July 30, 2020 | International, Aerospace

BREAKING: Air Force to Fly New Skyborg Drones Next Year

7/28/2020
By Jon Harper

The Air Force plans to conduct operational experiments in 2021 with new unmanned aerial system prototypes for the Skyborg program, according to officials.

Skyborg is one of the service's top three “Vanguard” science-and-technology initiatives aimed at delivering game-changing capabilities for the future force.

The aim of the effort is to integrate attritable drone technologies with open missions systems to enable manned-unmanned teaming. The project is expected to lay the foundation for building a family of UAS that can adapt and make decisions at machine speeds.

The autonomous platforms are expected to operate as robotic wingmen for manned aircraft, perform dangerous tasks and serve as low-cost force multipliers on the battlefield.

The Air Force announced July 23 that it had awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to Boeing, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems and Northrop Grumman Systems that will enable the four companies to compete for up to $400 million in subsequent delivery orders in support of the Skyborg program.

The contractors were down-selected after a competition with 18 participants. However, no funds were obligated at the time of the award; they will come with each individual order. The four companies are about to square off again as the Air Force prepares to make an order for the initial tranche of prototype aircraft.

“Basically we'll look at the four options, what the pricing is, and so forth. There will be a lot that goes into deciding ... how many different vehicles we choose, how many we buy from each vendor,” Brig. Gen. Dale White, program executive officer for fighters and advanced aircraft at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, told reporters July 28 during a teleconference. “There's a lot of variables that are unknown in terms of what we get back from industry on that.”

The service wants to buy as many different types of prototypes in the highest quantities it can afford with the pool of money that has been allotted, he added.

It plans to place a delivery order in the next 60 to 90 days and "get the prototypes hopefully in the field by next year for some operational experimentation” with warfighters, White said.

Vendors who didn't survive the recent down-select won't be completely shut out of the Skyborg program.

“We are actively looking at how we use those vendors to increase the vendor pool over time because there's still a significant amount of work to be done getting to a production [system] and an operational vehicle,” White said. “We're going to keep the aperture open and we're going to maintain flexibility throughout this process.”

The government-mandated open architecture will allow different organizations to come in and add technology to the platforms, noted Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

“We will have that ability technically to add as we need to, and to increase the operational relevance,” she told reporters. “As the warfighter develops new ideas that would make it more operationally relevant, we'll be able to pull those pieces in as we conduct the operational experimentation campaign."

AFRL is partnering with the Life Cycle Management Center on the Skyborg initiative and is bringing its own technologies to the table.

“If there are opportunities on the autonomy side or developing the sensors that need to plug and play, or anything else that will help us achieve the operational goals that we have with our partners who are the warfighters. We're open to anybody ... that would make that happen,” she added.

White said the Air Force envisions about 15 different potential mission sets that the drones could perform.

The results of next year's operational experiments will help shape decisions about production and moving to a program of record.

“We do have some timelines that we're looking at out there for making decisions, which I don't really want to share right now, but we believe we're going to be in a great position probably by the end of next year to be able to really decide which way we want to go with this,” White said.

White was asked when the service aims to equip units with a Skyborg system that has initial operational capability or final operational capability.

“We have plans that we think we'll [eventually] be ready to go do those things. But I think in a larger sense we still have to figure out how we bring this program together, put it in the overall corporate system in the Air Force and make sure ... we put the Air Force in a position to make a good decision point with when we go into production, how we produce it, what are the other things we have out there that it might partner with or it might complement,” he said.

“We're still too early” in the project to say when systems will fielded, he added.

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2020/7/28/air-force-to-fly-new-skyborg-drones-next-year

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 22, 2020 | International, Naval

Babcock announces Type 31 supply chain contract awards
April 17, 2020 - Babcock Team 31 is pleased to announce the second round of supply chain contract awards across the UK and Europe to support the Royal Navy's Type 31 general purpose frigate programme. Rolls-Royce is now a major supplier to the programme with its brand MTU, delivering the Main Engines and Diesel Generators for the Frigates, which will be manufactured in Germany. Renk, will provide the main reduction gearboxes, and MAN Energy Solutions will supply the propellers and propeller shaft lines. In addition, Blunox are contracted to supply the exhaust environmental equipment that significantly reduces emissions from the Main Engines and Diesel Generators. Combined with the subcontract placed with Darchem Engineering Ltd, will supply the intake and exhaust systems for the main engines and generators, rounding out the key propulsion system subcontracts. We are also pleased to announce award of the Chilled Water Plant subcontract with Novenco AS, providing critical system capability for the HVAC system. The Type 31 Programme will deliver prosperity into shipbuilding and the extended supply chain. The scale of this investment, principally in design, engineering, project management, procurement and advanced manufacturing skills, has an enduring positive impact on the UK. Sean Donaldson, Managing Director for Energy & Marine, said: “Team 31 have committed to a programme of investments to deliver prosperity in line with the National Shipbuilding Strategy. We are delighted to welcome these key suppliers to the supply chain for the Type 31 frigate programme, and we continue to engage with additional suppliers to support this exciting programme for Babcock and the Royal Navy.” View source version on Babcock: https://www.babcockinternational.com/news/babcock-announces-type-31-supply-chain-contract-awards/
March 13, 2020 | International, C4ISR

Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract To Develop Prototype Protected Tactical Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Payload
Denver, Colorado, March 10, 2020 – The U.S. Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $240 million contract to develop a prototype payload for its new Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS) system. PTS is a next-generation capability connecting warfighters with more agile and jam-resistant satellite communications (SATCOM). The complete system will deploy a constellation of dedicated geostationary satellites, commercially hosted payloads, and coalition partner satellites integrated through a ground control network to provide U.S. and coalition forces protected communications in a data hungry battlespace. SMC's acquisition begins with a rapid prototyping phase for a new mission payload hosting the Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW). The fully-processed payloads will ensure adaptive, anti-jamming communications channels are available to allied forces in a contested environment. SMC is leveraging Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contracting mechanisms rather than a traditional Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based acquisition for prototyping to provide agile development, “E.P.I.C. Speed,” and an avenue for non-traditional participation. E.P.I.C. Speed is SMC's acronym for Enterprise, Partnership, Innovation, Culture and Speed. Lockheed Martin is excited to be in a position to rapidly develop protected SATCOM payload technologies that will benefit the warfighter. “Teaming with non-traditional hardware and software developers has enabled the Lockheed Martin team to leapfrog communications payload capabilities,” said Erik Daehler, Lockheed Martin's director of Strategic Communications Architectures. “We are able to ‘Go Fast,' both in technology deployment and contracting structure, due to the nature of the OTA acquisition. Our partnership with the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) has made these non-traditional acquisitions possible.” “Lockheed Martin understands how important protected communications are to our tactical warfighters deployed downrange. We also know that our SATCOM systems have to evolve to stay ahead of the threats, because a space system that can't survive Day 1 of a conflict can't achieve the mission,” said Mike Cacheiro, Lockheed Martin's vice president for Protected Military SATCOM. “Having delivered the nation's essential satellite communications systems, we are uniquely positioned to partner with the U.S. Space Force to develop the next generation's innovative, resilient and modular protected tactical SATCOM architecture.” Lockheed Martin launched the first commercial protected communications payload on Hellas Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 (HS-4/SGS-1) in 2019, featuring the most advanced digital signal processor and protected communications algorithms available. These technologies along with mission expertise and a partnership with the Space Force will dramatically accelerate PTS to the warfighter. PTS continues Lockheed Martin's legacy of developing resilient protected communications for the military that includes both the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) and the MILSTAR systems. In 2015, the Air Force awarded the company a contract for Combined Orbital Operations Logistics Sustainment (COOLS), which cost-effectively consolidated the sustainment of the AEHF, MILSTAR and DSCS III constellations in one ground system. In 2019, the COOL\R contract extended that sustainment emphasizing additional resiliency, cyber and mission planning enhancements. Lockheed Martin has developed and built more than 300 payloads for a variety of missions. The company has more than 50 years of experience as a payload integrator, developing cutting-edge technologies supporting our nation's critical missions. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. View source version on Lockheed Martin: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/news-releases?item=128909

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