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22 Feb 19. Northrop Grumman Australia, a fully owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), welcomes the announcement of the assignment of maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) work for the multinational F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program to the Australian defence industry.
Under this assignment announcement, Northrop Grumman Australia and fellow Australian companies, BAE Systems, MOOG, RUAG, NIOA, Survitec, and GE Aviation, will provide the capabilities underpinning thirteen of seventeen MRO&U component repair technology groups assigned to the Asia-Pacific region. These categories, assigned to Australian industry by the U.S. Department of Defense for the sustainment of F-35 Lightning IIs based in the Asia-Pacific region, include depot repair for avionics, munitions/weapons delivery, canopy systems, aircraft composite structure, electro-optical systems, electrical components, valves, auxiliary power systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, pneudraulics, hydro-mechanical systems, landing gear, life support and pumps.
“Northrop Grumman Australia continues to be fully committed to growing its in-country technical sustainment workforce and capabilities, and this work will allow us to continue supporting the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) mission and the Australian defence industry at large,” said Warren King, interim chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “We are grateful to our industry teammates, the Australian JSF Division, the Commonwealth government, and the U.S. JPO for this recognition.”
Northrop Grumman’s capabilities related to F-35 are reinforced by the company’s support to the RAAF’s KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Special Purpose Aircraft fleet and C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter. With the sustainment and modernisation solutions we will offer for other mission-critical platforms such as the MQ-4C Triton, Northrop Grumman is well positioned to continue to drive strategic value creation in the MRO market.
Based on the assignment, Northrop Grumman Australia will deliver avionics, composites (teaming with Quickstep) and electro-optics repair (teaming with BAE Systems) services. In providing these services, the company will leverage its existing capabilities, as well as introduce new technologies to the Australian defence industrial community. To further support the execution of this assignment, Northrop Grumman Australia is establishing an Electronic Sustainment Centre (ESC) to sustain mission-readiness capabilities within the Commonwealth. After achieving readiness in January 2019 to support regional APN-241 radar repair, the ESC is prepared to support key fifth-generation communications, navigation, and identification systems.
“MRO&U components are one element of the F-35 global sustainment solution. As the U.S. and partner nations activate their F-35 fleets, Northrop Grumman and its industry team will continue to ensure critical systems are available for tasking and mission training,” said Steve Hogan, vice president, global sustainment and technology services supply chain, Northrop Grumman Technology Services.
This assignment builds upon the significant contributions made by Northrop Grumman as a principal member of the F-35 industry team and the company’s strong pedigree in platform stewardship.
21 Feb 19. Sabena technics selects KDA for C-130 maintenance. Kellstrom Defense Aerospace (KDA) has been selected by Sabena technics as a partner for the support of C-130 aircraft maintenance, the company announced on 18 February
Under the multiyear supplier agreement signed between the two companies, KDA will provide a wide range of aftermarket parts support and component repair and overhaul services.
Andy Trosper, president of global distribution and supply chain, KDA, said: ‘We are excited to provide an integrated aftermarket package to Sabena technics in support of their global aircraft refurbishment programmes.
‘The collaborative relationship we have developed with Sabena technics has made it possible for us to come to quick decisions that benefit the programme. The Kellstrom Defense Advantage ensures that the customer benefits from the value of our total offerings, our flexibility and our overall commitment to our customers and the end mission.’ (Source: Shephard)
19 Feb 19. Terma and Scandinavian Avionics Secure F-35 Sustainment Contract. Avionics Test Center Denmark (ATCD) formed by Terma and Scandinavian Avionics in collaboration with the U.S. will be responsible for repair and maintenance globally of avionics components.
U.S. Department of Defense F-35 Joint Program Office announced Avionics Test Center Denmark to be responsible for maintenance of avionics (16 components) for the F-35 fighter aircraft.
During the period of 2021-2025 Avionics Test Center Denmark (ATCD) formed by Terma and Scandinavian Avionics in collaboration with the U.S. will be responsible for repair and maintenance globally of avionics components.
“We are very proud to be selected by the F-35 program to play an essential role in the global F-35 sustainment network. It is a great day for both Terma and for Danish industry since the perspectives for Denmark now being part of the F-35 operational setup in decades to come are huge,” said Mr. Lars Hedemann Hilligsøe, Senior Vice President, Terma Support and Services.
From 2025 ATCD will be responsible for regional repair and maintenance of avionics components within Europe.
ATCD’s sustainment work will take place in Denmark.
Major General Henrik R. Lundstein, Director of the Fighter Aircraft Program in Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) says:
“It is very satisfying that the Danish Defence’ close collaboration with the industrial consortium consisting of Scandinavian Avionics and Terma has resulted in Danish industry now being awarded the first major F-35 maintenance contract. This shows that the Danish defense industry is able to compete with the largest companies in the market on competitive terms, i.e. price, time, delivery security, and quality.”
In April 2018, the Danish companies Terma and Scandinavian Avionics submitted a joint response, to a so-called Request for Information (RFI), on maintenance of F-35 components. For this purpose, the two companies established Avionics Test Center Denmark, which has now been selected to carry out the task.
The RFI that ATCD has won parts of is the second procurement of F-35 components repair to be published. The initial RFI (Tier 1) covers – together with the RFI for Tier 2 – approx. 60% of all the F-35 components published for repair. The remaining approx. 40% will be published among the F-35 Partnership countries later this year and in 2020.
20 Feb 19. Innovation at the service of support solutions. Maintaining vehicles in operational condition is a constant concern for Defense and Security force operators. Operational availability of the vehicles is essential for the successful completion of every mission. Key actor of land mobility support and maintenance, ARQUUS puts its research and development capacities at the service of new solutions for MRO. The company is innovating especially through advances in eSupport, which provides solutions based on feedback analysis, the development of HUMS (Health and Usage Monitoring System) and decision-making tools.
ARQUUS is also developing remote assistance solutions. Acknowledging that all operators deserve the best advice from our technical experts at all time, ARQUUS offers support solutions to optimize vehicle availability.
These solutions are notably based on the use of smart glasses, which connect the teams on the field and ARQUUS support experts. At IDEX 2019, ARQUUS presents and demonstrates these glasses, which are art of its Trust support packs.
By developing predictive maintenance solutions, as well as working on additive manufacturing – especially 3D printing of spare parts directly in the field – ARQUUS offers solutions that facilitate operational logistics and optimize the supply chain. To better serve its customers and optimize operational awareness, ARQUUS has launched a new web portal dedicated to support and maintenance. Named Trust Online, the new website presents all partners and clients with all the company’s support packages, and grant access to support requests and maintenance tools for all fleets. ARQUUS recently opened its latest logistics plant in Fourchambault (France), dedicated to all clients and partners worldwide. Thanks to top-level infrastructure and processes, ARQUUS is able to support all types of vehicles currently in service, on very short notice. For ARQUUS, innovation is a source of support for field operators, effectively reducing the cost of ownership and guaranteeing operational availability.
18 Feb 19. Relationship positions for AIR 7003 maintenance and sustainment opportunities. Team Reaper Australia partner Cobham has leveraged a long-standing relationship with General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) to position itself as the key maintenance, repair, launch, recovery and associated logistics partner for the AIR 7003 program. Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Defence Industry Minister, Steven Ciobo’s joint announcement in late 2018 that GA-ASI and their Team Reaper Australia (TRA) had been had been selected as the preferred supplier for Australia’s future medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE), armed unmanned aerial system (UAS) has opened the doors for Australia’s defence industry to participate in the long-term sustainment, operational support and logistics of the as yet to be chosen Reaper variant.
Cobham is the lead partner with GA-ASI in Team Reaper Australia (TRA), the Australian industry consortium that GA-ASI has assembled to deliver and support Project Air 7003 throughout its service life.
The Cobham and GA-ASI relationship was first established in the early 2000s to drive collaboration on the introduction of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) into Australia originally with the announcement of Joint Program 129 Phase 3 search for a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle as outlined in the 2012 Defence Capability Guide. (Source: Defence Connect)
18 Feb 19. SimVentions wins Strike Weapons Systems engineering support contract. SimVentions has secured a contract from the US Navy to provide Strike Weapons Systems engineering, software development, and test and evaluation capabilities. Under the five-year contract, valued at $52m, SimVentions will provide the engineering support services to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), and the Weapons Control and Integration Department’s Strike Weapons Systems division.
The company will also support several Naval Sea Systems Command and Naval Air Systems Command programmes and projects.
The contract work will be delivered in support of projects such as systems, software, cybersecurity, and test engineering, along with system analysis and modelling and simulation of a variety of weapons systems, weapon control systems, and warfare systems, prominently the Tomahawk Weapon System.
SimVentions CEO Larry Root said: “We first began supporting Strike Weapons capabilities back in the 2010 timeframe. We feel so blessed and excited to now be in a unique position to increase our support of current and future Strike Weapons capabilities…with the sole purpose and focus of making our NSWCDD customers, and ultimately our warfighters, highly successful.”
The scope of the work also includes performing requirements and interface management; command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I); cybersecurity engineering; in-service systems and fleet support.
Furthermore, the company, which is headquartered in Virginia, will carry out software engineering analysis, design, and development; system/hardware testing and analysis; configuration management, and system and software process improvement. The latest award comes after SimVentions secured a contract to deliver cyber mission engineering support to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Atlantic, and another to support Seaport Next Generation. (Source: naval-technology.com)
18 Feb 19. Robbins-Gioia wins $50m USAF lifecycle management contract. Robbins-Gioia (RG) has received a contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to support airforce business capability lifecycle management. The $50m indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract requires RG to help the USAF explore more efficient ways to support its business operations. The company will also work to find solutions to refine the development of requirements supporting information technology across all 38 mission areas.
Robbins-Gioia CEO Brad King said: “We’re excited to be able to support the airforce in achieving its mission to modernise their business systems to support the continuing needs of the warfighter.
“Our rigorous and commercially proven approach melds perfectly with the DoD Business Capability Acquisition Cycle (BCAC) to accelerate continuous modernisation of business systems while avoiding the risks and pitfalls of ‘big bang’ implementation programmes.”
RG will use its LINKProcess methodology that captures and manages business requirements into a common and dynamic repository.
Robbins-Gioia defense director Jeff Philippart said: “Our unique LINKProcess methodology combined with RG’s legacy of programme management and agile delivery excellence provides a robust framework for elicitation, validation, and collaboration to document and manage complex requirements.
“The RG framework accelerates prioritisation, modernisation, and innovation of systems and business processes.”
The contract also involves information and data management, process engineering, performance assessment, facilitation, project management, change management, scheduling and technical support. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
15 Feb 19. UK Hercules centre-wing box replacement effort gets under way for completion in 2027. The UK is to replace the centre-wing boxes of 14 Hercules airlifters, with work to be complete in 2027. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has begun work on the centre-wing box (CWB) replacement effort for 14 UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft, which should be complete in 2027.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Jane’s on 15 February that having awarded Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group the CWB contract in July 2017, a further “embodiment” contract to supply the CWB kits was awarded in 2018, paving the way for the commencement of work on the 14 aircraft.
The RAF fields both the ‘short-bodied’ C-130J (designated C5 in RAF service) and ‘long-bodied’ C-130J-30 (C4) variants of the Hercules. As stated in the country’s 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), the RAF at that time planned to divest its 10 C-130Js while retaining its 14 C-130J-30s.
However, in June 2018 Jane’s reported that one of these C-130J-30s was abandoned in Iraq following heavy landing, leaving just 13 in the inventory. On 9 August 2018 an MoD spokesperson told Jane’s that it is still the intention to field 14 Hercules, and while this would necessitate the retention of one C-130J the spokesperson noted that the exact composition of the fleet has yet to be determined.
Despite the MoD declining to specify the planned composition of its Hercules fleet, a US Air Force solicitation for a CWB replacement effort for one C-130J and 13 C-130J-30 aircraft released at the same time as the MoD’s comments to Jane’s has been identified as being for the UK. (Source: Google/IHS Jane’s)
15 Feb 19. A new 43,000sq ft production facility has been established by Tyron Runflat in Thailand. Called Tyron Rubber and with its own management structure, the production line will enable the company to extend its current production capability for All Terrain Rubber runflat systems by 14,000 units per annum.
Previously Tyron Runflat outsourced manufacture of its ATR to a third party, this production facility will enable the company to take full control through its new subsidiary Tyron Rubber and ensure that quality is at the highest level.
Managing Director of Tyron Rubber Ltd and inventor of the Tyron ATR, Tony Glazebrook, said, “By bringing together the work ethics of Thai and British cultures, we have created a strong company which can compete on the world stage. It allows us to take direct control of the production quality and capitalise on the best of both cultures to deliver an excellent product.
“This new facility allows us to reduce the supply chain distances, and hence our carbon footprint, as we are able to source the staple of our product, natural rubber, from local suppliers. In addition we can source quality tooling from Thai toolmakers at 50% of the price in the UK with the result we can turn a new design from idea to production in less than eight weeks,” added Tony Glazebrook.
The Tyron All Terrain Rubber (ATR) runflat is a patented device, in service with several armies. In simple terms it creates a platform for the tyre to run on and it incorporates a beadlock so that in the event of a puncture, blow-out or ballistic attack, the vehicle can continue his mission or get back to base and the tyre doesn’t slip on the wheel and the vehicle maintains mobility. Tyron has tested these against the Finabel standards, the international standards authority, and proven that its runflats are capable of running at 50km/h for over 100 kilometres.
The ATR is a multipart rubber runflat, which means no heavy hydraulic presses are needed to fit the runflat inside the tyre or take it off when a tyre change is needed. This can be achieved at roadside, using only standard tyre fitter’s equipment.
Rubber is inherently malleable and enables ‘over manufacture’ of the beadlock to overcome tyre and wheel manufacturing tolerances. It also allows for different makes of tyres where bead tolerances can exceed 20mm. During installation, rubber guarantees the tyre beads are firmly secured against the wheel flanges, ensuring beadlock.
Rubber also absorbs shocks caused by curb strikes, pot holes and a generally hostile environment. It drastically reduces the vibration and stresses transmitted to the wheels, axles and drive shafts, allowing vehicle handling and driver/passenger comfort to be maintained, even in the event of a catastrophic puncture.
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About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For decades Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax™ unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of sustainment and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance. Oshkosh Defense, LLC is an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE: OSK].
To learn more about Oshkosh Defense, please visit us at www.oshkoshdefense.com.
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