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July 28, 2024 | International, C4ISR, Security

French Authorities Launch Operation to Remove PlugX Malware from Infected Systems

French authorities lead European operation to remove PlugX malware from infected systems, collaborating with Europol and cybersecurity firm Sekoia.

https://thehackernews.com/2024/07/french-authorities-launch-operation-to.html

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  • Turkey hopes new engine deal will power future TF-X fighter jet

    February 17, 2021 | International, Aerospace

    Turkey hopes new engine deal will power future TF-X fighter jet

    By: Burak Ege Bekdil ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's procurement agency has commissioned a local company to develop critical technologies for an engine that the government hopes will power its first indigenous fighter jet. A contract was signed Feb. 14 between two state-controlled companies for the development program. Under the deal, TRMotor, an engine maker, will develop an auxiliary power unit and an air turbine start system for what Turkey hopes will be critical components of an indigenous engine to power the TF-X aircraft. TRMotor signed the deal with the prime contractor of the TF-X program, Turkish Aerospace Industries, another state-controlled defense company. “The program aims to develop critical technologies ... that will enable us [to] possess indigenous engines,” said Osman Dur, general manager of TRMotor. “The [indigenous] TF-X engine is at the moment at its concept design phase.” TRMotor is completely owned by SSTEK A.S., a defense technologies company owned by Turkey's defense procurement agency, the Presidency of Defense Industries, or SSB. This is a milestone contract for the TF-X program,” said TAI CEO Temel Kotil. The deal comes as SSB is holding talks to co-produce an engine with a consortium of the British company Rolls-Royce and Turkish firm Kale Group. In 2017, Kale Group and Rolls-Royce launched a joint venture to develop aircraft engines for Turkey, initially targeting the TF-X. But the £100 million (U.S. $139 million) deal was effectively put on hold due to uncertainties over technology transfer. A year before the partnership, TAI signed a $125 million heads of agreement with BAE Systems to collaborate on the first development phase of the TF-X. Turkey originally planned to fly the TF-X in 2023, but aerospace officials put off the target date to the 2025-2026 time frame. The TF-X program, or MMU in its Turkish acronym, has been crawling over the past years due to technological failures and know-how transfer. Turkish engineers must first select an engine for the planned aircraft before they finalize their designing phase. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/02/16/turkey-hopes-new-engine-deal-will-power-future-tf-x-fighter-jet/

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 14, 2019

    February 18, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 14, 2019

    NAVY GE Aviation Systems LLC, Vandalia, Ohio, is awarded a $68,177,707 long-term contract for repair of 33 items that are part of the G2/G3 generator converter units used on the F/A-18 aircraft. The contract will include a three-year contract with one two-year option period which, if exercised, the total value of the contract will be $87,116,502. Work will be performed in Coronado, California (70 percent); and Vandalia, Ohio (30 percent). Work is expected to be completed by February 2022; if the option is exercised, work will be completed by February 2024. Working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source, non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(C)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-UJ01). CDM Federal Programs Corp., doing business as CDM Smith, Fairfax, Virginia, is awarded a $33,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-15-D-4002) for architect–engineering services for utilities engineering and management support projects located throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) area of responsibility (AOR) worldwide. The primary tasks anticipated under this contract include producing utility system master plans, engineering studies, surveying, field testing, hydraulic modeling, recommended treatment and distribution improvements, electric load and demand modeling, arc-flash and safety hazard analysis, relay coordination, life cycle cost analysis, 1391 documentation and design, development and implementation of standard processes and tools to inventory and manage utility assets, collecting direct condition ratings; performing risk assessment on functional groups of assets, creating a risk based investment strategy, and capital improvement plans; development of standard operating procedures, preventive maintenance plans, and operator training; process and instrumentation drawings/electric system one-line drawings for utility systems; development of Geographic Information Systems for utilities using GPS and mobile field data development and integration of utility information systems to increase the reliable, safe and efficient delivery of utility services; development of best practices and documentation, development of staffing plans, and organizational analysis of public works departments with staffing recommendations, organizational improvements and other related services. After award of this modification, the total cumulative not-to-exceed contract value will be $55,000,000. Critical projects are planned to be performed in the NAVFAC AOR worldwide, including but not limited to, Japan (24 percent); Florida (22 percent); Italy (22 percent); Hawaii (19 percent); Texas (10 percent); and Washington, District of Columbia (2 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of February 2020. Future task orders will be primarily funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. NAVFAC Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. L3 Communication Systems - West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is awarded a $29,610,900 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order to previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-19-G-2304) for the manufacture, integration, test, and delivery of the Tactical Common Data Link Maritime Shipboard Terminal Surface Terminal Equipment (TCDL MST STE) system. This order is for the procurement of the TCDL MST STE system equipment, program management, and respective support, integration, and fitting out. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2017, 2018, and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $25,424,516 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. L-3Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, is awarded a $23,420,937 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide contractor owned and operated aircraft for airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems operations and aircrew to counter enemy electronic warfare and electronic attach operations. Work will be performed at various locations inside and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed in February 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-19-D-0031). Bahfed Corp.,* Portland, Oregon (N6893619D0011); Impact Components, a California Limited Partnership,* San Diego, California (N6893619D0012); Laguna Components Inc.,* Laguna Beach, California (N6893619D0013); Pacific IC Source,* Yucaipa, California (N6893619D0014); and Vizocom ICT LLC,* El Cajon, California (N6893619D0015), are each awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. The estimated aggregate ceiling for all contracts is $20,000,000, with the companies having an opportunity to compete for individual orders. These contracts provide for various types of commercially-available electronic components, manufactured from several different materials, in different forms, shapes, sizes, and complexity in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division's Applied Manufacturing Technology Division (Code 475000D). Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon (20 percent); San Diego, California (20 percent); Laguna Beach, California (20 percent); Yucaipa, California (20 percent); and El Cajon, California (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $21,886 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via a 100 percent small business set-aside electronic request for proposals with six offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $17,288,213 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-17-C-6259 to exercise options for Navy equipment, engineering services and required material. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (65 percent); Clearwater, Florida (32 percent); Syracuse, New York (2 percent); and Marion, Florida (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2022. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $16,823,290 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. Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, was awarded $10,656,686 for modification P00002 to a previously issued delivery order (N0001918F1645) placed against basic ordering agreement, N00019-17-G-0002. This modification exercises the option to procure 12 A-Kits to retrofit legacy fleet aircraft with the AN/APR-39D(V)2, AN/AAQ-24B(V)27, and the ALE-47 Power Performance Computing, upgrading the MV-22 from Configuration A to Configuration C. In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 12 APR-39D(V)2 A-Kits to install the AN/APR-39D (V)2 system on any of the 48 previously Integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment retrofitted aircraft, upgrading the MV-22 from Configuration B to Configuration C. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (65 percent); Miramar, California (14 percent); New River, North Carolina (13 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (6 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,656,686 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Feb.11, 2019) AIR FORCE Tecolote Research Inc., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $38,784,990 cost-plus-fixed-fee 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, financial, 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 complete by Aug. 17, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2019 space procurement funds in the amount of $939,196; fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $707,006; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,952,516 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-0003). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Redondo Beach, California, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $20,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission (ATTAM) capability 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. This approach extends to a range of legacy, emerging, and future military propulsion, power and thermal technology needs in multiple applications. Work will be performed in Redondo Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 8, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 54 offers were received. No specific funds are obligated on the basic IDIQ, although in conjunction with the basic IDIQ award, the first task order is incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,000; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $315,000 at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-D-2060, FA8650-19-F-2075). ARMY PAE Government Systems Inc., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $27,574,855 modification (P00010) to Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan) contract W56HZV-17-C-0117 for contractor logistic support efforts to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Work will be performed in Hikia, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $27,574,855 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Norfolk Dredging Co., Chesapeake, Virginia, was awarded a $9,136,250 firm-fixed-price contract for Canaveral Harbor maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Canaveral, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,163,250 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-19-C-0010). DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY System High Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,200,840 modification (P00019) to previously awarded task order HR0011-17-F-0001 for program security services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the task order to $69,223,019 from $45,022,179. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of March 2020. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $21,769,143 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Vane Line Bunkering Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, has been awarded contract modification (P00030) on contract HTC71113CW015 in the amount of $16,952,486. This modification provides continued transportation of bulk jet fuel and marine diesel fuel by barge for the Defense Logistics Agency-Energy in the U.S. Atlantic Region. Performance is from Mar. 1, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $139,538,998 from $122,586,512. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $9,763,000 cost-plus fixed-fee contract. The contract is to provide assessments and alternatives of offensive capabilities within the domains of air, land, sea, space and cyberspace, missions and warfare areas that asymmetrically mitigate threat effectiveness, impose cost, and/or create ambiguity in adversary decision-making. Work performance will take place in the National Capital Region, including Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia. Fiscal 2018 - fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,460,000; fiscal 2019 – fiscal 2020 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,576,000; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $727,000 are being obligated on this award. The expected completion date is Dec. 29, 2019. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-13-D-0003). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1758484/source/GovDelivery/

  • It’s official: US Air Force to buy Turkish F-35s

    July 22, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    It’s official: US Air Force to buy Turkish F-35s

    By: Valerie Insinna Updated 7/21/20 at 1:25 p.m. EST to add more information about the status of the eight Turkish F-35s. WASHINGTON — After a year of speculation about what would happen to Turkey's F-35s after the country was ousted from the joint strike fighter program last year, the Defense Department gave its definitive answer Monday evening in a characteristically anticlimactic manner — through its daily contract announcements. The U.S. Air Force will officially buy eight F-35A conventional takeoff and landing jets originally built by Lockheed Martin for Turkey as part of a $862 million contract modification. The deal also contains an additional six F-35As built for the Air Force and modifications that will bring the Turkish jets in line with the U.S. configuration. A defense official told Defense News on Tuesday that the contract modification fulfills stipulations in Congress' fiscal year 2020 defense policy and spending bills. It “addresses the eight production Lot 14 F-35A aircraft originally planned to be delivered to Turkey in 2022-23,” and redirects those jets to the U.S. Air Force when they roll off the production line. The six other F-35As reflect aircraft added to the FY20 defense budget. The contract modification uses funding from the FY20 budget to pay for the Lot 14 jets. The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin finalized a deal for lots 12, 13 and 14 in October 2019, which set the price of an Lot 14 A model at $77.9 million per copy. Turkey had planned to buy 100 F-35As over the course of the program, but was ejected from the program last July after accepting the S-400 air defense system from Russia after repeated warnings from U.S. officials. At that point, Turkey's first F-35s had already rolled off the production line and its pilots and maintainers were training to fly and fix them stateside alongside U.S. personnel at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. However, the aircraft were never officially delivered to Turkey. Since then, the fate of Turkey's jets had been an open question. In January, Defense One reported that 24 Turkish F-35s were in some stage of production, but top Pentagon weapons buyer Ellen Lord told reporters then that Washington and Ankara had not come to an agreement on what would happen to them. In the FY20 version of the National Defense Authorization Act, Congress gave the Pentagon permission to spend up to $30 million to fly the first six Turkish F-35s to a location where they could be stored and preserved until the department came up with a plan for their use. Those jets, which were produced in Lots 10 and 11, are currently being held “in long-term storage in the United States pending final decision on their disposition,” the defense official said. The Senate's version of the FY21 NDAA, which is still working its way through Congress, contains additional language that would allow the Air Force to accept, operate or even modify the first six Turkish F-35s. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/07/20/its-official-us-air-force-to-buy-turkish-f-35s/

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