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EUROPE
26 Aug 20. GA-ASI Selects 18 Businesses To Participate In Virtual Blue Magic Belgium. Annual Industry Engagement Event Gives Belgian Businesses Opportunity to Present Capabilities to Support SkyGuardian® Development.
As part of the second annual “Blue Magic Belgium” industry engagement event hosted by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), 18 Belgium-based companies have been selected to present their ideas and cutting-edge capabilities to a panel of GA-ASI technical experts. The panel will evaluate the companies in a virtual interview setting and make decisions on which capabilities can support the development of MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, the GA-ASI Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) selected by Belgian Defense.
The presentations will be held during the week of September 21st and unlike the first Blue Magic Belgium (BMB) industry outreach event in 2019, this year’s event will be held virtually due to travel and in-person meeting restrictions stemming from the coronavirus.
“We’re very excited to host our second Blue Magic Belgium event,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “Our first BMB event was a great success as we identified four Belgian companies who are now part of our SkyGuardian development team. We look forward to the same success this year. We know that attracting new Belgian businesses means more jobs for Belgium and it helps GA-ASI produce the best RPA for Belgian Defense and all NATO countries.”
As part of last year’s event, AeroSimulators Group (ASG), AIRobot, ALX Systems and Hexagon joined Team SkyGuardian, which already included these five Belgium companies: SABCA, Thales Belgium, ScioTeq, ST Engineering and DronePort. GA-ASI is working with these companies now to generate next-generation capabilities for their RPA.
The companies participating in Blue Magic Belgium the week of September 21st will be Airobot , AKKA BENELUX, Altran Belgium, ALX Systems, Any-Shape, Cenaero, Feronyl, Hexagon Geospatial, IDRONECT, Lambda-X, ML2Grow, Moss Composites, Optrion, Oscars, ScioTeq, Siemens, VITO-Remote Sensing, and von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics.
USA
24 Aug 20. FAA issues industry call for airport protection counter-UAS trials. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to identify eligible manufacturers, vendors, and integrators (“offeror(s)”) of UAS detection and/or mitigation technologies/systems in support of the FAA’s Airport UAS Detection and Mitigation Research Program.
According to the text of the tender: “The FAA intends to evaluate at least 10 technologies/systems that have the ability to detect and/or mitigate UAS in a civil airport environment. Systems that may incorporate several different types of technologies will be counted as one technology/system. The FAA, when possible, will evaluate each technology separately, and collectively as a system. The FAA anticipates that each technology/system will initially be installed at the Atlantic City International Airport (KACY), 3 NJ, and then at one additional airport in the United States. The FAA was expressly excepted from various federal laws that would otherwise present legal implications associated with UAS detection and mitigation activities.
“Any selected offeror(s) must install and support the deployment of its technology/system at KACY as part of Tasks 1 and 2 (defined in the following sections), and one additional airport as part of Task 3. The selected offeror(s) will be responsible for training the FAA on the operation of the equipment, but will not be allowed to operate the technology and/or system during the test and evaluation activities. Any selected offeror(s) system or technology must be able to meet and/or enable FAA to meet all applicable federal regulatory requirements (e.g. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) special authorization(s) and compliance with 14 CFR Part 77) for participation in this research program.
“The period of performance is estimated to be approximately three to four months at KACY, including installation, training, the test and evaluation, and removal of the technology/system. The period of performance at the additional airport will be approximately 14 months, including site surveys, Safety Risk Management Panel support, installation, training, the test and evaluation, and removal of the technology/system.”
The initial deployment could be as early as January 2021, with later deployments happening closer to the end of 2021.
Responsible Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Solicitation number 692M15-20-R-00004
Deadline: November 2024
For more information
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/b421783775ec407d963dce84fb164b85/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
REST OF THE WORLD
24 Aug 20. Malaysia to launch competition for drones and manned maritime patrol aircraft. Malaysia is moving ahead with its plans to acquire much-needed manned and unmanned aircraft to enhance maritime security, with the Southeast Asian country announcing that it will be issuing separate tenders for each type.
The Aug. 25 announcement comes in the wake of its coast guard killing a Vietnamese fisherman following a confrontation off the Malaysian coast. And both countries along with China were recently involved in a three-way standoff over oil exploration in a part of the South China Sea claimed by all three nations.
According to the tender announcement, Malaysia is seeking two maritime patrol aircraft and three medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial systems.
The announcement was sent to “selected embassies” and published in two of Malaysia’s national newspapers as well as the government’s online tender portal. The government said the full tender documents will be available Sept. 3 and that interested parties must submit bids no later than Nov. 26.
This announcement confirms earlier reports that Malaysia will split its requirement for maritime patrol aircraft and maritime UAS into two tranches, with this first tranche coming under the country’s 2021-2025 five-year spending plan.
Under its Capability 55 plan, the Royal Malaysian Air Force has an eventual requirement for four maritime patrol aircraft and six UAS to improve maritime domain awareness.
Potential manned aircraft in the running include Leonardo’s ATR 72MP, Airbus’ C-295, PTDI’s CN-235, Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon and Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ P-1. However, it’s unlikely P-8A or P-1 will be chosen due to their respective costs.
The drone requirement is likely to attract interest from General Atomics with its MQ-9 Reaper; Aviation Industry Corporation of China with its Wing Loong family of systems; Leonardo with the Falco; and Turkish Aerospace Industries’ Anka series.
Malaysia is one of six claimants to the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, and it has faced other maritime issues such as piracy and smuggling. Despite its desire to bolster its maritime patrol fleet, Malaysia’s fiscal troubles and political uncertainty has stymied efforts to acquire new aircraft. The country has undergone two changes in government since then-Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein gave the go-ahead to acquire a new maritime patrol aircraft type in September 2017. The program has since languished like much of Malaysia’s other defense procurement programs.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force currently operates three Beechcraft B200T King Airs in a maritime surveillance role, while the U.S. government has started deliveries of six Insitu ScanEagle drones to the Royal Malaysian Navy, donated using funding from the U.S. Maritime Security Initiative. The American program aims to improve maritime domain awareness capabilities of partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Malaysia also previously announced it will convert two of its fleet of seven Indonesian-built CN-235 transport aircraft into maritime patrol platforms using funds from the Maritime Security Initiative. (Source: Defense News)
26 Aug 20. Japan widens foreign access to F-X fighter project. Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has published a notice inviting foreign companies to engage with its project to develop next-generation fighter aircraft.
The notice – issued on 25 August – invites firms to be involved in the development phase of the F-X project and the integration of related technologies and capabilities.
It states that the invite supports the MoD’s “procedures for collecting information” about next-generation fighter aircraft.
The notice adds that this process also includes continuing discussions with companies from the United States and United Kingdom about their potential involvement in the development of the new aircraft.
“We will collect high-quality information,” the MoD notice says, “and start recruiting companies that are willing to provide that information.”
The MoD said foreign companies wishing to engage with the F-X project must be able to demonstrate a high “technology readiness level” in capabilities such as, technologies and designs for fixed-wing aircraft “including stealth drones”, and airborne missile systems including radars, sensors, electronic warfare equipment, data link equipment, and “systems integration technologies”.
In a press briefing on the same day, Japan’s Defence Minister Taro Kono said the deadline for companies willing to co-operate is 31 August.
“We are inviting companies to [support] the integration of the fighter aircraft,” said Kono. “We are currently exchanging information with the US and UK to deepen our consideration of international co-operation in this development project.” (Source: Jane’s)
25 Aug 20. Insitu Pacific, Nova Systems team up for Australian-led LAND 129 solution. Insitu Pacific signed a teaming agreement with Nova Systems as part of its Australian-industry-led proposal to supply tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to the Australian Army under LAND 129 Phase 3. The addition of Nova Systems to the Insitu Pacific team supports a low-risk solution and ensures a rapid, fully operational capability can be delivered to Army.
Nova Systems teams with Insitu Pacific as part of the company’s LAND 129 Phase3 Tactical UAS proposal to the Australian Army. Pictured, the Insitu Pacific Integrator UAS flying in Australia.
“Insitu Pacific’s experienced Australian team and our AS9100D certification underpin the delivery of a fully compliant and documented system,” said Andrew Duggan, Managing Director, Insitu Pacific. “Our solution is further strengthened by Nova Systems as acknowledged Australian experts in working through all the engineering and testing steps necessary to deliver complex UAS to the ADF. They will bring this extensive experience and expertise to bear as part of Insitu Pacific’s LAND 129 solution for Army,” Duggan said.
As one of the key Australian industry partners to form part of the comprehensive Insitu Pacific UAS offering to Army, Nova Systems is a sovereign partner and key contributor to the defence and security of Australia. For over 20 years, Nova Systems has been a trusted provider to the Australian Defence Force in the development and delivery of test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance, capabilities critical to Defence.
“Nova Systems brings the right mix of engineering and next-gen technical skills to the Insitu Pacific LAND 129 Team,” said Peter Tippner, General Manager Aerospace and Surveillance, Nova Systems. “Our team of expert engineers has an in-depth understanding of the customer’s requirements, based on their experience with Shadow 200, and ADF UAS capabilities since 2008. Our proven ability to integrate complex systems into the Australian Defence Force within acquisition projects such as AIR7000 Phase 1B Triton and AIR7003 Armed UAS capability, ensures that full operational capability can be achieved rapidly, with minimal risk.”
Army’s goals for capability procurement under LAND 129 include requirements to ensure that the UAS delivered are flexibly able to operate in Commercial airspace in Australia or overseas on deployment. This drives a focus on providing proven systems with extensive testing data and technical detail to enable the work necessary with Defence and Civil regulators to support these type of operations.
“The suppliers and partners we’ve assembled set the foundation for long-term Australian industry capability growth. Insitu Pacific is the local, established and low-risk Tactical UAS partner for the Commonwealth, and we’re ready to deliver, grow and sustain the next generation of Army Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems,” Duggan said.
About Insitu Pacific
Located in Brisbane, Australia Insitu Pacific was established in 2009 as a division of Insitu Inc and serves defence customers across the Asia-Pacific region and global commercial customers. We utilise expert in-house knowledge and skills to deliver end-to-end solutions for collecting, processing and managing sensor data. To date, Insitu systems have accumulated more than 1.3 million flight hours. Insitu Pacific is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. (Source: PR Newswire)
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American Panel Corporation
American Panel Corporation (APC) since 1998, specializes in display products installed in defence land systems, as well as military and commercial aerospace platforms, having delivered well over 100,000 displays worldwide. Military aviators worldwide operate their aircraft and perform their missions using APC displays, including F-22, F-18, F-16, F-15, Euro-fighter Typhoon, Mirage 2000, C-130, C-17, P-3, S-3, U-2, AH-64 Apache Helicopter, V-22 tilt-rotor, as well as numerous other military and commercial aviation aircraft including Boeing 717 – 787 aircraft and several Airbus aircraft. APC panels are found in nearly every tactical aircraft in the US and around the world.
APC manufactures the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Large Area Display (LAD) display (20 inch by 8 inch) with dual pixel fields, power and video interfaces to provide complete display redundancy. At DSEI 2017 we are exhibiting the LAD with a more advanced design, dual display on single substrate with redundant characteristics and a bespoke purpose 8 inch by 6 inch armoured vehicle display.
In order to fully meet the demanding environmental and optical requirements without sacrificing critical tradeoffs in performance, APC designs, develops and manufactures these highly specialized displays in multiple sizes and configurations, controlling all AMLCD optical panel, mechanical and electrical design aspects. APC provides both ITAR and non-ITAR displays across the globe to OEM Prime and tiered vetronics and avionics integrators.
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