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April 23, 2019 | International, Land

Forces spéciales : l’innovation au centre de leur réussite

De nos jours, les forces spéciales (FS) font face à un ennemi toujours plus insaisissable et plus rapide, doté de capacités tactiques et technologiques de plus en plus sophistiquées. Riches d'un retour d'expérience (RETEX) innovant et d'une réelle connaissance du terrain, les unités FS contrent cette tendance en s'inscrivant dans une démarche de recherche et d'innovation au profit de leurs unités et de l'armée de Terre.

Les forces spéciales font face à un environnement changeant dans lequel l'ennemi non étatique est pourvu de capacités opérationnelles modernes comme les matériels de vision nocturne, les drones ou encore les missiles antichars. Pour répondre à ces mutations, le commandement des forces spéciales Terre (CFST)développe et améliore constamment ses capacités opérationnelles pour disposer d'une longueur d'avance sur ses ennemis. Comme l'explique le commandant Xavier, chef du bureau étude et prospective du CFST : « Pour le CFST, l'enjeu est de conserver le juste niveau d'asymétrie technologique qui contribue à la supériorité opérationnelle des détachements opérant sous le contrôle opérationnel du commandement des opérations spéciales ».

Des combattants impliqués

Ainsi, le retour d'expérience (RETEX) des combattants des forces spéciales éclaire le CFST sur la réalité des engagements et la nature de la menace. Débriefer la mission est une seconde nature des FS. La particularité au sein des unités FS, c'est que la boucle est très courte. En effet, le soldat va pouvoir rapporter son RETEX directement à son chef de corps, qui traitera à son tour directement avec les différents organismes internes et les industriels. Il permet de tirer leçon des engagements opérationnels pour y apporter une réponse adéquate. Les soldats FS peuvent aussi inscrire leurs idées dans le cadre des missions pour l'innovation participative (MIP). Organisée par le ministère de la Défense, ces MIP permettent de favoriser l'émission d'idées de la part du personnel, puis de favoriser la diffusion et le déploiement opérationnel des innovations qui en résultent. En 1991, Un colonel du 1er régiment parachutiste d'infanterie de marine (1er RPIMa) de Bayonne a réalisé le projet d'un véhicule léger, d'une masse à vide inférieure à 1,2 tonne, permettant d'améliorer les capacités d'investigation et d'intervention ponctuelle d'équipes spécialisées du 1er RPIMa. D'une autonomie de 1 000 km en terrain varié, sommairement protégé, le véhicule dispose d'un équipage de trois hommes en mesure de se servir d'armes lourdes d'infanterie et antichar. En 1996, dans le même régiment, un officier supérieur a créé un système d'architecture modulaire portable permettant l'acquisition, le traitement et la transmission en temps réel d'images pour le renseignement, du thé'tre d'opérations vers la métropole.

Une organisation favorable à l'innovation

A son niveau, le CFST doit fait face à un cadre normatif très contraignant. Entre les modalités d'attribution de matériels et leur mise en service, les règles et les clauses entre les entités publiques et privées, le CFST doit s'adapter pour impacter le moins possible la durée d'acquisition de matériels. De plus, le cycle d'innovation habituel (au sein des unités conventionnelles) est extrêmement long et non adapté aux besoins souvent urgents des FS. Le CFST cherche donc à le réduire au maximum. « A ce jour, nous avons réussi à ramener la durée du cycle d'innovation à 6 ans contre 15 à 20 ans pour les unités conventionnelles » explique le commandant Xavier.

De plus, le CFST est doté d'un bureau études équipements et prospectives (BEP) ayant pour responsabilité principale, le développement capacitaire des forces spéciales Terre. C'est une structure vouée à l'innovation. Spécifique au FS, le BEP est décliné dans chaque unité, puis au niveau supérieur au sein du CFST qui prend ensuite contact avec le niveau décisionnaire : l'état-major de l'armée de Terre. Gr'ce à cette organisation, le BEP recueille le RETEX directement en régiment et s'attache à appréhender de manière globale la somme des faits et événements qui lui sont rapportés. En terme de prospective, il étudie les évolutions prévisibles des adversaires et les technologies susceptibles d'asseoir la supériorité opérationnelle de nos armées ou au contraire de la remettre en question. Il évalue ensuite les options de réponse et propose le développement d'une nouvelle capacité ou l'évaluation d'un équipement en vue de son acquisition.

Fortes de leur volonté d'innovation, les forces spéciales jouent un rôle essentiel dans la supériorité capacitaire de l'armée de Terre. « Actuellement, nous nous intéressons aux nouvelles solutions de mobilité, aux capacités offertes par les drones, l'impression 3D, la gestion de l'information et de l'énergie » conclut le commandant Xavier. L'ensemble de ces démarches ne se limite pas à adapter seulement les capacités opérationnelles des FS, il sert ainsi l'ensemble des forces de l'armée de Terre.

https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/actu-terre/forces-speciales-l-innovation-au-centre-de-leur-reussite

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - January 25, 2019

    January 28, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - January 25, 2019

    NAVY The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $2,458,707,154 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0067). This modification provides for the production and delivery of 19 P-8A lot 10 aircraft to include 10 for the Navy, four for the government of the U.K. and five for the government of Norway. In addition, this modification includes engineering change proposal 4 SilverBlock for the government of the U.K. and Lot 10 segregable efforts consisting of unknown obsolescence, Class I change assessments and obsolescence monitoring. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (80.6 percent); Baltimore, Maryland (2.6 percent); Greenlawn, New York (2.4 percent); Cambridge, U.K. (1.6 percent); and various locations within and outside the continental U.S. (12.8 percent),and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $2,458,707,154 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($1,256,865,203; 51 percent); the government of Norway ($694,971,086; 28 percent); and the government of the U.K. ($506,870,865; 21 percent), under the FMS program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4416); Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4417); and General Dynamics, National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4418), are each awarded firm-fixed-price modifications under previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple-award contracts to exercise Option Period Three for complex, emergent and continuous maintenance and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) availabilities on surface combatants (DDG and CG) homeported in San Diego, California. These three contractors will have the opportunity to provide offers for individual delivery orders during option period three, with an estimated cumulative value of $90,275,086. Exercising these options ensures continued facilities and human resources capable of completing complex, emergent and continuous maintenance, repair, modernization and CNO availabilities on surface combatant ships assigned to or visiting the port of San Diego, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. No funding will be obligated at time of award. Operations and maintenance (Navy) funds will be obligated as the delivery orders are issued. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $26,332,225 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the depot repair of T56-A-427 engines, utilized on E-2 Hawkeye aircraft, including the repair of the power section, torque meter, gearbox, and accessories in accordance with Navy depot manuals and approved repair practices. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas (55 percent); Winnipeg, Canada (25 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (15 percent); and Oakland, California (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be issued against individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; two offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-D-0024). Ocean Ships Inc., Houston, Texas, is awarded a $20,800,875 firm-fixed-price contract for the operation and maintenance of Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) vessels. This contract includes a 12-month base period, four 12-month option periods and a six-month option under Federal Acquistion Regulation 52.217-8, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $118,985,659. Work will be performed at sea worldwide and is expected to be completed, if all options are exercised, by November 2024. Working capital contract funds in the amount of $20,800,875 are obligated for the base period, and will not expire. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C3003). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $19,590,756 modification (P00020) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0033). This modification provides for the procurement of software design and system integration, qualification testing, and cybersecurity activities as well as engineering services in support the MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Air System. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance; and aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,590,756 will be obligated at time of award, $12,080,557 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded a $13,930,396 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for engineering, training, integrated logistics support, installation/checkout of developed systems and support services for Harpoon Ship Command Launch Control Set, Encapsulated Harpoon Command and Launch Systems, and Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System, Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response, and Harpoon missiles. These efforts are in support of the Navy and the governments of Brazil, Chile, Israel, Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, Turkey, U.K., Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Germany, India, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Thailand, Greece, Qatar, and Belgium. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri, and locations inside and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed in December 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be issued against individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-D-0010). Joyce & Associates Construction Inc.,* Newport, North Carolina, is awarded $9,058,945 for firm-fixed-price task order N4008519F4580 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-16-D-6302) for repairs to waste water collection system core area at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The work to be performed provides for various repairs to the sanitary and industrial waste water system including gravity lines, force mains, lift stations and appurtenances and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Havelock, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by April 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $9,058,945 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-16-D-6302). Lyon Shipyard, Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $7,994,140 firm-fixed-price, single-award contract for the repair, maintenance and modernization of USNS Prevail (TSV 1) during the ship's docking phased maintenance availability. The work of this contract consists of temporary services, structural repairs, hull gauging, electrical, mechanical, piping and other miscellaneous repair work. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,994,140 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 two offers received. This contract was procured as a competitive small business set-aside under the North American Industry Classification 336611 for shipbuilding and repair. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N50054-19-C-0002). DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY Military Produce Group LLC, Norfolk, Virginia, is being awarded an indefinite-delivery, requirements type contract to provide fresh fruits and vegetable products for commissaries located in the east areas of the continental U.S. The award amount is estimated at $146,066,237 for the base year. Actual obligations using Resale Stock Activity Group, Defense Working Capital Funds will occur upon issuance of delivery orders during the period of performance. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is for a 24-month base period beginning Feb. 11, 2019, through Feb. 7, 2021. The contract includes three one-year option periods. If all three option periods are exercised, the contract will be completed Feb. 4, 2024. The Defense Commissary Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HDEC02-19-D-0001). AIR FORCE Robbins-Gioia LLC, Alexandria, Virginia (FA7014-19-D-5001); and Synergy Solutions and Innovations, Arlington, Virginia (FA7014-19-D-5000), have been awarded a ceiling $50,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-priced with time and material elements, multiple award contract for the Business Capability Lifecycle Management Projects. This contract is for exploring more effective and efficient ways to support Air Force business operations and refine the development of Defense Business System requirements supporting the business mission area information technology by leveraging existing technologies owned by the Air Force, streamlining and standardizing business processes across the Air Force, and developing integrated solutions that are achievable in a constrained fiscal environment. This contract shall also be used for technical and engineering; information and data management, process engineering, performance assessment, change management, facilitation, project management, and scheduling. Work will be performed primarily in Washington, District of Columbia., and is expected to be completed Jan. 24, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and seven offers were received. A total of two task orders using fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $27,405 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $33,732,110 ceiling requirements contract for C-130J long-term sustainment support for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The estimated value of the first order is $6,155,584. Contractor will provide the Royal Norwegian Air Force with return and repair support, spares support, engineering support, and in-country representative support for their C-130J aircraft platform. Work will be performed in Marietta, Georgia, and Gardermoen Air Station, Norway, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and is 100 percent Foreign Military Sales for Norway. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8553-19-D-0001). Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $18,728,697 modification (P00007) to exercise an option on contract FA8106-16-D-0006 for engineering services to provide support the C-20 and C-37 fleet for Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. This modification adds the third increment of the five-year, multi-year basic contract. Work will be performed in Savannah, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Air Force, Army, and Navy operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,495,503 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $83,700,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Space Dynamics Laboratory, North Logan, Utah, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $18,295,163 undefinitized contract action for the tasking, collecting, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (TCPED) capability to support the Republic of Korea Global Hawk program. This contract provides for the procurement of the TCPED system, spares and support equipment, sustainment support, and system familiarization. Work will be performed at North Logan, Utah, and is expected to be completed by May 2020. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Republic of Korea. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-19-C-1002). ARMY Pate Construction Company Inc.,* Pueblo West, Colorado, was awarded a $23,978,896 firm-fixed-price contract for a procurement project consisting of 8,100 feet of reinforced concrete lined channel or concrete box culvert for the existing McKinley ditch. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Alamogordo, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 15, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $23,978,896 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (W912PP-19-C-0014). Vertex Aerospace, Madison, Mississippi, was awarded a $9,086,502 modification (P00300) to contract W58RGZ-13-C-0044 for aviation field maintenance services. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,086,502 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Shilog LTD,* McAlester, Oklahoma, was awarded a $7,777,536 firm-fixed-price contract for Polybutadiene, Liquid, Hydroxyl-Terminated, Type II. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-3015). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Bren-Tronics Inc.,* Commack, New York, has been awarded a maximum $9,832,972 firm-fixed-price contract for storage batteries. This is a six-month base contract with a five-month option that is being exercised at the time of award. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. Location of performance is New York, with a Dec. 23, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7L719C0005). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1741001/source/GovDelivery/

  • Northrop Grumman explores ammunition co-production in Poland | Reuters

    November 16, 2023 | International, Land

    Northrop Grumman explores ammunition co-production in Poland | Reuters

    Northrop Grumman is exploring producing 120 millimetre tank ammunition in Poland as the U.S. ally surges defence production capacity, the company's chief told Reuters on Thursday.

  • BAE nabs next-gen seeker design work for US Army’s missile defense system

    March 18, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    BAE nabs next-gen seeker design work for US Army’s missile defense system

    By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin, which builds the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon system for the U.S. Army, has awarded BAE Systems a contract to design and manufacture a next-generation seeker for the system's interceptors, according to a BAE announcement posted March 17. “The sensor design work will improve the missile defense system's ability to neutralize more threats and improve its manufacturability,” the statement read. The company did not disclose the contract amount or timelines to develop a design. The THAAD weapon system is part of the Army's layered approach to missile defense, now with its ability to defeat ballistic missile threats in the terminal phase of flight, but the Missile Defense Agency also wants to make it part of its future homeland defense architecture. BAE already provides the seeker for the THAAD system, which uses infrared imagery to guide the interceptors to threat targets, and the company has delivered more than 500 THAAD seekers to date, according to the statement. While the seekers are built in Nashua, New Hampshire, and Endicott, New York, the company plans to conduct design work for the next-generation seeker in Huntsville, Alabama, home of Redstone Arsenal and the Army's missiles and space programs. BAE Systems is building a state-of-the-art facility that will house a “cutting-edge” design program in Huntsville, the company noted. While the Army plans to continue using THAAD far into the future, the MDA is, in fiscal 2021, planning to allocated $273.6 million for THAAD development efforts, including the THAAD homeland defense tier. Specifically, the agency is asking for $139 million in FY21 to start the development and demonstration of a new interceptor prototype for THAAD, which could support a tiered and layered approach to homeland defense. BAE Systems did not say whether the next-generation interceptor design work includes efforts related to MDA's desire to produce a new interceptor prototype. The agency is “challenging ourselves” to figure out how to develop a THAAD interceptor that would work against an intercontinental ballistic missile, Vice Adm. Jon Hill, the MDA's director, said when the FY21 defense budget request was released in February. To do that, the MDA is seeking to draw lessons from building THAAD batteries for Saudi Arabia, he said. The agency is also looking at the existing engineering trade space. “We may consider an upgraded propulsion stack to give [THAAD] extended range, don't know yet,” he said. “It could be that we don't want to update the propulsion. Maybe there is something in the seeker that would buy us more in the trade space now.” The THAAD interceptor program is a new start in the FY21 budget request, Hill noted. “We are working our way through what that program would look like.” https://www.defensenews.com/smr/army-modernization/2020/03/17/bae-nabs-next-gen-seeker-design-work-for-us-army-missile-defense-system/

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