September 24, 2023 | International, Land, C4ISR
The two countries' army chiefs have finished an initial draft catalogue of requirements for the Main Ground Combat System.
August 16, 2022 | International, Land
Rheinmetall has secured a contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s Project Theseus 2.2, an initiative to automate supply delivery to soldiers in hostile environments and first systems have already...
November 9, 2020 | International, Naval
By: Tom Kington The Italian Navy is laying the groundwork for a new DDX-type destroyer program, adding naval firepower for the country amid an increasingly volatile Mediterranean region. (Italian Navy) ROME — Fresh from a burst of shipbuilding spurred by the retirement of old vessels, the Italian Navy is now back at the drawing board to design what it considers the cornerstone of its fleet — new destroyers. After building 10 FREMM-class frigates — the same type acquired by the United States — as well as designing new 4,500-ton multimission ships, a 33,000-ton landing helicopter dock and new logistics vessels, a risk-reduction study is due to start on two 10,000-ton destroyers dubbed DDX. “Destroyers are fundamental for a blue water fleet like Italy's, which must be capable of projecting capability at sea and from the sea while operating across the whole spectrum of maritime and joint operations,” Vice Adm. Aurelio De Carolis, deputy chief of staff of the Italian Navy, told Defense News. “Apart from carriers, amphibious vessels and submarines, you need destroyers with land strike and task group-protection capabilities,” he added. The Navy wants the 175-meter-long vessels to replace two aging destroyers, the ITS Durand de la Penne and ITS Mimbelli. Those two vessels entered service in the early 1990s and were joined in service by Italy's two more recent Horizon-class ships, which the Navy classifies as destroyers. “We have always had two pairs of destroyers in service, dating back to the 1960s,” De Carolis said. With €4.5 million (U.S. $5.3 million) budgeted so far for two-year feasibility and risk-reduction studies starting early next year, the Navy aims to have a final operational requirement by 2022, sign a construction contract in 2023 — funding permitting — complete the design in 2025, and receive the first ship by 2028. Current plans envisage vessels that are 24 meters wide with a 9-meter draft and more than 300 crew, while offering a top speed of over 30 knots using the CODOGAL (COmbined Diesel Or Gas And eLectric) propulsion system, De Carolis said. The system allows the use of either gas or diesel turbines, plus electric propulsion for lower speeds. Italy is renewing its Navy amid the Mediterranean Sea's shift from a backwater to a tinderbox as Turkey throws its weight around, Libya remains tense after years of conflict and Russia tries to increase its regional influence. When fully budgeted, the ships likely will be built by Italian state firm Fincantieri, keeping the yard busy after a run of recent naval construction thanks to Italy's $6.3 billion so-called Naval Law in 2014 that led to the landing helicopter dock (LHD), multimission vessels (PPA) and logistic ship programs. Equipping the warship Long-range firepower for the destroyers will be guaranteed by six eight-cell missile launchers for a total of 48 cells, with two launchers toward the bow (ahead of the bridge) and the remainder amidships. Aster anti-air missiles, already in use on other Italian vessels, will be adopted, as well as a land-strike missile. “The Navy needs a credible land-strike capability and we are considering options now,” De Carolis said. That could lead the Navy to consider MBDA's naval variant of the Scalp missile. What is confirmed is the acquisition of the European consortium's Teseo Mk2 Evolved anti-ship missile, which the admiral said offers “land-strike capability in the littoral.” The weapon will be fired from launchers located immediately behind the bridge, he confirmed. A rear helicopter deck and hangar will be able to host two Navy EH101 or two SH90 helicopters. The ship's cannons will be the same Italian-built types that have become standard issue for Italy's naval vessels in recent years. A Leonardo 127mm gun at the front of the vessel will fire the firm's Vulcano guided munitions, while two Leonardo 76mm guns at the center of the vessel will fire the guided Dart munition, again developed by the Italian firm. A third 76mm gun sits astride the helicopter hangar at the rear of the ship. Dubbed “Sovraponte” and built to be positioned on top of ship structures, the cannon was first developed for the PPA vessels. “We are satisfied with Sovraponte,” the admiral said. The cannon is one example of how the destroyer will leverage new technologies funded by the Naval Law, with radar another example. The destroyers will mount Leonardo's Kronos, an active electronically scanned array radar with a fixed face as well as C- and X-band antennas, which are mounted behind panels above the bridge. This technology was used in the two “Full” versions of the seven PPA vessels. Leonardo will also supply the same rotating L-band long-range radar, to be positioned at the rear of the vessel, which has also been adopted for the LHD Trieste. The combat management system as well as the communications and electronic warfare suites will be derived from those developed for the newest ships of the fleet, while anti-submarine capabilities will include sonars (both hull-mounted and towed array), torpedo launchers, and decoys. What's next? The Trieste is set to join Italy's three San Giorgio-class amphibious assault ships to provide a four-strong amphibious fleet, which will require protection, De Caroils said. “We will need at least two destroyers ready at all times, which means four destroyers in total,” he explained. “The procurement is also part of our commitment to NATO since we are part of a project to stand up new amphibious task forces, each containing three battalion-level landing elements with related combat and combat-service support, which means four amphibious ships and destroyers for protection. “These destroyers will defend — together with [anti-submarine warfare] frigates, submarines and embarked naval aviation — amphibious naval task groups during their movement towards assault areas, and then provide effective naval fire support for the sustainment of projection and ashore operations carried out by elements of the landing force. All this is required, including the capability to play the crucial role of coordination and control of the airspace over the amphibious objective area. “The U.S. and Russia still operate cruisers, but most other navies today rely on destroyers for fighting power. They must cover anti-air, anti-ship and anti-submarine operations with a focus on integrated air and missile defense, including ballistic missile defense.” The most “critical task” for destroyers, he added, is protecting carrier battle groups and playing the typical “shotgun role” for carriers. Examples he gave included the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War when the Italian vessel ITS Audace was part of the escort to the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, and during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, when the ITS Durand de la Penne escorted the U.S. Navy carriers John C. Stennis and John F. Kennedy. “Italy cannot do without a balanced Navy covering all operations from blue to green to brown waters and well into the littorals, from minesweeping to submarines and fixed-wing carriers, with overall air protection provided by destroyers and anti-submarine warfare mostly played by frigates,” he added. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/11/09/italy-plans-new-destroyers-for-2028-delivery
November 15, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
NAVY Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $1,207,968,973 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides sustainment support of the V-22 AE1107C engine at various V-22 aircraft production, test and operating sites. Sustainment support includes program management, integrated logistics support, sustaining engineering, maintenance, repair, reliability improvements, configuration management and site support. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and various locations within and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed in February 2025. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-D-0004). BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4416); Continental Maritime of San Diego, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4417); and General Dynamics, NASSCO, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4418), are being awarded a $299,342,235 ceiling increase to the maximum potential cumulative total of orders for all firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contracts to $838,522,014 for complex emergent and continuous maintenance and Chief of Naval Operations availabilities on surface combatants (DDG and CG) class ships. Each contractor shall furnish the facilities and human resources capable of completing complex emergent and continuous maintenance, repair, modernization and Chief of Naval Operations availabilities on surface ships assigned to or visiting the port of San Diego, California. These three companies will have the opportunity to offer on individual delivery orders. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by March 2021. No funding is being obligated through this contract modification. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded $209,636,983 for a ceiling-priced, indefinite-delivery, performance-based logistics requirements contract for the repair, upgrade or replacement of 361 NIINs within two of the 13 major subsystems of the Aegis Weapon System: the MK99 fire control system and the Army Navy Joint Electronics Type Designation Systems Water/Surface Ship Radar Surveillance and Control (AN-SPY-i) Transmitter Group. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (70%); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (30%). This contract includes a five-year base period with no options. Work is expected to be completed by November 2024. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $34,290,659 will be issued for delivery order (N00383-20-F-0W80) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and will initially be obligated at the time of award as an undefinitized contract action with a commitment of $11,430,220 for a year's period of performance. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-20-D-W801). Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $15,029,055 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2116 for the purchase of additional Ford (CVN 78) Class shore based spares in support of the Ford Class. Work will be performed in Santa Fe Springs, California (99%); and Newport News, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by May 2022. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,029,055 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The design and construction of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier requires highly technical and specialized knowledge of the ship's mission, design, systems and nuclear reactor plants. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. (HII-NNS) is the nation's only designer and builder of nuclear powered aircraft carriers. HII-NNS has developed a unique capability encompassing all aspects of aircraft carrier design, construction, modernization, repair and technical and engineering support which, because of its uniqueness, cannot be acquired elsewhere. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Integral Aerospace LLC, Santa Ana, California, is awarded a $9,292,108 modification (P00003) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-18-C-1036). This modification exercises an option to manufacture, test and deliver 72 FPU012/A 480 gallon external fuel tanks in support of the F/A-18E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in Santa Ana, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,292,108 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. AAR Aircraft Services Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded an $8,457,049 firm-fixed-price, time and materials delivery order (N00019-20-F-0337) against a previously awarded, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-18-D-0111). This delivery order provides depot level maintenance and repair of four P-8A Poseidon aircraft in support of the Navy. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,457,049 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. ARMY Endeavor Robotics Inc., Chelmsford, Massachusetts, was awarded a $109,044,937 hybrid (cost plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for procurement of up to 350 Common Robotic System - Heavy systems, refurbishment of systems associated spare parts, test support, user training support and logistics development. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 12, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0017). Teichert-Odin JV,* Sacramento, California, was awarded a $49,283,800 firm-fixed-price contract for a levee improvement construction. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, with an estimated completion date of July 2, 2022. Fiscal 2019 non-federal sponsor, civil construction funds in the amount of $49,283,800 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W91238-20-C-0002). Bauer Foundation Group, Odessa, Florida, was awarded a $32,301,199 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a deep soil-cement cutoff wall. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in East St. Louis, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 15, 2021. Fiscal 2020 civil works, operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $32,301,199 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W912P9-20-C-0002). General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $32,256,984 modification (P00092) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0067 for Abrams Systems technical support. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles; and operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $32,256,984 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $21,791,160 modification (P00275) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for contractor support, labor hours, material and travel for the Marine Corps' efforts for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 procurement, Marine Corps funds in the amount of $21,791,160 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Raytheon Co. Missile Systems Division, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded an $18,569,662 modification (P00003) exercising the first option year of three options to previously awarded FA8675-19-C-0004 for fiscal 2020 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Targeting System (HTS) Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services. The contract modification is for HTS POD CLS depot repairs and sustainment activities. Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2020. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $37,260,817. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $18,569,662 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. Sonalysts Inc., Waterford, Connecticut, has being awarded a $9,071,850 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00010) to the previously awarded FA8806-19-C-0002 for the Standard Space Trainer (SST) Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Mission-Specific Vendor Plug-in (MSVP) Continuation Development and Option for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) 5 and 6. This modification provides for the development of the training system supporting SIBRS operations under the management of the Space Training Acquisition Office. Work will be performed in Waterford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 15, 2021. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $44,281,437. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $6,041,416 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. General Electric Research, Niskayuna, New York, has been awarded a $7,147,058 cost-reimbursable contract for the Materials Architecture and Characterization for Hypersonics (MACH) effort. This contract provides for the design and experimental validation of a transpiration cooling system to reduce heating at the leading edge and control part temperature in line with material capability. Work will be performed at Niskayuna, New York, and is expected to be complete by April 8, 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 24 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $924,218 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-20-C-7011). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Design West Technologies Inc.,** Tustin, California, has been awarded a maximum $7,472,100 firm-fixed-price contract for miscellaneous artillery fuze setters. This was a competitive small business set-aside acquisition with one offer received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with a Nov. 14, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-D-0018). *Small Business **Small Disadvantaged Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2017225/source/GovDelivery/