Australia earmarks billions for naval infrastructure as BAE wins AUKUS submarine work

On the same subject

• 

  May 3, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - May 2, 2019

  AIR FORCE Black River Systems Co.,* Utica, New York, has been awarded an $88,733,141 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for operational counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (s-UAS) open systems architecture software/hardware systems. This contract provides for system analysis, simulation and modeling, technique development, hardware and software rapid prototyping, integration, test, demonstration, data analysis, transition, operational assessment, and hardware and software enhancement relative to the objective. Work will be performed in Utica, New York, and is expected to be complete by May 1, 2022. This award is the result of a Small Business Innovation Research III contract. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,031,500; and fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement funds in the amount of $9,716,140, are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-19-C-0040). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Mission Systems, Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded an $82,320,000 cost contract for Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) Control and Planning Segment (CAPS). This contract provides for the development of software to address international host accommodations for new out of band link functions, cyber architecture, orbit planning, and the capability for controlling four EPS Payloads simultaneously on a single software baseline. Work will be performed in Redondo Beach, California, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $14,700,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8808-19-C-0001). Engility Corp., Andover, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $58,486,192 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development. This contract provides for the enhancement of airman combat survivability by enabling forces to counter optical hazards and threats while exploiting optical systems. The goal of the research is to further scientific knowledge of optical radiation to protect against and exploit physical, physiological, psychological, and other effects of optical radiation. Work will be performed primarily at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,997,330 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Research Site, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-6024). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Orbital Sciences Corp. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems), Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded a $46,809,398 cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-award-fee modification (P00237) to a previously awarded contract (HQ0147-11-C-0006). The value of this contract is being increased from $1,209,315,046 by $46,809,398 to $1,256,124,444. Under this modification, the contractor will provide Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target capability upgrade kits and associated nonrecurring engineering. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona. The performance period is from April 2019 through December 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $12,730,000 are being obligated on this award. One offer was solicited and one offer was received. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. NAVY Harper Construction Co. Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded $41,578,195 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247319F4561 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-18-D-5853) for construction of a maintenance and warehouse facility at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The work to be performed provides for a design-build project, consisting of demolition of existing structures, utilities, and pavement, to make room for a new amphibious vehicle maintenance complex. The complex will include a maintenance facility, general purpose warehouse, armory, overhead cover structure, and a general storage area. New utilities and pavement will be added to the maintenance complex. Work will be performed in Oceanside, California, and is expected to be completed by June 2022. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $41,578,195 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Magnum Medical Overseas JV LLC, Angleton, Texas, is awarded a $20,800,000 firm-fixed-price contract for educational and developmental intervention services at naval military treatment facilities and any associated branch clinics outside the contiguous U.S. Pacific and Atlantic regions to include: Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan (20 percent); Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan (20 percent); Naval Hospital Guam, Guam (20 percent); Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy (20 percent); Naval Hospital Rota, Spain (10 percent); and Naval Hospital Naples, Italy (10 percent). This is a five-year single award contract and all work is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2019 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $2,198,241 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received. The Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N62645-19-C-0003). AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland, is awarded a $20,452,716 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-6322 for engineering and technical services for the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) Unmanned Surface Vehicle program. The UISS is the system which will allow the Littoral Combat Ship to perform its mine warfare sweep mission. UISS will target acoustic, magnetic, and magnetic/acoustic combination mine types. The UISS program will satisfy the Navy's need for a rapid, wide-area coverage mine clearance capability, required to neutralize magnetic/acoustic influence mines. UISS seeks to provide a high area coverage rate in a small, lightweight package with minimal impact on the host platform. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland (70 percent); and Slidell, Louisiana (30 percent), and is expected to be complete by September 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,670,225 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. ARMY Luhr Brothers Inc., Columbia, Illinois, was awarded a $22,936,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Mississippi River and tributaries flood control. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of May 1, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $22,936,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-19-D-0010). Pond & Co., Metairie, Louisiana (W912BV-19-D-0007); Jacobs Government Services Co., Fort Worth, Texas (W912BV-19-D-0008); and Michael Baker International Inc., Moon Township, Pennsylvania (W912BV-19-D-0009), will compete for each order of the $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineer master planning services. Bids were solicited via the internet with nine received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 1, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY National Industries For The Blind,** has been awarded a maximum $15,036,000 modification (P00007) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-17-D-B022) with two one-year option periods for Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU) jackets. This is an indefinite-delivery contract. Locations of performance are North Carolina and Maryland, with a May 10, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $9,362,924 firm-fixed-priced delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-LG07) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-14-G-001X) with no option periods for aircraft spare parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.301-1. Location of performance is Texas, with a Feb. 28, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy and Japan. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 Navy working capital funds and foreign military sales. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. CORRECTION: The contracts announced on April 26, 2019, for Sea Box,* Cinnaminson, New Jersey (SPRD11-19-D-0100; $471,828,000); W&K Containers,* Mill Valley, California (SPRDL1-19-D-0101; $19,513,750); and NexGen Composites,* Franklin, Ohio (SPRDL1-19-D-0097, $253,608,919), were announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is May 2, 2019. They were also announced without the solicitation number. The solicitation number is SPRDL1-18-R-0353. *Small business **Mandatory source https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1834495/source/GovDelivery/

• 

  April 7, 2020 | International, Land

  How are the US Army’s modernization plans faring under a pandemic?

  By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — The Army commands in charge of acquisition and modernization are taking it day-by-day as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in the United States, but so far see minimal impact to production lines and modernization efforts underway. “The Army has been very carefully looking at our industrial base and our ability to maintain programs, both for continued readiness and continued modernization, and, in general, we are still remaining fairly close to being on track,” Bruce Jette, the Army's acquisition chief, told reports in an April 3 teleconference. “That doesn't mean that individual programs or individual issues haven't arisen, but, at this point, we have, we think, in the long run, we can resolve any of the challenges we have at hand,” he added. Jette said he has sent letters out to contracting officers, program managers and program executive officers as well as industry providing them guidance and insight “into how we want to work together as a team, through good constructive and continuous and transparent communications, make sure that we know what's going on in each other's camp well enough that we can respond quickly.” One major point of concern is what might happen with sub-tier suppliers to the bigger prime contractors, Jette said, so the Army is doing what it can to understand challenges that these suppliers might be experiencing if they have to shut down production to keep employees safe and healthy should cases of coronavirus crop up. “We are still working various individual issues,” Jette said. “I track, on a daily basis, about 21 pages... on suppliers down to those lower levels.” That list provides projection for 30, 60 and 90 days, but are updated all the time. So far, Boeing is the only major defense contractor to shut down an Army production line, according to Jette. The company reported late in the evening on April 2 that it would have to halt its H-47 Chinook production line in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, for 10 days to better prevent the spread of the coronavirus after some employees tested positive for the virus. Jette said he didn't believe the work stopping at the Boeing plant would affect the delivery schedule for the H-47s to the force. All other lines are delivering on schedule including the newest version of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle — the A4 — he said. The fielding of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, Jette said, will be delivered at a “lower density,” but added, “it doesn't mean we won't catch up, it just means that we're slowing down.” Jette also said testing would likely be difficult in the coming months due to “the density packing necessary in some cases and how that puts a lot of people at risk.” The Joint Assault Bridge that was already delayed due to other issues was supposed to go into testing, but that will have to be rescheduled, Jette said. “It became a concern about moving the unit, moving the equipment together, getting all the testers,” he said, “and again, I go back to this issue that sometimes military operations require you to be in very close quarters for extended periods of time and that kind of violates our desire to keep people social distancing at this point.” The 2020 calendar year is also packed with major milestones for the Army's ambitious modernization plans. And as the country's citizens continue to self-isolate, avoid travel and work from home as much as possible, it becomes hard to conduct various tests or prototyping activities to move major programs along. “It's a changing situation, it changes pretty much daily,” Gen. Mike Murray, the Army Futures Command commander, told reporters on the same call. "It is very much a running estimate because it does change each and every day and we're not in control of this timeline, so in many ways, we are adjusting to the timeline to try to keep everything on track as best we The Army is having to take a “slight pause” in some activities, Murray said, such as briefly stopping some testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. “It's not because of a system,” he said. “It's based upon the maintenance of the systems as you test them. ... All the vehicles we're testing have to, daily, go into the maintenance bay to be maintained and so the interaction and the proximity, we just have to work through some mitigation strategies, we should have that done very quickly.” The Army's Interim Mobile Short-Range Air Defense System (IM-SHORAD) is one of the vehicles affected by the pause at APG. The system was undergoing automotive testing. The Army's plan to get to a critical soldier touchpoint or evaluation of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System this summer may be interrupted, Murray said, based on how long social distancing will be needed. “It's not Microsoft itself,” as the company is completely teleworking, but the IVAS deliveries could be affected by sub-suppliers, for example, he said. But, according to Murray, even if the touchpoint is delayed, he said the Army would do what is possible to avoid delaying the first unit equipped and believes, at this time, that the service will stay on schedule for t he initial fielding. The Army also has several major tests and evaluations coming up including a long-awaited Limited User Test (LUT) for its Integrated Air-and-Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). A delay on the LUT would pile onto years of delays for the troubled program meant to serve as the brains of the Army's future air and missile defense system. And the Army is planning on another flight test of Lockheed Martin's Precision Strike Munition (PrSM) later this month, which will deliver a new long-range precision fires capability to the battlefield. LRPF is the Army's number one modernization priority. “We are working through mitigation strategies to keep both of those on track,” Murray said. “Every day we're readjusting and reevaluating whether we can physically do that or not.” The IBCS LUT and the PrSM test involve an entire community of representatives coming together, he said, but “I'm not ready to say today that either one of those are slipping; those are closer in and we'll work them through to keep them on schedule as best we possibly can. And if the analysis proves that we can't, there's a lot of sequential things that happen in a program; we may have to look at some concurrency.” Murray noted there are plenty of modernization programs that so far remain unaffected and likely will stay on track, such as Future Vertical Lift efforts to bring two future aircraft online in the mid 2030s, the Army's new network and initial work to restart the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program to replace the Bradley. The Army and the Navy were also able to execute a major hypersonic missile test in March. For now, Murray said, he is focused not on alternative strategies, but how to mitigate impact to current ones. “I'm looking as far out as this fall just to make sure that we can get ahead of it with mitigation strategies," Murray said. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/04/06/can-the-army-stay-on-top-of-modernization-plans-during-covid-pandemic/

• 

  November 25, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  Guerre électronique : Le ministère des Armées lance la réalisation du programme ARCHANGE

  PAR LAURENT LAGNEAU En février 2018, la ministre des Armées, Florence Parly, avait annoncé le lancement du programme « CUGE » pour « Capacité universelle de guerre électronique », destiné à remplacer les deux avions C-160 Gabriel actuellement en service au sein de l'Escadron électronique aéroporté 00.054 « Dunkerque ». Il était question d'équiper non pas deux mais trois avions avec cette nouvelle charge de guerre électronique. La seule indication donnée était qu'ils appartiendraient à la gamme « Falcon » de Dassault Aviation. Il fallut attendre le dernier salon de l'aéronautique et de l'espace du Bourget pour apprendre qu'il s'agirait de trois Falcon 8X, capables de franchir la distance de 6.450 nautiques [11.945 km] et de voler à la vitesse maximale de Mach 0,9 à l'altitude de 51.000 pieds [15.545 m]. Le tout en étant 30% plus « éco-efficient » que les autres appareils de mpeme catégorie. Restait alors à lancer le développement et l'acquisition de ces trois Falcon 8X adaptés à recevoir cette capacité universelle de guerre électronique. Ce qui vient d'être fait, à l'issue d'un comité ministériel d'investissement réuni le 18 novembre. « Le renseignement est indispensable à nos opérations militaires. Fruit de 10 ans d'études, le programme ARCHANGE équipera l'armée de l'air dès 2025. Sa mission : la guerre électronique, soit l'interception d'émissions radio et radar », a commenté Mme Parly, via Twitter. Pour rappel, ARCHANGE signifie « Avions de Renseignement à CHArge utile de Nouvelle GEnération. » « Résultat de dix années d'études sur des technologies de pointe, l'ensemble des capteurs constituant la charge utile sera développé par Thales. Cette charge utile, basée sur des technologies innovantes [antennes multi-polarisation, intelligence artificielle pour améliorer les traitements automatiques], permettra de détecter et d'analyser les signaux radar et de communication gr'ce à des capteurs intégrés sur un avion d'affaire Falcon 8X construit par Dassault Aviation », a expliqué le ministère des Armées. Outre la livraison des trois Falcon 8X « ARCHANGE », il est prévu de mettre en place une plateforme d'entraînement pour leurs futurs équipages sur la base aérienne d'Évreux. « Les systèmes ARCHANGE accroîtront significativement les capacités de renseignement électromagnétique aéroporté français et contribueront à l'effort particulier sur la fonction stratégique ‘connaissance et anticipation', gage de l'autonomie de décision de la France et de sa supériorité en opération », fait encore valoir le ministère des Armées. Mis en service il y a maintenant 30 ans, le remplacement des deux C-160 Gabriel est une priorité, d'autant plus que la flotte de Transall C-160 ne tardera pas à s'éteindre. Ces appareils sont essentiels pour le renseignement militaire français dans la mesure ils permettent de collecter et d'analyser des signaux électromagnétiques, et donc de pouvoir évaluer les forces d'un adversaire et d'adapter, par exemple, les contre-mesures électroniques à ses moyens de protection. http://www.opex360.com/2019/11/22/guerre-electronique-le-ministere-des-armees-lance-la-realisation-du-programme-archange/