities in Gothenburg, Växjö, and Halmstad in Sweden. Some work will also take place on-site, at the customer’s location. (Source: army-technology.com)
AIR
27 Jan 23. Thales Alenia Space, the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract worth over €100m with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to provide maintenance and other support services for EGNOS V2 (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System) for a period of four years. The EGNOS system enhances the accuracy, reliability and integrity of positioning signals by improving the performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS and, in the future, Galileo. EGNOS’s “Safety of Life” service is used in aviation for landings, enabling precision approaches at European airports without requiring ground guidance systems. This service has significantly improved operational safety and efficiency for the greater benefit of European operators. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
LAND
27 Jan 23. US Army selects four companies to build new tactical truck prototypes. Mack Defense, Navistar Defense, Oshkosh Defense and an American Rheinmetall and GM Defense team will build prototypes for a Common Tactical Truck after the U.S. Army awarded them deals worth a cumulative $24.3m. Each team will build three prototypes of each CTT variant — an M915 Line Haul Tractor and M1088 Medium Tractor; a Palletized Load System; and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. Vendors will also provide digital designs to go with each variant and a design study for a wrecker, according to the Army. Initial production could total about 5,700 vehicles valued at around $5 bn. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
30 Jan 23. American Rheinmetall Vehicles and GM Defense Win Contract for the First Phase of the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck Program. American Rheinmetall Vehicles (Sterling Heights, MI) and GM Defense LLC (Washington, DC) have won a contract for the first phase of the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) Program. The aim of the multi-phased program is to replace the Army’s family of heavy tactical trucks with production of up to 40,000 trucks valued at up to $14 bn.
31 Jan 23. ANELLO Photonics, today announced that is has been awarded a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract for navigation solutions compliant with the “C5ISR/Electronic Warfare Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS)” for the United States Army. During the twelve-month period, ANELLO will demonstrate the capabilities of its innovative sensor fusion technology for military vehicle navigation. The DIU award enables ANELLO to showcase its novel technology and Sensor Fusion Engine to the U.S. Army and help armored vehicles maintain high accuracy navigation. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Feb 23. The Boeing Co., Hill Air Force Base, Utah, was awarded a $1,615,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for guidance subsystem support. This contract provides for Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile guidance subsystem support. Work will be performed at Hill AFB, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 1, 2039. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,345,086 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8214-23-D-0001).
01 Feb 23. Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) was awarded a firm-fixed-price (FFP) prime contract for the Modernization of an FMS Customer’s Combat Training Center (CTC) by the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). CMPS will perform total life-cycle systems management, including sustainment and multiple live training products for individual soldiers, vehicles, anti-tank weapons, fixed/mobile CTC networks, and Observer Controller (OC) voice systems. This award continues Cubic’s more than 25-year history supporting our foreign partner with live training system capabilities. Cubic’s advanced software and integration capabilities for the battle staff ensure the ability to conduct multi-domain training across federated locations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
31 Jan 23. General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, was awarded a $481,578,860 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for sustainment of Prophet Enhanced detecting systems. 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, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56JSR-23-D-0001).
03 Feb 23. Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) recently won a $223m contract from the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to provide secure, mission-critical communications services to the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Lumen will supply DISA with modern hybrid-cloud voice and audio-conferencing services that support the Department of Defense (DoD)’s mission both inside and outside the U.S.
- The new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system saves the government money by eliminating the need for desk phones and supporting remote users as DoD transitions to a hybrid workforce.
- Lumen is serving as a trusted provider of secure, resilient communications services that enable more than 250,000 concurrent connections to DISA’s voice cloud system.
- Lumen is supplying unified communications services via an integrated phone system that runs over the company’s fiber network.
- Delivering voice and conferencing services from cloud data centers that meet DoD Impact Level 5 security standards provides modern capabilities with scalable infrastructure ready to meet warfighters’ needs on demand.
The new voice services will support DoD’s transition to a next generation 911 (NG911) system at military bases that can better pinpoint and route first responders to a caller’s location. The Lumen NG911 platform improves the delivery of emergency calls and enables residents to contact 911 not only by making a voice call—it also lays the foundation for the delivery of pictures and videos in the future. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Feb 23. Mack Defense Awarded a Contract for the Prototype and Testing Phase of U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) Program. Mack Defense has been awarded a contract to design, build, and deliver trucks for the prototype and testing phase of the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program. The prototypes will be tested and evaluated to determine the final requirements for the next generation of trucks to ultimately begin modernization and replacement of the Army’s fleet of approximately 35,000 heavy tactical trucks which perform a wide range of combat logistics, support, and service support missions. The U.S. Army’s requirements for the CTT program dictate a modern, scalable commercial-based platform with advanced safety technologies, increased off-road mobility, advanced cybersecurity, open systems architecture, improved fuel efficiency and commonality across truck variants to promote enhanced sustainability.
30 Jan 23. Navistar Defense, LLC (Navistar Defense) today announced an award from the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) for the prototype phase of the Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program for the US Army’s PM Transportation Systems and PEO Combat Support / Combat Service Support (PEO CS/CSS).
30 Jan 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Radford, Virginia (W519TC-23-F-0090); and Global Military Products Inc.,* Tampa, Florida (W52P1J-23-F-0091), will compete for each order of the $522,279,434 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement and delivery of 155 mm rounds. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
30 Jan 23. Oshkosh Defense, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), announced today that the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) has selected Oshkosh Defense to participate in the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) prototype Other Transaction Authority. Oshkosh Defense designed six CTT variants, including a Load Handling System (LHS), Off-Road Tractor, Line Haul Tractor, Cargo, Wrecker, and Tanker. As part of the prototype award, Oshkosh Defense will build and deliver three variants to the U.S. Army for test and evaluation. (Source: ASD Network)
11 Jan 23. Vislink (Nasdaq: VISL), a global technology leader in the capture, delivery and management of high quality, live video and associated data in the media and entertainment, law enforcement and defense markets, announced that it has recently received orders valued in excess of $2m for HD (high-definition) airborne video downlink system (“AVDS”) equipment from law enforcement agencies in the U.S and Canada. The orders are comprised of comprehensive, automated surveillance and observation transmission and receive systems, long-range tactical handheld devices, as well as related componentry and managed client support services. This is consistent with Vislink’s goal of providing comprehensive turnkey solutions that give its clients a single project management contact point.
SEA
27 Jan 23. Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX: ASB) has been awarded a time and material (T&M) contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) for structural assembly fabrication in support of the US Navy Virginia Class submarine program.The contract, awarded to Austal USA, is for structural assembly fabrication in support of the US Navy Virginia Class submarine program. This award is a continuation of previously announced efforts to support Electric Boat in work for the US Navy submarine industrial base. This award is expected to provide potentially up to $25m USD revenue for Austal USA. (Source: ASD Network)
02 Feb 23. BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) for the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) program. The total value of the 10-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract is $4.1 billion. BAE Systems is one of eight companies that will be competing for work on the IDIQ program. CANES is the Navy’s next-generation tactical afloat network and represents a key aspect of the service’s modernization planning by upgrading cybersecurity, command and control, communications, and intelligence systems afloat, and by replacing unaffordable and obsolete networks. Under the terms of the contract, BAE Systems will be responsible for the procurement and production of afloat network devices, spares, laboratory equipment, initial software, software renewal, and maintenance services for surface, shore, and submarine platforms. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Feb 23. Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, is awarded a $716,764,615 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract procures various Multi-Intelligence Sensor Development Sensor Suite system production unit components, as well as associated engineering support in support of fielding the system in various manned and unmanned aircraft for the Navy, Foreign Cooperative Partners and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Sparks, Nevada (85%); and Englewood, Colorado (15%), and is expected to be completed in January 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. 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 (N0001923D0012).
AIR
31 Jan 23. BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a $651,593,380 fixed-price level of effort contract modification (P00655) to previously awarded contract FA8214-13-C-0001 for sustaining engineering services. This contract provides for services support for both the Minuteman III and Sentinel Systems Directorates to ensure the integration of current and future hardware, software, testing, and modifications with the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Weapon Systems. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2025. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance funds; research and development funds; and production funds will be obligated with the associated modification. The Air Force Nuclear Weapon Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity.
27 Jan 23. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2,255,625,408 modification (P00289) to previously awarded contract FA8625-11-C-6600 for KC-46A Air Force Production Lot 9 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses. The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46A aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2023 procurement funds in the amount of $2,255,625,408 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
01 Feb 23. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that it has been awarded a contract to support the new Enduring Shield platform from Dynetics, a Leidos company, to meet the U.S. Army’s cruise missile defense needs. Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will design and build electromechanical actuators for the first 16 Dynetics launcher platforms, with an option for 400 additional launchers with associated interceptors. The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space awarded Dynetics the contract for the Indirect Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) program to produce its mobile ground-based weapon system. The system is designed to acquire, track, engage and defeat cruise missiles, rockets and unmanned aircraft system threats. The actuators, produced at Curtiss-Wright’s Chanhassen, Minn. facility, incorporate the company’s Exlar® roller screw and motor technologies meeting rigorous environmental and performance criteria required by the U.S. Army.
02 Feb 23. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) will manufacture and perform demonstration flights of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) unmanned Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) aircraft. Following a 12-month base period that culminated in a critical design review (CDR), AFRL exercised a build and flight test option. GA-ASI’s innovative Gambit Series aircraft will validate the “genus/species” concept first developed by AFRL as part of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program focused on building several aircraft variants from a common core chassis. LCAAPS is a major air vehicle effort under AFRL’s Autonomous Collaborative Enabling Technologies (ACET) portfolio, which is focused on developing technologies for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).
01 Feb 23. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) was awarded a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the development of an aircraft capable of sustained seaborne strategic and tactical lift. The U.S. Defense Department announced on Nov. 25, 2022, that the $8m cost-plus-fixed-fee contract award is in support of DARPA’s Liberty Lifter program. The program’s focus is on designing, building, and testing a seaplane that can operate efficiently at less than 100 feet above the ground, hold flight altitudes of up to 10,000 feet mean sea level and transport huge payloads at speeds faster than current sea lift platforms, while shifting the paradigm of strategic lift to a cost per ton instead of cost per pound approach. GA-ASI and Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (MAPC) partnered on this project to provide DARPA with superior air and sea-based craft design experience. The award covers the next six months as the base effort, and if the option is exercised, GA-ASI will spend the following 12 months maturing and completing the design and preparing for manufacturing with the award potentially growing to a total of $29m.
31 Jan 23. Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, California, is awarded a $49,568,200 firm-fixed-price contract for the production and delivery of 55 full rate production Lot 4 BQM-177A Surface Launched Aerial Targets, to include associated 55 Rocket-Assisted Takeoff Attachment kits, 277 mission kits, as well as associated technical and administrative data for the Navy, and the governments of Canada and Australia. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California (50%); Dallas, Texas (20%); Fort Walton Beach, Florida (5%); Blacksburg, Virginia (4%); Santa Ana, California (2%); Newton, Kansas (2%); Concord, California (2%); Milwaukie, Oregon (2%); Chatsworth, California (2%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (11%), and is expected to be completed in April 2024. Fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $48,753,523; and fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $814,677 will be obligated at the time of award, $814,677 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0021).
31 Jan 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, is awarded a $133,623,631 firm-fixed-price modification (P00001) to an order (N0001922F2503) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0029). This modification adds scope to procure low rate initial production VII systems to include 39 Infrared Receivers (35 for the Navy; 4 for the Air National Guard); 34 Processors (30 for the Navy; 4 for the Air National Guard); and 12 Inertial Measurement Units for the Navy in support of the F/A-18 Infrared Search and Track System Block II upgrade. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (73.3%); Santa Barbara, California (18.4%); and Ocala, Florida (8.3%), and is expected to be completed in October 2026. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $111,790,917; fiscal 2022 National Guard and Reserve Equipment (Defense) in the amount of $13,769,860; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $905,888; and fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,156,966 will be obligated at the time of award, $7,156,966 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
31 Jan 23. MBDA Inc., Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a $118,673,894 not-to-exceed, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, undefinitized contract action for the production of the Common Anti-Air Module Missile (CAMM) for Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (MMSC) ships. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative not-to-exceed value of this contract to $145,552,474. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Stevenage, England (70%); Indian Head, Maryland (18%); Huntsville, Alabama (9%); Arlington, Virginia (2%); and Mayport, Florida (1%), and is expected to be completed by January 2027. Foreign Military Sales funds for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the amount of $65,786,821 will be obligated at 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) (the terms of an international agreement of treaty between the U.S. and foreign government or international organization, or the written directions of a foreign government reimbursing the agency for the cost of the procurement of the property or services for such government, have the effect of requiring the use of procedures other than competitive procedures). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-23-C-2301).
31 Jan 23. Packet Digital announced that it has been awarded an $8.5m contract to develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) smart batteries, chargers, and power systems for the United States Navy. Packet Digital is now responsible for designing and manufacturing high-performance UAS battery systems for the next generation of Navy Maritime Logistics UAS. Packet Digital’s experience developing and manufacturing smart batteries and chargers for leading UAS companies enable it to deliver cutting-edge products while addressing current battery supply constraints, data security issues, quality concerns, and inconsistent performance. Additionally, the modular battery design for this project will enable the Naval UAS fleet to share a standard set of features and construction techniques so that battery variants can be produced quickly with minimal resource requirements. (Source: UAS VISION)
TECHNOLOGY
01 Feb 23. Intelligent Waves (IW), a leading IT integrator that delivers mission-focused multi-domain operational expertise and innovation to the Government through high-impact technology solutions, announced it has been awarded a $99.9m indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) for the continued acceleration of the Crowd Source Flight Data (CSFD) Program at Nellis AFB, NV. According to the DoD, under the Air Force’s 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron, IW’s support of 59TES’ Crowd Source Flight Data Program provides operational flight test organizations with expertise in data acquisition, data processing, related knowledge management support, and flight test mission instrumentation. IW is the integrator of the hardware and software with unique configurations and capabilities to download, process, and offload important data from Quick Reaction Instrumentation Package (QRIP) equipped aircraft. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Jan 23. SandboxAQ, an enterprise SaaS company delivering the compound effects of AI and Quantum (AQ) technology to governments and the Global 1000, today announced it was awarded a Direct-to-Phase-II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the U.S. Air Force to research quantum navigation technologies. Under the award, SandboxAQ will advance research and development for its quantum navigation system, which is being designed to complement the Global Positioning System (GPS) for accurate navigation in degraded, contested, or denied environments where the loss of precision GPS may negatively impact operations. The company’s AQ-powered quantum sensor prototype will be optimized in close coordination with the U.S. Air Force customer through a variety of identified innovation areas, including live demonstrations aboard Air Force aircraft. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
02 Feb 23. Rheinmetall has just won two new contracts in the indirect fire ammunition domain. An international customer has ordered propellant charges worth around €40m from Rheinmetall Denel Munition, the Group’s South African subsidiary. Another customer, a NATO state, has placed an order with Rheinmetall Denel Munition for its tried-and-tested Assegai 155mm ammunition. This order is worth around €17m. The Assegai family of artillery ammunition can be fired from any NATO STANAG-compatible artillery system, including the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer. Back in 2019, Rheinmetall succeeded in setting a new maximum range record in South Africa with the Assegai family and other Group products like the new Extended Range Charge from Rheinmetall’s subsidiary Nitrochemie AG. Thanks to the Assegai system approach – from fuse to projectile to propelling charges – long ranges were attained with various artillery systems. A non-NATO 155mm artillery gun with 52 calibre lengths and a 25-litre propelling charge chamber achieved a record range of 76 kilometres. Rheinmetall Denel Munition is already working on other future artillery technologies. For example, the rocket motor in conventional 155mm Assegai projectiles is being improved. In addition to this, a new development is on the way that will boost the maximum range to over 155 kilometres.
01 Feb 23. Rheinmetall has been contracted by an international customer to supply air defence systems. The supplies also include ammunition and spare parts. The order value is in the mid double-digit m euro range. The order is of great importance to Rheinmetall. It underscores the high degree of confidence in Rheinmetall’s world-leading expertise in the field of ground-based air defence. Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of advanced air defence systems. In automatic cannon-based air defence, the company is the market leader and the only comprehensive systems supplier for fire control technology, automatic cannons, integrated guided missiles and Ahead airburst ammunition. Air surveillance systems and radar technology, powerful sensor technology and high-energy laser effectors round off the portfolio.
01 Feb 23. On Wednesday, 1 February 2023, French defence minister Sébastien Lecornu and his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Reznikov met at the Thales site in Limours, south of Paris, a centre of excellence for air defence in Europe, to sign a contract for the delivery of a complete short-range air defence system, including a Ground Master 200 radar, to help protect Ukraine.
31 Jan 23. Ventia Services Group has been awarded a contract to support Babcock Australasia to deliver upgrades to the Australian Defence Force’s Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS). This $64m contract will see Ventia support Babcock and Defence under the JP 9101 – Enhanced Defence High Frequency Communications System (EDHFCS) program, which will provide Australian and allied armed forces with the ability to securely communicate using voice and data from almost any location across the globe. (Source: Defence Connect)
SEA
27 Jan 23. Hensoldt Receives Follow-up Order for Periscope Modernisation Programme. As part of a modernisation programme, we are supplying a SERO250S submarine periscope directly to the navy of a customer in Latin America. The order volume is more than five m euros. For us, this is already the second order from this customer. Up to now, the two submarines of the 209 series were equipped with periscopes of the SERO 40 Stab type, also from us. The modernisation gives the equipped boats night vision capability for the first time and contributes significantly to digitalisation and extended service life. The SERO250 is equipped with improved optics that include high-definition and low-level light cameras as standard. Night vision capability is provided by an additional infrared (IR) camera. The SERO250S is additionally equipped with active laser and passive stadiametric range finding. To facilitate integration, all SERO250 variants can be operated as a stand-alone system or integrated into existing (or renewed) combat management systems. (Source: ASD Network)
03 Feb 23. France’s Ocea has received another order from Nigeria, this time for nine vessels for the Nigerian Navy. French publication Mer et Marine in January reported that the contract entered force at the end of 2022 and covers three 46 metre OPV 190 offshore patrol vessels, four 15 metre interceptors, and two 32 metre FPB 96 vessels. Nigeria’s 2023 budget allocates N9bn ($19m) for the ongoing procurement of three 32 metre Ocea fast patrol boats, six special forces boats, and six RHIBs (rigid hull inflatable boats). Another line item lists N12 billion ($25.8 million) for the acquisition of patrol boats for the Nigerian Navy. Nigeria has been a repeat customer for Ocea vessels, having received 18 boats and ships from the French shipyard. These include one FPB 98 Mk I patrol vessel, eight FPB 72 Mk II vessels, two FPB 110 and two FPB 110 Mk II patrol vessels in addition to four C-Falcon interceptors and the hydrographic survey vessel NNS Lana. In October 2021, Ocea announced that it would be supplying a 35 metre OSV 115 SC-WB hydrographic survey vessel to Nigeria in support of the NNS Lana. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
AIR
27 Jan 23. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded a $66,050,305 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to a previously awarded contract (N0001919C0001). This modification exercises an option to procure radio frequency countermeasures in support of the Navy, Air Force, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer fighter aircraft. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed in March 2026. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Air Force) in the amount of $25,328,269; fiscal 2023 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $17,485,168; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) in the amount of $7,592,244; and FMS funds in the amount of $15,644,624 will be obligated at time of award, $7,592,244 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
02 Feb 23. Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to provide electric propulsion for incorporation on their GEO-KOMPSAT-3 (GK3) satellite. Scheduled for launch in 2027, GK3 is a multi-band communications satellite that will provide broadband satellite communication services in the Korean Peninsula and surrounding maritime areas. In particular, it will support national maritime rescue and protection; monitoring water disasters in mountains, rivers and dams; and emergency response to other disaster situations. In addition, GEO-KOMPSAT-3 will also feature a Data Collection System (DCS) mission and a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) mission for satellite navigation augmentation service. TETRA, Thales Alenia Space’s new electric propulsion product line designed and assembled in the UK, draws on the proven success and flight heritage of the SpaceBus NEO platform propulsion subsystems combined with support from the UK Space Agency. (Source: ASD Network)
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