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UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
28 Feb 23. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of Javelin Missiles to the United Kingdom. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of the United Kingdom has requested to buy up to six hundred (600) Javelin FGM-148F missiles (includes twelve (12) fly-to-buy missiles). Also included is U.S. Government technical assistance and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $125.13m. The prime contractors will be Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture, Orlando, FL and Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
SEA
28 Feb 23. BAE Systems to provide Maritime Indirect Fires System for Royal Navy. BAE Systems, Inc. has received a $219m (£181m) contract to equip the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates with five Mk 45 Maritime Indirect Fire Systems (MIFS). The system combines the 5-inch, 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4A naval gun system with a fully automated Ammunition Handling System (AHS). The Type 26 frigates, the first of which is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy in the mid-2020s, will be one of the world’s most advanced classes of warships, with the primary purpose of anti-submarine warfare. In addition to its range of advanced weapons and sensors, it will also be capable of countering piracy, delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief. As part of the ships’ world-class capabilities, this innovative, automated naval gun solution will help the Royal Navy increase crew productivity, reduce sailor safety hazards, and improve the operational capability of these advanced warships as they deliver protection to the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group. Engineering and programme support for the new contract will be performed at BAE Systems’ Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky production facilities. BAE Systems shipped the main equipment for the first MIFS system at the end of 2022 with installation to follow in 2023.
EUROPE
LAND
02 Mar 23. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that it was awarded two contracts with an aggregate value of $252m to supply artillery rocket systems to a European NATO member country. Under the first contract in an amount of $119m, Elbit Systems will supply a battalion’s worth of ATMOS (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer) 155mm/52 caliber truck-mounted howitzers systems. The contract will be performed over a period of two years. Under the second contract in an amount of $133 m, Elbit Systems will provide two batteries worth of PULS™ artillery rocket-launcher systems including a package of rockets and missiles. The contract will be performed over a period of three years. The ATMOS modular artillery system is a combat proven wheeled Howitzer solution, capable of firing all NATO-certified 155mm projectiles that has an effective range of over 40km with standard projectiles and offers extended range with Rocket-Assisted Projectiles (RAP). The ATMOS is designed for rapid deployment and operation enabling provision of fire support for a broad range of missions. Elbit Systems’ PULS launcher supports firing both free-flying rockets and precision guided rockets and missiles ranged from 12km and up to 300km. The PULS launcher is fully adaptable to existing wheeled and tracked platforms, enabling a significant reduction in maintenance and training costs.
02 Mar 23. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today that its Romanian subsidiary, Elmet International SRL., was awarded a follow-on contract valued at $120m from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) to supply unmanned turrets, Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) and mortar systems for the ‘Piranha V’ Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) of the Romanian Armed Forces. The work will be performed in Romania over a three-year period. Under the follow-on contract, Elbit Systems will supply UT30 MK2 turrets, RCWS and the SPEAR mortar systems, all fully integrated onboard the GDELS’ ‘Piranha V’ APC. Elbit Systems’ UT30 MK2 is a 30mm unmanned light turret that integrates weapon systems, fire control systems, sensors and display systems for enhanced combat effectiveness, situational awareness and target acquisition capabilities. The Company’s RCWS is a light weight high accuracy 12.7mm weapon station. The SPEAR is a 120mm computerized autonomous vehicular mortar system. In addition to Romania, Elbit Systems’ turrets, RCWS and mortar systems have been selected to date by dozens of customers across the world including Israel, U.S.A, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, and Croatia.
28 Feb 23. INVISIO awarded an entire Army contract and receives the first order worth approximately SEK 40m. INVISIO has been down selected and awarded an entire Army contract from a new customer – a European Non-NATO Army. The initial order is worth approximately SEK40m for INVISIO. It encompasses the INVISIO advanced and AI powered systems for communication and hearing protection in challenging environments. Deliveries are expected to take place in 2023. After having thoroughly tested and evaluated INVISIO’s communications and hearing protection systems for a significant amount of time, in a standard competitive situation and setup with other solutions the European Non-NATO Army ended up choosing INVISIO. The contract is significant in that it probably heralds the start of a long-term customer relationship lasting several years. INVISIO estimates that there is good potential for further contracts and follow-on orders. INVISIO has been also recently selected as supplier for major parts of the countries Special Military Forces. The fact that the regular army and special forces use the same communication system allows for seamless interaction, collaboration and solution sharing capabilities, as well as tactical advantages giving all operatives unified and state-of-the art features and functionality.
27 Feb 23. The Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the procurement of additional 155mm Bonus MK II special artillery-launched munitions for the country’s defence forces. The newly approved procurement deal is valued at approximately €35m and is inclusive of value added tax. The new deal is being financed from Finland’s supplementary budget, which allows for the purchase of rapidly launched defence equipment using additional fundings. France-based company Nexter Munitions will be responsible for the delivery of the 155mm special munitions. The special munitions are being procured for the anti-tank weapons of the artillery. The 155mm Bonus MK II is a fire-and-forget artillery-launched munition, which is cooperatively developed and manufactured by Nexter in France and BAE Systems’ Bofors in Sweden. (Source: army-technology.com)
USA
LAND
28 Feb 23. Aerojet Ordnance of Tennessee, Jonesborough, Tennessee, was awarded a $75,310,023 firm-fixed-price contract for depleted uranium penetrators. 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 Feb. 28, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-23-D-0018).
02 Mar 23. BAE Systems Land & Armaments, York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $245,645,904 cost-no-fee, cost-sharing contract for the procurement of early order material in support of Armored Multipurpose Vehicle production. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $245,645,904 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-23-C-0024).
17 Feb 23. NOAA awards JPSS EO ground station services contract. NOAA has awarded the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Ground Sustainment Services (LGSS) contract to Peraton, Inc. based in Herndon, Virginia. The value of the contract, which includes a base period of five years, with three 12-month option periods is $399,288,456. The period of performance begins on March 1st, 2023. The purpose of the LGSS contract is for sustainment of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Common Ground Services (CGS), while accommodating enhancements and additions to NOAA’s existing LEO satellite constellations and partner missions. Work will occur at the contractors’ facilities in Greenbelt, Maryland; Clarksville, Virginia; and Bellevue, Nebraska; and at NOAA facilities located in Suitland, Maryland; Fairmont, West Virginia; and Fairbanks, Alaska. JPSS is NOAA’s current operational LEO program that acquires and distributes global environmental data from multiple polar-orbiting satellites. The agency’s LEO program includes the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) mission, NOAA-20, NOAA-21 and the JPSS-3/4 missions, as well other leveraged missions and partnerships. The JPSS Ground System is responsible for implementing JPSS Program command, control, and communications and data processing requirements for JPSS CGS-serviced missions. Future NOAA and partner LEO missions will be supported by the CGS throughout the life of the JPSS Program. The JPSS Program plays a critical role in NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in weather, climate, oceans, coasts, and space environments. It also supports the Nation’s economy and protects lives and property. (Source: Satnews)
01 Mar 23. Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, announced today that it was awarded a $75.5m contract from the U.S. Air Force supporting Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to roll out the company’s Infrastructure-based Regional Operation Network (IRON) offering across three Air Force bases as part of the Regional Operating Picture (ROP) program. Persistent’s Wave Relay® network enables airmen equipped with MANET devices to seamlessly share voice, video, chat, sensor, and GPS data. IRON, serving the U.S. Air Force’s ROP program, will extend this robust network over a 25,000-square-mile geographic area, connecting MANET edge networks into one unified Battlespace Awareness Network for increased situational awareness. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
27 Feb 23. BAE Systems has received a $14m contract from the U.S. Navy for the maintenance and modernization of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94). The value of the competitively awarded contract could reach $161m if all options are exercised. Under the depot maintenance period (DMP) contract awarded, BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard will dry-dock the ship, perform underwater hull preservation work, upgrade the ship’s Aegis combat system and command and control equipment, and refurbish the living spaces for the ship’s 325 crewmembers. The work is expected to begin in July. BAE Systems recently began DMP work aboard the USS Lassen (DDG 88) in its Jacksonville, Florida shipyard, and is conducting similar work aboard the USS Mustin (DDG 89) in its San Diego shipyard. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Mar 23. Voyis Imaging Inc. Chosen as the Camera Package for HII REMUS Vehicles. HII is a global engineering and defense technologies provider and recognized worldwide as America’s largest shipbuilder. With a 135-year history of trusted partnerships in advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities ranging from the most powerful and survivable naval ships ever built, to unmanned systems, ISR and AI/ML analytics. HII leads the industry in mission-driven solutions that support and enable an all-domain force. HII creates advanced unmanned solutions for defense, marine research and commercial applications. Serving customers in more than 30 countries, HII provides design, autonomy, manufacturing, testing, operations and sustainment of unmanned systems, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs). With the goal of further improving the autonomous capabilities of its vehicles, HII has selected Voyis Imaging Systems as the standard camera option for all REMUS UUVs (REMUS 100/300/620/6000). Voyis has developed the Recon UUV module, consisting of a highly advanced 4K stills camera and extremely efficient, high output external light bar, that enhances all REMUS platforms imaging capabilities in any operational situation. The Recon camera module offers extremely crisp stills imagery with on-the-sensor data processing for real-time, highly optimized datasets that improve in mission autonomy and analysis capabilities. These enhancements include improving image quality using image undistortion, true color correction, and image light leveling for consistent, actionable datasets available in-mission. With Voyis cameras, navies are capable of completing the identification stage of MCM (mine countermeasure) operations, and improve target localization for neutralization/recovery completely submerged using REMUS platforms, improving operational covertness and efficiency. The high resolution imagery captured with Voyis’ Recon module provide increased confidence in subsea missions, ensuring REMUS customers receive safe, reliable, and efficient operations. www.voyis.com
AIR
28 Feb 23. The US Air Force (USAF) is awarding about $18m in firm-fixed-price contracts to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies to develop the service’s Stand-in Attack Weapon programme. The Stand-in Attack Weapon programme Phase 1.3 contracts, which stretch through to 26 August this year, provide for all activities associated with the statement of objectives and are also for the contractor’s proposal for Phase 1.3. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
28 Feb 23. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a not-to-exceed $1,200,000,000 undefinitized contract action for the E-7A Rapid Prototype program. This contract provides for the initiation of the development activities for the program. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be complete by August 2024. This contract is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 research and development funds in the amount of $134,079,602 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-23-C-0025).
24 Feb 23. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider and industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, announced today that Kratos has received a $49,568,200 Full Rate Production (FRP) contract for Lot 4 of the BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) from the U.S. Navy for the procurement of an additional 55 aircraft, mission kits, certain flight consumables, and technical data. (Source: ASD Network)
02 Mar 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $25,386,631 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00003) to an order (N0001922F2530) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001920G0005). This modification exercises an option for the fabrication and installation support to retrofit the Delta System Software Configuration 4.0 capabilities, to include Tactical Targeting Network Technology and the Beyond Line of Sight in the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas (57%); Melbourne, Florida (11%); Boulder, Colorado (9%); Norfolk, Virginia (8%); Salisbury, Maryland (5%); Ronkonkoma, New York (3%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (7%), and is expected to be completed in September 2025. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $25,386,631 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
28 Feb 23. Northrop Grumman Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded a $48,192,076 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded other transaction prototype agreement to extend the existing period of performance. Under this modification, the performer will continue to develop and refine their Glide Phase Interceptor concept during the Materiel Solutions Analysis Phase. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona. The modification period of performance is from Feb. 28, 2023, through July 31, 2023. The modification increases the total value of the agreement to $126,298,508. This initial agreement was competitively awarded using Other Transaction Authority provided by 10 U.S. Code 4022 through the Enhanced Hypersonic Defense Broad Agency Announcement with Glide Phase Interceptor Special Topic, HQ0851-21-S-0001. Research, development, test, and evaluation funds will be used to fund the modification, with $48,192,076 obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ08512290002).
28 Feb 23. Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $43,251,185 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded other transaction prototype agreement to extend the existing period of performance. Under this modification, the performer will continue to develop and refine their Glide Phase Interceptor concept during the Materiel Solutions Analysis Phase. The work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; El Dorado Hills, California; Aurora, Colorado; Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Woburn, Massachusetts; Andover, Massachusetts; and Huntsville, Alabama. The modification period of performance is from Feb. 28, 2023, through July 31, 2023. The modification increases the total value of the agreement to $135,107,965. This initial agreement was competitively awarded using Other Transaction Authority provided by 10 U.S. Code 4022 through the Enhanced Hypersonic Defense Broad Agency Announcement with Glide Phase Interceptor Special Topic, HQ0851-21-S-0001. Research, development, test, and evaluation funds will be used to fund the modification, with $43,251,185 obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ08512290003).
02 Mar 23. Raytheon to make seven missile-tracking satellites for US space agency. The U.S. Space Development Agency has awarded Raytheon Technologies a $250m contract to build seven missile-tracking satellites. The satellites, which will feature a wide-field-of-view sensor that can detect and track hypersonic weapons from space, were paid for by a funding increase in the fiscal 2023 Appropriations Act and will launch as part of the agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer. The contract was signed “late last week,” according to an SDA spokesperson. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
28 Feb 23. Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it has secured a multi-launch deal for a rapid succession of four Electron missions for Capella Space, an American space tech company and the world’s leading provider of commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Scheduled for launch beginning in the second half of 2023, each Electron mission will deploy a single SAR Earth-imaging Acadia satellite, a new generation satellite designed, manufactured, and operated by Capella Space, to low Earth orbit. These missions, scheduled to launch in quick succession, will follow an existing launch on the Rocket Lab manifest for Capella Space, the “Stronger Together” mission which is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia in March 2023. Capella Space is a returning customer to Electron, with Rocket Lab having launched a dedicated mission for the SAR company in August 2020. The multi-rocket launch commitment demonstrates Rocket Lab’s proven ability to deliver streamlined access to space and allows Capella to meet growing customer demand for Capella SAR technology that can gather images 24/7 and through clouds or darkness. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Feb 23. Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIDU) (“The Company”), a Space-as-a-Service company focused on mission critical hardware manufacturing combined with commercial satellite design, manufacture, launch, and data collection, today announced it has signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch on Transporter missions manifested for 2024 and 2025. This additional agreement further extends the Company’s relationship with SpaceX, chosen in part due to their successful and reliable launch capabilities. Sidus Space expects the Maiden Flight of LizzieSat™ on SpaceX Transporter-9 later this year. Along with launching in 2023, the new agreement adds two additional flights in 2024 and two flights scheduled for launch in 2025, each of which are on upcoming Transporter missions. (Source: ASD Network)
22 Feb 23. Terran Orbital’s Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems wins contract to build hundreds of LEO satellites for Rivada Space Networksas part of the contract, Terran Orbital will also develop 12 “spare” satellites for a totroduction of 300 spacecraft. Terran Orbital, through its subsidiary Tyvak, will act as the prime contractor to design and manufacture the approximately 500 kg satellites, integrate the communication payload, and perform the final satellite assembly, integration, and test. The company will also be responsible for developing portions of the ground segment. Mission operations for the on-orbit satellites will be conducted from a state-of-the-art, satellite operations, control center. Rivada expects to start deploying their constellation as early as 2025, subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, with the anticipated launch of four of our satellites. (Source: Satnews)
TECHNOLOGY
28 Feb 23. Geospace Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: GEOS) today announced its subsidiary Quantum Technology Sciences, Inc. signed a $1.5m contract with the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA). The contract is a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) to explore a new SADAR® capability using littoral seabed deployed passive seismic-acoustic phased arrays for monitoring energy sources of interest on the nearby land, water and air environments. Historically, the land-water transition zone, which includes shallow littoral waters, the surf zone, and onshore terrestrial environments, is a difficult geographic zone to surveil. Overhead surveillance may provide limited time frames and discrete views of activities and can often be countered by camouflage, concealment, and deception (CCD) techniques. In contrast, surveillance using passive acoustic and seismic technologies such as SADAR® provides persistent monitoring that cannot be countered by CCD techniques and cannot be easily detected. Through this contract effort, improving upon individual unattended ground sensors, phased array networks will collect non-line-of-site signals for vibrational sources allowing separate, simultaneous target identification, classification and tracking in near real-time. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
28 Feb 23. Geospatial intelligence specialist Maxar Technologies will keep developing immersive training and simulation software under terms of a newly announced U.S. Army contract. Maxar on Feb. 27 said it was selected for an additional phase of prototype work on One World Terrain, or OWT, which compiles realistic and, in some cases, extremely accurate virtual maps of territory across the globe for military purposes. A spokesperson told C4ISRNET the company can’t share the exact value of the deal “right now,” but said the latest phase “is worth tens of millions for a one-year” period of performance. Three phases of the OWT prototype project were previously said to be worth nearly $95m. The original OWT contract was awarded in 2019 to Vricon. Maxar acquired the data and analytics firm in 2020 for $140m. OWT is considered a critical component of the Army’s Synthetic Training Environment, or STE, which is meant to provide soldiers complex practice arenas that reflect real-life conditions near and far. In the latest phase of work, dubbed 3b, Maxar will “focus on enhanced conflation with open-source geospatial data and enhanced training areas using multisource collection, high-resolution insets,” according to a company statement. In a previous phase, 3a, the company focused on improving 3D terrain fidelity and refining automation processes, among other tasks. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
24 Feb 23. Peraton Labs has been awarded a DARPA contract to develop machine learning-based technology to enable ground vehicles, ships, drone swarms, robotic systems, and other long-lived physical systems to adapt to unexpected events. Under DARPA’s Learning Introspective Control program, the Peraton Labs team will develop and evaluate capability to update the system control algorithm in real time and provide guidance to the system’s human operator or autonomous controller. Military systems are designed to operate over a wide range of environments; nonetheless, over lengthy service durations, unexpected conditions arise which cause systems to operate out of their design limits. Currently the burden is on the operator – human or autonomous – to maintain effective and safe control of systems operating in unusual conditions due to damage, environmental extremes, and other unanticipated situations. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Mar 23. Raft has been awarded a new contract to support cloud-native product lines within the US Air Force’s (USAF) Kessel Run division. The value of the contract is $100m. As the prime contractor, Raft will be responsible for the development of software applications that can be used for product discovery, design, management and engineering services capabilities in an agile and integrated manner. Associated work under this contract will be carried out by the Virginia-based company in close coordination with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre’s (AFLCMC) Detachment 12 or Kessel Run. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
27 Feb 23. The UAE Armed Forces has signed a contract, worth AED91m ($24.77m), with EDGE Group for the delivery of individual compact thermal sights. Details on the number of thermal sights that will be supplied and specifications of the devices have not been disclosed. The company said that the weapon sights will be provided in three variants. The system, which brings together modular construction with superior thermal imaging technology, will be used by the armed forces for conducting decisive manoeuvres on land. (Source: army-technology.com
28 Feb 23. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $113,427,329 modification (P00030) to previously awarded contract HQ085121C0001 under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Case JA-P-NCO. Under this modification, the contractor will purchase specialized transportation containers; and continue performance on development, program management, engineering, logistics, and radar integration. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey. This modification includes cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract line items. The total value of the contract is increased from $555,192,150 to $668,619,479. The period of performance for this action is from March 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023. Case JA-P-NCO funds in the amount of approximately $106,567,973 are being obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
27 Feb 23. EDGE company NIMR also signed a contract to supply ten long range security operations vehicles to the Algerian Land Forces by the end of this year. (Source: army-technology.com)
24 Feb 23. UAE orders Norinco AR3 launchers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced during the IDEX show held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February that it has awarded a AED902m (USD245m) contract to procure AR3 multiple rocket/missile launchers made by Chinese company Norinco. Announced by Tawazun Council, which manages procurement for the UAE Armed Forces, the contract was awarded to International Golden Group, Norinco’s Emirati partner, and includes in-country services. This is the first known export order for the AR3, which carries two munitions pods, each of which can contain five 300 mm Fire Dragon 140 inertial navigation system (INS)/global navigation satellite services (GNSS)-guided missiles or four 370mm Fire Dragon 280 missiles. Alternatively, it can carry two 750mm Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missiles, which have a range of 290km, a warhead weighing 480kg, and a circular error probability (CEP) accuracy of 30m, according to Norinco. Norinco has earlier promoted the TL-7B long-range anti-ship missile as another option for the AR3, although not at IDEX 2023. (Source: Janes)
28 Feb 23. Raytheon Co. Missile Systems, Tuscon, Arizona, was awarded a $219,867,079 modification (P00027) to contract W15QKN-19-C-0017 for the production of 155 mm Excalibur Increment Ib projectiles. Work will be performed in Anniston, Alabama; East Camden, Gilbert, Phoenix and Tuscon, Arizona; Chino, Healdsburg, Inglewood, Santa Ana and Valencia, California; Woodridge, Illinois; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cookstown, New Jersey; Farmington, New Mexico; Joplin, Missouri; Cincinnati, Ohio; McAlester, Oklahoma; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Trenton, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Karlskoga, Sweden; Glenrothes, Scotland; and Southway, Plymouth, United Kingdom, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2024. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Jordan) funds and fiscal 2023 ammunition procurement, Army funds in the amount of $219,867,079 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
28 Feb 23. Rheinmetall supplying Ukraine with automated reconnaissance systems – order in the two-digit million-euro range. At the behest of the German government, Rheinmetall is supplying Ukraine with automated reconnaissance systems. These are primarily used for monitoring large areas of terrain with as few personnel as possible. Rheinmetall is cooperating in this project with the Estonian company DefSecIntel. Known as the SurveilSPIRE, these reconnaissance systems consist of mobile surveillance towers with day and night-capable camera equipment, autopiloted mini drones and a control system. The scope of delivery also includes transport vehicles. The order is worth a figure in the double-digit m-euro range. Delivery has already commenced. Made by Estonia’s DefSecIntel, the SurveilSPIRE surveillance towers can be loaded onto trailers and quickly transported to their area of operation. Assembly requires three personnel; operation is fully automated. The system includes wireless links (4G and Starlink) for video transmission to a mobile command post. Solar panels enable sustained operation without power cables or a fuel source. The system relies on autopiloted reconnaissance drones that conduct patrols and mission-specific flights. This enables inspection of detected threats and lets the operator initiate necessary countermeasures. Rheinmetall is already taking part in several projects in support of Ukraine. On behalf of the German government, for example, Rheinmetall subsidiary Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH is supplying Ukraine this year with a turnkey field hospital. Moreover, along with other defence materiel to help it repel the Russian invasion, Ukraine is taking delivery of 26 brand new high-mobility HX swap-body trucks. Furthermore, Rheinmetall is a partner in multiple multilateral “Ringtausch” transactions. This procedure, developed by the German government, is designed to support the Ukrainian war effort in cooperation with Germany’s European neighbours and NATO partners. Here, NATO member nations transfer Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine in exchange for surplus Western-made systems.
SEA
02 Mar 23. The Indian Government has approved a contract signing with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the procurement of three Cadet Training Ships for the Indian Navy. The deal was confirmed by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD). Approved under the Buy Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured category, the new contract has an estimated value of approximately $376.06m (Rs31.08bn). The new platforms are being procured to train the Indian Navy’s men and women officer cadets at the sea, once they complete their basic training. The MoD informed that the new vessels can also be deployed for other missions, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and casualty evacuation. Apart from meeting the Indian Navy’s future requirements to train cadets, the new ships will also deliver training for the cadets from other partner nations to further bolster the country’s existing diplomatic relations. Delivery of the three vessels is expected to start from 2026. All the work associated with the design, development and construction of the vessels will be performed indigenously by L&T at their shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
02 Mar 23. DoD/DCSA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of F-16 Munitions to Taiwan. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) has notified Congress that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) has requested to buy one hundred (100) AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM); twenty-three (23) HARM training missiles; two hundred (200) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); four (4) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections; and twenty-six (26) LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers. Also included are LAU-118A missile launchers with Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC); HARM missile containers; AIM-120 control sections and containers; AIM-120C Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); dummy air training missiles (DATM), integration and test support and equipment; munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories and repair and return support; classified software; maintenance and maintenance support; classified publications and technical documentation; 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 $619m. The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ; and Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement would be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s). (Source: glstrade.com)
28 Feb 23. Yahsat to exercise option with Airbus for additional satellite. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based companies Yahsat and Thuraya will exercise their contract option with Airbus for an additional dual-use telecommunications satellite, Sulaiman Al Ali, chief commercial officer (CCO) at Yahsat and CEO at Thuraya, told Janes at IDEX 2023, held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February. The satellite – Thuraya 5-NGS – will be identical to the 4-NGS telecommunications satellite being developed by Airbus. Yahsat and Thuraya are managing and will operate the satellites, which are intended to deliver higher capacity and improved coverage across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East for defence, government, and commercial customers. An overall business case for Thuraya 5-NGS is under discussion, Al Ali said. He was unable to provide a definitive answer as to when the contract option would be exercised, although he did note that it might be applied in less than five years’ time. (Source: Janes)
01 Mar 23. India’s top decision-maker on defense matters has endorsed the purchase of 70 locally made HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft for $388.5m. Defence Minister Rajnath Sigh tweeted on Wednesday that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the procurement plan. The involved parties are expected to sign a contract later this month. The new aircraft will complement the existing basic training fleet of Swiss-made PC-12 Mark II basic trainers with the Indian Air Force. The service currently operates 260 trainer aircraft — a combination of basic and advanced trainers — against the requirement for 388. (Source: Defense News)
02 Mar 23. Australian helicopter services provider Toll Helicopters has placed an order with Leonardo for two AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters. Announced by Leonardo via a media release on 1 March, the two new helicopters will join the existing fleet of three AW139 rotorcraft that are provided by Toll to support the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) wide range of missions. Delivery of the two newly ordered helicopters is expected in the second half of this year. With the two new helicopters, the overall existing fleet of AW139s with Toll will increase to 12. The two aircraft will be delivered from Leonardo’s final assembly line in Vergiate, located in Italy’s Varese province. Once delivered, the two new helicopters will allow the Brisbane-headquartered company to fulfil the contract requirements of the ADF’s two main programmes. It includes the Crash Response Helicopter Service programme for the Australian Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment in Darwin, and the Army Commercial Helicopter programme, which is based out of the Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville. (Source: army-technology.com)
24 Feb 23. Singapore to acquire eight additional F-35Bs. The Singapore government is exercising the option to acquire eight more short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-capable F-35B fighter aircraft, in addition to the initial four airframes of the type that it has already signed for in 2019. The matter was disclosed by the country’s Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen during a parliamentary session on 24 February. He was speaking during a Committee of Supply debate session following the country’s budget statement for 2023. Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) first announced in March 2019 that it would purchase four F-35Bs, with the option to purchase eight more. The initial airframes will be deployed in the US for training and evaluation when the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) receives them in 2026. (Source: Janes)
28 Feb 23. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of AGM-88E extended-range anti-radiation missiles to Australia. Valued at approximately $506m, the proposed deal has already been approved by the US State Department. The sale package comprises a total of 63 advanced anti-radiation guided missiles-extended range (AARGM-ERs) and up to 20 AARGM-ER captive air training missiles (CATMs). The Australian Government has further requested to purchase AGM-88G AARGM-ER dummy air training missiles; containers; repair of repairable, component parts; classified and unclassified software; training, publications, other associated support equipment, and logistical and programme support. The US will provide the required government and contractor engineering support. The Javelin joint venture (JJV) between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies has been chosen as the prime contractor for this FMS. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
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