Airbus and Leonardo sign MoU to jointly approach future integrated training systems market

On the same subject

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  December 9, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 08, 2020

  NAVY Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems, Orlando, Florida, is awarded an $89,246,355 modification (P00016) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract N68335-18-C-0681. This modification exercises an option to procure 35 electronic Consolidated Automated Support System (eCASS) full rate production units and related equipment. This modification provides for the procurement of four self-maintenance and test/calibration operational test program sets, five calibration equipment suites/kits, 36 rack rail kits, 44 shore installation kits and 28 ship installation kits. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,102,737; and fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $80,143,618 will be obligated at time of award, of which $9,102,737 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. L3 Technologies Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, is awarded a $15,399,324 modification (P00025) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-18-C-1030. This modification exercises an option to procure 12 AN/SRQ-4 kits and associated components for the MH-60 Common Data Link system. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed in February 2023. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,399,324 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Progeny Systems Corp.,* Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $10,179,429 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-6410 for the procurement of MK54 MOD 1 Lightweight and MK48 Heavyweight torpedo components. This modification is in support of the MK54 MOD 1 Lightweight and MK48 Heavyweight torpedo programs. Work will be performed in Towcester, United Kingdom (98%); Charleroi, Pennsylvania (1%); and Manassas, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by January 2023. Fiscal 2020 weapons procurement (Navy) ($6,688,666; 66%); 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) ($2,433,593; 24%); and 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) ($1,057,170; 10%) funding will be obligated at time of award, of which funds in the amount of $2,433,593 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Hunter Strategy LLC, Washington, D.C. (HQ0034-21-C-0011), was awarded a $20,954,134 firm-fixed-price, level-of-effort contract to provide support to the Enterprise Account Tracking and Automation Tool (ATAT) for the Cloud Computing Program Office. ATAT will provide Department of Defense organizations with the ability to manage cloud accounts, manage authorized organizational users, access billing information and policies and apply and enforce cloud security policies. Proposals were solicited via the beta.sam.gov website with two received. This contract award includes one base period ending on Dec. 20, 2021, with four one-year option periods potentially extending performance through Dec. 20, 2025. Work will be performed in Crystal City, Virginia. Washington Headquarters Services, Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Dec. 7, 2020) AIR FORCE Raytheon Co., Woburn, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $13,648,819 firm-fixed-price modification (P00034) to contract FA8730-17-C-0010 for Qatar Early Warning Radar (QEWR). This modification is for the procurement, manufacture and storage of spares in support of sustainment for the QEWR. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,137,800,144. This modification involves 100% Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the country of Qatar. FMS funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. ARMY L3 Technologies Inc., Londonderry, New Hampshire, was awarded a $13,148,618 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of binocular night vision devices and accessories. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Londonderry, New Hampshire, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 8, 2021. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of $13,148,618 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-21-C-5004). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2439885/source/GovDelivery/

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  May 25, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval

  Défense : General Atomics pousse son drone MALE

  Face aux retards pris dans le programme de drone MALE européen, General Atomics pousse un concept de location, avec ou sans équipages. Du drone MALE en location Dans la famille General Atomics, on trouvait le Predator, le Reaper, le Sky Gardian et voici maintenant... le MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) disponible à la location ! La firme californienne a déjà démontré la viabilité d'un Reaper prêt à surveiller pour l'US Marine Corps : plus de 7 000 heures de vol ont ainsi été réalisés par des équipages de la société pour le compte des « Leathernecks », et en zone opérationnelle (Afghanistan) de surcroît. Cette démonstration sans la moindre anicroche pourrait bien faire école. Car dans l'éternelle et nécessaire progression capacitaire, les Etats butent souvent sur deux écueils : d'une part, trouver les ressources budgétaires pour acheter l'engin et le mettre en vol dans la durée. D'autre part, identifier puis former la ressource humaine, hautement qualifiée, qui doit assurer le vol lui-même, dont le coeur figure dans l'équipage à quatre personnels. Toujours pas de drone européen General Atomics croit donc à son concept de location, avec ou sans équipage, y compris en Europe, pour venir compléter les flottes exploitées par les Etats eux-mêmes. Des formules de ce type sont déjà employées pour d'autres vecteurs à peine moins sensibles, les avions ISR, notamment par la... France, grande consommatrice depuis une dizaine d'années. Le Reaper est servi par un coût d'exploitation relativement bas, à 2700 dollars l'heure de vol, un coût imbattable lié à son unique turbine PT-6, l'aérodynamique du Reaper fait le reste. Alors que les Européens de l'Ouest sont toujours à t'tonner pour savoir comment résoudre leurs problèmes de MALE, avec un drone européen toujours sans accord Français, au moins. La ministre des Armées estime que le concept d'Airbus, essentiellement tourné vers les besoins Allemands, coûte bien trop cher (deux fois plus cher qu'un Sky Guardian adapté aux besoins européens, l'Euro-Guardian) et ne répond pas aux besoins Français. La Marine veut aussi du MALE Dopée par les résultats de son Reaper Block 1 (déjà ancien mais toujours vaillant), l'Armée de l'Air ne peut que constater que l'appareil désormais armé a déjà raflé 40 % des frappes depuis le début de l'année au Sahel. Elle a aussi constaté que le programme européen a déjà au moins trois ans de retard et n'arrivera donc pas, au mieux, avant 2028. Sans préjuger du destin du programme de MALE Européen... ou de la rejointe sur un programme d'Euro-Guardian, qui pourrait faire la place aux sociétés européennes, les besoins en locations seront, de toute façon, patents. D'autant plus que la Marine nationale a aussi clairement exprimé son besoin pour un MALE, et n'a pas exclu d'en loger dans son programme AVSIMAR (avion de surveillance et d'intervention maritime). https://air-cosmos.com/article/dfense-general-atomics-pousse-son-drone-male-23102

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  July 9, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  Enhancing Unmanned Operations in Extreme Conditions with the Power of Two-Stroke

  Peter Lietz, Head of International Business Development for Hirth Engines, explains why engine manufacturers must raise the endurance bar for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to advance capabilities in extreme weather conditions. Drones have become a popular choice for various exploits, from hobbyist aerial photography to large organisations such as Amazon exploring the future of delivery services. In the same vein, governments, militaries and research groups are exploring the use of UAVs to enable highly effective monitoring of unforgiving terrains without risking manned aircraft or land-based patrols. The need for unmanned aerial systems to navigate harsh environments is vital for the maritime, military and commercial sectors. Providing reliable and to the minute information on the status of, and threats to, environments like the Arctic is crucial as governments prepare to take action against significant issues such as climate change and increases in populations. UAVs will play a crucial role in this future considering the need for operators to monitor harsh environments and difficult to reach terrains, especially rotary UAVs. Reaching inhospitable locations can present a variety of logistical challenges, not least of which is the cost of sending land-based patrols or manned aircraft often from navy ships or other maritime vessels. This is where UAVs can enable operators to safely monitor terrains in a cost-effective and efficient way to better understand complex habitats. Carrying out monitoring exercises in areas such as the Artic where there is a real risk to life can be a major challenge. Through the use of well-engineered rotary UAVs, organisations are able to perform a variety of tasks with ease. The responsibility to advance the endurance capabilities of UAVs falls on engine manufacturers. For this reason, we must continue to innovate to increase performance. Over the last few years, rotary UAVs have grown in complexity, not only in terms of the platforms themselves but also the robustness and performance of the engines they run on. As the operational requirements for UAVs grows, engine manufacturers must continually innovate to improve power-to-weight ratios, reduce emissions, and accelerate capabilities in harsh environments. For a long time, fixed-wing UAVs were considered the optimal choice for endurance and speed over their rotary counterparts. However, this is changing rapidly thanks to enhancements in engine design. Rotary UAVs are now becoming a platform of choice due to their reduced logistical footprint and the ability to take off and land in a confined or limited space, especially in maritime environments such as on-board navy ships and coastguard cutters for example. The requirement for rotary UAVs to operate in extreme temperatures such as the cold of the Arctic or the severe heat of warmer climates is essential for operators. This is where two-stroke propulsion engines play a vital role. Two-stroke applications present rotary UAV manufacturers with a range of benefits, including ease of maintenance due to less moving parts and the ability to operate on heavy fuels which are a must for corrosive marine environments. Alongside this, two-stroke powered rotary UAVs are often capable of flying missions with a full payload in extreme conditions for more than five hours without overhaul. With this as a backdrop, it is vital for UAV and engine manufacturers to accelerate the development of propulsion systems capable of operating in extreme locations around the globe. As the industry moves towards hybrid and electric propulsion new challenges will arise and it is crucial that OEMs raise the bar to power the next generation of UAVs. In order to advance the endurance and capabilities of rotary UAVs, engine manufactures must look to innovate the propulsion technology used. Electric is an increasingly popular option for commercial drones. However, electric comes with its own challenges and limitations, such as operational endurance and increased weight of the electrical motors. Considering the performance of batteries in extreme temperatures in comparison to their fuel-based counterparts, there is a long way to go before pure electric UAVs will be capable of flying extended missions in harsh terrains. Hybrid applications that utilise both a combustion engine and electric propulsion systems will provide a bridge toward the future of pure electric flight. A clear advantage for hybrid applications is improving power to weight ratios to enable increased payload capacities. Hybrid UAV applications can be used in various functions, such as: electrically powered take-off and landing with conventional engines powering horizontal flight; or powering flight using only electrical motors whilst the combustion engine acts solely as a generator. In addition, safety is a key purpose behind the pursuit of hybrid applications. For UAV manufacturers, having the ability to convert to an electric battery should the combustion engine fail could make all the difference in enabling a safe landing. Operating UAVs in extreme weather conditions reduces the chances of potential health and safety issues associated with deploying staff or manned systems into harsh environments. In addition, a further key benefit of using UAVs is enabling the deployment of cost-effective systems that perform safely in extreme locations. Ultimately, developing UAVs that can fly farther and for longer in harsh environments will require engine manufacturers to consider alternative fuel and power systems such as heavy fuel two-stroke applications. Heavy fuel is widely considered a must in the maritime industry when dealing with complex environments due to its resistance to extreme temperatures. At Hirth, pairing a robust heavy fuel combustion engine with electrical propulsion is something we are pursuing to advance the future capabilities of unmanned systems and bridge the gap to pure electric flight. For further information about Hirth's portfolio of engines, visit: http://hirthengines.com/ About Hirth Hirth Engines GmbH, based near Stuttgart, with global sales operated from Vienna, has a long pedigree in the development of propulsion systems, stretching back to The innovative company was founded by German aviation pioneer and World War I ace Helmuth Hirth, a student of US inventor Thomas Edison, and collaborator with the Wright Brothers and Zeppelin. The company has set its sights on consolidating its leading role in the development of two-stroke engines for a range of diverse sectors including:  Unmanned and manned light and experimental aircraft (fixed wing and helicopters)  Hovercraft Next generation R&D will focus on hybrid engines, based on the company's winning formula of providing easy to maintain power to weight ratio propulsion technology across civilian and military applications. https://dronescrunch.com/enhancing-unmanned-operations-in-extreme-conditions-with-the-power-of-two-stroke/