June 17, 2020 | International, Aerospace

International Hypersonic Strike Weapons Projects Accelerate

James Bosbotinis June 15, 2020

There is growing international interest in the development of offensive hypersonic weapon systems, particularly following the deployment by Russia and China of nascent hypersonic strike capabilities. France, India, Japan and the UK all are seeking to develop a hypersonic strike capability too.

Beyond Russia's Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) and Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), and China's DF-17 HGV, both nations are developing additional hypersonic weapon systems. Russia, for example, is working on the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile (HCM) and related technologies, while China is developing an expansive technological base and infrastructure for the development and production of hypersonic systems for military, commercial and space applications.

Given the technical challenges and cost inherent in developing hypersonic weapons, particularly in areas such as propulsion, airframe design, guidance and thermal management, what roles will such weapons undertake? The speed, maneuverability and flight characteristics of hypersonic weapons makes them challenging to detect, track and intercept, reducing the warning time available and window for interception.

Hypersonic weapons thus provide advantages for the prosecution of time-critical targets, mobile or relocatable targets or in the face of adversary missile defense capabilities. Maritime strike is also a key projected role for hypersonic missiles under development or being deployed by Russia, China and Japan. In the conventional precision-strike role, hypersonic weapons will require a robust set of supporting intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities, in particular for the prosecution of mobile/relocatable targets.

France is developing its fourth-generation air-launched nuclear missile, the ASN4G, which will be scramjet-powered and is due to enter service in the mid-2030s, replacing the current ASMP-A. It is also developing an HGV demonstrator, the “Vehicule Manoeuvrant Experimental,” or V-MaX, which is due to make its first flight before the end of 2021. India is similarly pursuing two hypersonic weapon projects, the BrahMos-2, developed by the BrahMos joint venture between India and Russia, and another HCM project. The BrahMos-2 is intended to be an HCM capable of speeds of Mach 5-7; HCM development is supported by the scramjet-powered Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). An attempted test flight in June 2019 failed due to a technical problem with the Agni-1, serving as the launch platform for the HSTDV.

Japan has outlined plans for two hypersonic weapon systems; the Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) and a Hypersonic Cruising Missile. Japan outlined in its Midterm Defense Program (fiscal 2019-23) plans to strengthen the defense of “remote islands in the southwest region,” including through the establishment of HVGP units. The HVGP is intended to be a tactical HGV, capable of delivering a penetrating warhead for targeting, for example, aircraft carriers, or a “high-density EFP” (explosively formed penetrator) warhead for “area suppression.”

An initial variant will be deployed in the 2024-28 time frame with an improved variant following in the 2030s. The Japanese HCM will be a scramjet-powered missile, armed with the same warheads as the HVGP, and intended to provide a standoff capability to counter “ships and landing forces attempting to invade Japan.” The HCM will be deployed in the late 2020s/early 2030s, with an improved variant following later in the 2030s.

The UK is exploring options for the development of a hypersonic strike capability, including potentially as part of the joint Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon project with France to replace the Storm Shadow/SCALP standoff cruise missile and the anti-ship Exocet and Harpoon from 2030. In July 2019, Air Vice Marshal Simon Rochelle, then chief of staff capability, announced that the UK sought to deploy an affordable, air-launched hypersonic weapon by 2023.

Moreover, as Aviation Week disclosed, a joint U.S.-UK study, Thresher (Tactical High-Speed, Responsive and Highly Efficient Round), is underway between the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (AW&ST April 6-19, p. 14). It is due to be completed in 2022 or 2023.

With the notable exception of the UK's intention to rapidly acquire a hypersonic missile by 2023, the majority of known programs are not likely to deliver weapon systems until the second half of the 2020s or 2030s. This period is also likely to see a significant expansion in Russian and Chinese hypersonic strike capabilities.

Russia possesses a nascent hypersonic strike capability following the initial deployment in December 2017 of the Kinzhal ALBM and in December 2019 of the Avangard HGV system. The Kinzhal and Avangard were both announced by President Vladimir Putin in his state of the nation address on March 1, 2018, and reflect Russia's long-term efforts to develop hypersonic weapons, particularly as a response to U.S. missile defense efforts.

Although seeming to catch the U.S. public by surprise, the development of the Avangard can be traced back to the Albatross project started in the late 1980s as part of the Soviet response to the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative. NPO Mashinostroyeniya performed several tests of the Yu-70 prototype in 1990-92, until the program was put on hiatus amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union, says Markus Schiller, founder of ST Analytics and a Germany-based consultant on hypersonic technology. The Yu-70 project was revived shortly after Putin assumed power in 2000, leading to a series of test flights in 2001-11. The Avangard HGV is based on an improved version known as the Yu-71, which performed a series of tests in 2013-18, Schiller says.

The development of hypersonic weapons also reflects Russia's interest in developing a robust conventional long-range precision-strike capability as part of its wider military modernization efforts. It is developing and deploying both nuclear and conventionally armed hypersonic weapons, including dual-capable systems, to undertake tactical and strategic roles.

In addition to the Avangard and Kinzhal, at least three more development programs are underway: the Zircon, GZUR (deriving from the Russian for “hypersonic guided missile”) and an air-launched weapon to arm the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon. The Avangard is an ICBM-launched HGV, initially equipping the UR-100N, a modernized version of the SS-19, and might equip the developmental SS-X-29 Sarmat (Satan 2). The Avangard is reportedly capable of attaining speeds in excess of Mach 20, can maneuver laterally and in altitude, and can travel intercontinental distances.

Although principally intended as a nuclear system, the Avangard can reportedly also be used in the conventional strike role. The Kinzhal is a dual-capable, air-launched derivative of the Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile, with a range of 2,000 km (1,250 mi.) and a speed of Mach 10. It is being deployed with a modified variant of the Mikoyan MiG-31, the MiG-31K, and may be integrated with other aircraft, including reportedly the Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire.

Russia is also developing a scramjet-powered HCM, the 3K22 Zircon, which will be capable of speeds up to Mach 9, have a range in excess of 1,000 km, and operate in the land attack and anti-ship roles. The Zircon will be compatible with existing launchers capable of launching the Oniks supersonic cruise missile, such as the UKSK vertical launch system. It is due to enter service in 2022. A Zircon was successfully test-fired from the new frigate Admiral Gorshkov in February 2020.

Following the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Putin announced the development of a ground-launched Zircon variant. The GZUR is reported to be an air-launched missile capable of a speed of Mach 6, a range of 1,500 km and sized to fit within the bomb bay of a Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear. It may enter service in the early 2020s. In this regard, Russian media reports in May noted the testing of a new hypersonic missile from a Tu-22M3 that is intended to arm the modernized Tu-22M3M. Another hypersonic missile is reported to be under development and intended to equip the Su-57.

China has thus far only confirmed one hypersonic weapon, the DF-17. Its pursuit of hypersonic weapons is driven by the requirements to counter U.S. missile defenses and acquire a robust precision-strike capability as part of its wider efforts to develop “world-class” armed forces. The DF-17 is a conventionally armed medium-range ballistic missile (potentially derived from the DF-16), equipped with an HGV, with a range of 1,800-2,500 km. When it debuted at China's National Day Parade on Oct. 1, it was announced as being intended for “precision strikes against medium- and close-range targets.”

In testimony before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee this March, U.S. Air Force Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, stated that China is testing an intercontinental HGV. It is likely that the DF-41, China's new ICBM that also debuted at the October 2019 National Day Parade, would be armed with the new HGV. O'Shaughnessy's testimony appeared to echo public statements in 2014 by Lee Fuell, who was then in Air Force intelligence and linked China's HGV development program to plans for that country's nuclear arsenal.

China is developing the technologies required for HCMs. For example, in May 2018, a scramjet test vehicle, the Lingyun-1, was publicly exhibited for the first time in Beijing, while in August 2018 China successfully tested a hypersonic waverider test vehicle, the XingKong-2, which attained a speed of Mach 6. Notably, in April 2019, Xiamen University successfully flew the Jiageng-1 test vehicle, which employed a “double waverider” configuration. Interest in developing an air-launched hypersonic strike capability has also been noted. China is also believed to be developing two ALBMs, which would provide China with a near-term air-launched hypersonic strike capability.

The new CJ-100, which also debuted at China's 2019 National Day Parade, warrants mention. Aside from the statement that the weapon offers “long range, high precision and quick responsiveness,” no technical information on the CJ-100 has been officially released. The South China Morning Post, citing the Chinese publication Naval and Merchant Ships, suggests the CJ-100 has a cruising speed of Mach 4 and top speed of Mach 4.5, adding that it employs a two-stage configuration utilizing a rocket booster and ramjets. Given China's progress in developing hypersonic technologies, the possibility that the CJ-100 is a hypersonic cruise missile cannot be dismissed.

In a further indication of China's progress in the development of hypersonic technologies, in January 2019 it was reported that an indigenous Turbine-Based Combined-Cycle engine had completed its design and development phase and was proceeding to the aircraft integration test phase.

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/international-hypersonic-strike-weapons-projects-accelerate

On the same subject

September 24, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense – September 23, 2020
AIR FORCE Amazon Web Services Inc., Seattle, Washington (FA8612-20-D-0065); Anduril Industries Inc., Irvine, California (FA8612-20-D-0066); Colorado Engineering Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado (FA8612-20-D-0067); Edgy Bees Inc., Palo Alto, California (FA8612-20-D-0068); Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc., Redlands, California (FA8612-20-D-0069); Global C2 Integration Technologies LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada (FA8612-20-D-0070); General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California (FA8612-20-D-0054); Grey Wolf Aerospace LLC, Delaware, Ohio (FA8612-20-D-0071); Kratos Technology and Training Solutions Inc., San Diego, California(FA8612-20-D-0055); LinQuest Corp., Los Angeles, California (FA8612-20-D-0056); Oddball Inc., Washington, D.C. (FA8612-20-D-0058); Red River Technology LLC, Claremont, New Hampshire (FA8612-20-D-0073); SES Government Solutions Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0074); Venator Solutions LLC, San Diego, California (FA8612-20-D-0063); and VivSoft Technologies LLC, Brambleton, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0075), have been awarded a $950,000,000 ceiling in indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to compete for future efforts associated with the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control. These contracts provide for the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. Work will be performed at locations determined at the contract direct order level and is expected to be complete by May 28, 2025. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Greenville, Texas, has been awarded a $90,000,104 not-to-exceed, firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract modification (P00003) to contract FA8620-20-F-4837 for engineering, procurement and fabrication, which will result in Phase One modification to the mission aircraft. Work will be performed in Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2023. This contract involves 100% Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $44,100,031 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Alion Science and Technology Corp., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $40,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for information technology services. This contract provides for support with the enterprise protection risk management, utilizing the information technology application/software, countermeasures risk analysis software. The support will assess risk and implement countermeasures to mitigate the compromise, loss, unauthorized access/disclosure, destruction, distortion or non-accessibility of mission-related assets. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 24, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $352,000 are being obligated on the first task order at the time of award. 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General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a $23,472,820 firm-fixed-price, requirements-type contract with a five-year year ordering period for the remanufacture of the F108 Module 13/15 low pressure turbine union assembly. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 22, 2025. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Defense agencies working capital funds will be made available at the issuing of delivery orders against this contract. Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker, Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8122-20-D-0007). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, will be awarded a $22,990,520 cost-plus-fixed-fee task order for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Operational Software Sustainment program. This contract provides a capability to correct existing software deficiencies, implements changes in Minuteman operational software domains and maintains the ICBM operational software update capability. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Huntington Beach, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Space Park, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2022. This award is a sole-source task order. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $22,990,520 for a base and one option year. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds will be used with no funds being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8204-20-F-0079). M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $12,244,288 firm-fixed-price modification (A00046) to contract FA3002-15-C-0006 for trainer maintenance services. 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The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SP0600-20-C-8330). Noble Sales Co., Inc.,* doing business as Noble Supply and Logistics, Rockland, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $93,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity bridge contract for facility maintenance, repair and operations supplies and related incidental services. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 300-day contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Massachusetts and Northern Europe, with a July 19, 2021, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and North American Treaty Organization. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Europe and Africa, Kaiserslautern, Germany (SPE5B1-20-D-0005). 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NAVY BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., Armament Systems Division, Louisville, Kentucky, is awarded an $80,384,866 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00174-19-C-0004 for five overhauled/upgraded MK45 Mod 4 Gun mounts and their associated components. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky, and is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy; 60%); and fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy; 40%), funding in the amount of $80,384,866 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc., Marion, Massachusetts, is awarded a $72,171,182 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-6412 to exercise options for the production of MK 48 Mod 7 Heavyweight guidance and control sections, upgrade Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System kits and torpedo equipment and support. This modification combines purchases for the Navy (87%); and the governments of Australia (7%); Taiwan (5%); and Turkey (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Marion, Massachusetts (81%); Braintree, Massachusetts (18%); and Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania (1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2023. Fiscal 2020 weapons procurement (Navy; 86%); FMS and Armament Cooperative Program (13%); and fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy; 1%), funding in the amount of $72,171,182 will be obligated at the time of award, of which, $180,003 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $52,761,020 modification (P00097) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-14-C-0050. This modification procures support equipment and additional spares in support of VH-92A aircraft Lot II low rate initial production. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (70%); Woodland, Washington (17%); Owego, New York (9%); and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (4%), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $52,761,020 will be obligated at the 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. Skookum Educational Programs, Bremerton, Washington, is being awarded a $40,327,106 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification for the exercise of Option Two for base operations support services at various installations in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for facility maintenance services including janitorial services, grounds maintenance, facility investment, pest control, regulated medical waste, chemical toilets, pavement clearance, lighting maintenance and warehousing services. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $111,812,749. Work will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR, including but not limited to, Washington (96%); Idaho (1%); Minnesota (1%); Montana (1%); and Oregon (1%). This option period is from October 2020 to September 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $33,201,547 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The contract was awarded under the AbilityOne program, Federal Acquisitions Regulation Part 8.7, Acquisition from Non-Profit Agencies Employing People Who Are Blind or Severely Handicapped. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity (N44255-18-D-5009). Skookum Educational Programs, Bremerton, Washington, is awarded a $31,157,545 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification for the exercise of Option Three for base operations support services at various installations in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for all management and administration, facilities management and investment, pest control, integrated solid waste, pavement clearance, utilities management, base support vehicles and equipment and environmental services for base operations support services. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $119,425,916. Work will be performed at various installations in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR, including but not limited to, Washington (90%); Alaska (1%); Idaho (1%); Iowa (1%); Minnesota (1%); Montana (1%); Nebraska (1%); North Dakota (1%); Oregon (1%); South Dakota (1%); and Wyoming (1%). This option period is from October 2020 to September 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $23,270,333 will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The contract was awarded under the AbilityOne program, Federal Acquisitions Regulation Part 8.7, Acquisition from Non-Profit Agencies Employing People Who Are Blind or Severely Handicapped. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity (N44255-17-D-4039). Clark Construction Group LLC, Bethesda, Maryland, is awarded an $18,372,142 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a taxiway at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The work to be performed will construct a new taxiway utilizing economical construction methods to satisfy operational and mission requirements at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Construction includes demolition of existing pavement, construction of storm water management facilities, taxiway lighting, site preparation, full depth concrete pavement with asphalt shoulders and all other supports necessary to make a complete and usable taxiway. Work will be performed in Camp Springs, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Air Force) contract funds in the amount of $18,372,142 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Pursuant to Federal Acquisitions Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), which authorizes the use of other than full and open competition when there is only one available source, this contract was sole-sourced to Clark Construction Group LLC, because of their uniquely qualified and position to perform the required work. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-20-C-0024). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is awarded a $17,024,177 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded order N00024-20-F-5518 under basic ordering agreement N00024-18-G-5501 for dual band radar spares in support of DDG 1000. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts (50%); Andover, Massachusetts (27%); Portsmouth, Massachusetts (14%); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (9%), and is expected to be completed by July 2024. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy; 94%); fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy; 3%); fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy; 2%); fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy; less than 1%); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy; less than 1%), funding in the amount of $17,024,177 will be obligated at time of award, of which, funds in the amount of $542,009 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Niking Corp.,* Wahiawa, Hawaii, is awarded a $16,406,600 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a new entry control point (ECP) facility and security improvements at the perimeter gate on Mokapu Road, Marine Corps Base, Hawaii. The work to be performed includes construction of a new ECP facility and security improvements to meet anti-terrorism/force protection requirements. The ECP facilities will include an overwatch tower and station, generator/toilet/communications building, gate/controls house with a guard booth and canopy and a privately-owned-vehicle inspection area with canopy. Work will be performed in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $16,406,600 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website with four proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-20-C-1304). Hydroid Inc., Pocasset, Massachusetts, is awarded a $16,301,288 modification to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-19–D-0010 to exercise option year one for engineering support and training services for the MK 18 Family of Systems (FOS) – Unmanned Underwater Vehicle systems. Work will be performed in Pocasset, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by September 2021. No funding is being obligated at modification award but according to future task orders. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Diversified Service Contracting Inc., Dunn, North Carolina, is awarded a $15,871,115 firm-fixed-price modification for the exercise of an option for the base operating support services contract at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The work to be performed provides for recurring and non-recurring facility maintenance, janitorial services, pest control services, grounds maintenance, sweeping and snow removal, base support vehicles and equipment. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $117,616,402. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $6,582,754 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award is issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 6.302-2 Unusually and Compelling Urgency. The purpose of this modification is to ensure critical services continue as the agency responds to a post-award protest on the re-procurement of this contract. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-11-D-3020). North Star Scientific Corp.,* Kapolei, Hawaii, is awarded a $13,211,025 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (N68335-20-F-0003) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N68335-19-G-0037. This order provides for continued research and development efforts for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) products for the High Gain Ultra High Frequency Electronically Scanned Antenna under SBIR topic N06-125 titled, “L-Band Solid-State High Power Amplifier for Airborne Platforms.” Further development and research efforts will provide one prototype radar transceiver assembly, one high power balanced amplifier, and various laboratory and radome parts. Additionally, it will provide data deliverables to include technical reports and hardware design descriptions. Work will be performed in Kapolei, Hawaii (76%); Stockton, California (12%); San Diego, California (6%); Newark, Delaware (3%); and San Ramon, California (3%), and is expected to be completed by September 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,279,534; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,931,491 will be obligated at time of award, $7,931,491 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, is awarded a $10,550,368 firm-fixed-price order (N68335-20-F-0809) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N68335-19-G-0013. This order procures hardware components for 30 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Common Automatic Recovery System version 2 tracking subsystems for the Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in support of Webster Outlying Field Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems Division. Work will be performed in Sparks, Nevada, and is expected to be completed by September 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,516,789; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,923,505; and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy), funds in the amount of $2,110,074 will be obligated at time of award, $3,516,789 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, is awarded an $8,890,000 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5503 to exercise options for increased low rate initial production quantities of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program AN/SLQ-32C(V)6. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York (78%); and Lansdale, Pennsylvania (22%), and is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,890,000 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, D.C. is the contracting activity. L-3 Technologies Inc. KEO, a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies Inc., Northampton, Massachusetts, was awarded a cost-plus fixed-fee contract with a potential value of $7,952,871 with options. This effort is to procure Multi-Function Mast (OE-538B) Antenna Group and upgrade kits as a second source. The Navy requires delivery of first antenna within 18 months of contract award and the second antenna within 24 months of contract award. This contract includes options for engineering services and provisional items required to support installations, repairs and sustainment, and if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $7,952,871. If all options are exercised, work could continue until August 2024. Work will be performed in Northampton, Massachusetts, with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,452,871 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is awarded as a sole-source under the under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(3) - "Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Development or Research Capability or Expert Services." The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-20-C-0030). (Awarded Sept. 21, 2020) *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2358917/source/GovDelivery/
September 23, 2020 | International, Naval

BAE shipyard sues Navy over extra work on USS Bataan
DAVE RESS BAE Systems' Norfolk shipyard is suing the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, claiming the yard is owed nearly $1.1 million for work it did on USS Bataan. The lawsuit contends that the Navy is refusing to pay for extra work that BAE and its subcontractors had to perform because the Navy didn't provide necessary supplies or complete needed work while Bataan was in the BAE shipyard. BAE won a $51.6 million, fixed-price contract to repair and modernize Bataan in September 2017. It was originally supposed to complete the work in July 2018, but that was extended to November 2018. When the ship was not delivered by then, the Navy declared BAE in default of the contract. BAE continued to work on the ship until March 2019. The lawsuit alleges that the Navy's challenges securing funds for additional work delayed completion. In addition, the lawsuit says the Navy's continued dumping of liquids into the bilge spaces prevented BAE from completing cleaning and pumping work. It also alleges that the Navy also expanded the work required, as when it directed the yard to add multiple pendant and wire installations on the Flight Deck Safety Nets. BAE said most of its claims for payment for the additional work were denied by the Navy's Contracting Officer in a formal final decision, prompting the shipyard to sue for the funds it claims it is owed. The Navy maintenance center has not yet filed a formal response to the BAE complaint. A spokesman was not immediately available for comment. https://www.pilotonline.com/business/shipyards/dp-nw-bae-bataan-20200922-3gangsit5zgtljyo2mgdvorcx4-story.html
December 18, 2019 | International, Aerospace

Study: Counter-Drone Systems Proliferate, Challenges Endure
Graham Warwick Counter-drone systems continue to proliferate on the market, but technical and operational challenges in countering small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have not yet been fully surmounted, says a new report by the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, New York. The second edition of the Center's Counter-Drone Systems report lists 537 systems marketed by 227 companies in 38 countries, up from 235 in the first edition published in February 2018. This is despite removing 24 products from the database that no longer appear to be available. Citing a March 2019 solicitation by the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit which said “it has proven difficult to identify and mitigate threats using currently fielded technologies,” the report says “dozens of background interviews with military and law enforcement personnel have validated this assertion.” The challenges extend beyond the issue of effectiveness “and include complex questions around safety, practicality, policy and legality,” says the report's author, Arthur Holland Michel, founder and co-director of the Center. When it comes to detection effectiveness, radar may struggle to pick up small UAS flying close to the ground, while cameras might confuse a drone with a bird or aircraft and be degraded by poor weather, low visibility and strong sunlight. Electromagnetic interference may degrade the detection performance of radio-frequency sensors, with many potential sources of interference in urban areas. Radar, some RF systems and electro-optical/ infrared (EO/IR) sensors require line of sight to the drone, which can be problematic in urban areas. Acoustic sensors and RF detection systems rely on a library of sounds and signals emitted by known drones, but given the rapid rate at which drones are emerging on the market “even libraries that are updated often will never cover 100% of the drones that might be operating,” the report says. A major detection issue is the level of false negatives and false positives, the report said, noting that results of FAA testing of counter-drone systems showed distinguishing true positives from false positives in cluttered environments required a high level of manpower. Distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate drone use is another issue. Remote identification technology and the FAA's pending Remote ID rulemaking, “may go a long way to addressing this issue once implemented, but it will not be a total fix,” the report says. There is a short time window available in which to respond to a drone threat and potential dangers posed to bystanders by some counter-drone interdiction techniques. Long-range systems such as lasers and high-power microwaves “could pose a serious threat to aircraft operated above the targeted drone.” In terms of interdiction effectiveness, the report points to results of a 2017 counter-UAS event staged by the U.S. Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization that showed the drones were resilient against damage. “More recent C-AUS exercises indicate this problem remains an enduring one,” it says. Jammers have no effect against drones operating autonomously without an active RF link; many signal jammers have an effective range of only a few hundred meters; spoofing systems may not be universally effective; and all kinetic systems may struggle against drones moving fast or in unpredictable patterns. Drone technology, meanwhile, is not standing still, the report says, noting research underway on UAS that can operate in GPS-denied environments, negating jamming, and are capable of actively defeating jamming or spoofing attacks. Consumer drones may soon be controllable via mobile LTE networks rather than an RF link, the report says. LTE drones could be operated at essentially unlimited range and “would be difficult or dangerous to interdict with jamming systems without interfering with ubiquitous cellular communications,” it says. The proliferation of counter-UAS systems will inevitably accelerate the development of technology to render them less effective, the report concludes, by programming drones to maneuver in patterns that make them hard to detect by automatic target algorithms. The report also highlights the challenges posed by drone swarms. “A swarm doesn't have to be dynamic or truly autonomous to achieve these effects: 10 individual drone operators flying 10 drones in unison may just be as difficult to defend against as a true autonomous swarm of 10 aircraft,” it says. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/study-counter-drone-systems-proliferate-challenges-endure

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