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July 19, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 17, 2019

NAVY

HII Fleet Support Group LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia (N00039-19-D-0020); General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Fairfax, Virginia (N00039-19-D-0021); M.C. Dean Inc., Tysons, Virginia (N00039-19-D-0022); Prism Maritime LLC,* Chesapeake, Virginia (N00039-19-D-0023); Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia (N00039-19-D-0024); and VT Milcom Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N00039-19-D-0025), are awarded a combined $2,450,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-incentive fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price multiple award contract to provide worldwide installation services for all afloat command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and supporting systems, current and future, under the cognizance of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). C4ISR installation services include decommissioning and modernization of existing platforms, as well as installation design and installation of integrated C4ISR systems, program and project management, engineering design, industrial work, troubleshooting, operational verification, end-user training and other installation services and material necessary to accomplish NAVWAR C4ISR maintenance, modernization and new system installation. Work will be performed in various worldwide locations based on the requirement for each task order placed, and work is expected to be completed July 2024. If the option is exercised, ordering could continue until July 2029. No contract funds will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $5,000 will be obligated on the first task order under each contract utilizing fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy). All awardees will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. The types of funding to be obligated include fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirement was solicited using full and open competition via the NAVWAR e-Commerce Central website and the Federal Business Opportunities website, with seven offers received. The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

Data Link Solutions LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $235,566,335 modification to its current indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00039-15-D-0007) to increase the ceiling of the existing production contract line item number (CLIN), spares CLIN, and systems engineering and integration CLIN of the referenced contract. This ceiling increase will implement the capabilities identified in the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Memorandum dated Aug. 20, 2018, wherein the JROC endorsed the advanced capabilities of Concurrent Multi-Netting-4 (CMN-4), Concurrent Contention Receive, and Enhanced Throughput as the Department of Defense baseline for all future upgrades to any platform requiring Link-16. In response to the JROC memorandum, current Link-16 platform users identified the need for the procurement and/or retrofit of 3,370 additional Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) CMN-4, F-22 Falcon, Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) terminals. This increase in scope will be in addition to the current scope in the original Class Justification and Approval (CJ&A) No. 17,226 approved April 25, 2014, for the MIDS JTRS; the amended CJ&A No. 18,012 approved Jan. 18, 2017, for the addition of the MIDS JTRS TTNT development effort; and CJ&A No. 18,415 approved Sept. 11, 2018, for the addition of MIDS Modernization Increment 2, retrofits and additional MIDS JTRS terminals, not including F-22s. The modification will increase the contract value to $1,224,529,670. This contract combines purchases for the Navy, Air Force and MIDS Program Office, as well as to the governments of Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This contract also includes purchases to NATO and all NATO nations under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (50%); and Wayne, New Jersey (50%), and is expected to be completed June 2020. No additional funding will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of modification award. Existing contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. This contract modification was not competitively procured because it is a follow-on sole-source, multiple-award procurement pursuant to the authority of Title 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1): only one or a limited number of responsible sources (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)). Non-competitive procedures were approved for this modification under CJ&A 19,415. Naval Information Warfare System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

ViaSat Inc., Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $90,768,631 modification to its current indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00039-15-D-0008) to increase the ceiling of the existing production contract line item number (CLIN) of the referenced contract. This ceiling increase will implement the capabilities identified in the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Memorandum dated Aug. 20, 2018, wherein the JROC endorsed the advanced capabilities of Concurrent Multi-Netting-4 (CMN-4), Concurrent Contention Receive, and Enhanced Throughput as the Department of Defense baseline for all future upgrades to any platform requiring Link-16. In response to the JROC memorandum, current Link-16 platform users identified the need for the procurement and/or retrofit of 3,370 additional Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) CMN-4, F-22 Raptor, Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) terminals. This increase in scope will be in addition to the current scope in the original Class Justification and Approval (CJ&A) No. 17,226 approved April 25, 2014 for the MIDS JTRS; the amended CJ&A No. 18,012 approved Jan. 18, 2017, for the addition of the MIDS JTRS TTNT development effort; and CJ&A No. 18,415 approved on Sept. 11, 2018, for the addition of MIDS Modernization Increment 2, retrofits, and additional MIDS JTRS terminals, not including F-22s. The modification will increase the contract value to $789,000,000. This contract combines purchases for the Navy, Air Force and MIDS Program Office, as well as to the governments of Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This contract also includes purchases to NATO and all NATO nations under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, California, and work is expected to be completed May 2020. No additional funding will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of modification award. Existing contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. This contract modification was not competitively procured because it is a follow-on sole-source, multiple-award procurement pursuant to the authority of Title 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1): only one or a limited number of responsible sources (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)). Non-competitive procedures were approved for this modification under CJ&A 19,415. Naval Information Warfare System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded an $87,793,895 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price ordering provisions for engineering and program support services in support of the relocatable over-the-horizon radar at the Forces Surveillance Support Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. The contract will include a 60-month base period with no option periods. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (60%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (20%); New Kent, Virginia (6%); Corpus Christi, Texas (3%); San Juan, Puerto Rico (3%); England (2%); Adelaide, Australia (1%); Dayton, Ohio (1%); Colorado Springs, Colorado (1%); Washington, District of Columbia (1%); Arlington, Virginia (1%); and Key West, Florida (1%). Work is expected to be completed by August 2024. Fiscal year 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,000,000 will be obligated to fund the contract's minimum amount and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-sourced requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(C)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00189-19-D-Z030).

Paradigm Mechanical Corp.,* Lemon Grove, California, is awarded a maximum amount $49,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for commercial and institutional building construction alterations, renovations, and repair projects at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, and Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport. Projects will be primarily design-bid-build (fully designed) task orders or task order with minimal design effort (e.g. shop drawings). Projects may include, but are not limited to, alterations, repairs, and construction of administration buildings, maintenance/repair facilities, aircraft control towers, hangars, fire stations, office buildings, laboratories, dining facilities and related structures. Work will be performed in Twentynine Palms, California (36%); Barstow, California (36%); and Bridgeport, California (28%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of July 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2624).

Sapper West – Spectrum Service Group JV,* Sacramento, California, is awarded a maximum amount $49,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for other specialty trade contractors construction alterations, renovations and repair projects at Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach; and Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. Projects will be primarily design-bid-build (fully designed) task orders or task order with minimal design effort (e.g. shop drawings). Projects may include, but are not limited to, alterations, repairs, and construction of electrical, mechanical, painting, engineering/design, paving (asphaltic and concrete), flooring (tile work/carpeting), roofing, structural repair, fencing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and fire suppression/protection system installation projects. Work will be performed in Seal Beach, California (50%); and Oceanside, California (50%), and the term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of July 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2622).

Sapper West – Spectrum Service Group JV,* Sacramento, California, is awarded a maximum amount $49,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for other specialty trade contractors construction alterations, renovations, and repair projects at Naval Base, Ventura County. Projects will be primarily design-bid-build (fully designed) task orders or task order with minimal design effort (e.g. shop drawings). Projects may include, but are not limited to, alterations, repairs, and construction of electrical, mechanical, painting, engineering/design, paving (asphaltic and concrete), flooring (tile work/carpeting), roofing, structural repair, fencing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and fire suppression/protection system installation projects. Work will be performed in Port Hueneme, California (50%); and Point Mugu, California (50%), and the term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of July 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2618).

Management and Technology Solutions Inc., doing business as MTS Group, Dumfries, Virginia, is awarded a $39,300,000 firm-fixed-priced contract for general warehousing services at Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command, Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2020 Defense Health Program operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,830,490 will be obligated on an initial task order at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N62645-19-D-5008).

Bristol General Contractors LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded $24,496,240 for firm-fixed-price task order N69450-19-F-0857 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-13-D-1771) for P-5000 consolidated communications facility at Barksdale Air Force Base. The work to be performed provides for design-build construction of a new three-story consolidated communications facility. The facility will include all required demolition, utilities construction and site improvements. Work will be performed in Barksdale, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 military construction (Air Force) contract funds in the amount of $21,000,000 and $3,496,240 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Naval Systems Inc., Lexington Park, Maryland, is awarded a $23,043,905 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides cost estimating and analysis support. Specifically, to provide analyses including acquisition and logistics estimating, independent evaluations, case studies and recommendations, along with associated data in support of cost estimating and analysis that spans all phases of the life cycle (i.e., material solution analysis, technology demonstration, engineering and manufacturing development, production and deployment, and operations and support). Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Maryland (56%); Patuxent River, Maryland (30%); Lakehurst, New Jersey (7%); and Orlando, Florida (7%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, with two offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-19-D-0075).

Sig Sauer Inc., Newington, New Hampshire, is awarded a $9,338,800 firm-fixed-price modification under previously-awarded contract N00164-18-D-JQ30 for an in-scope change to the internal reticle of the SU-293/PVS Second Focal Plane (SFP) Squad-Variable Powered Scope (S-VPS) to add a glass etched reticle. This modification is to a highly competitive procurement for the SFP S-VPS system. The S-VPSs to be procured are in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command Visual Augmentation Systems Weapons Accessories S-VPS Program. Work will be performed in Newington, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by July 2029. No funding will be obligated at time of award. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this modification was not competitively procured (only one source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Riviera Beach, Florida, is awarded a $9,620,135 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-6308) for engineering support services in support of Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) subsystem development. Engineering services will be used to develop and study UUV subsystems and concepts initially developed under the Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) program, including navigational capabilities, autonomy, and payload deployment. Work will be performed in Riviera Beach, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,025,163 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.

General Dynamics Missions Systems Inc., McLeansville, North Carolina, is awarded a $9,207,817 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N61331-11-C-0017 for engineering services in support of ongoing development, test, and production of the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) program, also known as Knifefish. The Knifefish program is an ongoing effort to provide a UUV that will provide persistent mine hunting ability in a contested environment. Engineering services hours are used for a number of efforts, including test and evaluation, engineering change proposal development, and pre-planned product improvement initiatives. Work will be performed in Quincy, Massachusetts (52%); McLeansville, North Carolina (27%); Braintree, Massachusetts (10%); Hanover, Maryland (5%); Reston, Virginia (5%); and Ann Arbor, Michigan (1%), and is expected to be completed by July 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $150,000 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.

AIR FORCE

Group W Inc., Vienna, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,553,592 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for professional technical support of the Air Force's synthetic theater operations research module. This contract provides for system maintenance, system help-desk support, and development of additional capabilities for the Air Force's campaign modeling software suite. Work will be performed at Air Force's Studies and Analyses Directorate and the Air Force Warfighting Integration Capability office, Arlington, Virginia, and, if all options are exercised, is expected to be completed by Nov. 28, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive source acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $747,060 was obligated on the task order coinciding with contract award. Air Force District Washington Contracting Directorate, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity (FA7014-19-D-A001). (Awarded Nov. 28, 2018)

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $23,637,880 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00004) to previously awarded contract FA8682-18-C-0009 for providing a replacement joint air to surface standoff missile (JASSM) anti-jam GPS receiver with a new JASSM Anti-Jam GPS Receiver (JAGR) due to obsolescence. This contract provides replacement for the current JAGR due to obsolescence. Work will be performed at Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the amount of $23,637,880 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

AX Enterprize LLC., Yorkville, New York,* has been awarded a $7,753,015 modification to previously awarded contract FA8750-16-C-0293 for collaborative low-altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration effort. The objective of this effort is to research the needs and challenges of the integration of unmanned aircraft operations in the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) as well as the relevance and impact of UTM on manned and unmanned aircraft operations. Work will be performed at Yorkville, New York, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,753,015 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory – Information Directorate's Information Grid and Systems Contracting Branch, Rome Research Site, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

NIC4 Inc.,* Tampa, Florida, was awarded a $13,418,364 firm-fixed-price contract for Very Small Aperture Terminals services and equipment. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work locations and functions will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-19-D-5001).

*Small Business

https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1908210/source/GovDelivery/

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  • Norway’s allies share their views on the country’s new defense plan

    April 17, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Norway’s allies share their views on the country’s new defense plan

    By: Stephen J. Flanagan and James Black As countries around the world grapple with the unfolding coronavirus pandemic, the wider business of government continues. Norway's Ministry of Defence will shortly publish its next Long Term Plan, which will then be debated by parliament. The plan outlines how the Armed Forces, in tandem with other elements of government and society, can best address the threats to Norway from hostile states, terrorists, and fragile and failing states. The plan also examines how to bolster national resilience to deal with other risks including hybrid warfare, climate change and pandemics. A new Rand report, commissioned by the MoD to inform its strategy and policy development, offers perspectives from its closest allies on the emerging security challenges and strategic options facing Norway. We found broad alignment of Norwegian and allied assessments across Denmark, France, Germany, the U.K., the U.S. and NATO institutions, but some enduring differences in emphasis and priorities. Other allies recognize Norway as punching above its weight and playing a critical role in the defense of the North Atlantic and High North. At the same time, our research concludes there is no time for complacency. Norway's key allies agree that the most significant threat in the High North is not a crisis directed against Norway itself. The more plausible danger is “horizontal escalation” — a crisis elsewhere in Europe rapidly growing into a wider conflict that threatens Norwegian waters, airspace and territory. Russia continues to demonstrate hostile intent, and its military capabilities threaten the ability of Norway and its allies to operate military forces, secure critical infrastructure and protect civilian populations. The collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019 brings an increased threat from medium-range ballistic missiles, requiring Norwegian and allied defense planners to adjust to new threats to the homeland and region. Improvements in the Russian Northern Fleet, including surface vessels and submarines armed with modern cruise missiles, also pose an increased threat to NATO operations in the Norwegian Sea, to undersea internet cables and to sea lines of communication essential to reinforcing Norway from North America or Europe in the event of any conflict. There is also strong consensus on the enduring threats posed by terrorism, nonstate actors and challenges such as climate change in the Arctic. While all allies recognize the need to consider the strategic implications of a rising China, the United States sees China as a more direct and imminent security threat. Allies also welcome Norway's contributions to missions on NATO's eastern and southern flanks. Allies perceive Norway as having an impressive mix of high-end capabilities for a country of its size and a mature total defense concept — its strategy for engaging all elements of society in national defense. These capabilities and commitments, coupled with a well-respected approach to strategy development, have allowed Norway to have significant influence on strategic thinking within NATO. Nevertheless, significant security challenges remain, and to address them our report suggests a number of options for Norwegian leaders to consider: Strengthen deterrence in Norway: Expand surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities; increase the military posture in northern Norway; enhance the protection of bases and forces against air and missile threats; maximize the F-35 fighter jet's potential to aid joint operations; and prepare for operations in contested cyber, space and electromagnetic environments. Expand capacity to receive allied reinforcements: Build on lessons from the joint Trident Juncture 2018 exercise, which allies viewed as an important milestone but not a full stress test; pursue increasingly challenging training scenarios; ensure sufficient pre-positioned stocks of consumables and equipment; upgrade and expand infrastructure along with concepts for dispersing forces to prevent attack; and deepen cooperation to enhance military mobility and interoperability. Explore concepts to hold potential adversaries at risk: Invite allies with more advanced reconnaissance and deep-attack systems to deploy them to Norway periodically; develop longer-range weapons for Norwegian forces; explore the utility of low-cost, unmanned assets; collaborate with key allies on concepts to deny adversaries access to the sea and to better project forces onto the littoral; and refine parallel strategic communications to control escalation. Enhance national and societal resilience: Test and refine Norway's whole-of-government approach and the mechanisms for civil support to the military; contribute to NATO's strategy for addressing hybrid threats, such as disinformation, economic pressure and cyberattacks; and explore further measures to enhance collective preparedness and will to fight. Solidify Norwegian contributions to NATO and partners: Continue contributions to NATO operations beyond the north; help to address variations in defense expenditure across all NATO nations and rebalance trans-Atlantic burden-sharing; promote deeper NATO cooperation with Sweden and Finland; and use innovation and industry to enable influence within NATO. Other countries can learn from how Norway chooses to tackle these emerging challenges, and they can benefit from its lessons learned, particularly with respect to the total defense concept. Pursuit of some of these options, along with the Norwegian government's ongoing efforts to seek allied views, could help enhance deterrence in the north and overall NATO defense. Stephen J. Flanagan is a senior political scientist at the think tank Rand. James Black is a senior analyst in the defense, security and infrastructure program at Rand Europe. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/04/16/allies-share-views-on-enhancing-defense-of-norway-and-the-high-north/

  • The Pentagon’s AI lead needs a cloud integrator

    December 2, 2019 | International, C4ISR, Security

    The Pentagon’s AI lead needs a cloud integrator

    By: Andrew Eversden The Pentagon's lead artificial intelligence office is seeking a cloud integrator to help launch its hybrid, multi-cloud environment. The Defense Information Systems Agency released two source solicitations Nov. 22 on behalf of the Defense Department's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, seeking small and large businesses that can provide JAIC with system engineering and system integration services during the deployment and maintenance of the hybrid, multi-cloud environment. The cloud environment is an important piece of JAIC's Joint Common Foundation, an enterprisewide AI platform under development by JAIC. The foundation will provided tools, shared data, frameworks and computing capability to components across the Pentagon. JAIC is responsible for accelerating, scaling and synchronizing AI efforts across the Pentagon. “The concept is to provide AI project teams with a set of established processes, tools and delivery methodologies that can facilitate the delivery of mission capabilities and integration into operational mission capabilities,” the solicitation read. Any company chosen should expect to work within Microsoft's cloud environment, as the tech giant recently won the Pentagon's enterprise cloud contract known as the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI. Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, head of the JAIC, has continuously asserted that JAIC would be further along in its cloud capabilities if it had an enterprise cloud. The JEDI effort has been delayed by more than six months due to several protests. According to the solicitation, the request for quote is expected to be released in the late second quarter of fiscal 2020, with an award in the late fourth quarter of the fiscal year. https://www.federaltimes.com/acquisition/2019/11/27/the-pentagons-ai-lead-needs-a-cloud-integrator/

  • Thales tests FASGW(L) weapon system for Royal Navy

    July 16, 2019 | International, Aerospace

    Thales tests FASGW(L) weapon system for Royal Navy

    Thales has performed firing trials for the Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Light) (FASGW[L]) programme for the British Royal Navy. Conducted at Royal Artillery Air Defence Range at Manorbier in Pembrokeshire, the trials are part of the FASGW(L) programme's integration testing phase. The programme includes testing of all parts of the FASGW(L) weapon system, including Thales' lightweight multirole missile (LMM), the launcher system and all key equipment of the Royal Navy's Agusta Westland AW159 Wildcat helicopter. In June 2014, Thales won a contract to develop, qualify and integrate the FASGW(L) system for the Navy's Wildcat helicopter. The system consists of a five-barrel launcher and a laser guidance system. Set to enter service in 2020, LMM is a precision strike missile capable of being fired from a variety of land, sea and airborne tactical platforms. The missile will be called Martlet in the Royal Navy. It is designed to defeat mobile maritime threats such as small ships and inshore attack craft. LMM will offer improved protection for Royal Navy personnel and important sea assets, such as the Queen Elizabeth Carrier. During trials, Thales fired six LMMs at a small boat target at sea at a distance of 4.5km. The missiles feature telemetry software to facilitate collection of test data. Information will be used to analyse the performance of the Thales-designed launcher, the guidance system and missile. In a statement, Thales said: “The FASGW(L) system accurately guided all missiles to the targets and provided extensive data on the excellent performance of all elements of the ground set-up and inflight performance of the missile. “The successful achievement of the ground firings is a major milestone and key to progressing to future testing including air firing trials later in 2019 and culminating in qualification and verification in 2020.” The Royal Navy is also fielding Sea Venom/ANL helicopter-launched anti-ship missile to address its FASGW(H) requirements. MBDA is delivering the Sea Venom/ANL missile under a contract jointly awarded by the UK and France. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/thales-tests-fasgwl-weapon-system-for-royal-navy/

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