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June 15, 2021 | International, Aerospace

Lockheed says global demand for F-35 remains strong despite uncertainty over US Air Force plans

The company’s optimism stands in sharp contrast to a rising tide of criticism regarding the F-35′s cost relative to its capabilities.

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/06/14/lockheed-says-global-demand-for-f-35-remains-strong-despite-uncertainty-over-us-air-force-plans

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 22, 2019

    August 27, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 22, 2019

    NAVY Diversified Maintenance Systems Inc.,* Sandy, Utah, is awarded a maximum amount $90,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for other specialty trade contractors construction alterations, renovations and repair projects at Naval Bases Coronado, Point Loma, and San Diego, and Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar. Projects will be primarily design-bid-build (fully designed) task orders or task order with minimal design effort (e.g. shop drawings). Projects may include, but are not limited to, alterations, repairs, and construction of electrical, mechanical, painting, engineering/design, paving (asphaltic and concrete), flooring (tile work/carpeting), roofing, structural repair, fencing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and fire suppression/protection system installation projects. Work will be performed in San Diego, California. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 18 proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2626). General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded a $64,838,526 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the Strategic Weapon System Fire Control Subsystem hardware, associated deliverables, and spares for production efforts supporting the second hull of the United Kingdom (U.K.) Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines, nuclear, recently named as HMS Valiant, and the U.K. Software Facility. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed Aug. 22, 2025. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $7,570,000 will be obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded on a sole-source basis to General Dynamics Mission Systems in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4) and was previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunity website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Butt Construction Co. Inc.,* Dayton, Ohio (N69450-19-D-0517); CORE Engineering & Construction Inc.,* Winter Park, Florida (N69450-19-D-0514); Healtheon Inc.,* New Orleans, Louisiana (N69450-19-D-0515); OAC Action Construction Corp.,* Miami, Florida (N69450-19-D-0518); Optimum Construction,* Lafayette, Louisiana (N69450-19-D-0516); and Signature Renovations LLC,* Loretto, Tennessee (N69450-19-D-0513), are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-bid-build construction contract for construction projects located within the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South area of responsibility. The maximum dollar value for the five-year ordering period for all six contracts combined is $45,000,000. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, general building type projects (new construction, renovations, alterations, demolition, roofing, repair work), including industrial infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory and community support facilities. Signature Renovations LLC is awarded the initial task order at $234,859 for Building 789, chiller equipment upgrades, located at NSA Mid-South, Millington, Tennessee. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by February 2020. All work on this contract will be performed in Tennessee. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance Navy (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $239,859 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 19 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $44,454,546 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for UHF/VHF standard rack mounted receiver/transmitter radios and accessories to replace out-of-date, non-upgradable radios currently deployed at tactical training ranges worldwide in support of the Systems Replacement and Modernization Program. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed by August 2024. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,689,585 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, Corona, California, is the contracting activity (N64267-19-D-0006). BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $34,872,647 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for up to 505,560 man-hours of technical, engineering, operations and maintenance support for communication-electronic equipment/systems and subsystems. These services are in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Communications Mission Solutions Division. Work will be performed at various locations outside the continental U.S. (90%); and California, Maryland (10%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-19-D-0077). Raytheon Co., Intelligence, Information and Services, Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $29,919,648 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00421-19-F-0531) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0003). This order provides for the procurement of V-22 Software Support Activity (SSA) systems and software engineering, avionics integration and testing, software testing, avionics acquisition support, and SSA operations to include classified and unclassified laboratories, configuration and data management, and release of avionics software products and related systems. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Air Force and Defense Wide) funds in the amount of $29,919,648 will be obligated at time of award, $13,464,417 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($17,456,960; 58%); the Air Force ($10,847,531; 36%); and the Department of Defense ($1,615,157; 6%). The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $23,664,866 for modification P00017 to previously issued order 0025 placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-16-G-0001. This modification exercises an option for engineering, logistics, and program management of F/A-18A-D, E/F, and EA-18G aircraft in support of reducing fleet out of reporting rates and maintenance planning. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,822,000 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. I.E.-Pacific Inc.,* Escondido, California, is awarded $13,231,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-5136 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-17-D-4628) for construction of a supply warehouse and administrative facility at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The work to be performed provides for construction of a new supply warehouse facility with administrative spaces that will consolidate all supply and administrative support functions for the School of Infantry, West, into one building. In addition, the project will construct an outdoor covered training structure to support and conduct training of personnel for assembly and equipment issuance. The task order also contains one planned modification, which, if awarded, would increase cumulative task order value to $13,332,316. Work will be performed in Oceanside, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,231,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Barnhart-Reese Construction Inc.,* San Diego, California, is awarded $11,456,209 for firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-5115 under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N62473-17-D-4635) for construction of a satellite fire emergency response station in Area 27 of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The building square footage should not exceed 15,285 square feet. The fire station is anticipated as a single-story building constructed with concrete masonry unit exterior bearing walls, concrete slabs, foundations and a steel frame supported standing seam metal roof. The complex will include administrative spaces, living quarters, changing areas, showers, laundry rooms, training facilities, storage spaces, a fitness room, kitchen/dining/day room facilities, a covered patio, bathrooms, maintenance areas, storage areas and vehicle apparatus bays. The task order also contains one planned modification, which, if awarded, would increase cumulative task order value to $11,490,362. Work will be performed at Camp Pendleton, California, and is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $11,456,209 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Insight Pacific LLC,* Brea, California, is awarded $8,577,620 for firm-fixed-price task order N62478-19-F-4209 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62478-18-D-4026) for repair and maintenance of pumps at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The work on Main Pumps 3 and 4 at Dry Dock 4 includes disassembly, removal, main pump overhaul, motor cleaning/repair rewind and reinstallation. The work will also include the repair/replacement of the pump thrust bearings, shaft, shaft couplings and sleeves, bearing supports, piping, baffle plates, hydraulic blade angle systems and controls, oil head and the complete removal and reinstallation of the existing pump impellers. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,577,620 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded $7,229,582 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N00019-19-F-4153 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0003) in support of the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) Rapid Deployment Capability. This delivery order provides for an updated technical data package of the guidance test set, upgrade of existing units to support the MST upgrades, including hardware, software. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (85.2%); Logan, Utah (14%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (0.8%), and is expected to be completed in July 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,229,582 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. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Phoenix Textile Corp., O'Fallon, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $42,261,856 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical surgical products. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a one-year base contract with nine one-year option periods. Location of performance is Missouri, with an Aug. 24, 2020, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 warstopper funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D0-19-D-0006). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Aug. 15, 2019, for Sysco Alabama, Calera, Alabama (SPE300-19-D-3234), for $37,893,960, was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is Aug. 20, 2019. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY The University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, California, was awarded a $19,843,137 cost-no-fee contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research project. Work will be performed in Marina del Rey, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Columbia, Maryland, with an expected completion date of August 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $2,905,000 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition under a broad agency announcement and nine offers were received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-19-C-0084). ARMY Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded an $8,385,050 firm-fixed-price contract for furnishing one fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Lafourche, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 7, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Recovery Act, civil funds in the amount of $8,385,050 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-19-C-0061). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1941859/source/GovDelivery/

  • IAI Signs Two Deals to Supply Heron MK II UAV Systems to Asian Country Valued at Millions of Dollars

    January 27, 2021 | International, Aerospace

    IAI Signs Two Deals to Supply Heron MK II UAV Systems to Asian Country Valued at Millions of Dollars

    Jan 25, 2021 - IAI signed two deals, one to sell and one to lease two Heron MK II UAV systems to a central Asian country. The deal is valued at tens of millions of dollars. The systems include reconnaissance payloads, Heron MK II drones and land arrays. The Heron MK II reaches an altitude of 35,000 feet, maximum speed of 140 knots, and can stay in the air for up to 45 hours. Thanks to improved production technologies, the Heron MK II has a wider and stronger chassis enabling quick and easy maintenance without affecting the UAV's net weight. The UAV enables the use of new configurations and has a long-range reconnaissance sensor and radar. It can carry a range of additional payloads like COMINT and ELINT equipment. The UAV's outstanding characteristic is its standoff capability, i.e. the capability of gathering intelligence on targets from a long distance (dozens of miles) with no need to cross borders, thanks to its ability to carry larger, improved sensors. In addition, the Heron MK II boasts improved avionics and an improved and reinforced engine. IAI Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group, Moshe Levy, said: “I commend the signing of the two Heron MK II deals. The systems will operate in a land configuration and will carry out different missions, border protection among them. The Heron MK II UAVs can land on any airstrip and can maneuver under extreme weather conditions. I am certain that these deals will open the door to additional Heron MK II deals.” The Heron MK II is another member of the Heron family, a significant bonus to Heron operators around the world, since it shares the first model's operational use concepts. These concepts are based on extensive experience and knowledge in the field of UAVs, that IAI has been accumulating over nearly 50 years of activity, almost 2 million hours of flight time and more than 50 operational customers. View source version on IAI: https://www.iai.co.il/two-deals-to-supply-heron-mk-ii-uav-to-asian-country

  • DOD Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal

    March 20, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

    DOD Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal

    On March 11, 2019, President Donald J. Trump sent Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget request of $750 billion for national security, $718.3 billion of which is for the Department of Defense (DoD). The FY 2020 Budget maintains momentum from the sustained funding increases enacted in FY 2017, FY 2018, and FY 2019 to repair damaged readiness, and the Budget marks a key next step in how we operationalize the 2018 National Defense Strategy. Deterring or defeating great power aggression is a fundamentally different challenge than the regional conflicts involving rogue states and violent extremist organizations we faced over the last 25 years. The FY 2020 Budget is a major milestone in meeting this challenge and resourcing the more lethal, agile, and innovative Joint Force America needs to compete, deter, and win in any high-end potential fight of the future by: investing in the emerging space and cyber warfighting domains; modernizing capabilities in the air, maritime, and land warfighting domains; innovating more rapidly to strengthen our competitive advantage; and sustaining our forces and building on our readiness gains. This budget is about projecting power through competitiveness, innovation, and readiness. It fully recognizes that future wars will be waged not just in the air, on the land, and at sea, but also in space and cyberspace, increasing the complexity of warfare. It modernizes capabilities across all warfighting domains to enhance lethality, including the largest ship building request in 20 years and the largest research and development request in 70 years, focusing on technologies needed for a high-end fight. This budget sustains our forces by funding a 3.1 percent military pay raise, the largest in a decade. Congressional approval of the FY 2020 Budget will help us meet current operational commitments and outpace the threats posed by China and Russia through maintaining our competitive advantage, even as DoD spending remains near a record low as a share of the U.S. economy. Specifically, the Department's FY 2020 budget builds the Joint Force's capacity and lethality by investing in: Cyber ($9.6 billion) Supports offensive and defensive cyberspace operations - $3.7 billion Reduces risk to DoD networks, systems, and information by investing in more cybersecurity capabilities - $5.4 billion Modernizes DoD's general purpose cloud environment - $61.9 million Space ($14.1 billion) Resources the initial establishment of the United States Space Force - $72.4 million 4 National Security Space Launch (aka EELV) - $1.7 billion 1 Global Positioning System III and Projects - $1.8 billion Space Based Overhead Persistent Infrared Systems - $1.6 billion Air Domain ($57.7B) 78 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters - $11.2 billion 12 KC-46 Tanker Replacements - $2.3 billion 24 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets - $2.0 billion 48 AH-64E Attack Helicopters - $1.0 billion 6 VH-92 Presidential Helicopters - $0.8 billion 6 P-8A Aircraft - $1.5 billion 6 CH-53K King Stallion - $1.5 billion 8 F-15EX - $1.1 billion Maritime Domain: $34.7 billion and the largest budget request in more than 20 years for shipbuilding COLUMBIA Class Ballistic Missile Submarine - $2.2 billion 1 CVN-78 FORD Class Aircraft Carrier - $2.6 billion 3 Virginia Class Submarines - $10.2 billion 3 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Destroyers - $5.8 billion 1 Frigate (FFG(X)) - $1.3 billion 2 Fleet Replenishment Oilers (T-AO) - $1.1 billion 2 Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) - $0.2 billion 2 large unmanned surface vehicles - $447 million Ground Systems ($14.6 billion) 4,090 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles - $1.6 billion 165 M-1 Abrams Tank Modifications - $2.2 billion 56 Amphibious Combat Vehicles - $0.4 billion 131 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles - $0.6 billion Multi-domain and nuclear triad ($31 billion) B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber - $3.0 billion Columbia Class Submarine - $2.2 billion Long-Range Stand-Off Missile - $0.7 billion Ground Based Strategic Deterrent - $0.6 billon The FY 2020 Budget funds preferred munitions at the maximum production rate. 40,388 Joint Direct Attack Munitions - $1.1 billion 10,193 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System - $1.4 billion 125 Standard Missile-6 - $0.7 billion 1,925 Small Diameter Bomb II - $0.4 billion 9,000 Hellfire Missiles - $0.7 billion 430 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - $0.6 billion 48 Long Range Anti-Ship Missile - $0.2 billion Highlighting the enduring importance of missile defeat and defense, the FY 2020 Budget funds the sustainment of the surge in missile defense investment we undertook in FY 2018 and FY 2019, while also investing in Missile Defense Review efforts at $13.6 billion. The missile defeat and defense investments for FY 2020 include: 37 AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (SM-3) with Install - $1.7 billion Support for Missile Defense Review (e.g., Land-Launched Conventional Prompt Strike, Extended Range Weapon, Space-based Discrimination Sensor Study) - $1.5 billion Ground Based Midcourse Defense - $1.7 billion 37 THAAD Ballistic Missile Defense - $0.8 billion 147 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements - $0.7 billion The FY 2020 Budget continues the Department's emphasis on innovation and technology, which will enhance our competitive advantage. The Budget highlights emerging technology projects including: Unmanned / Autonomous projects to enhance freedom of maneuver and lethality in contested environments - $3.7 billion Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning investments to expand military advantage through the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) and Advanced Image Recognition - $927 million Hypersonics weapons development to complicate adversaries' detection and defense - $2.6 billion Directed Energy investment to support implementation of directed energy for base defense; enable testing and procurement of multiple types of lasers; and increase research and development for high-power density applications - $235 million The FY 2020 Budget increases the readiness, lethality, and agility of the Joint force by increasing our military end strength. Funds readiness to executable levels across services - $124.8 billion Total military end strength will increase from FY 2019 projected levels by approximately 7,700 in FY 2020 Active end strength will increase by approximately 6,200 from FY 2019 projected levels to FY 2020, with the largest increase in the Air Force Reserve Component end strength will increase by approximately 1,500 from FY 2019 projected levels to FY 2020, with the largest increase in the Army Guard and Reserve The FY 2020 Budget provides the largest military pay raise in 10 years and robust support to our most valued asset—our military members—and their families. The Budget: Provides a competitive compensation package Includes a 3.1 percent military pay raise Continues to modernize and transform our Military Health System Continues family support programs with investment of nearly $8 billion for: Spousal/community support Child care for over 180,000 children Youth programs serving over 1 million dependents DoD Dependent Schools educating over 76,000 students Commissary operations at 236 stores Facilities investment is a continuing area of emphasis. This funding: Supports the National Defense Strategy by investing in key operational and training facilities Enables timely maintenance of critical infrastructure Improves Quality-of-Life for Service Members and their families Provides funding for Marine Corps and Air Force hurricane-related facility repairs at Camp Lejeune and Tyndall Air Force Base The FY 2020 Budget contains critical funding for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) and an emergency budget request, totaling $173.8 billion, which is subject to the same congressional oversight requirements as the base budget. These pieces of the request are vital to our budget as a whole and our ability to support the National Defense Strategy. The FY 2020 OCO/Emergency request contains four categories: Direct War Requirements: Combat or combat support costs that are not expected to continue once combat operations end - $25.4 billion OCO for Enduring Requirements: Enduring in-theater and CONUS costs that will remain after combat operations end - $41.3 billion OCO for Base Requirements: Funding for base budget requirements in support of the National Defense Strategy, financed in the OCO budget due to the limits on base budget defense resources under the budget caps in current law - $97.9 billion Emergency Requirements: Funding for military construction for emergencies, to include border security and reconstruction efforts to rebuild facilities damaged by Hurricanes Florence and Michael - $9.2 billion Long-term strategic competitions with China and Russia are the principal priorities for the Department, and require both increased and sustained investment, because of the magnitude of the threats they pose to U.S. security and prosperity today, and the potential for those threats to increase in the future. 2018 National Defense Strategy The entire budget proposal and additional material are available at: http://www.defense.gov/cj. https://dod.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1782623/dod-releases-fiscal-year-2020-budget-proposal/source/GovDelivery/

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