Sponsored by
https://ieeinc.com/
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
07 May 24. Going further for longer: DASA launches new £3.1m Themed Competition. DASA seeks innovations to enhance operational advantage through improved self sufficiency and energy innovation
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation
- Funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA)
- Total funding available is £3.1m (excluding VAT)
- Competition closes midday 2 July 2024 (BST)
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called ‘Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation’. This competition is funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA).
We are seeking proposals for novel technologies that will enable defence to achieve greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance for a deployed force, allowing the force to be more resilient, agile and self-sustaining. The aim is to increase deployed self-sufficiency and endurance across the maritime, land and air domains whilst reducing logistical burden and optimising power and energy.
Solutions to this competition’s challenges will need to be in the form of technologies e.g. machinery, equipment, items of subsistence etc. either singular or in a system. We will also consider novel technologies which could reduce the environmental risks and impact of defence’s activities.
Background and vision
Recent military campaigns have shown that contested logistics can severely hinder operations and compromise combat effectiveness. Identifying and adopting holistic, efficient and effective support and sustainability solutions quickly is essential to ensure the resilience of defence.
In addition to increased endurance through self-sufficiency (of which energy can be a part) increased endurance can also be achieved through optimising power and energy.
The perfect example of a self-sufficient force of the future is one that does not require external input to conduct its range of activities, regardless of the environment. This is achieved by managing and recycling the resources outlined in the challenge areas in line with the principles of a circular economy ultimately moving towards self-sufficiency.
Do you have a suitable innovation? Read the full competition document and accompanying challenge details document and submit a proposal.
Key dates and funding
- The total possible funding available for all successful bids to this competition is £3.1m (excluding VAT).
- The maximum value of a proposal is £500,000. We expect to fund between 5 and 20 proposals of between £50,000 and £500,000 in value
- The deadline to submit a proposal is midday on 2 July 2024 (BST)
Supporting events
Launch webinar
Tuesday 21 May 2024 13:00 – 15:00 (BST)
This webinar offers the opportunity to find out more about this DASA competition and the chance to ask the team questions in an open forum.
Register now on the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/delivering-operational-advantage-via-improved-self-sufficiency-tickets-803030133747?aff=oddtdtcreator
1-2-1 sessions
A series of 10 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions to the competition team. If you would like to participate, please register on the relevant Eventbrite page and find a convenient time slot. Booking is on a first come first served basis.
Challenge areas
This competition has seven challenge areas.
Please ensure you read the accompanying challenge details document in full to understand the requirements of each challenge.
Please select one challenge for your proposal:
Challenge 1:
Food – feeding the winning edge
Challenge 2:
Water – harvest and recycle water with increasing efficiency
Challenge 3:
Materiel – reducing the supply chain burden
Challenge 4:
Waste – trash into treasure
Challenge 5:
Platform Power & Energy – enduring energy
Challenge 6:
Platform Thermal Management – keeping cool for persistent power
Challenge 7:
Deployed Power & Energy – energy fuels persistence
For all proposals you will be asked to demonstrate awareness of possible linkages to other challenges and the impact your solution may have on them in order to highlight benefits and disadvantages.
Submit a proposal
This competition is seeking proposals that will enable defence to achieve greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance. If you think you have an innovation that meets one or more of the competition challenges, we would love to hear from you.
Do you have a suitable innovation? Read the full competition document and accompanying challenge details document and submit a proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-operational-advantage-via-improved-self-sufficiency; chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663a17121c82a7597d4f31ee/Challenge_Detail.pdf (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
10 May 24. Thyssenkrupp protest Netherlands attack submarine contract award. Following considerable debate over Naval Group’s contract to deliver four attack submarines to the Netherlands, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems now protests the decision. Thyssenkrupp Marin Systems has served a summons on the Netherland’s Defence organisation in an effort to overturn their decision to select Naval Group to deliver four attack submarines.
This new fleet will replace the Royal Netherlands Navy’s four Walrus-class boats, acquired more than 30 years ago, according to GlobalData intelligence.
The German shipyard was one of three tenderers alongside the French awardee and the Swedish supplier, Saab Kockums, all of which submitted proposals by July 2023.
Eight months later, on 15 March 2024, the State Secretary for Defence Christophe van der Maat announced Naval Group as the provisional winner, until such time as the House of Representatives convened to affirm the decision.
However, at the time, there was considerable debate in the Hague regarding the decision to award a French company the contract for fear of denying the nation’s own industrial base in the submarine development.
A Member of the House of Representatives, Chris Stoffer, voiced this concern at the time in a post on the social media platform X: “do not leave Dutch maritime companies out in the cold!” (Source: naval-technology.com)
07 May 24. L3Harris is Advancing the Future Fleet by Delivering Integrated Solutions. Selected by Fincantieri Marinette Marine, L3Harris is the shipboard design integrator and a key partner on the Fincantieri team for delivering critical subsystems onboard the U.S. Navy’s guided-missile frigate program. The Constellation-Class Guided-Missile Frigate (FFG 62) represents the Navy’s next-generation small surface combatant.
The FFG 62 ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship capable of conducting anti-air, anti-surface, antisubmarine, and electromagnetic warfare operations in complex environments. The frigate can operate in both blue water and littoral areas and is capable of operating independently or as part of larger Navy formations. The U.S. Navy wanted a frigate that could match aircraft carrier speed, while networking sensors across the rest of the fleet and expanding the overall tactical picture.
Integrated Solutions
As the electrical propulsion system integrator for the Fincantieri FFG team, L3Harris is responsible for the integration of all propulsion related systems including the gas turbine and electric propulsion system. Additionally, L3Harris is providing the electric propulsion system, bridge and navigation systems, machinery control and data transfer systems and power distribution system as well as aviation integration services. The diversified capabilities that L3Harris delivers on the Constellation-Class frigate program will provide the power and propulsion needed to meet the U.S. Navy’s worldwide mission requirements. L3Harris brings decades of experience designing, building, testing and integrating complex naval platform systems.
The FFG program incorporates many lessons learned from DDG 51 Flight IIA, DDG 51 Flight III, DDG 1000 and LCS programs. The platform uses a parent design outfitted with a government furnished equipment combat system suite and incentivizes the use of fleet common hull, mechanical and electrical equipment to minimize risk and avoid delays.
In honor of the original six heavy frigates that our nation started to build in 1794, the Secretary of the Navy named the first three ships in the class: USS CONSTELLATION, USS CONGRESS and USS CHESAPEAKE.
L3Harris is excited to partner with Fincantieri to bring industry-best in speed, innovation and affordability as we deliver the most advanced integrated capabilities to the U.S. Navy. (Source: ASD Network)
06 May 24. Polish Industrial Partners Complete 5 Major Offsets Projects.
The Ministry of Defence officially approved five completed Offset projects in the first phase of the WISLA programme. Lockheed Martin partnered with local industrial partners to increase technical capabilities and provide manufacturing know-how of components related to Patriot Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE)and in support of Poland’s air and missile defence.
Wojskowe Zaklady Elektroniczne (WZE) and Wojakowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr. 2 (WZL-2) each completed vital offset projects in support of the WISLA programme. The offsets projects enable Polish companies to participate in the PAC-3 supply chain,delivering highly skilled, high-paying Polish jobs to the Polish defence industry.
“As a trusted partner for Poland’s national security, Lockheed Martin is committed to providing key capabilities to strengthen Poland’s national defence against evolving threats,” said Robert Orzylowski, director of Poland and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for Lockheed Martin. “Our partnership with the Polish industrial base provides high-value jobs and a strong skills base to the Polish defence industry and opens the door to worldwide commercial opportunities.”
WZE Completes Three Critical PAC-3 MSE Projects
WZE received official approval on three projects including the Enhanced Electronics System (ELES) production project, the Junction Box (J-Box) production project and the Motor Controller Unit (MCU) design project. WZE established production lines capable of final assembly for the ELES and J-Box programs. The ELES provides power and signals to missiles on the PAC-3 launcher. The J-Box provides provides power and signal distribution on the launcher. Lockheed Martin intends to provide WZE an opportunity to compete for ELES and J-Box production orders for PAC-3 MSE launchers delivered to Poland. The MCU project focused on designing an electrical power switch unit within the MCU. WZE has now officially completed four of their seven offsets projects under WISLA Phase 1.
WZL-2 Receives Approval on Two Vital Projects Supporting F-16
WZL-2 officially completed two projects supporting the F-16 aircraft. The F-16 Electrical maintenance project and F-16 Electrical hydraulic project transfered technologies and know-how, provided equipment and tooling, documentation and technical assistance to assist WZL-2 to perform maintenance for three F-16 Generators and two F-16 hydraulic components. WZL-2 has now completed all three of their projects under WISLA Phase 1.
“Lockheed Martin is actively discussing industrial opportunities on a number of programs with the Polish government and industry partners,” said Alissa Maxvill, Poland Industrial Development lead for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The success of the PAC-3 WISLA offsets program lays the groundwork for additional successful partnerships in Poland.”
Lockheed Martin opened its office in central Warsaw in 1996 and partners with the Polish Ministry of Defence on a variety of defence and security programmes. The company’s PAC-3 MSE missile is a core element of Poland’s future missile defence and its precision munitions and training systems provide vital capabilities to Polish Armed Forces. (Source: ASD Network)
03 May 24. Sweden goes back to the drawing board for a next-gen warplane. Amid a rush within NATO to rally around next-generation combat aircraft, new alliance member Sweden is taking a pause to assess what’s next for its lineage as a warplane-producing country.
The Nordic state in 2022 suspended its flirtation with one of Europe’s two marquee airpower efforts, the Global Combat Air Programme, an initiative led by the U.K., Italy and Japan that seeks to deliver a sixth-generation fighter capability by 2035.
Fast forward to today, and Sweden’s industrial champion Saab is freshly under contract with the Ministry of Defense’s equipment branch, dubbed FMV, to conduct “conceptual studies” on future fighter systems — military jargon for starting at square one.
Saab has managed to secure a share of the global warplane market with the Gripen family of aircraft. The decades-long work has spawned an industrial ecosystem in aerospace engineering that political leaders hope to bring to bear in the NATO alliance.
Next-generation air power concepts on both sides of the Atlantic envision a move away from traditional fighter jets steered by humans as the central pillar of future air forces. Instead, nations are fine-tuning ideas for a networked hodgepodge of flying objects at various altitudes that can be synchronized at the push of a button to overwhelm enemy forces.
A key factor in those considerations is forging a multinational industrial base that can make it happen. For Europeans, that means consolidating workshare around critical aviation technologies while trying to preserve enough national know-how as a hedge against crises to come, an issue certain to be on the minds of decision-makers in Stockholm.
“It has been a successful story so far [for Sweden’s jet-manufacturing chain] and we are looking forward to the future,” Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, chief of the Swedish Air Force, told Defense News. He referred to the newly contracted warplane studies as a “journey to figure out what the next steps are for us.”
“What the concept studies are allowing us to do is to have the freedom to decide what suits us best and the freedom to invest in capabilities that make sense to us,” Wikman said.
Yet another program?
Sweden’s decision to take a pause to determine its own requirements has brought about a guessing game across the defense industry regarding what the country’s next move might be.
Will Stockholm try to rejoin GCAP through Saab in the future? Could it team up with the rival program, the Future Combat Air System led by France, Germany and Spain? Or will it opt to build and develop its own fighter with other partners? Might it simply acquire an existing fighter when the time comes?
“Nothing has been decided yet and won’t be decided until at the very least the beginning of the next decade,” Wikman said. “No matter the direction we opt to go in, Swedish industry will always be involved.”
In the mix of options, the emergence of yet another fighter program in Europe is unlikely because of the enormous investment involved, Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Defense News.
“Saab and the FMV are looking at all possible options, but I wouldn’t put the emergence of a third European crewed combat aircraft project particularly high in terms of outcomes,” he said. Instead, Stockholm could seek to tack onto a collaboration in an effort to spread the research and development costs, he added.
Affordability is a major challenge to programs like FCAS and GCAP, with high-tech ambitions driving the life-cycle costs into the tens of bns of dollars or more.
To put the amounts required into perspective, as of last year, the U.K. pledged to spend around $2.5bn on GCAP’s initial research and observation stage alone, an amount equivalent to roughly one-fourth of Sweden’s planned 2024 defense budget.
Whichever path leaders in Stockholm decide to take, there is such a thing as a uniquely Swedish approach to combat airplanes that officials will likely want to retain, according to Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the London-based RUSI think tank.
“Sweden is likely to stick to its traditional areas of design and technology strength in the combat air design space during any next-gen program,” he said. Its features include “designing comparatively small, and therefore, efficient aerodynamic airframes; electronic warfare suites; rapid software iteration; and ease of maintenance.”
Gripen DNA
Considering the Gripen fighter will be the backbone of the Swedish Air Force for decades to come, with plans to operate the latest variant, the Gripen E, until 2060, some of its design tenets are expected to bleed into any future Swedish fighter ideas.
“The easy upgradability, robustness allowing for disperse operations from highways, and flight hour costs – these are all characteristics that are a great foundation for a starting point when looking into the next fighter system,” Peter Nilsson, head of Saab’s business unit for advanced programs, told Defense News.
Sweden’s national emergency plans dictate fighter aircraft must be able to use roads as makeshift runways in the event of a crisis.
At a media briefing during the Singapore Airshow in February, Saab’s chief marketing officer, Mikael Franzén, said due to the current threat level in Sweden, the country would operate the Gripen C/D variant for longer than anticipated.
“The C/D versions are to be retired between 2035 and 2040, or beyond, so that the Air Force does not have a dip in readiness and retains full capability during this re-armament period,” Franzén told reporters.
There are now more than 21 operational Gripen E models globally, including test models, and 35 aircraft in production, according to the company.
Franzén also said the Swedish company had improved every system in older C/D models under the Gripen E program, including an upgraded electronic warfare suite and the ability to carry three times more armaments.
When it comes to a future fighter system, Sweden does not plan to go it alone.
“We have a long heritage of international collaboration and will continue working in that way — the Gripen is truly an international fighter, but built in Sweden,” said Saab’s Nilsson. “We’ll continue working with partners from other countries.”
At this point, the studies under contract with the defense ministry are meant to illuminate the trade space in which Swedish leaders will make decisions later on. Focus areas include technology analysis, partnership opportunities, logistics and industrial implications, as well as digital and physical testing of capabilities, according Nilsson
Some high-tech areas of interest Saab plans to explore are a mix “between manned and unmanned systems as well as disruptive technologies,” he said.
A unique aspect of Saab’s vision of fighter jets is the company’s specialization on counter-stealth technology, which is the discipline of detecting aerial objects designed to be concealed from radar.
At an air warfare conference organized in March by the RUSI think tank, Jonas Grönberg, Saab’s director of strategy for fighter aircraft, said that given the fast-paced development of software and hardware systems for signals processing, stealth fighters are bound to increasingly be more discoverable by radars.
“Some military trends we’re seeing influence electronic warfare are radar threats regaining importance and the re-emergence of surveillance radars at low-frequency bands,” he added.
Some older radars function at much lower frequency ranges, which means their wavelengths are considerably longer and capable of effectively spotting most stealth aircraft.
An unmanned companion
Sweden, like other countries, is considering the addition of a drone to accompany Gripen fighters even before plans for a next-gen fighter are hatched. The idea is conceptually known among air forces as “loyal wingman,” a reference to an unmanned helper which pilots can task mid-flight to attack targets, collect intelligence or act as a decoy.
In 2022, Saab’s concept for a supersonic loyal wingman broke cover as part of an academic paper presented by a company employee at the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences in Stockholm.
While little is known regarding the status of the technology today, the document states it was initially developed under Saab’s participation in the U.K.-led program now known as GCAP. The wingman was designed for combat with a low radar signature profile, to fly at high speeds and to conduct long-range air-to-air battles.
Saab, for its part, is readying its workforce for the pivotal next-gen study. For one, the company has equipped the unit tasked with the project to have “full fighter system capability,” and hiring is underway to beef up the engineer ranks, Nilsson said. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
07 May 24. Germany opts for US rather than European F-35 assembly. Germany is to have its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft built in the United States rather than Europe, Janes was told on 6 May. Berlin has decided that the F-35A variant aircraft contracted for the Luftwaffe are to be built at the US final assembly and check-out (FACO) facility in Fort Worth, Texas, rather than at the European FACO at Cameri, Italy.
“Currently, final assembly and check-out of German F-35 aircraft is planned to occur at the Fort Worth facility using major components from across Europe, including Germany, UK, and Italy,” Janes was told in a joint statement issued by Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office (JPO). The Luftwaffe is to receive 35 F-35As, with deliveries commencing in the US in 2026 and the first aircraft arriving in Germany in 2027. Neither Lockheed Martin nor the JPO elaborated on Germany’s decision to opt for US rather than European production, while the Bundeswehr referred Janes to those two organisations for comment. (Source: Janes)
USA
10 May 24. SOCOM Suspends Amphibious MC-130J Project Amid Budget Constraints. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has announced a halt to its ambitious project to convert the MC-130J transport aircraft into an amphibious platform capable of water landings and take-offs. This decision was revealed during the SOF Week 2024 conference in Tampa, Florida, by Col. T. Justin Bronder, the program executive officer for fixed-wing programs.
Initially launched in 2021, the MC-130J Amphibious Capability (MAC) project aimed to enhance the operational flexibility of SOCOM’s fleet by enabling the MC-130J to conduct operations from water bodies, thus not relying solely on traditional runways. This capability was seen as particularly crucial for operations in the Pacific region, where geographical challenges and the strategic necessity for dispersion and agility in military operations are prominent. Despite successful preliminary tests including wind tunnel and hydrostatic testing that suggested the technical feasibility of the concept, the project’s continuation has become untenable under current financial limitations.
Col. Bronder detailed that, although the research phase yielded positive outcomes and the capability is technically achievable, the need to allocate resources to other modernization priorities has led to the decision to pause any further development on the MAC project.
While the amphibious conversion project is shelved for now, SOCOM continues to focus on enhancing the MC-130J with what is referred to as the “Talon III capability.” This initiative aims to succeed the MC-130H Combat Talon II’s role by improving the aircraft’s ability to perform critical infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions in hostile or denied areas. Furthermore, SOCOM is exploring other advanced technology projects in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), indicating a strategic pivot towards high-speed, vertical takeoff, and landing platforms that could redefine future capabilities. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
08 May 24. Little Bird helicopter replacement in question after Army cancels FARA. One of the signature helicopters of special operations forces won’t get the expected relief from a major replacement program now that it was canceled earlier this year. U.S. Special Operations Command has relied on versions of the A/MH-6 Little Bird helicopter for decades. But while the commercial-turned-military aircraft has received a series of upgrades to keep flying, it will struggle to keep up with the formation in the coming years. The Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program, or FARA, was seen as the solution. Planners expected that aircraft to begin replacing the Little Bird by the mid-2030s.
But the service canceled FARA in February.
“That changed our equation because that was going to become the armed platform that was going to take the role of the [Little Bird],” said Steven Smith, USSOCOM’s program executive officer for rotary wing programs.
Speaking here Tuesday during the Special Operations Forces Week conference, Smith said the move would also push the use of the MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter into the 2050s or longer.
“So now we don’t have that solution available. We are going to be sustaining those aircraft for a long time,” Smith said.
The Little Bird is built by personnel at the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Defense News reported as early as 2016 that USSOCOM was examining the strain and capability gaps of the aircraft. Only that command uses the aircraft, so it must pay the bill for any work on the platform. For other military aircraft, such as the Black Hawk or the Chinook, the command can benefit from regular Army upgrades.
In 2022, officials at this conference noted the Little Bird’s speed was slowing existing formations and could not keep up with future aircraft. To fill the gap, the rotary wing program director at the time, Geoff Downer, said the military would pursue hybrid power, or electrification, which would push speeds beyond the current maximum speed of 80 knots.
But that’s no longer a near-term option. “I just don’t think the funding’s there to support that electrification work,” Smith said Tuesday.
Smith added that he’s looking to industry for improvements to the drivetrain and rotor blades that could help with speed.
The aircraft is in the midst of receiving a next-generation tactical radio system, improved sensor systems and a new fuselage. The Boeing-built fuselage raises the gross weight limit to 5,000 pounds, up from the previous 4,700 pounds, which required multiple integrated kits, Smith said.
Those previously planned upgrades will keep the Little Bird flying until 2034, according to timelines shared during Smith’s presentation.
Beyond that date, USSOCOM is looking for new solutions, he added. (Source: Defense News)
07 May 24. GAO: US Navy ship design process ‘too slow’ and ‘less predictable.’ Rapidly changing maritime threats compel the US Navy to deliver ships faster, but the GAO has found the service has fallen short on design practices. The US naval industrial base is struggling to deliver the surface fleet at a pace that meets the Navy’s requirements amid an uncertain geopolitical environment, and the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) says this comes down to their lengthy design practices.
Computing power and digital design capabilities have rapidly changed in the last 15 years since the GAO last identified the US Navy’s design practices.
In their recent report to Congress and the US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos del Toro, the government watchdog compared the success of commercial shipbuilding design practices with the Navy’s, for which it observes “significantly longer design and construction cycle times for its… lead ships.”
Commercial versus Navy ship design
The GAO found that leading commercial ship buyers and builders prioritise shorter, predictable periods for design and construction, which result in delivering timely ships that meet current user needs.
Key differences between commercial companies’ and the Navy’s ship design practices contribute to the slower pace and less predictable cost, schedule, and performance outcomes for Navy shipbuilding programmes. Leading design practices involve:
- effective management of a ship’s business case—a reflection of the balance of customer needs and the resources needed to develop and produce the ship; and
- focus on efficiently maturing new ship designs to better inform decisions on schedule, cost, and performance. This includes using consistent, meaningful design maturity measures to determine readiness to move from design to construction.
A potential conflict in the Indo Pacific
Governments across the Western world are prioritising faster delivery of platforms and equipment. So much that the UK announced it will only procure off the shelf systems for exportability and delivery in a timely manner.
The US Navy face a mounting problem as its strategic posture in the Indo Pacific intensifies. So too does its requirement for a credible deterrence in what is currently a grey zone conflict against China, whose Navy transgresses the limits of the liberal international order.
In an exclusive, Mark Cancian, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Naval Technology that the US Navy largely constructed the Constellation-class frigate programme, more cheaply than the previous Littoral Combat Ship class, in response to “contested logistics… which is something the United States has not had to deal with since 1945.”
“[They’re] going to have to escort ships across the oceans. That’s going to take a lot of ships and it’d be nice to have three or four DDG 51s in a convoy, but that is just not gonna happen, it’s just not enough.”
(Source: naval-technology.com)
06 May 24. Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks Announces First Tranche of Replicator Capabilities Focused on All Domain Attritable Autonomous Systems. Exemplifying the Department’s focus on harnessing the value of commercial technology to solve critical operational challenges, the first iteration of the Replicator initiative has reached an execution milestone.
Deputy Secretary Hicks announced today some of the capabilities and one of the systems selected for accelerated fielding as part of the first tranche of the Replicator initiative, which is focused on fielding all-domain attritable autonomous (ADA2) systems.
The Department has secured its needed funding of about $500m for FY24, to include approximately $300m from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 defense appropriations bill supporting the Department’s reprogramming request and additional funding identified using existing authorities and Defense-wide sources. In PB25, the Department has requested a roughly equal amount to the FY24 total and will work with Congress to support this request.
These investments bring together the capabilities of a broad range of traditional and nontraditional technology companies, including systems vendors, component manufacturers, and software developers.
“I am pleased to announce that the Department will begin investing in scalable production for these critical capabilities,” said Hicks. “We are taking an important step toward strengthening our defense and technology industrial base. And, we are demonstrating the Department’s ability to break down barriers to scaling innovation at speed not just for ADA2 systems, but in our ability to develop new capabilities and processes for the Department and key stakeholders, including Congress.”
The first tranche of Replicator capabilities include uncrewed surface vehicles (USV), uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (c-UAS) of various sizes and payloads from several traditional and non-traditional vendors.
In the air domain, the Department will accelerate fielding of the Switchblade-600 loitering munition, produced by Simi Valley, CA-based AeroVironment Inc. U.S.-supplied Switchblade drones have already demonstrated their utility in Ukraine, and this system will provide additional capability to U.S. forces.
“This is a critical step in delivering the capabilities we need, at the scale and speed we need, to continue securing a free and open Indo-Pacific” said Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “The entire Department has come together to help make this a reality.”
In the maritime domain, the Department is diversifying the vendor base for USVs through the recently announced Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary (PRIME) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). The CSO process allows U.S. and international companies to pitch technologies to the Department in a fast-track process for a prototype contract. Launched on January 30, 2024, the PRIME CSO received over one hundred applications from commercial technology companies. With FY24 funding secured, the Department is on track to award several contracts this summer.
The first tranche of Replicator also includes certain capabilities that remain classified, including others in the maritime domain and some in the counter-UAS portfolio.
“Meeting the strategic imperatives facing the nation requires that we harness the very best of America’s commercial technology in non-traditional partners, alongside our traditional sources of defense capabilities,” said Doug Beck, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). “Replicator is doing just that, and that is why we at DIU are proud to work with our partners from across the Department of Defense to make it a reality.”
Since Deputy Secretary Hicks’ announcement of the Replicator initiative and its initial focus on ADA2 systems just over seven months ago, the Department-wide effort has systematically aligned senior leaders around a common vision to identify and validate key joint operational gaps and rapidly field solutions in 18-24 months. The Department is also preparing the next tranche of capabilities to add to the ADA2 portfolio.
“This is just the beginning,” said Admiral Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Replicator is helping us jumpstart the delivery of critical capabilities at scale. We will build on that momentum with industry partners to deliver what the warfighter needs, and remove barriers to doing so again and again.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
07 May 24. USAF solicits AI-enabled battlefield C2 capabilities. The US Air Force’s (USAF’s) main research and development (R&D) directorate is soliciting industry solutions to accelerate the air service’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into its command-and-control (C2) and battle management systems. Officials from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) issued a broad agency announcement (BAA) in March, seeking industry input on “development and application of AI to C2, new concepts and techniques for the battle management, and orchestration of AI at pace and scale”. AFRL officials at the organisation’s Rome Research Site in Rome, New York, are seeking proposals to also explore “how the use of AI by adversaries can be considered in the C2 planning and execution process and distributed and collaborative C2 to enable C2 anywhere and anyplace”, the 24 March BAA noted. (Source: Janes)
REST OF THE WORLD
07 May 24. France, UK, US to compete Saudi fighter requirement. France, the United Kingdom, and the United States are to bid on Saudi Arabia’s pending combat aircraft requirement, with the Middle East country holding a full and open competition for the first time.
A senior industry official with knowledge of the requirement told Janes and other defence media in late April of Riyadh’s decision to hold a competition between the Dassault Rafale, the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, and the Eurofighter Typhoon respectively, when previously, political considerations would be uppermost in its considerations for such high-end military hardware.
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has an outstanding requirement of approximately 50 combat aircraft to add to the 83 Boeing F-15SA Advanced Eagles, 63 F-15S Eagles, 66 F-15C Eagles, 20 F-15D Eagles, 72 Eurofighter Typhoons, and 79 Panavia Tornados it currently fields. (Source: Janes)
03 May 24. Naval Group and ST Engineering join forces again for Formidable frigate MLU. The renewed collaboration is intended to enhance the capabilities of the Singapore Navy’s fleet.
Naval Group and ST Engineering Marine have signed a deal with the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the Formidable-class frigates.
The agreement was announced on December 14, 2023.
Naval Group, serving as the sub-contractor under ST Engineering Marine Ltd, brings to the table its history of collaboration dating back to the inception of the Formidable-class frigates construction programme in 2000.
Having spearheaded the construction of the inaugural vessel in the Formidable-class series at the Lorient shipyard in France, Naval Group understands the frigates’ intricacies.
The Republic of Singapore Navy has six Formidable-class frigates in its fleet, receiving one from Naval Group initially in 2005, and the rest between 2008 and 2009 from ST Engineering following a technology transfer, as highlighted in GlobalData’s intelligence on the Singapore defence market.
Naval Group Far East, the subsidiary established in 2005 following the delivery of the Formidable frigates to the Singaporean Navy, will play a role in the project. With a dedicated team of specialists in project management, maintenance, logistics, and supply chain support.
Beyond the immediate scope of the upgrade, the collaboration between Naval Group and ST Engineering opens avenues for expanded cooperation in coastal maritime security and support for French Navy operations in the region. Additionally, establishing the Naval Group Singaporean Center of Excellence shows a commitment to knowledge exchange, further strengthening ties between the two entities.
In March 2023, ST Engineering Marine secured a contract from the Singapore MoD to design and construct six multi-role combat vessels (MRCVs) for the Republic of Singapore Navy. These vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2028, will replace the RSN’s existing Victory-class missile corvettes. (Source: naval-technology.com)
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
From rapid prototyping of custom designs to full-scale production runs, IEE, produces displays with advanced features like low-latency video processing, high-bright and NVIS backlighting, and lightweight rugged enclosures. Their SWaP-C products employ the latest lightweight composite materials; low power, high performance integrated ARM processors; standard Ethernet and USB communication, in a low cost, highly producible design.
In-house California facilities include optical bonding, clean rooms for display assembly, a dark room for optical measurements and environmental chambers for pre-compliance and customer acceptance testing. On-site manufacturing includes PCB assembly and flow soldering. IEE has manufactured handheld, in-vehicle, airborne and naval LCD displays for all military branches as well as leading aerospace firms both domestically and internationally.
IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.
IEE’s Advantage:
- Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
- Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
- Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
- Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
- Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————