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UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
08 Feb 23. Contracts awarded for UK ground mission control system. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded contracts to six separate suppliers as part of Project Beroe, which seeks a ground segment software solution for controlling space-based assets. A total of GBP300,000 (USD360,663) was awarded to UK subsidiaries CGI, Lockheed Martin, Telespazio, and Terma as well as Raytheon Systems and Rheatech, the MoD announced on 2 February. Project Beroe is intended to be a ground segment mission control system (MCS) that will enable the US Space Command to control, monitor, and in-orbit task the UK’s future space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) constellation. It is expected to be an important component of the UK MoD ground segment, which will act as the primary MCS for the ‘Customer Satellite Operations Centre’, the MoD said. The 36-month project is worth GBP20 million in total and seeks a provider to create a technology road map, and assist with the maturation of system requirements and the development of a software architecture, through demonstration and prototyping. (Source: Janes)
15 Feb 23. Babcock awarded contract to operate Skynet – the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system. Babcock International Group Plc (“Babcock”), the defence company, is has been awarded a contract to manage and operate Skynet, the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) military satellite communications system. The six-year contract, commencing in March 2023, has an initial value of more than £400m and forms part of the MOD’s £6bn Skynet 6 programme, sustaining more than 400 jobs in the south-west of the UK. Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (“Skynet SDW”) will encompass the operation of the UK’s constellation of military satellites and ground stations, including the integration of terminals into the MOD network, ensuring they are integrated and supported.
SEA
15 Feb 23. BMT has signed a sub-contract with Navantia UK to officially formalise its contribution for the UK Royal Navy’s (RN) future Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme. The sub-contract has been awarded after British-led consortium, called Team Resolute, was recently chosen for the production and delivery of FSS vessels to the RN under a £1.6bn contract. The team includes Navantia UK, BMT and Harland & Wolff. As part of the new award, BMT will work to provide critical design for the FSS programme, which includes the construction of a total of three FSS vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). The company will also deliver safety and environmental case reports for the three 216m long future ships and support the UK Ministry of Defence in the vessels’ security accreditation. The efforts will further ensure that the three vessels can operate safely, efficiently, securely and in line with the environmental needs. Additional terms of contract require BMT to provide associated through life support services and training support for the ships. (Source: naval-technology.com)
14 Feb 23. Kongsberg Digital to provide cutting-edge simulation technology to the Royal Navy. A new suite of navigation simulators for the Royal Navy will be rolled out this year as part of Project Selborne’s modernisation of Royal Navy training. The Kongsberg Digital simulation technology will ensure that Royal Navy personnel can maximise operational effectiveness in all types of situations, from single unit pilotage through to Replenishment at Sea and Task Group manoeuvres, day and night and in all weather conditions. The simulators will enable teams to train together with multiple vessels in the same scenarios, reducing associated risks, logistics and cost of seagoing training programmes. In future, the new simulators will be able to integrate across different training establishments allowing Bridge Teams at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), HMS Collingwood and HMNB Faslane to operate together. Existing trainers which have served the Royal Navy well for the last 20 years will be replaced with cutting edge simulators to support the next generation of Warfare Branch personnel. Additional simulators will be installed at HMS Collingwood, enhancing capacity and training resilience. Kongsberg Digital has been awarded the contract to deliver the new simulators by Capita, who are running Project Selborne, a 12-year programme to modernise and deliver training for the Royal Navy.
AIR
16 Feb 23. Smith Myers ARTEMIS Mobile Phone Location and Communications system has been selected by Nova Systems to be integrated into the Nova Systems airborne mission system that will be fitted onto the helicopter fleet deployed on UK’s second-generation SAR (Search and Rescue) program — known as UKSAR2G. The contract builds on the existing UK Maritime Coast Guard Agency (MCA) programme with the addition of fixed-wing and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) services. ARTEMIS will be installed across the fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft in what is a world-class innovation programme. This new 10-year contract combines existing rotary and fixed wing services into fully integrated, innovative solution led by Bristow Helicopters Ltd (Bristow) that will ensure continuation of critical lifesaving search and rescue aviation services across the whole of the U.K. well into the next decade.
EUROPE
LAND
16 Feb 23. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $27,069,515 modification (PZ0003) to contract W56HZV-23-C-0003 for M1A1 Abrams turret armor swaps. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2022 Special Defense Acquisition funds and 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Poland) funds in the amount of $27,069,516 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
17 Feb 23. The Norwegian military procurement authority NDMA has commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG (KMW) with delivering 54 of the latest LEOPARD 2 main battle tanks (A7 NOR). The vehicles are scheduled for delivery from 2026 to 2028. The necessary set of agreements for this was signed in Munich today. It also includes the option of having an additional 18 LEOPARD 2 A7 NOR vehicles delivered.
14 Feb 23. Rheinmetall taking part in EU project for sustainable forward operating bases. Rheinmetall is participating in the INDY project, a part of the EU Green Deal. The project is supported by the European Defence Fund. INDY stands for Energy Independent and Efficient Deployable Military Camps. The aim is to present EU member states with options for efficient operation of energy systems in forward operating bases. For Rheinmetall, the contract is worth a figure in the low single-digit million-euro range. Today, forward operating bases are almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels. However, new technological approaches can remedy this situation. The results of the INDY study are to provide a basis for the development and use of new energy sources; the control of resources; and optimization of requirements of forward operating bases by the end of 2024. Rheinmetall is part of an international project team from 13 European countries. The team is pooling expertise with the objective of achieving independence from fossil fuels, drawing on military and civilian EU projects as well as national projects of the member states. Rheinmetall aims not only to make a direct contribution to improved energy security in military operations, but also to support the energy transition and the shift to renewable energy sources for forward operating bases. Responsible for developing mobile deployable mission solutions since 2019, Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH brings together the Group’s full range of resources and capabilities for mission support. The company also seeks to provide customers with long-term support for their missions through specific services.
SEA
16 Feb 23. Spanish company Indra has received a contract to design, develop and test a new electronic intelligence (ELINT) system demonstrator for the Spanish Navy’s future vessels. The contract has been awarded by the Spanish General Directorate of Armament and Material (Direction générale de l’armement – DGAM). It falls under the country’s Santiago National Electronic Defence programme. As part of the new contract, the company will develop a new generation signals intelligence system demonstrator. It will be installed on one of the Spanish warships for evaluation. Apart from the Navy, the latest contract will also serve as the basis for the development of ELINT systems for the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Army. It will ensure technological commonality in the intelligence system of different domains, allowing forces to exchange the required data and information more fluidly. Equipped with advanced digital signal processing technology, ELINT demonstrator will allow the naval forces to adapt more flexibly in different operational scenarios. (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Feb 23. Kongsberg Maritime (KONGSBERG) will provide a suite of equipment to a newbuild ship named SDO-SuRS (Special and Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship) to be built by the Italian shipyard T.Mariotti for Marina Militare Italiana (The Italian Navy). Crucial to this important order is a pair of KONGSBERG Elegance propulsion pods. Kongsberg’s Elegance pod system aboard the SDO-SuRS combines the direct electric permanent magnet motor driven pods, matched with a KONGSBERG electric power system, including batteries and power management system. These Elegance pods provide propulsion for precise and efficient vessel operation. The permanent magnet electric motor provides optimal efficiency over a large speed range, combined with an excellent hydrodynamic design developed in Kongsberg’s famed Hydrodynamic Research Centre. The compactly designed pods have a low oil content and double barrier seal solution, to protect the ocean, while offering vessels the ability to operate in fully electric zero emissions mode in port or for limited offshore operations. Additionally, the order includes three KONGSBERG tunnel thrusters, Mcon propulsion control system, DP3 (Dynamic Positioning) system, and single and multibeam echo sounders. The vessel build program offers further potential opportunities for Kongsberg Maritime in the shape of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.
AIR
10 Feb 23. Airbus to continue to support Germany’s military satellites. Airbus will continue to operate and provide support for Germany’s military satellite communication (satcom) systems. Announced by the Bundeswehr on 9 February, the company has been awarded a contract extension for the operation of the authority’s COMSATBw 1 and 2 satellites until 31 December 2028. The deal is valued at EUR52.8m (USD56.7m) and will ensure continued access to secure satcom and shore up Germany’s orbital position in space. COMSATBw-1 and COMSATBw-2 are two geostationary orbit (GEO)-based satellites that form part of the Bundeswehr’s wider satellite-based communication system – SATCOMBw – which includes a number of tactical and strategic ground stations. The satellites provide secure telecommunications for military users, including voice/data transmissions, video, and multimedia applications. Fully operational since 2010, the satellites have a 15-year service life and operate in ultra-high frequency (UHF) and super high frequency (SHF). (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that it has been awarded a 10-year contract by the French Air and Space Force (AAE) to support its aircraft arresting systems. Under the contract, valued at approximately $35m, Curtiss-Wright will provide logistics, analysis, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of specialized arresting systems equipment. The contract is part of a verticalization initiative for defense contracts by the French government, which results in a preference of a single point of contact for the same equipment. Curtiss-Wright thus now has the opportunity to work directly with the French government to provide a next level of integrated services and products.
USA
LAND
14 Feb 23. BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $466,413,360 modification (P00131) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers and M992A3 Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked vehicles; Total Package Fielding support hardware kits, and support. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Elgin, Oklahoma; and Anniston, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2022 weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $83,261,562 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
15 Feb 23. General Dynamics-Ordnance & Tactical Systems, Niceville, Florida (W519TC-23-F-0108); and American Ordnance LLC, Middletown, Iowa (W519TC-23-F-0107), will compete for each order of the $993,790,373 firm-fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract to produce 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 Feb. 14, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
10 Feb 23. General Dynamics Mission Systems was awarded a $5.5m delivery order for the sustainment of existing Prophet Enhanced sensor systems. It is the first delivery order under a five-year, single-award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity hybrid contract that was awarded by the Army Contracting Command on behalf of the Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) within CECOM and the Product Manager, Terrestrial Spectrum Warfare (PdM TSW) within PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEWS). The contract, which was awarded on January 31, has a ceiling of $481.6m, and an estimated completion date of January 31, 2028. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
14 Feb 23. CAES, a leading provider of mission-critical advanced RF technology, has been awarded an IDIQ contract with value to $38.5m over a five-year period from the U.S. Navy for spares, engineering services, and repairs on antenna array panel assemblies to support the SEWIP Block 2 program. The contract was awarded on a sole source basis. Work will be performed at CAES’ Lansdale, Pennsylvania, site and is expected to be complete by February 2028. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
10 Feb 23. General Dynamics Mission Systems announced today that it has been awarded a $22.9m contract by the U.S. Air Force Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division to design, develop and deliver a Classified Data at Rest high assurance Inline Media Encryptor (IME). As the plan of record for the majority of Air Force manned and unmanned platforms requiring data at rest encryption, this first-of-its-kind solution will revolutionize how the Air Force protects its top secret mission-critical data. (Source: ASD Network)
14 Feb 23. NTSI, a joint venture (JV) between nou Systems, and Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI), has won a contract to support the US’ layered missile defence system. Awarded by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Consolidated Support Directorate, the Technical, Engineering, Advisory and Management Support (TEAMS)-Next Specialised Engineering Analyses (SEA) contract is valued at $637m. (Source: army-technology.com)
16 Feb 23. Textron Aviation today announced it has been awarded the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) contract by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) through a full and open competition. The contract award is for up to 64 King Air 260 aircraft, which will be known as the T-54A. The initial Lot I award will procure 10 new Beechcraft King Air 260 commercial aircraft and associated support. Lot II and Lot III, if the options are exercised, would each procure up to 27 aircraft. Aircraft deliveries are planned from 2024 to 2026. The Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft acquired under the METS contract will replace the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) fleet of T-44C Pegasus aircraft. The T-44C Pegasus aircraft is a variant of the twin-engine and pressurized Beechcraft King Air 90. The T-44 has been in service since 1977. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
TECHNOLOGY
16 Feb 23. US-based modern software delivery platform company Harness has announced its selection for the US Air Force’s (USAF) DevSecOps cloud-based platform, called Platform One. A Department of Defense-wide enterprise service, Platform One is a collection of approved Cloud Native Computer Foundation-compliant Kubernetes distributions. It aims to expedite the development/deployment of DevSecOps applications, according to USAF. The latest announcement signifies that the company’s Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD) and Security Testing Orchestration (STO) modules will now be available on Platform One. This also makes Harness the first comprehensive DevSecOps and CI/CD pipeline solution to be integrated into this platform. According to Harness, the addition of its modules into Platform One’s authorised container repository, Iron Bank, will further provide a CI solution to the platform, which is around four times faster and more effective than any other CI tool. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
16 Feb 23. Alpha-Elsec supplies Teevra Drushti surveillance system to Indian Army. Indian firm Alpha-Elsec Defence & Aerospace Systems has supplied 60 Teevra Drushti long-range reconnaissance and observation systemsto the Indian Army, the company told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show, held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. The Teevra Drushti electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system is deployed along India’s borders for long-range reconnaissance and target acquisition operations, the company said. The system can be used on a tripod, in a stationary observation post, or in a reconnaissance vehicle. As part of a modernisation programme by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its Pechora surface-to-air III missile system, the Pechora’s vintage Russian optical camera will be replaced by the Teevra Drushti system. The legacy Pechora camera system has day-only capability. The upgraded system has a thermal and day camera, which increases image clarity and range. The Teevra Drushti system “will be delivered to [the] Indian Air Force later this year”, an Alpha-Elsec source told Janes. (Source: Janes)
14 Feb 23. Kongsberg Defence Australia has signed a five-year sustainment contract with Raytheon Australia for the NASAMS capability being delivered to the Australian Army under Project LAND 19 Phase 7B. Signed late last year, the $9m contract includes the provision of recurring support services for Kongsberg-provided sub-systems such as the Fire Distribution Centre, Canister Launcher, and NASAMS Classroom Trainer, as well as the provision of Field Service Representatives. The contract demonstrates the success and effectiveness of the technology transfer that has occurred between Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Kongsberg Defence Australia during the acquisition project. NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a state-of-the-art weapons system selected by 10 other nations that will enable the Army to quickly detect, engage and destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missile threats. (Source: Defence Connect)
15 Feb 23. Rheinmetall wins major order for medium-calibre ammunition – 300,000 rounds for Gepard anti-aircraft tank Acting on behalf of Ukraine, the German Ministry of Defence has tasked Rheinmetall with supplying 300,000 rounds of 35mm ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank, which is now deployed by the Ukrainian military. The order value is in the low three-digit million euro range. Rheinmetall will be supplying 150,000 rounds each of Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot – Tracer (APDS-T) and High Explosive Incendiary – Tracer (HEI-T) ammunition. This will enable effective engagement of a multitude of targets. The first APDS-T rounds will be delivered in summer 2023. A shift in production from APDS-T to HEI-T is scheduled to take place in mid-2024. At its plant in Unterlüß, Rheinmetall is currently creating additional medium-calibre ammunition production capacity, which is due to go into operation in summer 2023. In building this new production line, Rheinmetall is responding to sharply increased global demand.
16 Feb 23. IAF to receive 100 loitering munitions from TASL. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is delivering 100 units of its Advanced Loitering System-50 (ALS-50) to the Indian Air Force (IAF), sources familiar with the matter told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. The deliveries are expected to be completed by the end of this year, the sources said. ALS-50 is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has a length of 2.4 m, a wingspan of 3.8 m, and a maximum takeoff weight of 50 kg. It has a cruise speed of 100 km/h, an endurance of more than 1 hour, and a range of more than 50 km, the sources added. The UAV can carry a range of anti-personnel and anti-armour warheads weighing up to 6 kg including explosively formed penetrator (EFP), the sources said. The ASL-50 model displayed at Aero India 2023 features a rectangular fuselage with rounded edges, shoulder-mounted straight wings, and a conventional tail configuration with an additional ventral tail. (Source: Janes)
SEA
14 Feb 23. General Electric (GE) India Industrial (GEIIPL) has received a new contract to provide a comprehensive digital solutions package for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. GEIIPL is a wholly owned Indian subsidiary of US-headquartered GE Aerospace that manages GE Marine’s gas turbine business. The contract has been awarded by Cochin Shipyard (CSL). Under this contract, the company will deliver digital solutions that will improve the capabilities of LM2500 marine gas turbines equipped with the newly commissioned Vikrant-class indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1). The digital solutions suite package will comprise GE’s SmartSignal solution that will provide early indications about the equipment’s condition to the Indian Navy. Timely indications will allow the Navy to upgrade the equipment that could otherwise cause damage to the engine, resulting in unplanned losses. It will also minimise the operational risk of the aircraft carrier. (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Feb 23. OSI Maritime Systems has received a contract to provide fleet-wide software capability licences for the small craft warships deployed across the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). Awarded by OSI’s Australian Industry Content partner, the contract will boost ‘Defence Enterprise Wide License’ capability with the ADF and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Under the latest award, the company will provide its Tactical Asset Control and Tracking (T-ACT) system, including Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECIDS), and radar software licences for the small craft warship. OSI’s T-ACT is a military-grade system designed specifically to support secure navigation, communication and operation of small craft along with a wider group that may also include a mothership. This technology is expected to improve the operational capability of the RAN’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB). The contract is further expected to support various ADF programmes, including the RAN’s SEA 1180 Phase 1 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) project. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
13 Feb 23. BIRD Aerosystems, a global provider of innovative defense technology and solutions that protect fleets, armored vehicles, and ground assets of governments and related agencies, in collaboration with an Asian company that specializes in carrying out Defence projects in the GCC and Europe, has won a contract to provide its Airborne Missile Protection Systems for two VIP aircraft of a European customer. The Bombardier Global 7500 and Gulfstream G700 aircraft will be equipped with BIRD Aerosystems AMPS Airborne Missile Protection Systems and the SPREOS DIRCM, all installed in BIRD’s AEROSHIELD POD – the most lightweight and advanced Protection Pod. As part of the contract, BIRD’s AMPS and SPREOS will be certified on the two different aircraft in collaboration with the aircraft OEM, achieving a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the system installation on the aircraft.
09 Feb 23. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Singapore of air-to-ground munitions kits, and related equipment and services for an estimated cost of $55m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Singapore has requested to buy one hundred (100) KMU-556 Tail Kits for Joint Direct-Attack Munition (JDAM) GBU-31; nine hundred (900) KMU-572 Tail Kits for JDAM GBU-38 and Laser JDAM GBU-54; two hundred fifty (250) MAU-169 Computer Control Group for 500lb Paveway-II (PWII) GBU-12; and two hundred fifty (250) MXU-650 Air Foil Group for 500lb PWII GBU-12. Also included are DSU-38 laser guidance sets; Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); spare parts, consumables, and accessories, and repair and return support; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; unclassified software; unclassified technical books and other publications; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $55 million. The proposed sale will support the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s capability to contribute to coalition operations and meet its national defense requirements. Singapore will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile and Defense, Tucson, AZ. A portion of defense articles is anticipated to come from U.S. Government stock. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this sale. (Source: ASD Network)
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