Sponsored By Comtech
www.comtech.com
————————————————————————
UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
18 Jul 23. Avon Protection has been awarded a three-year contract, with two optional one-year extensions, by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for CBRN protective boots and gloves. The framework contract will allow NATO nations and partners to place orders for Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-B1 boots and EXOSKIN-G1 gloves. Launched in 2022, the EXOSKIN range of boots and gloves are manufactured from Avon Protection’s proven rubber technology. The range protects operators against Chemical Warfare Agent, Toxic Industrial Chemical and biological threats. The ambidextrous EXOSKIN-G1 glove features a rubberised outer layer textured to maintain grip in wet conditions, and an intelligent, seamless inner knitted liner that has a conductive tip on both the thumb and forefinger to enable the wearer to handle and operate electronic touch screen devices. The EXOSKIN-B1 boot provides improved durability and agility in the field, with quick-release straps to secure the garment over standard footwear. A highly textured sole improves the wearer’s manoeuvrability in all underfoot conditions. Designed for quick donning and doffing, the EXOSKIN range integrates with many protective suit ensembles, delivering advanced dexterity and agility in the field while maximising protection for the operator. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
AIR
24 Jul 23. Northrop Grumman in line to win NATO forward air defence counter UAS contract. The U.S. Government anticipates an award of a Definitive Contract Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Cost-Reimbursable to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC) “for the acquisition of the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD-C2), Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS) and Communications Network (C-NET) Systems to integrate Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Architecture for Air Defense and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) in support of their homeland defense.” According to a post in the US government www.sam.gov website: “The requirements of this acquisition will provide Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) Network (C-NET) Interface Kits, Software Updates, Engineering Services, Hardware Acquisition, Financial Reporting, Quality Management, Cybersecurity, Security FAAD/AMDWS/C-Net Field Service Representative (FSR) Support, Integration and Testing Support, and support for GBAD C2 Allied Interoperability Test Events. This acquisition will be sole source Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), 7575 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102-7508, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code 5FVX5, pursuant to the authority, Title 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 3204(a)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) and (iii)(A) and (B), “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.” NGSC is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and has been the only source to provide the communications architecture/systems engineering, integration, installation, communications network and Rocket Artillery Mortar Warning (RAM Warn) hardware, and logistics support of the unique C-RAM System of Systems (SoS). NGSC owns the Technical Data Package (TDP), essential proprietary software of C-RAM C2, and AMDWS and has expert knowledge of the C-RAM System of Systems (SoS). The Government does not own the technical data package (TDP) for the FAAD C2 or AMDWS. This requirement will be a definitive contract with a period of performance ending on 30 September 2024.” For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/04e4487fc16a4ad4b460b59cc493f4bd/view (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
EUROPE
LAND
27 Jul 23. BAE Land Systems, York, Pennsylvania, was awarded an $89,000,000 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price) contract to refurbish and provide new equipment training on Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Croatia) funds in the amount of $89,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-23-C-0071).
27 Jul 23. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS to Assault Amphibious Vehicles to Romania. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of Romania has requested to buy sixteen (16) Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), Personnel Variant (AAVP-7A1); three (3) Assault Amphibious Vehicles, Command Variant (AAVC-7Al); two (2) Assault Amphibious Vehicles, Recovery Variant (AAVR-7Al); sixteen (16) 50 Cal Machine Guns (Heavy Barrel); and five (5) 7.62 mm M240B Machine Guns. Also included are MK-19 Grenade Launchers; M36E T1 Thermal Sighting Systems (TSS); supply support (spare parts); support equipment (including special mission kits/Enhanced Applique Kits (EAAK)); training, unclassified technical manuals, technical data package, engineering and technical support and assistance (including Contractor Engineering Technical Services (CETS)); and other related elements of program and logistics support. The total estimated program cost is $120.5m. A principal contractor has not been determined for the potential sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
26 Jul 23. IDE – Diehl Defence Co-operation Extension in the IRIS-T family of missile systems. INTRACOM DEFENSE (IDE) announces the extension of its co-operation with Diehl Defence with the receipt of new orders for the production of crucial electronic missile components of the IRIS-T family of missile systems. This new award is a result of IDE’s continuous efforts and investment in the engineering development and manufacturing of advanced technology products for the most demanding environments. (Source: ASD Network)
26 Jul 23. Lithuania picks Leopard 2 tank over Abrams, Black Panther. Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas has announced the country’s government aims to sign a letter of intent with Germany to purchase Leopard 2 tanks for the land forces. (Source: Defense News)
SEA
24 Jul 23. OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation) has exercised the construction of the third new-generation submarine related to the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) program for the Italian Navy assigned to Fincantieri. The vessel has a total value of more than euro 500m, including the integrated support service, and will be delivered in 2030. Future program development also contemplates an additional 160m for future additional activities or provision of specific additional capabilities required by the Navy. The U212NFS submarines will be highly innovative, with significant design modifications which will all be developed independently by Fincantieri, which holds the role of Design Authority, in accordance with the requirements of the Navy. The program responds to the need to secure adequate underwater spatial surveillance and control capacity, considering the future complex scenarios of underwater operations and that the operational lifetime of the 4 “Sauro” class submarines, currently in service, is drawing near. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
26 Jul 23. GE Marine signed an agreement with TAIS OG-STM İş Ortaklığı in Istanbul, Türkiye, to provide the LM2500 marine gas turbine engine in a new lightweight composite enclosure for the İstif-Class frigates, numbers 6, 7, and 8 in the Turkish MILGEM Project. The lightweight enclosure debuted on the U.S. Navy’s USS Santa Barbara in April. Türkiye’s Navy converted from the steel engine enclosure for the redesigned frigates to benefit from the many features of the one-piece composite enclosure. Between the Barbaros, Gabya, and İstif class frigates and the ADA class Corvettes, 31 LM2500 marine gas turbine engines currently power 18 Turkish ships. Under this project, the private shipyards of Türkiye will build a frigate class surface combatant for the first time. The ships will be built at Anadolu, Sedef, and Sefine shipyards in 36 months. GE will support this expedited timeline. The new I-Class Frigate will be 10 meters longer than previous models to account for the increased capabilities in weapons systems. One LM2500 will provide 22 MW of power to propel each new MILGEM frigate. This engine selection builds on the April 2023 announcement of GE Marine’s newest collaboration in Türkiye with TEI (TUSAS Engine Industries, Inc.) as an in-country service provider for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of GE’s LM2500 marine gas turbines. “We want GE Marine’s strong relationships in Türkiye, along with the new engine selection on the I-Class MILGEM, to demonstrate our commitment to supporting Türkiye’s naval programs, including domestic sustainment of naval capabilities,” said Mark Musheno, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GE Marine. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/GE)
21 Jul 23. OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) has been contracted by Marine Specialised Technology Group (MST) to deliver 12 sets of OSI’s T-ACT Tactical and High-Speed Navigation Systems to the German Navy. T-ACT will be installed on the MST built Fast Raiding Interception and Special Forces Craft (FRISC®). These powerful 12-meter small craft, called “Einsatzboote,” will be used by the German Navy operating from the four F126 frigates built by Damen Naval, by the Seebataillon (Force Protection – Marines), the Kampfschwimmer Marine (Special Forces) and the Operational School. The prime capability of T-ACT, powered by ECPINS Small Craft (SC), is High-Speed Navigation. Radar, WAIS and various navigation sensors are integrated with ECPINS SC software delivering radar control and dedicated NATO WECDIS-based high-speed navigation features to the navigator and the driver. The ECPINS SC software is based on ECPINS WECDIS for surface combatants and submarines, but the HMI and functionality are tailored to small craft operations. (Source: ASD Network)
27 Jul 23. Unirobotics remote weapon stations to be fitted on Turkish OPVs, USVs. Turkey-based Unirobotics’ remote weapon stations (RWSs) will be integrated on the Turkish navy’s offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs), Unirobotics board member Cem Kurter confirmed to Janes at the 16th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) held in Istanbul. Among the RWSs displayed by Unirobotics at IDEF 2023, the Trakon Targan, developed in partnership with Havelsan, will be integrated on the Hisar-class OPVs under construction at Istanbul Naval Shipyard for the Turkish navy. Targan is designed for naval platforms to protect against air and surface targets. It is armed with the CANiK M2 QCB 12.7 mm heavy machine gun (HMG). Targan can also be equipped with an Mk-19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The RWS is compatible with Havelsan’s Advent combat management system and can be controlled via its own operator console. It features an electro-optical (EO) system integrated on an independently stabilised gimbal. The EO has an elevation axis of -15°/+55° and an azimuth axis of -20°/+20° without aiming the gun. (Source: Janes)
AIR
26 Jul 23. The Council of Ministers has authorized the Ministry of Defense to enter into a contract for the acquisition of the high-performance tactical remotely manned aerial system (RPAS) (SIRTAP) from the company Airbus Defense & Space, for an estimated value of 595,000,000 euros. The contract includes, along with the supply of 9 complete systems and 2 simulators with instruction and training capacity, initial logistical support. The acquisition of this system will replace the systems of this type in service that are at the end of their operational life, improving and enhancing the capabilities of the Army and the Army of the Air and Space. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Spanish Prime Minister’s Office)
25 Jul 23. Poland signs contract to buy 2 Swedish Saab 340 AEW-300 aircraft. Poland signed a contract to buy two Swedish airborne early warning and control Saab 340 AEW-300 planes for approximately 600m Swedish crowns ($57.81m), the Polish defence minister said on Tuesday. Poland is modernizing its armed forces as a result of the war in neighbouring Ukraine, and plans to spend around 4% of gross domestic product on defence this year. The early warning systems comprise the Saab 340 aircraft equipped with Saab’s advanced Erieye radar. The contract also includes ground equipment and in-country logistics and support services, the company said in a statement. It said the value of the order was about 600m Swedish crowns with a 2023-2025 contract period. ($1 = 10.3793 Swedish crowns) (Source: Reuters)
25 Jul 23. Spire Global Awarded €16m ESA Contract to Design and Demonstrate Satellite-Based Aviation Surveillance System. The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, a €16 m phased contract for the EURIALO project, which will develop the preliminary design and demonstrator for a global space-based independent aircraft surveillance system. The project framework is part of ESA’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) in its Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications. The EURIALO project intends to design and demonstrate the viability of a novel system that uses a satellite constellation to track aircraft by determining their exact position based on different times of arrivals of radio frequency (RF) signals, a technology known in the aviation industry as multilateration (MLAT). Spire will develop the mission and system design for a satellite constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO) and then design, deploy and operate a demonstrator mission that proves the performance of the system and its critical technologies. Following the initial design and demonstrator phases, there is a potential opportunity to be selected to build out the full constellation, which would foresee a large number of satellites.
TECHNOLOGY
25 Jul 23. ELT Group reconfirms its leading role in the European arena. The European Commission (DG DEFIS – Defence Industries and Space) has in fact selected nine projects of the European Defence Funds (EDF) – Work Programme 2022, in which the company is involved. ELT Group has always strongly believed in the objective set by European projects for the development of common defence capabilities with a continuous commitment since their inception through the PADR (Preliminary Actions Defence Research) and EDIDP (European Defence Industrial Development Programs) initiatives, preparatory to the current EDF phase. In this area, it has brought its expertise gained through years of activity and consolidated through major defence programmes such as Eurofighter Typhoon, FREMM, NH90, and Naval Law. ELT Group is also currently involved in the development of the future sixth-generation GCAP fighter.The projects selected this year include R&D activities in the air, naval, land, cyber and space domains. In these, the company contributes its expertise and innovation capabilities in Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) and the Cyber field.In particular, in the Air domain, with the REACT II (Responsive Electronic Attack for Cooperation Tasks II) project for an Airborne Electronic Attack capability as follow-on to the EDIDP 2019 project and FASETT (Future Air System for European Tactical Transportation) project fora new transport aircraft for EU Member States; in the Naval domain with the E-NACSOS (EU NAval Collaborative Surveillance Operational Standard) project for naval surveillance and EUROGUARD (EUROpean Goal based mUlti mission Autonomous naval Reference platform Development) project, integrating innovative EU technologies into a demonstrator vessel for coastal operations; and in the Terrestrial domain with the LATACC (LAnd TActical Collaborative Combat) project to strengthen the collaborative capability between command posts, vehicles, soldiers and unmanned assets in high-intensity conflicts.
25 Jul 23. Leonardo wins €614m for EDF research and development. The defence company won 74% of EDF’s €832m allocated funds in 18 projects spanning radar, tactical transport and space-based early-warning systems. Leonardo has won 18 research and development (R&D) projects, spanning all five defence domains, predominantly aerospace, under the European Defence Fund (EDF) Work Programme 2022 (WP22). The EDF awarded the pan-European defence company 74% of all allocated funds, about €614m ($679.3m) out of €832m. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
USA
LAND
24 Jul 23. The multiple award contract (H92403-23-R-0002) announced July 21, 2023, with a maximum total ceiling of $750,000,000 to allow U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) the flexibility to procure numerous types of ammunition requirements for all USSOCOM components included some incorrect company addresses. The correct firms and their locations are Ultimate Training Munitions Inc., Mildenhall, Suffolk, United Kingdom; Sig Sauer, Jacksonville, Arkansas; Black Hills Ammunition, Rapid City, South Dakota; Bighorn Government Services LLC, Georgetown, Tennessee; Eagle Eye Precision Ammunition, Mesa, Arizona; General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Quebec, Canada; Capstone Precision Group LLC, Mesa, Arizona; OCR Global Inc., Chantilly, Virginia; PCP Tactical, Sebastian, Florida; UDC Inc., Tampa, Florida; and Vista Outdoor Sales LLC, Anoka, Minnesota.
26 Jul 23. Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions for tactical wheeled and tracked defense vehicles, will provide the Allison eGen ForceTM electric hybrid system for American Rheinmetall Vehicles’ (ARV) Team Lynx prototype. Team Lynx, led by ARV, was recently selected for Phases 3 and 4 in the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle competition, now named the XM30 Combat Vehicle program. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
21 Jul 23. Cummins Inc., Columbus, Indiana, was awarded a $347,411,254 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of new commercial, remanufactured and remanufactured conversion V903 Cummins series 600 and 675 horsepower diesel engines. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2028. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-23-D-0048).
27 Jul 23. LiquidPiston, Inc., a leading innovator of efficient engine technology and hybrid power systems, today announced that it has been awarded an $8.3m contract by Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) to revolutionize battlefield power generation for the U.S. Army. With this contract, the company will integrate its recently launched high-performance rotary X-Engine™, the XTS-210, into a lightweight, compact 10 kW generator set to be field-tested by the Army, delivering unmatched power flexibility and portability to the warfighter.
SEA
26 Jul 23. BAE Systems – San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, was awarded a $37,730,467 firm-fixed-price contract action for maintenance, modernization and repair of USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) fiscal 2024 Selected Restricted Availability. The scope of this acquisition includes all labor, supervision, equipment, production, testing, facilities, and quality assurance necessary to prepare for, and accomplish, the Chief of Naval Operations Availability for managing critical modernization, maintenance and repair programs. This contract includes options, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $42,442,680. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by September 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2024. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance, Navy funds in the amount of $37,725,469 (99.99%); and fiscal 2023 other procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $4,998 (0.01%), will be obligated at the time of award, of which $37,725,469 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded on a sole source basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-3, Industrial Mobilization. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N0002423C4405). (Awarded July 24, 2023)
26 Jul 23. BAE Systems (LSE: BA) has received a $15m contract from the U.S. Navy to deliver its next-generation digital interrogator for maritime vessels. The interrogator will have advanced capabilities—providing time-critical insights that reduce friendly fire incidents and support mission success in hostile environments. BAE Systems’ modernized AN/UPX-50(C) Digital Interrogator will provide a common modular design and open system architecture. Its design enables the rapid integration of new technology within the existing footprint through software updates instead of hardware configuration. The AN/UPX-50(C) Digital Interrogator will serve the U.S. Navy fleet. It delivers high-performance, multi-function Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) solutions for air defense, weapon systems, air traffic control, and range instrumentation. Used for Mark XIIB IFF processing, including Mode 5 and Mode S, it provides secure and encrypted data exchange. It also includes a third receive channel for passive acquisition of Mode 5 Level 2 and Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast In, providing enhanced situational awareness for warfighters. (Source: PR Newswire)
24 Jul 23. Huntington Ingalls Inc. – Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia, was awarded a $528,381,355 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to support emergent work, continuous maintenance availabilities, pre-refueling complex overhaul availabilities, and Chief of Naval Operations scheduled availabilities for Navy aircraft carriers homeported in and visiting the San Diego, California, area. Work is expected to be completed by July 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 competitively procured and solicited via the System for Award Management website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-23-D-4107). (Awarded July 21, 2023)
AIR
26 Jul 23. Applied Research Associates Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico (FA8612-23-D-B002); Armaments Research Co. Inc., Bethesda, Maryland (FA8612-23-D-B003); BadVR Inc., Pacoima, California (FA8612-23-D-B004); CGI Federal Inc., Fairfax, Virginia (FA8612-23-D-B001); Flosum Corp., San Ramon, California (FA8612-23-D-B017); Management Services Group Inc., doing business as Global Technical Systems, Virginia Beach, Virginia (FA8612-23-D-B005); Convergent Solutions Inc., doing business as Exiger Government Solutions, McLean, Virginia (FA8612-23-D-B006); Odyssey Systems Consulting Group LTD., Wakefield, Massachusetts (FA8612-23-D-B008); Steeple Group LLC, doing business as Peregrine Defense, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (FA8612-23-D-B014); Picogrid Inc., Hawthorne, California (FA8612-23-D-B009); Rescue Rover LLC, doing business as AlphaBravo, Gaithersburg, Maryland (FA8612-23-D-B010); Rafael Systems Global Sustainment LLC, Bethesda, Maryland (FA8612-23-D-B011); and Spotible Labs LLC, New York, New York (FA8612-23-D-B012), have been awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with a combined ceiling of $950,000,000 to compete for future efforts associated with the maturation, demonstration, and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control. These contracts provide for the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, space, sea, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The locations of performance are to be determined at the contract directed order level and are expected to be complete by May 28, 2025. These awards are the result of fair and open competition. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
21 Jul 23. AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded a $12,051,941 firm-fixed-price contract for RQ-20B Puma AE3 UAS systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2023 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,051,941 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-23-C-0039).
27 Jul 23. Archer Aviation Inc., San Jose, California, was awarded an $110,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Midnight Based Advanced Vertical Lift. This contract is a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III to iteratively conduct government operational experimentation on military installation for government-owned, government-operated flight operations to execute and experiment with key missions or mission elements to substantiate government use cases, concept of operations/mission design, and cost/benefit analyses of the Midnight aircraft that extend, derive, and complete previously awarded SBIR Phase I and II efforts. Work will be performed in San Jose, California, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2028. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,293,077 are being obligated at time of award. AFWERX Enterprise Contracting, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA2280-23-D-0001).
21 Jul 23. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $393,091,720 modification (P00005) to contract W58RGZ-21-C-0015 for Apache AH-64E aircraft, supporting services, and equipment. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2027. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement, Army funds and Foreign Military Sales (Egypt and Kuwait) funds in the amount of $393,091,720 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
26 Jul 23. BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) today announced that its reactor and fuel will be key components in the world’s first demonstration spacecraft using nuclear thermal propulsion. Working as part of a team led by Lockheed Martin, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC will complete final design of the nuclear reactor, manufacture the reactor’s hardware and fuel, assemble the components and deliver the fueled reactor as a complete subsystem for integration into the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, known as DRACO. The reactor’s energy will enable propulsion that allows DRACO to maneuver through space with great speed and agility for an extended period of time. This nuclear thermal propulsion system is designed to be extremely safe and reliable, using High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel to rapidly heat a super-cold gas, such as liquid hydrogen. As the gas is heated, it expands quickly and creates thrust to move the spacecraft more efficiently than typical chemical combustion engines. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
24 Jul 23. Dynetics Technical Solutions, Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $428,266,378 modification (PZ0002) to contract W9124P-23-9-0001 to create Common Hypersonic Glide Body prototypes. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of July 23, 2027. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $43,100,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
24 Jul 23. KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded a significant contract worth up to $1.9bn for the continued support of NASA’s human spaceflight programs, including the International Space Station, Artemis and Low Earth Orbit Commercialization. Under the terms of Integrated Mission Operations Contract III (IMOC III), KBR will provide mission planning and preparation, astronaut and Mission Control Center flight controller training, real-time flight execution, and future exploration vehicle design and development services for all of NASA’s human spaceflight programs as a part of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC)’s Flight Operations Directorate. Additionally, KBR will aid software development services for the International Space Station Program Avionics and Software Office. Work will be performed at various agency locations including JSC, Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center. This contract has a base period of five years with two, two-year options, potentially lasting 9 years. The full suite of programs supported under this contract includes the International Space Station, Commercial Crew, Boeing Starliner, Orion, Space Launch System, Gateway, Human Lander System, Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility (lunar spacewalks), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Commercialization. This contract is a follow-on to IMOC II, which KBR has proudly supported for the past nine years.
26 Jul 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $489,464,143 modification (P00002) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (N0001923F0002) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0008). This modification adds scope to procure various material mod kits, special test/tooling equipment, as well as provides product engineering, and installation in support of retrofit and modification engineering change proposal efforts on F-35 aircraft to correct aircraft deficiencies and upgrade F-35 aircraft with Technology Refresh Three for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2028. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $195,183,829; fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $171,871,471; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $963,892; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $818,354; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) procurement funds in the amount of $6,792,712; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,817,799; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,459,308; FMS funds in the amount of $33,390,770; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $66,958,720, will be obligated at the time of award, $20,277,107 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
26 Jul 23. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has won a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop and demonstrate a nuclear-powered spacecraft under a project called Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO). The project will represent a rapid advancement in propulsion technology to benefit exploration and national defense. DARPA partnered with NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate on the DRACO project, as both agencies will benefit from this leading edge technology. The in-space flight demonstration of a nuclear thermal rocket engine vehicle will take place no later than 2027. Chemical propulsion engines have long been the standard for spaceflight, but for humans to travel to Mars, they will need much more powerful and efficient propulsion. Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) engines offer thrust as high as conventional chemical propulsion with two-to-five times higher efficiency, which means the spacecraft can travel faster and farther and can significantly reduce propellant needs. They also enable abort scenarios on journeys to Mars that are not possible with chemical propulsion systems.
27 Jul 23. Raytheon, El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $175,050,289 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the B-2 Advanced High Frequency Radar Components and end items. This contract provides for overhaul and repair of the B-2 Advanced High Frequency Radar Components and end items. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2033. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $24,558,473 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8119-23-D-0002).
24 Jul 23. Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), has won a five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $93.9m to provide its Black Hornet® 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS) to the United States Army. The initial award under this IDIQ will cover delivery of the nano-unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as controllers, spare parts, and training. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
TECHNOLOGY
27 Jul 23. Armaments Research Company, Inc. (ARC) has been awarded a $950,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the maturation, demonstration, and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software, and algorithm development to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 Jul 23. Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been awarded a $91m contract to support Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Management Activity (PMA)-275 V-22 Logistics Information Technology Product Line (LOG-IT) to continue providing hardware and software modernization efforts for NAVAIR. SAIC was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center’s (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. These DoD IAC MAC task orders (TOs) are awarded by the U.S. Air Force’s 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the DTIC repository and the R&D and S&T community. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
26 Jul 23. Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation (“Sarcos”) (NASDAQ: STRC and STRCW), a leader in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced robotic systems, solutions, and software that redefine human possibilities, announced today the award of an expanded contract (FA8750-22-C-1005) from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for continued development of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven methods and techniques that autonomously control a Heterogeneous Sensing Network (HSN). As part of the AFRL contract, Sarcos is developing a collaborative sensing solution that enables its Department of Defense (DoD) partners to quickly, accurately, and safely identify, track, and classify time-critical objects using autonomous, heterogeneous sensor networks and AI to improve the operations, safety, data collection, and communication of autonomous platforms, such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
24 Jul 23. System High wins $50m classified IT destruction contract. A digital-security company with offices in Virginia and Alabama will destroy classified information technology for an unnamed customer under a deal worth as much as $50m. System High announced the five-year contract July 24, approximately one month after the award. The company touted its Proactive Protection Secure Holdings Risks reduction and Equipment Destruction capabilities, or P² SHRED, meant to deconstruct backlogs of sensitive equipment. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
24 Jul 23. ZE Government Solutions (ZEGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of AI-based gun detection leader ZeroEyes, has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase I contract focused on edge deployment of artificial intelligence to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). For this solution, ZEGS’ AI-based object detection video analytics will be added to edge devices such as LTE-enabled body cameras. This will enhance the safety of defenders during traffic stops or other engagements on or around installations worldwide, proactively providing real-time situational awareness in tense situations. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
24 Jul 23. Aquaterro secures its first sidearm purchase order under LAND 159. The Australian company has announced that it has secured its first sidearm weapon system purchase order as part of LAND 159, valued at $30m. The new Australian Defence Force sidearm weapon system is comprised of the SIG P320 X-Carry Pro, SIG Romeo2 Red Dot Sight, and SIG Foxtrot 2 Weapon Light. The announcement follows robust testing procedures carried out on the system since the contract was awarded in October and facilitates the weapon’s introduction into the Australian Defence Force. The agreement makes Aquaterro the largest weapons supplier as part of the Commonwealth’s LAND 159 program. The weapons systems will undergo their final manufacturing processes in Melbourne, which is set to include customer-specific engraving, an Aquaterro spokesperson explained. The SIG P320s will be delivered to the Australian Defence Force via NIOA. (Source: Defence Connect)
24 Jul 23. Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers and part of MilDef has been assigned to develop operator computers for nano drones, used by dismounted soldiers. The bespoke carry-on uniform control computer is based on a 7-inch ultra-rugged Handheld Android tablet. The customer is a global defense group, based in the US, delivering nano drones for military battlefield surveillance. Initial order value is 6 MSEK, with substantial growth potential once large quantity-deliveries commence. Drone technology has emerged as a game-changer in modern warfare, revolutionizing the way military operations are conducted. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, offer numerous advantages that have significantly transformed the battlefield and enhanced military capabilities.
26 Jul 23. Hanwha Aerospace announced today that its subsidiary, Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Land 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) program with the Redback IFV. This program includes 129 vehicles across two variants and will be delivered under an accelerated schedule, in alignment with the Australian Army’s Defence Strategic Review. This marks the first that a South Korean defense company has been chosen as a preferred bidder for a program by an army of an AUKUS member, on technical expertise and the ability to fulfil to the Australian Army’s evolving requirements. (Source: ASD Network)
AIR
25 Jul 23. The Government of Canada has awarded Airbus Defence and Space with a contract for four newly-built Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT) and for the conversion of five used A330-200s in a quest to strengthen Canada’s continental defence capabilities. The current contract has an order value of approximately CAD $3bn or 2.1€bn (excluding taxes). Known as the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC), this new fleet of aircraft will replace the ageing CC-150 Polaris (A310 MRTT), operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The existing A310 fleet is being used to perform air-to-air refuelling operations, military and personnel and cargo airlift, medical evacuations, as well as strategic transport of Government of Canada officials.
24 Jul 23. Australia said on Monday it would spend A$9.8bn ($6.60bn) to buy 20 new Super Hercules military transport aircraft, ahead of a visit later this week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The U.S. State Department in November approved the potential sale of the aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), and related equipment to Australia. (Source: Reuters)
24 Jul 23. Government of Canada Announces Skyalyne as Preferred Bidder for Future Aircrew Training Program in Support of Royal Canadian Air Force The Government of Canada is committed to providing members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with the tools they need to deliver on their operational missions and protect Canadians. Through the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program, the Government of Canada is taking the necessary steps to renew its existing aircrew training services for the RCAF. This process will result in awarding a contract to cover all aspects of the required training, including pilot training, as well as aircrew training for air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators, and maintenance and infrastructure services, for a period of more than 20 years. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Public Services and Procurement Canada)
TECHNOLOGY
28 Jul 23. CyberOps wins $2.5m Defence cyber deal. An Adelaide-based firm has won a $2.5m contract with the Department of Defence to improve Australia’s cyber security in space. The agreement will see CyberOps build a “world-class” cyber testing and training facility in South Australia that will educate hundreds of people. It will also provide the ability to test new space hardware and services and a simulation environment allowing space operators and cyber practitioners to develop and hone their skills. (Source: Defence Connect)
26 Jul 23. SitaWare secures lucrative Army Battle Management System contract. The Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group (CASG) has revealed that Systematic’s SitaWare software has been announced as the sole-source winner for Army’s new digital command and control battle management system. The decision comes following the first pass approval of LAND 200 Phase 3 Battlefield Command Systems project in mid-July which is designed to improve the security and performance of Defence’s tactical communications network and battle management systems. (Source: Defence Connect)
————————————————————————-
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is a leading global technology company providing terrestrial and wireless network solutions, next-generation 9-1-1 emergency services, satellite and space communications technologies, and clouded native solutions to commercial and government customers around the world. Our unique culture of innovation and employee empowerment unleashes a relentless passion for customer success. With multiple facilities located in technology corridors throughout the United States and the world, Comtech leverages its global presence, technology leadership and decades of experience to create the world’s most innovative communications solutions.
————————————————————————-