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UNITED KINGDOM
AIR
06 Jun 23. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) subsidiary, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), will continue to fund mission aircrew training for the next generation of pilots in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF). The latest deal will support the Ascent Flight Training (AFT) sheme, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin UK and Babcock International, with £125m ($155m) funding. Lasting three years, the contract will run until June 2026 to cover the period until the Future intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS) replaces it. AFT will deliver mission aircrew training at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall under the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) to Royal Navy observers and RAF weapon system officers. (Source: naval-technology.com)
07 Jun 23. Nato Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) granted a 3-year contract to Draken, an aviation service provider, to extend Aviation Support for Electronic Warfare (EW) services to the Spanish Navy. Under a new contract, Spanish Navy personnel will have the opportunity to train for multi-domain missions using the Draken highly modified Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft. The modified aircraft has the capability to simulate current and evolving threats, allowing for comprehensive testing. NSPA covers a comprehensive range of Life Cycle Management services in the aviation sector, catering to Fixed Wing Aircraft, Rotary Wing Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Flight simulators. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
EUROPE
LAND
31 May 23. Denmark extends service life of AN/TPS-77 radars. The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition Logistics Organisation (Forsvarsministeriets Materiel: FMI) has contracted Lockheed Martin to extend the life of the Royal Danish Air Force’s two AN/TPS-77 long-range transportable radars. According to the FMI on 31 May, the two radars will receive a mid-life upgrade (MLU) that was planned as part of the Danish Defence Agreement 2018–2023. The MLU is expected to be completed by mid-2025. Lockheed Martin was awarded a USD40 m contract in 2005 for the provision of two AN/TPS-77 radars to enhance Denmark’s air surveillance capabilities. The systems are stationed at fixed sites within radomes but can be quickly redeployed when required. The AN/TPS-77 is a 3D active electronically scanned array (AESA) transportable air surveillance radar operating in the 1,215–1,400 MHz frequency band. The system has a range of 470 km and a detection altitude of 100,000 ft. It is in service with a number of countries including Australia, Brazil, Estonia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Latvia, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, the UK, and the US. (Source: Janes)
31 May 23. Poland’s Chopin Airport to implement Advanced Protection Systems’ counter drone solution. The Polish airport authority Polskie Porty Lotnicze (PPL) is to equip Chopin Airport, Warsaw, with an anti-drone system supplied by Polish manufacturer Advanced Protection Systems (APS). PPL says it has been checking market opportunities for a long time and conducted talks with domestic and foreign suppliers of counter drone solutions. As a result of the analyzes carried out, PPL invited the Polish company Advanced Protection Systems SA (APS) to offer advanced and proven anti-drone systems. The APS system is due to be operational at Chopin Airport in June 2023. Currently, APS provides solutions for the Polish Armed Forces, including a system called SKYctrl. SKYCtrl performs the detection of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) simultaneously using a 3D MIMO radar, acoustic, vision and radio sensor. The solution enables detection and neutralization of all LSS (Low-Slow-Small) objects, i.e. commercial, professional and industrial drones. The SKYCtrl system operates around the clock and in all weather conditions. APS has customers in Europe (Great Britain, Norway, Estonia, Finland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine), in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE) and in Asia (South Korea, Singapore, India). The recipients are uniformed services, the army and critical infrastructure managers. APS anti-drone solutions are designed to be easy to use, assemble or disassemble. The software recognizes whether the approaching object is an airplane, a bird or a drone, and can introduce the object to the so-called white-list, i.e. a list of devices that have permission to fly in a specific zone. The system is equipped with a jammer device for neutralizing an unmanned aerial vehicle. For more information visit:: www.polish-airports.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Jun 23. Norway orders almost 300 more trucks worth over €150m. Rheinmetall is making another important contribution to strengthening NATO’s European member nations: starting in late 2026, Norway will be taking delivery of almost 300 advanced TG3 MIL 8×8 military trucks, worth over €150m. The contract was signed on 31 May 2023 in Oslo by Gro Jeare, director of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA), and Michael Wittlinger, chairman of the board of management of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV). In terms of volume, it is the largest single call-off of trucks to date under the framework contract concluded between Rheinmetall, Norway and Sweden. Earmarked for the Norwegian armed forces, the package encompasses multiple vehicle variants, including hook loader trucks, special vehicles with crane and hook loader systems as well as trailers and flatracks. The primary purpose of the vehicles will be to enhance the transport capacity and operational capabilities of the Norwegian military. The latest call-off represents less than half of the necessary logistic vehicles covered by the framework contract, meaning that follow-up orders from Norway and other Scandinavian nations are likely.
02 Jun 23. Paris airports select Weibel Scientific XENTA sensors as part of counter drone solution. Sensor manufacturer Weibel Scientific reports a contract award from Aéroports de Paris subsidiary Hologarde for delivery of its XENTA Counter UAS radars to Charles de Gaulle Airport and Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Weibel is to deliver a significant quantity of XENTA radars to the integrated Counter UAS solution designed by Hologarde. Aéroports de Paris began trialing different counter drone solutions in 2019. For more information: www.weibelradars.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
SEA
05 Jun 23. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of MK 41 Vertical Launching System to The Netherlands. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of the Netherlands has requested a possible purchase of eight (8) eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules (either system or standalone). Also included are spare parts; handling equipment; transportation test and support equipment; software; engineering/technical assistance; personnel training and training equipment; documentation, publications, and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $110m. The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
05 Jun 23. Saab Receives Order for Sabertooth. Saab has received an order for the autonomous underwater vehicle Sabertooth from the marine geophysical company PXGEO. The order value is SEK 620m and deliveries will take place 2023-2025. The order includes more than 20 Sabertooth vehicles, which makes this the largest Sabertooth order to date. These will form part of PXGEO’s MantaRay solution for offshore seismic data acquisition and will be used for deployment and recovery of equipment during ocean bottom surveys. Saab’s Sabertooth is a powerful and versatile underwater vehicle. With capability to perform operations to depths of up to 3,000 metres, it is ideal for seabed investigations. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Saab)
AIR
06 Jun 23. New Ammunition to Increase Dutch F-35 Combat Power. Defense is purchasing new ammunition for the F-35 fighter jets, which will allow the aircraft to disable hard-to-reach targets, State Secretary Christophe van der Maat wrote to the House today. The high-performance missiles are an answer to the so-called A2/AD capability that many potential opponents currently have. This includes high-tech air defense systems. Deployment in such a hostile region entails great risks without modern munitions. This restricts the freedom of action of military units. Improving the F-35 armament was one of the concrete plans from the Defense Memorandum published last year. The new AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range) missiles from the American manufacturer Northrop Grumman is the only option that meets all requirements. Defense will procure them through the United States government. Innovative ability. With the purchase, Defense will not only have a deterring but also a scarce capacity. There is a shortage of this type of anti-A2/AD munitions in Europe. By training with the new ammunition and support systems, the F-35s (internationally) can also participate in new concepts of air operations. This contributes to the innovative capacity of the armed forces.defense-aerospace.com EDITOR’S NOTE: In the accompanying Letter to Parliament, the defense ministry said that the ‘F-35 Anti-A2/AD capacity’ requires an investment of €250m to €1bn. In addition, the annual operating costs amount to approximately € 3.8m. The number of weapons to be purchased is withheld for security reasons, the ministry added.) (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Netherlands Ministry of Defence)
06 Jun 23. Holland Buys New Helicopters for Special Operations. Defense is purchasing 14 new helicopters for special operations. The aircraft will replace the Cougar transport helicopters. According to the current schedule, this will take place from the beginning of 2028. This is what State Secretary Christophe van der Maat wrote to the House of Representatives today. The purchase is one of the measures with which the Ministry of Defense is converting a squadron of the Defense Helicopter Command into a Special Operations Force (SOF). Strengthening SOF capacity for operations on land and at sea is a spearhead of the Defense Memorandum published last year. The new helicopters are of the type H225M Caracal. This turned out to meet the requirements. Defense buys them from the European manufacturer Airbus Helicopters. Just like the Cougars, the aircraft will have Gilze-Rijen Air Base as their home base. Included in the purchase is new mission equipment for the helicopters. Temporary simulation capacity for education and training also falls within the project. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Netherlands Ministry of Defence)
USA
LAND
08 Jun 23. INVISIO has received an order worth approximately SEK130m for hearing protection and related products under the Racal Acoustics brand. The customer is a branch of the US Department of Defense and the order is the largest in the history of INVISIO Group. The systems will be used in combat vehicles and most of the deliveries will take place during the current year. The hearing protection systems under the Racal Acoustics brand are mainly used in combat vehicle crewman applications in critical and extremely noisy conditions, which puts high demands both on communication capability and hearing protection functionality. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Jun 23. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today that it has received a new contract to produce its next-generation infrared weapon sights for U.S. Army infantry snipers. The firm-fixed-price contract from the Army’s Contracting Command is valued at more than $94 million over five years. Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will produce the advanced system known as the Family of Weapon Sights – Sniper, Improved Night / Day Observation Device Block III. The advanced infrared weapon sight is designed for sniper or reconnaissance operators that require extended range target detection and identification, observation of environmental indicators, and a capability to track bullet trajectory. At the core of the technology is decades of Leonardo DRS experience in the micro-cooled infrared weapon systems field. The Family of Weapon Sights-Sniper employs a passive, micro-cooled, mid-wave infrared technology designed to provide the user with large-format imagery to maximize the effectiveness of the mission.
02 Jun 23. Oakwood Electronics LLC, Winchester, Virginia, was awarded a $49,454,600 cost-no-fee contract for common sensor radios in support of ongoing mission requirements for military grade self-healing mesh network radios. 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 June 1, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-23-D-0003).
SEA
07 Jun 23. Kongsberg Receives New Naval Strike Missile Order for the USN. We have received an order from Raytheon Missiles & Defense for Naval Strike Missiles to the US Navy Over-The-Horizon Weapon System (OTH WS) program worth MNOK 1 345. Raytheon is prime contractor to the US Navy. The order worth $130m is related to the OTH WS framework agreement announced 31 May 2018. We have signed orders for MNOK 3 110 under this framework agreement. The NSM provides superior operational performance and high survivability against all enemy defence systems. High resolution, imaging infrared seeker provides ATR and precise hitpoint for each ship class. Thrust to weight ratio above 1 and high-g programmable endgame maneuvers provide unsurpassed defence penetration capabilities. The Over-The-Horizon Weapon System is a long-range, surface-to-surface missile employed by either the Littoral Combat Ship or the planned guided-missile frigate, intended to engage maritime targets both inside and beyond the firing unit’s radar horizon. The OTH-WS is a stand-alone system consisting of an operator interface console, Naval Strike Missile, and a missile launching system, requiring minimal integration into the host platform. The OTH-WS receives targeting data via tactical communications from combatant platforms or airborne sensors and requires no guidance after launch. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Kongsberg)
06 Jun 23. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, has been awarded a contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) for thermo-mechanical and aerothermal ground testing of thermal protection system materials in ballistic reentry and reentry-like environments in its Kratos SRE business unit in Birmingham, Alabama. The five-year contract includes options with a total value up to $46.7m, with an initial award of $8.6m under a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The effort will test materials supporting technical efforts for the U.S. and the U.K. with direct oversight from the NSWCDD Reentry Systems Office. The support includes sample preparation, instrumentation, testing and gathering thermo-mechanical data on materials at extremely high temperatures and in high heat flux/shear environments. The contract enables Kratos SRE to conduct ground testing of thermal protection materials at external ground test facilities and produce flight hardware for the Navy. It requires the unique ability to test and collect data at maximum temperatures of 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit to properly test materials in reentry-like environments. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Kratos)
08 Jun 23. The U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a production contract for the new AN/WSN-12 Inertial Sensor Module (ISM). Northrop Grumman’s AN/WSN-12 ISM is a next-generation sensor that significantly improves maritime navigation in Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environments for surface ships and submarines. The new AN/WSN-12 ISM is a key component of the U.S. Navy’s AN/WSN-12 Inertial Navigator System (INS), upgrading the Northrop Grumman built AN/WSN-7 INS. The WSN-7 is on nearly every ship in the U.S. Navy and has been the program of record for more than two decades. Surface ships and submarines rely heavily on the positioning data provided by GPS for navigation, for safety at sea and to fire weapons. The AN/WSN-12 ISM provides highly accurate positioning data with or without GPS, a key component to establishing Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT) maritime solutions. The first ISM will be fielded later this year.
AIR
07 Jun 23. General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a $1,195,545,808 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00007) to a previously awarded contract (N0001922C0033). This modification adds scope for the production, assembly, test, and management of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) hardware with embedded software and firmware, minus Energy Storage Subsystem and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) System shipsets hardware with embedded software and firmware for the CVN 81 aircraft carrier. Additionally, this modification provides for resolution of EMALS and AAG hardware obsolescence issues, to include firmware obsolescence, as well as non-recurring engineering in support of evaluation and implementation of engineering changes to product hardware, software, technical data, and logistics products through the configuration management process associated with the EMALS and AAG System for the CVN 81 aircraft carrier. This modification also provides case study and developmental research in support of the potential future procurement of EMALS and AAG for the government of France. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (58.1%); Tupelo, Mississippi (40.2%); and Lakehurst, New Jersey (1.7%), and is expected to be completed in September 2032. Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount $67,491,463 and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount $128,376 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
06 Jun 23. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Airbus leaders announce the selection of GE Aerospace’s CF6-80E1 propulsion system for the LMXT strategic tanker. The LMXT is Lockheed Martin’s solution for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135 recapitalization plan and is built on the combat-proven design of the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). Production of GE’s CF6 engine for the LMXT is anticipated to support more than 3,000 direct and indirect American jobs, including in highly skilled advanced manufacturing, engineering, and testing. In total, the LMXT’s engine production alone will incorporate work in more than 25 states. Powering nearly 70% of the world’s wide-body aircraft, GE’s CF6 engine family encompasses more than 50 years of aircraft propulsion history. The CF6 engine first entered service in 1971, with a history of service on major commercial and military platforms such as the Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy. GE has delivered more than 8,500 CF6 engines to date, powering 10 unique commercial and military aircraft with 25 variants.
02 Jun 23. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $122,213,602 modification (P00102) to contract FA8810-18-C-0005 to plan and prepare for post-launch activities for all three Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Geosynchronous Space Vehicles. This contract provides for development of adequate program protection, and product support planning. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $7,225,147,630. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale, California, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2024. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $28,727,026 are being obligated at the time of award. The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command, Space Sensing, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
07 Jun 23. MDA Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a leading provider of advanced technology and services to the rapidly expanding global space industry, today announced it has been awarded a contract from L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) as part of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program. MDA will design and build 14 flight sets of Ka-Band steerable antennas and control electronics for L3Harris as part of SDA’s low earth orbit (LEO) constellation. The antennas and control electronics will be designed, built, assembled and tested at MDA’s state-of-the-art high-volume satellite production facility in Montreal. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Jun 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, has been awarded an $80,327,904 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet Advanced Research Announcement, which seeks to establish the ability to communicate with military platforms via multiple commercial space internet constellations in various orbital regimes using common user terminal and hardware elements. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed Feb. 25, 2027. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $6,000,000; and fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $25,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-23-C-9313).
05 Jun 23. Raytheon Technologies Corp., doing business as Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $2,023,073,136 fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost reimbursable modification (P00015) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0011). This modification exercises options to procure materials, parts, and components for Lot 17 of the F135 Propulsion system for F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft as well as global spares requirements to include spare engines, power modules, and other hardware in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants, cooperative program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (17%) (labor surplus area); Indianapolis, Indiana (10%); Middletown, Connecticut (8%); Kent, Washington (7%); North Berwick, Maine (4%); El Cajon, California (3%) (labor surplus area); Cromwell, Connecticut (3%); Whitehall, Michigan (3%); Portland, Oregon (2%); San Diego, California (2%); South Bend, Indiana (2%); Columbus, Georgia (2%); Hampton, Virginia (1%); Manchester, Connecticut (1%); Cheshire, Connecticut (1%); Elmwood Park, New Jersey (1%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (CONUS) (33%), and is expected to be completed in December 2025. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $645,518,188; fiscal 2023 (Air Force) funds in the amount of $527,686,528; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $30,393,808; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,412,449; non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $417,538,909; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $400,523,253 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.
02 Jun 23. Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $263,717,654 modification (P00010) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract (N0001921C0723). This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of AIM-9X missile production Lot 23 requirements to include: 571 AIM-9X Block II all up round tactical missiles (91: Navy, 257: Air Force, 223: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers); 48 Block II captive air training missiles (38: Navy, 10: Air Force); 185 all-up-round containers (62: Navy, 67: Air Force, 56: FMS customers); 11 spare advanced optical target detectors (5: Navy, 6: Air Force); eight spare advanced optical target detector containers (2: Navy, 6: Air Force); 31 spare Block II guidance units (live battery) (21: Navy, 10: Air Force); 54 spare Block II captive air training missile guidance units (inert battery) (41: Navy, 13: Air Force); two Block I tactical sectionalization kits for the Air Force; seven Block II tactical sectionalization kits (4: Navy, 2: Air Force, 1: FMS customer); 10 Block II captive air training missile anti-tank missile sectionalization kits (9: Navy, 1: FMS customer); one support equipment for FMS customer; three other lot spare assets for the Navy, Air Force, and one FMS customer, as well as non-recurring engineering associated with Systems Improvement Program III transition to production activities. Work will be performed in North Logan, Utah (28.09%); Tucson, Arizona (21.64%); Linthicum Heights, Maryland (18.88%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (11.46%); Marietta, California (8.42%); Saint Albans, Vermont (7.75%); Ann Arbor, Michigan (1.44%); Warrington, Pennsylvania (1.22%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (1.1%), and is expected to be completed in August 2026. Fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,413,162; fiscal 2021 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $139,381; fiscal 2022 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,524,580; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $548,782; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $456,289; fiscal 2022 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $190,841; fiscal 2023 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $98,450,714; fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $55,416,050; fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,485,155; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $100,092,700 will be obligated at the time of award, of which $7,042,769 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
08 Jun 23. Raytheon Intelligence and Space, El Segundo, California, is awarded a $372,137,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for updates, improvements, and enhancements of tactical capabilities, sensor instrumentation, and instrumentation interfaces in support of F/A-18 and EA-18G software blocks. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (80%); China Lake, California (5%); Goleta, California (5%); Forest, Mississippi (5%); and McKinney, Texas (5%), and is expected to be completed in June 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N6893623D0034).
08 Jun 23. Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been selected for a $64 million award from the Space Development Agency (SDA) to develop, implement and maintain the Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) Application Factory for the agency’s constellation of low-earth orbit satellites called the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The BMC3 Application Factory is a cloud-based solution which will deliver software through a DevSecOps process to a constellation of hundreds of low-earth orbit satellites. To support time-sensitive missions, BMC3 software applications will deliver automated space-based battle management through command and control, mission processing and dissemination of data. The BMC3 Application Factory’s ability to rapidly test and integrate upgraded software capabilities of on-orbit assets will help the Space Force adapt to evolving threats and needs. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Jun 23. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced it was selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) to provide on-orbit space relay connectivity for its ARBALEST program, which aims to support a future space-based demonstration of operational capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD). The future AFRL mission will illustrate the advantages of enabling real-time, global connectivity between DoD low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft and commercial geostationary (GEO) satellites. The ARBALEST program and expected AFRL-led mission will demonstrate the military utility of LEO space relay over commercial high throughput satellites in support of space mission resilience, real-time data dissemination, command and control (C2), as well as the rapid retasking of government space vehicles. Viasat’s space relay solution is key to enabling these capabilities and will leverage the upcoming ViaSat-3 constellation, which includes three Ka-band terabit-class GEO satellites, to provide continuous coverage for LEO spacecraft anywhere and at any time in their orbit. Under the ARBALEST program, Viasat will provide AFRL with a Ka-band space relay payload for integration into a spacecraft for the future AFRL mission, as well as provide engineering analysis, integration and test support. Viasat will also support the on-orbit demonstration phase of the mission.
TECHNOLOGY
08 Jun 23. BrainGu LLC, Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been awarded a $125,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity Small Business Innovation Research Phase III contract to provide Department of Defense Platform One Big Bang as a Service, Mission App as a Service, Developer Experience as a Service, Special Projects as a Service, and Development, Security and Operations Advisory as a Service, for Advanced Battle Management System Cloud-Based Command and Control. This support will be needed across multiple security classifications. Work will be performed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is expected to be completed May 30, 2028. Fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,284,317 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8612-23-D-B015).
06 Jun 23. U.S. Army Awards NanoGraf and South 8 Technologies $550,000 to Increase Battery Safety for Soldiers. NanoGraf, an advanced battery materials company and enabler of the world’s most energy-dense lithium-ion 18650 cell, and South 8 Technologies, developers of a novel liquefied gas electrolyte (LiGas®) for the next generation of safe and high-performance lithium-ion batteries, today announced a joint $550,000 award from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to pair NanoGraf’s 3.8 Ah 18650 cell with South 8’s electrolyte for cold temperature and safety testing.
05 Jun 23. Palantir Technologies, Palo Alto, California, was awarded a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92433-23-D-0001) with a maximum ceiling of $463,000,000 in support of continued capabilities for select U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) units for one year. The scope of the contract covers development and sustainment efforts for Palantir within the overall ecosystem of programs under the Program Executive Office (PEO) Special Operations Forces Digital Applications (SDA) portfolio. This contract provides the ability for PEO SDA’s programs to bring in the best of breed technology offerings provided by Palantir into the Modular Open System Approach all of the portfolio programs are taking. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $29,504,663 were obligated at the time of the award. This contract is awarded utilizing Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, only one responsible source. USSOCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Awarded June 2, 2023)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
08 Jun 23. $52m grant for 3 Queensland space facilities confirmed. The Labor federal government has signed off on a $52m grant to help establish three new space facilities in Queensland, in a project led by Gilmour. The investment – first confirmed in March last year under the previous Coalition government – will support a $156m “manufacturing network”, including a facility for building commercial rockets and satellites. It will also help facilitate the creation of an orbital spaceport in North Queensland and a common test and manufacturing facility, enabling member organisations to advance their space research and technology development at a lower cost. (Source: Defence Connect)
05 Jun 23. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq and TASE: DRS) announced today that its DRS RADA Technologies business unit has been selected to provide the Israeli Ministry of Defense with advanced mobile radars providing additional capabilities to defend against a range of emerging regional threats. The company will produce and deliver the radars to support existing Israeli Defense Force (IDF) air surveillance and early warning capabilities. These advanced systems are proven throughout the IDF and with allied military forces around the world. The company’s DRS RADA Technologies business unit (formerly known as “RADA”) is a global leader in developing highly mobile tactical radar systems. They are widely used across the IDF, U.S. and allied militaries to protect vehicles and warfighters from a range of current and emerging aerial and land-based hostile fire threats. Missions for these systems include active protection systems; mobile short range air defense; counter-rocket, artillery, mortar; counter-UAS missions; critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance. The radars will be built in the business unit’s production site located in Beit Shean, Israel. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
05 Jun 23. Kromek Group plc (AIM: KMK), a leading developer of radiation and bio-detection technology solutions for the advanced imaging and CBRN detection segments, announces that it has secured a contract worth $1.5m in the civil nuclear market.
Highlights
- Contract to be delivered over the next 1
- Awarded by one of the Group’s distribution partners in Asia, to supply three new end customers in the region
- Order is for a newly developed product, based on existing technology, for civil nuclear applications. Development of the product was funded by the distribution partner
07 Jun 23. Japan Awards Kawasaki Heavy Industries $243m Contract for Homegrown Version of Tomahawk Missile (excerpt). On June 6, Japan’s Defense Ministry announced that it has signed four contracts worth about 314.7bn yen ($2.3bn) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to develop its own standoff missiles. Tokyo is striving to acquire counterstrike capabilities as soon as possible amid heightened tensions in the region over China’s assertive behavior, North Korea’s unstoppable nuclear and missile development, and Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Among the four contracts, most notably, the ministry has awarded KHI a contract worth 33.9bn yen ($243m) for research and development of a new type of surface-to-ship missile (SSM). This new cruise missile uses a small, fuel-efficient turbofan engine as a propulsion device, and has wings like an airplane for horizontal flight. Since it has many similarities with the U.S. “Tomahawk” cruise missile in terms of range, shape, and performance, it has been dubbed as a Japanese version of the Tomahawk by domestic media. This new missile being developed by KHI is simply known by its project name, “New SSM,” in Japan, although the official name of the missile is “New Anti-Ship Guided Missile for Island Defense.” (end of excerpt) (Click here for the full story, on The Diplomat website: https://thediplomat.com/) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ The Diplomat)
06 Jun 23. Rheinmetall says Germany orders 20 more fighting vehicles for Kyiv. Germany has tasked arms maker Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) with supplying another batch of 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to Ukraine over the coming months, the company said on Tuesday. The contract has a volume in the “mid-double-digit” millio-euro range, a spokesperson for Rheinmetall told reporters in Unterluess in Lower Saxony, where the company operates one of its biggest factories. The 20 vehicles will come out of Rheinmetall’s stocks of old Marders and be restored over the coming months, he added, noting this would leave the company in the possession of 60 Marder IFVs that could still be refurbished. The 20 Marders come on top of 40 vehicles that Berlin already rushed to Ukraine, with 20 coming out of military and industry stocks each. (Source: Reuters)
07 Jun 23. Ukroboronprom and VOP CZ Will Jointly Repair Ukrainian T-64 Tanks. The state concern “Ukroboronprom” and the Czech state defense company VOP CZ signed a contract for the joint repair of T-64 tanks for the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine. Modernization will take place at the facilities of one of the Czech enterprises in the city of Novy Yichyn and will take place under technical control and with the direct participation of Ukroboronprom specialists. “The Czech Republic supports and will support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor. We provide the necessary military equipment, train Ukrainian soldiers and now help with the repair of Ukrainian equipment. We offer our knowledge and skills for training and repair, and also receive invaluable combat experience from Ukrainians,” said Minister of Defense Yana Chornokhova. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Ukroboronprom)
SEA
05 Jun 23. Leading UK anti-submarine warfare (ASW) specialist SEA has been awarded a contract to supply two of its innovative ASW systems, KraitSense, to a South-East Asian Navy for a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) programme. SEA will deliver the complete, lightweight passive ASW system, which is designed to give smaller, non-specialist platforms such as OPVs, a leading ASW capability. The system contains SEA’s world-leading low profile sonar sensor, KraitArray, handling equipment, processing hardware and software as well as an interactive user control station to view, analyse, report sonar contact information and to maintain the system. With low power consumption, drag and weight, the sonar sensor KraitArray also offers significant cost efficiencies when compared to traditional line and towed arrays making it suitable for smaller ships and unmanned vessels.
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