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April 30, 2024 | International, Aerospace

Here’s when the US Army will pick next long-range spy plane

The service is divesting its entire turboprop-based ISR fleet, developed for counterinsurgency, in favor of a high-speed jet with high-tech sensors.

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2024/04/30/heres-when-the-us-army-will-pick-its-next-long-range-spy-plane/

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  • Space Software Startup To Pursue SDA Contracts

    February 12, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    Space Software Startup To Pursue SDA Contracts

    NewSpace Networks will bid against Lockheed Martin for bankrupt Vector Launch's GalacticSky software-defined satellite assets, says co-founder Shaun Coleman. By THERESA HITCHENS WASHINGTON: Three of the founders of bankrupt Vector Launch have created a new startup, NewSpace Networks, to develop space software products for applications such as data analysis, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT). As one of their first forays into the market, the company intends to respond to the Space Development Agency's January call for “leap-ahead technologies” for its evolving DoD space architecture. The new San Jose-based company is eyeing SDA's top two priorities: the so-called ‘transport layer' for Internet and communications connectivity and the ‘tracking layer' that will also cover hypersonic missiles. NewSpace Networks leadership believe they could provide capabilities to the ‘battle management layer,' and the ‘support layer' to enable ground and launch segments to support a responsive space architecture. “We could occupy several of those layers,” Robert Cleave, formerly Vector's chief revenue office, told me in a phone conversation today, which included NewSpace Network co-founders Shaun Coleman and John Metzger. Coleman was the first investor in Vector Launch; Metzger was vice president of software engineering. As we reported, the SDA's Jan. 21 Broad Area Announcement gives interested vendors one year to pitch their ideas. Coleman said that NewSpace Networks is the only company focused on creating a software-based infrastructure in space. Rather than building satellites, Cleave explained, “we see ourselves as a provider of software that makes the satellite smarter.” The idea is to move the aerospace industry from its current hardware focus to a focus on software, as has happened at big tech firms across Silicon Valley and is recognized by many of the Air Force's leadership. NewSpace Networks intends to target military and defense-related customers, along with commercial firms and civilian government agencies. This includes pitching to be a part of DoD's efforts to develop and use 5G high-speed communications capabilities and to provide connectivity to Army vehicles. But it also is looking at potential sales outside of the traditional aerospace community, such as vendors of autonomous vehicles, city governments interested in infrastructure monitoring, and even direct consumer sales of healthcare devices and entertainment services. The wide variety of potential customers is based on the fact that NewSpace Networks' planned products are focused on computing, data storage and processing capabilities at the edge, ones that have a wide variety of potential uses. According to today's announcement, NewSpace Networks's initial products will focus on “the unique challenges of edge computing via space connectivity.” But the company's tech also could be used with aircraft, drones or aerostats serving as the connectivity node, the co-founders explained. The company also intends to work on: Data analytics and analysis; Cloud integration; Network optimization; Virtualization & Hyperconvergence (the latter is industry jargon for combining computing, storage and networking in a single system); Space and air integration; Security and encryption; Application lifecycle management; and IoT enablement. Tuscon-based Vector was one of three commercial space firms chosen in April by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for its DARPA Launch Challenge, a $12 million competition to rapidly launch small satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), until its surprise withdrawal in September due to financial difficulties. The other two companies were Virgin Orbit, which withdrew in October to concentrate on more lucrative customers, and the secretive California-based startup Astra, that first went public in early February via a website. According to a Feb. 3 profile in Bloomberg Businessweek, the firm intends its first launch on Feb. 21. Vector declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, and as colleague Jeff Foust reported on Jan. 24 announced it would auction off its assets. Vector already has a $4.5 million bid from Lockheed Martin for its GalacticSky software-defined satellite technology — essentially a computer on orbit that can be configured for various satellite missions that will be accepted if no other firms issues a bid by Feb. 21. If others throw their hats in the ring, there will be an auction for GalacticSky on Feb. 25. And guess what? NewSpace Networks intends to do just that. “We will be bidding for GalacticSky as well,” Coleman said, noting that I was the first reporter they have told. The founders believe that GalacticSky's technology, that allows a satellite to act more like a cloud node than a mainframe computer, would be complementary to their own developments. Even if they don't win the auction, they hope to work with whoever wins. https://breakingdefense.com/2020/02/space-software-startup-to-pursue-sda-contracts

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - April 28, 2020

    April 29, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - April 28, 2020

    AIR FORCE General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded $707,274,997 for four undefinitized contract actions under an existing F110 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, for F110-GE-129 engine production. These actions provide for F110 engine production, including installs and spares and modernized engine management system computers. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. These actions involve Foreign Military Sales to Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Qatar. This award is the result of country-directed, sole-source acquisitions. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $353,637,499 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8626-18-D-0029). NAVY Doyon Project Services LLC,* Federal Way, Washington, is awarded $30,831,632 for firm-fixed-price task order N-44255-20-F4095 under a multiple award construction contract for repair of Shipyard Electrical Backbone Substation A, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington, and includes removal and disposal of select electrical components; repairing electrical cabling and distribution lines; repairing the switching and routing equipment; repairing substation components to include but not limited to: electrical boards, circuit breakers, tie breakers, conductors, cabling, terminations, grounds transformers, motor operators and repair of the supervisory control and data acquisition system at Shipyard Electrical Backbone Substation A to restore the system to its customary state of operation. Inspection, testing and commissioning will be performed on the electrical distribution system and at three substations following repairs. Hazardous material disposal and station support is included in the project. Work is expected to be complete by April 2023. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); and contract funds in the amount of $30,831,632 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity (N44255-17-D-4036). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Syracuse, New York, is awarded a $13,227,000 engineering services, cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded delivery order N00024-19-F-6201 under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00024-19-D-6200 for the design, prototyping and qualification testing for the TI-20 AN/BLQ-10. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, and is expected to be complete by February 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,227,000; and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $6,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin, Mission Systems and Training, Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $13,034,943 cost-plus award-fee order (N62786-20-F-0013) against the previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00024-19-G-2313 to provide engineering and management services for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)-19 Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (53%); Mayport, Florida (23%); Hampton, Virginia (15%); and Washington, District of Colombia (9%). Lockheed Martin will provide engineering and management services in support of the following: 45,070 man-hours level of effort; and to provide the work specification, pre-fabrication and material for LCS-19 PSA. Work is expected to be complete by September 2021. Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $11,408,580 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity. AECOM Technical Services Inc., Los Angeles, California (N62470-19-D-8022); Aptim Federal Services LLC, Alexandria, Virginia (N62470-19-D-8023); CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colorado (N62470-19-D-8024); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (N62470-19-D-8025); Fluor Intercontinental Inc., Greensville, South Carolina (N62470-19-D-8026); and Perini Management Services Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts (N62470-19-D-8027), are awarded a $10,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for global contingency construction projects worldwide. The work to be performed provides for the Navy; the Navy on behalf of the Department of Defense; the Navy on behalf of other federal agencies; and when authorized, an immediate response for construction services. The construction and related engineering services will respond to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, conflict or projects with similar characteristics. Work will be predominately construction. The contractor may be required to provide initial base operating support services in support of the construction effort, which will be incidental to construction efforts. Work is expected to be complete by March 2024, and the term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $1,081,443,694. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on subsequent modifications for work on existing individual task orders. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $9,669,789 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00034) to previously awarded contract N00019-16-C-0032. This modification provides engineering, manufacturing and development support to integrate BRR3.1 software to the Next Generation Jammer on Boeing EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, resulting in BRR3.1 software initial operating capability. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be complete by December 2020. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,000,000 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. Risk Mitigation Consulting Inc.,* Destin, Florida, is awarded an $8,860,412 modification to task order N62470-20-F-4016 under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The task order is for mission assurance (MA) assessments for various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) area of operations worldwide. Work will be performed in Florida (15%); Virginia (11%); Georgia (10%); California (7%); Maryland (6%); and Louisiana (6%). Work will also be performed outside of the U.S. in the following locations: Bahrain (11%); Souda Bay, Greece (10%), Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (9%); Sasebo and Okinawa, Japan (8%); and Deveselu, Romania (7%). The MA assessments to be performed include assessments of installation infrastructure, industrial control systems and energy/utility management control systems. Work is expected to be complete by January of 2021. The maximum dollar value for this task order as a result of this modification will increase from $5,172,574 to $8,860,412. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $3,687,838 will be obligated on a modification to the above referenced task order. The base contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with six proposals received. NAVFAC Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-D-2002). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $7,730,297 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6259 to exercise and fund options for Navy equipment, long-lead material and spares. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (65%); Clearwater, Florida (32%); Syracuse, New York (2%); and Marion, Florida (1%), and is expected to be complete by August 2030. Fiscal 2020 other procurement, (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,730,297 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. ARMY Martin Baker, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $25,517,707 modification (P00003) to contract W58RGZ-17-D-0046 for incorporation of new side-facing multi-function operator seats and retrofit modification kits in support of the UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 11, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Yorktown Systems Group Inc.,* Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $20,383,541 modification (P00038) to contract W911S0-17-C-0007 for operations support services including conducting and providing predictive modeling and trend analyses concerning global asymmetric threats. Work will be performed at Fort Meade, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $20,383,541 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Amentum, Germantown, Maryland, was awarded a $12,000,000 modification (000266) to contract W52P1J-12-G-0028 for Army prepositioned stock logistics support services in support of maintenance, supply and transportation at Mannheim and Dulmen, Germany. Work will be performed in Mannheim, Germany, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 20, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $12,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Meggitt Training Systems Inc., Suwanee, Georgia, was awarded a $9,000,000 modification (P00004) to blanket purchase agreement W911SA-16-A-0002 for delivery of live fire target system parts to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. Funding will be obligated by individual orders. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Suwanee, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. The 419th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, is the contracting activity. Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales Inc.,* Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was awarded an $8,439,750 firm-fixed-price contract for landing gear maintenance and overhaul. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 28, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-F-0341). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $13,428,125 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for a team of experts to provide translation, transcription and interpretation services to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor. Work performance will take place in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $13,428,125 were awarded. The expected completion date is April 15, 2023. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-20-C-0073). (Awarded April 15, 2020) Redhorse Corp., San Diego, California, was awarded a $9,385,703 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract supports the coordination of department-wide efforts advising senior leaders regarding national programs and policy support (NPPS) under the direct guidance of the director of NPPS. This includes advising senior leaders regarding global intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations and/or resulting in the rapid production of ISR capability from concept initiation to specialized modification to deployment into the operational theater. Work performance will take place in the Pentagon Reservation, Arlington, Virginia. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,579,209; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,806,494 were awarded. The expected completion date is Jan. 31, 2025. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-20-F-00223). (Awarded April 23, 2020) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Hardigg Industries Inc., South Deerfield, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $10,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This was a competitive acquisition with 115 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with an April 27, 2025, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-20-D-0036). Federal Prison Industries Inc.,** Washington, District of Columbia., has been awarded a $9,558,000 modification (P00003) exercising the first one-year option of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-19-D-F024) with two one-year option periods for working parkas. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Locations of performance are Kentucky and Washington, District of Columbia, with a May 2, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. *Small business **Mandatory source https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2168478/source/GovDelivery/

  • Lithuania and Northrop Grumman unite for ammo production - Army Technology

    September 24, 2024 | International, Land

    Lithuania and Northrop Grumman unite for ammo production - Army Technology

    Lithuania and Northrop Grumman have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting industrial cooperation.

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