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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
24 Jan 24. UK leans on 4 land export ‘priority campaigns’ to chase $26bn prize: Army chief. The British Army has shared how it plans on reshaping a dismal land vehicle and equipment export track record that saw it contribute just 4 percent, equivalent to $4.5bn, toward all UK military exports between 2012 and 2021.
The UK is pushing hard to secure lucrative export land vehicle and equipment contracts by focusing on “four priority campaigns” that could deliver a combined total of £20bn ($26bn) in new orders, but the strategy won’t work if rival aerospace and maritime campaigns receive greater political support, the head of the British Army warned today.
Gen. Patrick Sanders, chief of the General Staff, explained during the IQPC International Armoured Vehicles Conference in London that the service is currently “seeing land export opportunities grow much faster than expected,” and pledged to turnaround the British Army’s dismal export track record that saw it contribute just 4 percent, equivalent to $4.5bn, toward all UK military exports between 2012 and 2021.
“The last significant land exports were Desert Warrior [Infantry Fighting Vehicles] to Kuwait and Challenger 2 [Main Battle Tanks] to Oman in the 1990s,” Sanders said. But he stressed that new business opportunities are now on the horizon courtesy of “a series of international engagements and four priority campaigns” which, if successful, would land orders in the region of £20bn ($26bn).
Sanders shared few details about the nature of the export campaigns, not disclosing which vehicles or equipment have been offered or to which nations, but did mention the proposals are based around the “right strategic partnerships [and] founded on shared capability and interoperability.”
He added, however, that “promising green shoots [means] land export campaigns and the small- and medium-sized enterprises that deliver them, need protection against massive maritime and aerospace campaigns that dominate the political narrative, to the exclusion of the relative simplicity and pace of land exports, which should be celebrated and promoted.”
British Army acquisition cancellations, misspending, vehicle technical faults and a shrinking land equipment national industrial base have all contributed in recent times to limit export potential, while affordability issues continue to hang over the service’s long-term Future Soldier modernisation programme. Additionally, the war in Ukraine has placed in sharp relief, the need for the service to increase capabilities and accelerate procurements.
There are signs that newer platforms on order, chiefly the Boxer Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV) and Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank are making meaningful progress, while the restart of Ajax armored fighting vehicle tests show it is belatedly on course to enter service after years of disruption, largely caused by safety issues related to previous test crew personnel suffering hearing loss from excessive noise and vibration.
It was also revealed earlier this week that London has decided to go ahead with acquiring newer Boxer vehicles, while the German-UK joint venture Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) shared imagery of a first Challenger 3 prototype after completing manufacturing of the vehicles at company facilities in Telford, England.
In all, the British Army expects to take delivery of more than 1,200 armored vehicles over the next five years.
Elsewhere, Sanders suggested that the UK should prepare to follow the approach of eastern and northern European allies in readying for a fight against Russia by “laying the foundations for national mobilisation” — a potential that raised eyebrows after his speech was leaked to the British press. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)
23 Jan 24. Keeping people safe in busy spaces: £1.6m Themed Competition launched.
Do you have an innovation that could give an early warning to indicate unsafe levels of toxic gases in busy spaces?
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition called Rapid Detection of Toxic Gases
- Funded by the Home Office
- Up to £1.6m (ex VAT) funding available for innovative proposals that can enhance the rapid detection of toxic gases
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called ‘Rapid Detection of Toxic Gases’. Run on behalf of the Home Office, this competition seeks new technologies that enhance the rapid detection of toxic gases to enable an early warning of unsafe levels of toxic gases in potentially busy spaces.
The rapid release of toxic gas in an enclosed or semi-enclosed environment can occur through accident, equipment malfunction or malicious intent. The impact can outpace existing safety procedures and potentially lead to adverse health effects for those in the vicinity. Therefore, we are seeking new technological solutions to combat this health, safety, and security challenge.
Key dates and funding
- The total possible funding available for Phase 1 of this themed competition is £1.6m, with a maximum limit of £200,000 per proposal.
- The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (GMT) on Thursday 28 March 2024
- A Q&A webinar to discuss the competition requirements will take place on Wednesday 7 February 2024
- A series of 15 minute 1-2-1 webinar sessions will take place on Wednesday 14 February and Thursday 22 February 2024 and provide the opportunity to ask specific questions
What are we looking for?
We are interested in detection options suitable for air quality monitoring in potentially busy spaces that act as an early warning to indicate unsafe levels of toxic gases. As well as detection, we are also interested in estimating concentration, minimising nuisance alarms, quick identification of toxic gases and areas at risk; as well as potential for networking to future smart facility management systems.
Read the full competition document to learn more about the challenge area.
Webinars and online events
Launch Q&A Webinar: 7 February 2024, 2pm (GMT)
This webinar will provide more information on the challenge areas and how to submit a proposal. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions in the Q&A.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rapid-detection-of-toxic-gases-launch-webinar-tickets-794102541077?aff=oddtdtcreator
1-2-1 Sessions: 14 February 2024 & 22 February 2024
A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions.
Register for a session below:
14 February 2024: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rapid-detection-of-toxic-gases-1-to-1s-tickets-806348208197?aff=oddtdtcreator
22 February 2024: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rapid-detection-of-toxic-gases-1-to-1s-session-2-tickets-806359672487?aff=oddtdtcreator
Submit a proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-rapid-detection-of-toxic-gases
Do you have an idea for a novel technology that could give an early warning to indicate unsafe levels of toxic gases and help us to address key defence and security challenges?
Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
25 Jan 24. Biden urges US Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey ‘without delay.’
U.S. President Joe Biden sent a letter to leaders of key Capitol Hill committees on Wednesday informing them of his intention to begin the formal notification process for the sale of Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab F-16 aircraft to Turkey once Ankara completes Sweden’s NATO accession process.
In the letter to the top Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees, Biden urged Congress to approve the sale “without delay,” a U.S. official said.
Earlier on Wednesday the White House sent a letter to members of Congress urging approval of the $20bn sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey, four sources familiar with the letter told Reuters.
Turkey’s parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO membership bid on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle to expanding the Western military alliance after 20 months of delay. The sources said the letter was sent on Wednesday, and that the Biden administration has not yet formally notified Congress of plans for the sale.
Turkey’s delay in approving the ratification had been a major obstacle to winning congressional approval for the fighter jet deal. Lawmakers had said they were awaiting Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership- including President Tayyip Erdogan’s signature – before deciding whether to approve the sale.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. State Department also urged Ankara on Wednesday to formally finalize Sweden’s NATO ratification. To do that, Erdogan needs to sign the legislation, which then would be published in Turkey’s Official Gazette. The instrument of accession for Sweden also needs to be sent to Washington.
The State Department declined to provide an exact timeline on the formal notification process for the F-16 sale.
“President Biden, Secretary Blinken have been very clear of our support for modernizing Turkey’s F-16 fleet, which we view as a key investment in NATO interoperability. But beyond that … I’m just not going to confirm or get ahead of proposed defense sales or transfers until they are formally notified to Congress,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told a news briefing, referring to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Turkey in October 2021 asked to purchase $20 bn of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.
Leaders of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees review every major foreign arms sale. They regularly ask questions or raise concerns over human rights or diplomatic issues that can delay or stop such deals.Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cast some doubt on a speedy approval, saying lawmakers need assurances from the Biden administration and Turkey first.
“For much of the time President Erdogan has been in office, Turkey has been an unfaithful NATO ally — so this is welcome news,” Van Hollen said.
“That said, I still have questions about Erdogan’s ongoing attacks against our Syrian Kurdish allies, his aggressive actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the role he played in supporting Azerbaijan’s military assaults against Nagorno-Karabakh,” Van Hollen told Reuters.
Sweden and Finland applied to enter NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. While Finnish membership was sealed last year, Sweden’s bid had been held up by Turkey and Hungary.
All NATO members need to approve applications from countries seeking to join the alliance. When Sweden and Finland asked to join, Turkey raised objections over what it said was the two countries’ protection of groups it deems terrorists. (Source: Google/Reuters)
25 Jan 24. Italy tees up $5bn-plus program to build 1,000 combat vehicles. Italy will pick industrial partners to start work on a major new €5bn ($5.4bn) tracked fighting vehicle program within “a few months,” an Italian senior army official has told Defense News.
Companies will be invited to launch feasibility studies for the program which is expected to lead to a 1,000 vehicle purchase as Italy hurries to replace its aging Dardo vehicles, and as the war in Ukraine has put land combat back on the map.
Furthermore, with Italy determined to involve European firms, the program could prove a catalyst for industrial integration in the sector, as soon as Rome can decide on who to pick from potential partners like Italy’s Leonardo and Iveco, French-German team-up KNDS, and Germany’s Rheinmetall.
“From a programatic point of view, all documents related to the operational requirement have been approved and the Ministry of Defence has allocated an important part of the necessary budget,” said Maj. Gen. Francesco Olla, the head of the Italian army’s General Planning and Financial Division.
“Therefore, the procurement activities will begin in next few months,” he added.
Formerly called the Armored Infantry Combat System (AICS) and now renamed the Army Armored Combat System (A2CS), the program foresees a vehicle able to share targets with other platforms, use a wide range of ammunition, including airburst rounds, and capable of tackling threats from improvised explosive devices and anti-tank missiles as well as swarming drones.
The Italian army also envisages a vehicle with scalable armor, open architecture, hefty command and control capability and the ability to work with drones and unmanned ground vehicles.
Italy’s 2023 defense budget mapped out spending of €5.2bn on the program over 14 years, projecting that final spending would rise to €15bn.
The document also claimed the program would be run in a “multi-national context, based on alliances with solid European firms that already work with Italian companies.”
Olla said that was because no one European nation could now afford to develop its own vehicle.
“I do not see any EU country capable of developing such a complex technological program alone, because of the associated costs and requested technological know-how. Therefore, we expect to see multinational cooperation in this regard and I am sure that the recent agreement signed by Leonardo and KNDS is a very encouraging step toward that direction,” he said.
In December Italy’s state defense champion Leonardo and Franco-German consortium KNDS signed what the companies called a “strategic alliance.” The pact is meant to bring Italy on board the European battle tank program known as the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) and guide talks on workshare on new Leopard tanks Italy is ordering from KNDS.
The deal also mentions a possible team-up on the A2CS program, said a source knowledgable of the deal who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
An KNDS spokesman said, “The Italian vehicle could be a program for possible cooperation between Italian industry and KNDS.”
KNDS may consider offering Italy the tracked version of its Boxer vehicle, which it has tested and showed off at the Eurosatory defense show in France in 2022 but not put into production.
Olla said he was wary of Italy buying an existing vehicle, adding he would like to see Italian industry take the role of design authority.
“It is not only a matter of investments and jobs obtained in our homeland, but also an operational problem, if you think of the logistics of the systems and the required development and upgrades they will bring with them.”
He added, “It does not mean that Italy will be self-sufficient, but we need to recover our industrial capabilities to produce high-quality platforms, which represent the best tool we can put in the hand of our warriors to give them the higher probability to accomplish their mission and get back home safe.”
Rheinmetall, which is offering Italy its tracked Lynx vehicle, said it is ready to hand over design authority.
“The Lynx is the most modern Infantry Fighting Vehicle available today. It has open architecture and because we control the product, we can give Italy technology transfer and the design authority,” said Alessandro Ercolani, the CEO of the firm’s Italian subsidiary, Rheinmetall Italia.
Ercolani said Italy would risk delaying the program if it tried to develop a vehicle from scratch.
“Italy would need 5-7 years to design a new IFV or tank, something it has not done since the 1990s, and there would be the cost of development to consider,” he said.
Asked if Rheinmetall was at a disadvantage in talks since Leonardo had already signed a strategic deal with KNDS, Ercolani replied: “We are not at a disadvantage because KNDS does not have an IFV to offer at this time.”
The need for more European cooperation on big-ticket programs has been stressed repeatedly by Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani, and A2CS could be a prime catalyst at a moment when the European main battle tank is mired in delay.
But if Italy wants a multi-national alliance to work on the A2CS program, officials in Rome may have to bring some patience while the pieces of that alliance fit together.
A source familiar with the program told Defense News that the nascent effort was parked with procurement officials who are waiting to see what industrial consortium might evolve to handle a feasibility study.
Leonardo, which is certain to be involved, not only signed its cooperation deal with KNDS in December, but also has a well established joint venture to build military vehicles with Italy’s Iveco, called CIO.
“One possibility would be for the work on the study to be handed to CIO, but officials are waiting for a signal from industry about evolving alliances that will want to handle the work,” said the source who declined to be named because he was not allowed to speak on the record.
Leonardo has reportedly mulled the purchase of Iveco Defence Vehicles – the branch of Iveco with which it runs CIO – in order to bulk up its land operations business ahead of potential European consolidation in the industry.
“Leonardo needs to decide what to do on that front,” said the source. Ultimately, he added, if Italy wants a new vehicle it will need to accept longer development times. “That is why this consortium needs to come together fast,” he added. (Source: Defense News)
25 Jan 24. Ireland moves towards procurement of new multirole vessel. The Irish Department of Defence (DoD) has issued a prior information notice for the procurement of a new multirole vessel (MRV) for the Irish Naval Service (INS) on the European Union’s (EU’s) Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) portal.
The information notice, published on 23 January, moves the Irish government’s plan to procure an MRV into a new phase. The new vessel is intended to replace the former flagship LÉ Eithne, which was decommissioned in 2022. The procurement is estimated to cost EUR300 m (USD326.46 m).
The notice does not provide details on planned specifications; however, it says the MRV should be “capable of providing a flexible and adaptive capacity for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas”. It is also expected that the new vessel “will also be enabled for helicopter operations, freight/personnel carrying operations, and will be the flagship of the Irish naval fleet”. (Source: Janes)
25 Jan 24. US envoy sees rapid F-16s sale to Turkey after Sweden NATO bid sign-off. The U.S. ambassador to Turkey said he anticipates that President Tayyip Erdogan will give a final sign-off on Sweden’s NATO membership within days, triggering rapid steps toward U.S. Congress endorsing a sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara.
In an interview on Thursday, Ambassador Jeff Flake said that once the formal ratification document is received in Washington, the U.S. State Department will immediately send Congress notification of the $20 bn F-16s sale.
Turkey’s parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO membership bid on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle to expanding the Western military alliance after 20 months of delay.
Erdogan needs to sign the legislation, which would be published in Turkey’s Official Gazette. The instrument of accession for Sweden also needs to be sent to Washington.
Asked whether he expected this “within days”, Flake, a former U.S. Republican senator, told Reuters: “Yes, I do.”
“I see no reason why, with the parliament having acted here, that Turkey would wait,” he said. “So I would expect as soon as that is conveyed to Washington, then congressional notification (of the F-16 sales) will happen.”
“The president here needs to sign it and then the instrument needs to be conveyed to Washington,” he told Reuters by phone. “As soon as that happens, then we expect notification to happen. And official notification will happen.”
Both Erdogan and members of the U.S. Congress had tied Turkey’s backing of Sweden’s NATO bid with congressional approval of the $20 bn sale of Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey.
U.S. President Joe Biden sent a letter to leaders of key Capitol Hill committees on Wednesday informing them of his intention to begin the formal notification process for the F-16 sale once Ankara completes Sweden’s NATO accession process.
CALLS TO CONGRESS
Sweden bid to join the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2022 to bolster its security in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
All bloc members must approve new members. But Turkey raised objections at the time over what it said was Sweden’s protection of groups it deems terrorists, prompting Stockholm to introduce a new security law.
Ankara’s delays had frustrated some of its Western allies and enabled it to extract some concessions. But Flake, who was envoy throughout the process, said Sweden addressed Turkey’s “very legitimate security needs” in that time.
The ambassador said he has been in touch with the heads of the U.S. House and Senate foreign relations committees, including those with concerns about selling F-16s to Turkey over its human rights record and the Sweden delays.
“There are members of Congress who felt strongly that before proceeding with the F-16 sale that Sweden needed to be a member of NATO,” he said.
“But they all see the value of Turkey’s participation in NATO, and they all see the value of interoperability that comes with this F-16 modernization.” (Source: Reuters)
25 Jan 24. ThyssenKrupp and Thales partner on Greece’s Hydra-class frigate upgrade. ThyssenKrupp Marins Systems and Thales have formed a consortium for the Hellenic Navy upgrade to its four Hydra-class MEKO 200 frigates. ThyssenKrupp Marine systems and Thales have formed a consortium for the comprehensive modernisation and mid-life upgrade of four MEKO 200 Hydra-class frigates from the Greece’s Hellenic Navy, announced on 24 January 2024, following a modernisation plan agreed by the Greek parliament in 2023.
ThyssenKrupp will provide the design documents and communications systems for the Hydra ships. Thales will provide the combat system, based on the TACTICOS combat management system, and will provide a subcontract to Hagenuk Marinekommunikation, a subsidiary of Atlas Elektronik for this purpose. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will also subcontract ship platform modifications to a local Greek shipyard.
“With the joint contract for the modernization of the frigates, we are once again a strong partner for the Hellenic Navy,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. “On the one hand, this further strengthens our order book and, on the other, underlines our role and strength as a maritime powerhouse that combines electronics, surface and underwater shipbuilding under one roof. A further milestone on our road to independence of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.”
The first-in class HN Hydra, built by Blohm and Voss in Hamburg, was commissioned in 1992, the HN Spetses, and the HN Psara and HN Salamis both entered the Hellenic Navy in 1998, placing the age of the vessels in the group between 32 and 26 years. The later three vessels were constructed at the Hellenic Shipyards at Scaramanga.
The frigates were designed with service life of 35 years, according to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) ThyssenKrupp Marine systems, and would otherwise be considered to be towards the end of their service-life. The ‘mid-life upgrade’ ThyssenKrupp Marine systems are describing is the first the ships will have received, other than an upgrade to the DTIR fire control system in 2017 to allow the firing of ESSM surface to air missiles.
The Hydra Class frigates were deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom between 2002 and 2003. The 3,200 tonne ships are 117 metres (m) in length with a beam of 14.8m, with a full company of 173 crew and 16 flag staff. (Source: naval-technology.com)
22 Jan 24. Romanian government readies fighting vehicle, howitzer deals in 2024. Romania’s government plans to bulk up its 2024 defense budget by almost 45% over 2023, reaching roughly 95bn lei ($20.8bn), to accommodate major weapons purchases ready for signature this year, according to officials and documents.
National Defence Ministry officials said at least two major contracts for the land forces, related to the purchase of tracked infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled howitzers, are to be awarded.
As competition is heating up for both major procurements, numerous foreign suppliers have lined up to offer their gear to Bucharest.
Publicly available information suggests the IFV program, under which Romania is to buy up to 298 new vehicles, is worth about €3 bn, or $3.3 bn. Local observers say the Romanian military is expected to choose between South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace with the Redback, General Dynamics European Land Systems with its Ascod, German Rheinmetall with the Lynx, and the CV90 made by BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden, among others.
A spokesperson for the National Defence Ministry told Defense News the award procedure for the vehicle contract is underway, and its signing is expected to take place in 2024.
Under its howitzer acquisition program, Bucharest is currently evaluating offers to purchase 54 self-propelled 155mm howitzers along with related support vehicles, equipment and ammunition under a procurement valued at some RON 4.2 bn (U.S. $920 m).
Local sources say the bidders include German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with its Panzerhaubitze 2000, Hanwha Aerospace with the K9 Thunder, and Turkey’s BMC with the T-155 F?rt?na.
The howitzer contract is “estimated to be signed in 2024,” the spokesperson said.
Also still waiting in the wings is Romania’s planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets. The estimated price tag for 32 planes is $6.5bn. Bucharest aims to sign a letter of acceptance in 2024 and is considering to order a further 16 fighters in the long term.
The projected spending pattern is in line with government efforts to improve military prowess through accelerated acquisition following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The focus lies on purchases for its land forces and the air force, Alexandru Georgescu, a security and defense analyst based in Bucharest, told Defense News.
The breathtaking pace of Romania’s defense spending has already led to some organizational changes aimed at boosting the country’s return on investment when cutting large checks.
“Foreign partners are expected to cooperate with Romanian defense companies, in particular on offset agreements,” Georgescu said. The government has established the Romanian Agency for Technological and Industrial Cooperation for Security and Defense for this purpose. “But the past years have also brought a rising number of government-to-government purchases, and Romania is increasingly resorting to such deals to buy weapon systems.”
The analyst said around 40% of Romania’s new military budget will be allocated to buying new weapons to replace Soviet-times gear, and the government intends to use a sizable portion of this spending to upgrade local manufacturing capacities which have languished for years due to mismanagement and underinvestment. (Source: Defense News)
USA
26 Jan 24. US Navy issues new FXR request for information. A request for information (RFI) released by US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) on 16 January has called for industry input to inform future decisions on development and initial production of the Future X-band Radar (FXR) being planned for large surface combatants, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships.
Complementary to the Raytheon AN/SPY-6(V) family of S-band radars, the FXR programme is intended to deliver a new X-band multifunction radar system performing horizon search and track, surface search and track, periscope detection and discrimination, and missile communications.
It will primarily replace the functional capabilities of the current mechanically scanning AN/SPQ-9B X-band radar, while also introducing an additional capability for missile communications and advanced electronic protection. (Source: Janes)
25 Jan 24. USAF selects Anduril as one of five vendors to develop CCAs.
The Collaborative Combat Air initiative will pair autonomous uncrewed aircraft with fifth or sixth-generation fighter aircraft under the NGAD programme.
Anduril – a US autonomous systems start-up – has been selected as one of five defence industries to help develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The US Air Force (USAF) intend to operate uncrewed autonomous aircraft – known as CCAs – as part of a network alongside other aerial platforms such as fifth or sixth-generation aircraft.
This network-centric concept comes under the USAF’s wider, highly secretive Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme that envisions a system-of-systems approach to integrate next-generation fighter aircraft, weapons, sensors, networking, and battle management systems to maintain air superiority in the coming decades.
“We are honoured to be the only non-traditional defence company selected to be a part of the CCA programme,” the new contractor said in a statement on 25 January 2024.
Other contenders include four primes: Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
USAF network ambitions
In March 2023, the USAF Secretary revealed the plan to pair at least 1,000 uncrewed CCAs with advanced manned fighters in the near-term future, in his keynote speech titled “One Team, One Fight” at the 2023 Air Force Association Warfare Symposium held in Colorado.
The plan is tentatively based on the assumption of teaming two CCAs with each of the 200 NGAD platforms and 300 F-35s.
The USAF’s budget proposal for the fiscal year 2024 includes a budget request of $490m to accelerate the development, experimentation and testing of CCAs.
Integrating CCAs into a future system of systems
CCAs can perform different missions, ranging from carrying weapons and flying ahead of other aircraft to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and relay valuable early warning and evade detection, to electronic warfare and striking targets either on their own or in accordance with the rest of the force.
CCAs can harness cutting-edge disruptive technologies such as autonomy, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to maximise the safety and performance of current and future fighter fleets for agile combat employment.
Deploying collaborative, mission-focused CCAs at a large scale is seen as a cost-effective and pragmatic solution to possess a formidable airpower capacity in response to proliferating hostile stealth fighters.
For example, the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fighter jet is equipped with 3D thrust vector jets for higher manoeuvrability. Operating additional autonomous uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) will render fighters more survivable as well as increase the probability of engagement with such a flexible aircraft.
Autonomous UAS market
Though the majority of unmanned systems over the last two decades have been remotely operated, advances in AI and machine learning capabilities can now enable users to automate some of the more routine or less complex tasks. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
12 Jan 24. LUNO A RfP Issued.
ACTIVE
Contract Opportunity
Notice ID
HM157524R0001
Related Notice
HM157524R0001_draft
Department/Ind. Agency
DEPT OF DEFENSE
Sub-tier
NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (NGA)
Office
NATL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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General Information
- Contract Opportunity Type: Solicitation (Original)
- All Dates/Times are: (UTC-06:00) CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, CHICAGO, USA
- Original Published Date: Jan 10, 2024 02:04 pm CST
- Original Date Offers Due: Mar 26, 2024 09:00 am CDT
- Inactive Policy: 15 days after date offers due
- Original Inactive Date: Apr 10, 2024
- Initiative:
o None
Classification
- Original Set Aside:
- Product Service Code: T099 – PHOTO/MAP/PRINT/PUBLICATION- OTHER
- NAICS Code:
o 541370 – Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services
- Place of Performance: USA
Description
Luno A will transform NGA’s approach for geospatial information and knowledge, expand access to data and services for the NSG, accelerate Analysis Workflow Modernization objectives and integrate data and services into enterprise capabilities. This approach will deliver data that enables NGA and NSG analysts to add context to analytic assessments, and have unparalleled insight into and data to quantify worldwide economic and environmental activity and military capabilities. The objective of this effort is to acquire products, data, and/or services produced from unclassified commercial GEOINT on unclassified networks, not to acquire a technology or capability to install and manage on classified networks. NGA expects industry to leverage unclassified sources and analytical capabilities available in the commercial marketplace to produce these products, data, and/or services.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) HM157524R0001 and supporting Attachments were posted to the UNCLASSIFIED Intelligence Community Acquisition Research Center (IC-ARC) website (https://acq.westfields.net/) on 10 January 2024. The title of the RFP is published as “LUNO A”. Potential Offerors should monitor the IC-ARC website for any updates or amendments to any and all documents.
Questions are due no later than 17 January 2024 at 0900 CT via the UNCLASSIFIED ARC.
Instructions to access the IC-ARC websites are provided below:
1) For accessing the UNCLASSIFIED ARC, you must create an account on the UNCLASSIFIED ARC at
https://acq.westfields.net/.
2) ACE Helpdesk support can be reached at (703) 230-6300 if you have any issues with PKI certifications or logging onto the ARC on a contractor system.
Attachments/Links
No attachments or links have been added to this opportunity.
Contact Information
Contracting Office Address
- ATTN; L13-OCSS 3838 VOGEL ROAD
- ARNOLD, MO 630106238
- USA
Primary Point of Contact
- Timothy Hull
- Phone Number3146760352
Secondary Point of Contact
- Ryan Switzer
- Phone Number3146760173
History
- Jan 10, 2024 02:04 pm CSTSolicitation (Original)
- Nov 30, 2023 10:55 pm CSTPresolicitation (Original)
(Source: Satnews)
22 Jan 24. US Navy issues RFI for shipboard use of C-UAS systems. The US Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), on behalf of the Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems 11.0 (PEO IWS 11.0) has issued a request for information looking for respondents to submit capability information on innovative, mature solutions for shipboard use to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
“Interested respondents should discuss projected performance against Group 3-5 UASs (e.g. probability of kill), key system performance parameters (range, engagement timelines, capacity, etc), Size, Weight, Power, & Cooling (SWaPC) requirements, operator / training requirements, concept of integration and integration requirements for surface ships (full kill chain), discussion of current production rates, a discussion of the adaptability of the proposed solution to changes in UAS systems (growth), and unit cost projections,” according to the tender posted on www.sam.gov.
“PEO IWS 11.0 is looking for respondents to submit feasibility and capability information on innovative, mature solutions to counter Group 3-5 UAS from surface ships. System requirements include:
Mature systems that are in production and can be deployed in 1-6 months (preferred), or 6-12 months at the latest.
Demonstrated performance against Groups 3 to 5 UAS, with demonstrated capability against other classes of UAS’s being of interest.
Minimal integration requirements with Naval combat systems; with independent, self-contained capability highly desirable.
Deadline for responses is 2 February 2024
For more information:
https://sam.gov/opp/6f4f80e7ee3642df9d90e9cb251df032/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
REST OF THE WORLD
25 Jan 24. Canada readies for new, smaller truck fleet. The Canadian military expects to acquire a new fleet of trucks starting in 2026 — but it will order fewer vehicles than it has in its the current fleet.
The Canadian government announced Jan. 10 it had selected General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada of London, Ontario as the preferred bidder for the Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM) project.
Negotiations are ongoing and specific details of the contract won’t be available until it is signed later this year. But the LVM project budget is estimated to be between $1bn and $5bn Canadian dollars (U.S. $740m and $3.7bn), according to the Department of National Defence.
The new vehicles will replace the current in-service fleet of 1,300 light support vehicles and 840 heavy logistics vehicles as well as the fleet of heavy engineer support vehicles, National Defence spokeswoman Andrée-Anne Poulin said in an email.
Those vehicles have all been in use since the late 1980s and early 1990s, she added.
However, the government won’t be buying the same number it has.
“It’s important to note that LVM is not a one-for-one capability replacement,” Poulin stated. “Instead, we have developed a solution-focused procurement that weighs both the quality and quantity of deliverables within a fixed budget.”
The actual number of vehicles and ancillary equipment that will be delivered to the Canadian Forces will be made public following award of the contract.
An April 4, 2023 Canadian Army briefing to defense industry executives in Ottawa provided a general outline of the service’s acquisition plans. Those included one variant of light truck, four variants of light trailers and 14 variants of interchangeable modules that would provide a variety of specialized functions, according to the briefing by Army Lt. Col. Eric Hardy of the Directorate of Land Requirements.
In addition, the project will deliver seven variants of heavy trucks and three variants of trailers for those vehicles. Two different types of tractor trailers would also be acquired, according to the briefing, which was obtained by Defense News.
Armor protection systems for the vehicles would be included in the package to be provided by General Dynamics Land Systems, Poulin said.
“It is anticipated that first deliveries will occur in the 2026-2028 timeframe,” she noted. Initial operational capability is expected in the 2027-2029 timeframe, and full operational capability is slated for between 2029 and 2031.
The contract will include interim in-service and logistic support as well as long-term in-service support, Poulin noted.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will be the prime contractor in a consortium that will provide the Canadian Forces with Mercedes-Benz Zetros trucks, according to a Jan. 15 news release issued by consortium member Marshall Land Systems Canada.
The Zetros truck will provide the common vehicle chassis across all configurations, the firm noted.
Marshall will produce a range of interchangeable containerized mission modules for the trucks at its facility in Moncton, New Brunswick.
GDLS-Canada did not respond to a request for comment. (Source: Defense News)
25 Jan 24. UAE start World’s largest combat robotics programme, sign record UGV and UAV deals. UAE have signed record contracts for uncrewed ground vehicles and aerial vehicles, in deals with Milrem Robotics and the EDGE consortium.
Announced at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference (UMEX) 2024 on 24 January, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a contract that represents the world’s largest combat robotics programme, according to Milrem Robotics, who will supply 20 tracked robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) and 40 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
UAE’s Ministry of Defence followed this on 25 January with the signing of the largest ever order of unmanned helicopters, purchasing 200 HT-100 and HT-750 unmanned helicopters from the EDGE defence group to add to UAE’s Vertical Takeoff and Lift (VTOL) capability.
Record UGV deal engenders experimental operational phase
“Initiating the world’s largest combat robotics programme with the UAE Ministry of Defence not only demonstrates the competitive edge of our solutions but also highlights the strategic value of incorporating advanced robotic systems into force structure, thereby enhancing their combat capabilities and operational efficiency,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, expressing his enthusiasm about the collaboration.
The contract with Milrem Robotics involves the provision of RCVs equipped with 30mm MK44 cannons, THeMIS Combat units fitted with 30mm M230LF Remote Weapon Stations, Indirect Fire Systems, and THeMIS Observe units with advanced radar and camera systems, including shot detection capabilities. These UGVs and RCVs are equipped with cutting-edge autonomy features, third-party payloads, and high-quality communication solutions.
Importantly, Milrem Robotics stated that the contract will include an experimentation and trial programme, led by Milrem, aimed at integrating unmanned ground capabilities into the UAE Armed Forces’ arsenal. Recent operational fielding elsewhere of UGV’s have led to criticism of them as an ‘immature technology’.
Between 2016 and 2018, according to a GlobalData report ‘Thematic Intelligence: Unmanned Ground Vehicles 2023’, Russia conducted numerous operations tests of combat UGVs, and aside from illuminating known issues with the Russian military industrial complex, also highlighted more general issues with mobility and reliability. Networking capabilities were hindered by electromagnetic interference, dangerously affecting the UGV’s combat efficiency. While Milrem Robotics are supplying UAE with advanced autonomy features, meaningful human oversight is still reliant on a networked operator in the loop.
UAV sales to UEA boost VTOL capabilities against regional concerns
UAE have been pursuing military UAV’s due to its involvement in Yemen, according to GlobalData’s report, ‘The Global Military UAV Market 2022-2032’.
The HT-100 and HT-750 unmanned helicopters, designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and logistics missions, are notable for their ability to transport heavy payloads while maintaining exceptional flight stability. These unmanned VTOL systems will be produced by ANAVIA, a Switzerland-based EDGE entity specialising in autonomous aerial capabilities.
“This landmark order represents the first order by the UAE Ministry of Defence for these advanced aircraft, and largest order ever for ANAVIA,” said Khaled Al Zaabi, president of platform & systems at Edge Group. He added that it is an example of EDGE’s strategy of pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships around the world to expand the scope of its technological capabilities.
UAE’s current rotary fleet includes 167 transport and utility helicopters, all purchased between 2000 and 2023, as well as 28 Apache attack helicopters bought between 1991 and 1994, and an unknown of number RQ-1E medium altitude long endurance UAV, delivered between 2013 and 2017, according to GlobalData report, ‘UAE Armed Forces – Equipment Inventory 2023’. (Source: army-technology.com)
24 Jan 24. Brazil upgrades armour. Defence iQ’s International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2024 conference being held in London from 22 to 25 January received an update on Brazil’s plans to upgrade its armoured forces.
The first part of the modernisation plan consists of two parts, the first involving the upgrade of Brazil’s Leopard 1A5 tanks and installing a 30 mm turret on its M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), and the second part the acquisition of a new tracked armoured vehicle – both a main battle tank and an infantry fighting vehicle.
In addition, Brazil is seeking 36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers to complement or replace the Brazilian Army’s tracked and towed artillery.
Under a contract signed in December 2022, two prototypes of the Centauro II 8×8 armoured vehicle armed with a 120 mm gun procured from Società Consortile Iveco – Oto Melara (CIO) are being evaluated as Brazil’s Viatura Blindada de Cavalaria Média Sobre Rodas (Wheeled Medium Armoured Cavalry Vehicle). If the technical evaluation is successful, 89 serial production vehicles are planned to be manufactured over a 15-year period and equipped with a Brazilian battle management system. (Source: Janes)
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