BAE Systems renews US contract to produce more Bradley fighting vehicles

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  November 25, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  United Technologies awarded $762.5M for Air Force, Marine Corps F-35 engines

  ByChristen McCurdy Nov. 22 (UPI) -- United Technologies has received a $762.5 million contract modification to deliver F135 propulsion systems for the Air Force and Marine Corps. The new deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, funds Lot 14 production and delivery of 48 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force and 10 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for the Marine Corps. The Pratt & Whitney F135 is a turbofan engine for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, fifth generation single-engine stealth fighters used the Air Force, Marines and Navy plan to replace much of their fleets with in future years. In October, Lockheed finalized a $34 billion deal with the Pentagon to deliver 478 F-35 fighter planes in production Lots 12, 13 and 14 at a cost below $80 million each. It's the largest contract in military history, and the lowest per-plane cost for the F-35 series yet. That deal came after pressure from the Pentagon to lower the per-plane cost of the aircraft, which has also faced scrutiny for production and safety issues. The new contract funds production of 48 F135-PW-100 engines for the US Air Force. The F135-PW-100 powers the Air Force's F-35A aircraft. Per the October deal, the Pentagon's expected cost per plane for the F-35A in Lot 14 in $77.9 million. The deal also funds 10 F135-PW-600 engines for the Marine Corps' F-35B. Lot 14 production F-35Bs are projected to cost $101.3 million per plane. The Pentagon has obligated fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $762 million -- it covers $521.5 million in purchases for the Air Force and $240.9 in Marine Corps. The bulk of work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut, with some work taking place in Indianapolis and Bristol, England. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/11/22/United-Technologies-awarded-7625M-for-Air-Force-Marine-Corps-F-35-engines

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  August 22, 2018 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR

  Air Force’s next GPS satellite ready to boost accuracy, anti-jamming capabilities

  By: Daniel Cebul Lockheed's Martin second GPS III satellite has passed all of the U.S. Air Force's technical and safety tests and is ready to be launched, likely in 2019, according to a company statement Aug. 21. The statement marks the formal designation that the satellite is “available for launch.” The first GPS III satellite was available for launch in September 2017 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and is set to liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida before the end of 2018. The next satellite will launch aboard a rocket from United Launch Alliance. The new satellite constellation is expected to be a significant improvement over the current generation of satellites. According to Harris Corp., the company that provides Lockheed Martin with the satellites navigation payload, the next-gen satellites are equipped with “a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with a unique 70 percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened computers and powerful transmitters." This allows for signals three times more accurate than those on current GPS satellites, the company said. In addition to being more accurate, the satellite is also eight times more resistant to jamming. This model also adds and maintains signals to ensure compatibility with Global Navigation Satellite Systems and provide stronger signal integrity. Harris also unveiled an upgraded payload in November 2017 to be used for the Air Force's GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) program, which will begin with the 11th GPS III satellite. This next-gen payload will grant the clock signal for a new GPS III Search and Rescue (SAR) payload, and extend the satellite's service life. Lockheed Martin is expected to be the prime contractor. In June, the third GPS III satellite completed thermal vacuum and environmental testing to simulate how the satellite will hold up in the space's unforgiving environment. https://www.c4isrnet.com/c2-comms/satellites/2018/08/21/air-forces-next-gps-satellite-ready-to-boost-accuracy-anti-jamming-capabilities

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  September 17, 2018 | International, Aerospace

  Air Force awards next GPS satellite contract

  By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has scooped up a contract, worth up to $7.2 billion, for the latest batch of next-generation GPS satellites. The award decision comes as little surprise, as Lockheed Martin is the incumbent on the GPS III program responsible for manufacturing the first 10 satellites. It was also the sole bidder on the most recent contracting vehicle, which will span an additional 22 satellites. “The world is dependent on GPS, from getting directions to getting cash from an ATM machine or trading on the stock exchange,” said Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson in a statement. “These satellites will provide greater accuracy and improved anti-jamming capabilities, making them more resilient.” Three companies — Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman —won Phase 1 contracts for the follow-one program in 2016 to perform feasibility studies, but the Boeing and Northrop Grumman dropped out of the competition. Boeing in April 2018 confirmed that it did not bid on the opportunity, stating that the solicitation “emphasized mature production to current GPS requirements and did not value lower cost, payload performance or flexibility.” Full article: https://www.c4isrnet.com/space/2018/09/14/air-force-awards-next-gps-satellite-contract