November 16, 2023 | International, Naval
The Mk 45 gun system will equip the Royal Australian Navy with a common, adaptable gun system that can easily integrate advanced munitions to provide the firepower required to meet...
December 4, 2023 | International, Land
Oshkosh Defense is the only manufacturer that can supply JLTVs through DCS, and will continue to support NATO, Allied, and Coalition Forces that want to modernize their militaries with the...
July 27, 2018 | International, Land
By: Todd South ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — As the Army looks to shrink its battlefield footprint, its researchers and engineers are finding ways to make the nerve center of the battle — command posts — lighter, more capable and easier to set up and tear down. A recently concluded three-year program aimed to do just that, with everything from the shelter devices used to house a command post's gear, to refitting old and new vehicles, to moving an entirely vehicle-mounted communications system off the truck and into the ruck, cutting its weight by two-thirds in the process. These are some of the ways that experts with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Communications–Electronics Center are finding to make command posts more mobile, resilient and effective against enemies that can quickly target and destroy massed formations. Some of the advancements include the Expeditionary Command Post shelter, a 20-foot box with integrated power outlets, air conditioning, network cabling and video distribution system. It's containerized so that it can be hauled on a truck or sling loaded under a helicopter. A four-soldier team can set up the structure within 30 minutes as the remaining command personnel hook up the computers, radios and other devices inside of the structure. Jim Bell, operations expert with RDECOM, told Army Times that soldiers with the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team set up the shelter in those time frames during field exercises. And during an experiment at Fort Hood, Texas, soldiers moved the shelter with a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. An even more mobile option that researchers have put together is the Light-Mobile Command Post, a pull-out table and tent combination that is installed in the back of a Humvee. It includes fixed TV monitors, built-in radio networks, cabling and computers. The system was designed primarily for light infantry units, but a similar configuration has also been installed on tracked command vehicles for armor units. This post can be voice comm and position location tracking operational within 15 minutes and fully operational in 30 minutes. Another Humvee-based answer to mobile command is a reconfigured command and control vehicle dubbed the Command Post Platform–Improved. It has a built-in power and cooling system and spots for two cases containing the capacity for six computer servers, enough to run a brigade's worth of data. The setup includes seven radio nets, HF, UHF, VHF and SATCOM, and links for fiber optic, standard and secret lines of communication. A small but important feature allows the user to power the systems from either vehicle or external power. The system also has a 15-minute power backup so that the servers can continue to run as power is switched. Beyond a structure or tent solution, researchers have also outfitted small and mid-size all-terrain vehicles, specifically the Polaris MRZR. The focus of these is to provide airborne or air assault operations with a full-fledged command post in a smaller package. The smaller MRZR uses a modular system that can be pulled and reinstalled quickly into another vehicle, should the ATV be disabled. And it has an extra-powerful alternator that can produce 120 amps, double the amperage of a Humvee alternator. It also includes a first-ever all-around handset that can plug in and communicate whether the speaker is using radio, Voice over Internet Protocol or VOIP, and other computer-based voice applications. On top of all these advancements, the Army also is working on reducing what was 60 pounds worth of gear that previously was only used during mounted operations into a much lighter, man-portable package. “They were ripping stuff off of vehicles and coming up with a power source,” said Brad McNeilly-Anta, command post consultant for RDECOM. “That wound up with a 60-pound item, and they were jumping with it at the 82nd Airborne.” Not the most convenient package to haul to the ground. The expeditionary Joint Battle Command Platform is a line of sight, two-way transmission that includes a tablet, battery, peripherals and a new fueled power source that allows it to run for more than 24 hours of continuous operations. Adjustments and replacements to the ruggedized computer, power source, transceiver and encryption device have trimmed the weight down to 23 pounds. Experimenters adapted a 1 L methanol power source to run the system but have also successfully experimented with windshield wiper fluid to run the system, McNeilly-Anta said. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/07/26/from-shelters-to-vehicles-to-rucks-heres-how-the-army-is-changing-its-command-posts
February 13, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence
AIR FORCE Tecolote Research Inc., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $36,668,258 firm-fixed-price contract for Space and Missile Systems Center acquisition and financial support services. This contract provides the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate with a broad range of acquisition, strategic communication, and administrative capabilities to execute effective and responsive integrated program management of space-related research, development, production, sustainment, and lifecycle acquisition activities. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 17, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2019 space procurement in the amount of $974,326; and research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,137,759 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center Remote Sensing Systems Contracting Division, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8810-19-F-0002). Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $19,900,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission-Capability (ATTAM) Phase I. The mission of the ATTAM Phase I program is to develop, demonstrate and transition advanced turbine propulsion power and thermal technologies that provides improvement in affordable mission capability. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 12, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 54 offers were received. The first task order will be initially funded with fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) funds in the amount of $45,000; and fiscal 2019 RDT&E funds in the amount of $315,000 at the time award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-D-2059). AAR Manufacturing Inc., Cadillac, Michigan, has been awarded a $10,864,605 delivery order (FA8534-19-F-0023) to contract FA8519-14-D-0002 for the production of 463L cargo pallets. Work will be performed in Cadillac, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2017 other procurement funds in the amount of $6,345,157; and fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in the amount of $4,519,448 are being obligated at time of award. Total face value of the delivery order is $10,864,605. This delivery order brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $181,551,615. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. 22nd Century Technologies Inc., Somerset, New Jersey, has been awarded a $8,344,625 firm-fixed-price contract to exercise Option III to support the 33rd Network Warfare Squadron (NWS) at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, in conducting its mission of Defense Cyber Operations (DCO). The contractor will provide plans and implantation in executing the 33rd NWS managed DCO mission. Work will be performed on Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2020. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition and eight offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,344,625 will be obligated at the time of award. The 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8773-15-C-0067). ARMY Tiber Creek Consulting Inc.,* Fairfax, Virginia, was awarded a $33,549,985 firm-fixed-price contract for mission essential core information system for operations and sustainment with periodic modernization life cycle phases. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 7, 2024. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-19-D-0007). Osborn Consulting / MGE Engineering / Natural System,* Bellevue, Washington, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for miscellaneous water resource civil works engineering, design, and engineering. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 10, 2021. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington, is the contracting activity (W912DW-19-D-1011). Fortis Nova A Joint Venture LLC,* Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $9,050,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of two new truck fill stands. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Las Vegas, Nevada, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 3, 2020. Fiscal 2019 military construction funds in the amount of $9,050,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity (W912PL-19-C-0006). NAVY Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, is awarded a $27,291,319 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for integration, testing, delivery, and performance as the lead systems integrator for the AN/AAQ-24 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System and the ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System. These services are in support of Lot 9 and 10 P-8A production aircraft for the Navy and various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, including the governments of Australia and the U.K. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed in February 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy), and FMS funds in the amount of $11,751,506 are obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-19-D-0023). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., St. Augustine, Florida, is awarded $16,883,718 for modification P00012 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-14-D-0022). This contract modification extends the period of performance and provides depot maintenance for 44 Navy and Marine Corps Reserve F-5N/F aircraft. In addition to depot maintenance, this modification provides for aircraft inspections, repairs, overhauls, emergency repairs, modifications, engineering support and procurement of structural components required for the operation and sustainment of the F-5N/F aircraft. Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Florida (96 percent); Springville, Utah (3 percent); and Emmen, Switzerland (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Moran Towing Corp., New Canaan, Connecticut, is awarded a $14,350,538 firm-fixed-price contract with reimbursable elements to support PM4 service support program for the time charter services of eight tugboats. The tugboats will be capable of ship handling, docking and undocking in the Norfolk, Virginia, harbor and surrounding waters. The contract includes a 12-month base period, three 12-month option periods, and one 11-month option which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $74,005,396. Work will be in Norfolk, Virginia, and surrounding waters, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. If all options are exercised, work will continue through Jan. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,371,147 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 one offer received. The United States Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C3503). Cardno-Amec Foster Wheeler Joint Venture, Charlottesville, Virginia, is awarded $8,440,405 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247319F4047 under an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for building condition assessments at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, California; Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, California; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California; MCAS Miramar, California; Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California; Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California; MCAS Yuma, Arizona, and MCB Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan. Work will be performed in Oceanside, California (47 percent); Twentynine Palms, California (16 percent); Miramar, California (13 percent); Barstow, California (8 percent); San Diego, California (7 percent); Yuma, Arizona (7 percent); and Okinawa, Japan (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $8,440,405 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-16-D-1866). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Raytheon Company Space and Airborne Systems, McKinney, Texas, was awarded a $15,000,000 modification (P00002) to an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92222-18-D-0003) with cost-plus-fixed-fee contract line items. This action increases the ceiling from $30,000,000 to $45,000,000 for Silent Knight Radar Operational Flight Program (OFP) development, field service representative support and engineering services in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) fixed wing aircraft. This action completes OFP software delivery for the CV-22. Development work will continue to take place at the Raytheon facility in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be complete by December 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,450,390 are being obligated at the time of award. USSOCOM Headquarters, Tampa, Florida, is the contacting activity. DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY Artel, LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00019) to exercise Option Period Four on task order GS-35F-5151H / HC101315F0009 for commercial satellite communications service. The face value of this action is $12,560,172 funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds. The total cumulative face value of the task order is $71,314,976. Performance directly supports the U.S. Central Command Southwest Asia area of responsibility and Europe Communications Network Architecture and Contingency Support. Quotations were solicited via the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedule, Information Technology Schedule 70, and two quotations were received from 22 offers solicited. The period of performance for Option Period Four is Feb. 16, 2019, through Feb. 15, 2020, and there are no remaining option periods for this task order. The Defense Information Technology Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1755709/