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July 18, 2018 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR

Netherlands signs deal for unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drones

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FARNBOROUGH, England — The Netherlands on Tuesday inked a deal to purchase four MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 drones from General Atomics, marking the first sale of unmanned aerial systems since U.S. President Donald Trump signed off on a policy to loosen up arms sale restrictions.

During a ceremony at the Farnborough Airshow, Vice Adm. Jan de Waard, the director of the Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organisation, and Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, head of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, signed a letter of offer and acceptance. Such a letter cements a foreign military sale between the United States and a foreign nation.

The sale of MQ-9s to the Netherlands has been in the works for a long time.

“It's a party time today,” de Waard said. “We started this program in 2003. We postponed it in 2005, then we revitalized it in, I think, in 2010, and then we postponed it again.”

The U.S. State Department first approved the Netherlands for a potential MQ-9 sale in 2015, when it valued the order at about $339 million for four air vehicles, six Honeywell TPE331-10T turboprop engines, ground stations, Lynx radars, and a variety of other subsystems and spares. The deal is for the unarmed configuration of the Reaper.

Hooper said the Dutch MQ-9s would “not only accentuate their own domestic national security capabilities but will add to their capability to contribute to NATO as a part of that alliance and coalition.”

The announcement of the deal with the Dutch comes just a day after Trump approved an implementation plan for his new export reform policy, called the Conventional Arms Transfer policy. U.S. government agencies been awaiting guidance about how to interpret new arms transfer rules.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will join Spain and the U.S. in operating the Block 5 variant of the MQ-9, the former of which will begin receiving its aircraft in 2019.

France and Italy additionally operate Block 1 systems, as does the U.K., although the British Royal Air Force is acquiring the new certifiable MQ-9B version via its Protector program, which is expected to enter service in the early 2020s.

India is additionally looking to acquire 22 of the Sea Guardian variant from the U.S., and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. sources claimed that a letter of offer and acceptance for this is expected to be signed by the end of 2018.

There is an option to retrofit the Block 5 to carry the wings and tail of the SkyGuardian, although no detail has been provided on whether or not any of the other nations are currently planning on selecting the option.

Dave Alexander, president of GA-ASI, told Defense News that while there is no immediate demand for either the SkyGuardian or the retrofit option from the largest Reaper operator, the U.S. Air Force special operations forces have shown an interest in it due to an ability to operate from a shorter runway in support of expeditionary operations.

The company has orders to fulfill production of the Block 5 MQ-9 for another five years, he added, noting that GA-ASI is planning to expand its production capabilities to enable it to fulfill forecast orders from India and three other customers.

Aside from the deal with the Royal Netherlands Air Force, a number of agreements were signed between GA-ASI and partners throughout the Farnborough Airshow, an apparent move by the company to demonstrate its willingness to transfer work and technology to customer nations.

Leonardo UK announced it signed an agreement with GA-ASI for the companies to jointly offer the former's Sage electronic support measure system for both the SkyGuardian and Sea Guardian variants.

It will be integrated without the need for an external pod and will be available to order from 2019.

Furthermore, General Atomics and GKN Aerospace signed a letter of intent July 17 to facilitate the development of composite tails for the MQ-9 in the U.K., while Dutch company Fokker has developed landing gear subsystems for the UAV since 2016.

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/farnborough/2018/07/17/netherlands-signs-deal-for-unarmed-mq-9-reaper-drones

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 6, 2018

    December 7, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 6, 2018

    AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Amherst Systems, Buffalo, New York, has been awarded a $450,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for U.S. agencies (Air Force, Navy, etc.); and Foreign Military Sales countries for Joint Threat Emitter production end-items, spares, support equipment, testing, training, etc. Work will be performed in Buffalo, New York, and various contiguous U.S. and outside the continental U.S. locations, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 5, 2025. This contract involves foreign military sales to U.S. partner countries. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2018 other procurement funds in the amount of $9,150,318 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8210-19-D-0001). The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $158,950,309 firm-fixed-price modification (P00003) to contract FA8609-18-F-0006 for one KC-46A Japan aircraft. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of one aircraft being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Seattle and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2021. This modification involves foreign military sales to Japan. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $449,375,855. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been awarded a sustainment order (FA8134-19-F-0001) with an estimated amount of $75,000,000 to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract FA8106-16-D-0002 for E-4B sustainment support. The order will provide contractor logistic support services. Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and San Antonio, Texas, with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $57,188,079 are obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 30, 2018) Dayton Power and Light Co., Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded a $28,179,453 modification (P00001) to contract FA8601-18-C-0010 to exercise Option One for electricity services. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $10,722,437, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Force Element Terminal Risk Reduction effort. The contract will deliver risk reduction studies, analyses, and demonstrations related to Raytheon's Advanced Extremely High Frequency Airborne Military Satellite Communication product line. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 30, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,959,991 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hansom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8705-19-C-0005). The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $10,361,265 modification (P00034) to contract FA8823-15-C-0002 for services required to ensure continued Wideband Global Satellite Communication operations and logistics sustainment support. The contract modification is for the exercise of Option Period Four. Work will be performed at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado; El Segundo, California; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,361,265 will be obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. Cloud Lake Technology, Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded an $8,875,620 modification (P00012) to contract FA8075-17-C-0002 for Information Analysis Center Program Management Office (IAC PMO) support. IAC PMO support services provides program management analysis, acquisition management, operations analysis, financial analysis, process improvement, strategic communications and performance measurement support. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for additional services under the basic contract, and brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $21,870,362. Work will be performed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,904,150 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The Nov. 14, 2018, announcement that Kaman Precision Products Inc., Orlando, Florida; and Middletown, Connecticut, was awarded a $52,026,000 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to contract FA8681-18-C-0009 for Joint Programmable Fuzes was incorrect. The contract was actually awarded Dec. 3, 2018. ARMY General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Garland, Texas, was awarded a $264,767,596 firm-fixed-price contract for MK80 and BLU-109 Tritonal bomb components. Bids were solicited with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-0015). RIPTIDE Software Inc.,* Oviedo, Florida, was awarded a $103,221,000 hybrid (cost, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price) contract for the OneSAF system. Bids were solicited with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-D-0003). L3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Woburn, Massachusetts, was awarded an $83,942,786 firm-fixed-price contract for manufacturing, delivering and supporting the AN/PSS-14. 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 Nov. 20, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W909MY-19-D-0001). General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $58,088,134 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of expedited active protection systems mounting kits and ballast kits to support the Abrams M1A2 battle tank. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,739,706 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-C-0038). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $12,787,500 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging. Bids were solicited with one received. Work will be performed in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $12,787,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-19-C-0010). Tetra Tech-Maytag Aircraft Corp. J, Pasadena, California, was awarded a $9,043,009 modification (P00002) to contract W912DY-18-F-0056 for maintenance and repair of equipment. Work will be performed in Twenty Nine Palms, California; Bremerton, Washington; Barstow, California; Ridgecrest, California; El Centro, California; Fallon, Nevada; Lemoore, California; Port Orchard, Washington; Coronado, California; San Diego, California; Arlington, Washington; Everett, Washington; Bridgeport, California; Oceanside, California; Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California; Oak Harbor, Washington; San Clemente Island, California; San Nicholas Island, California; and Yuma, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 Defense Working Capital funds in the amount of $9,043,009 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Broadway Electric Inc.,* Elk Grove Village, Illinois, was awarded a $7,173,000 firm-fixed-price contract for removing generators, paralleling switchgear, and replacing feeders. Bids were solicited with three received. Work will be performed in Battle Creek, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2019. Fiscal 2015, 2018 and 2019 Economy Act Reimbursable funds in the amount of $7,173,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W911XK-19-C-0002). Eastman Aggregate Enterprises LLC,* Lake Worth, Florida, was awarded a $7,864,771 firm-fixed-price contract for flood control and coastal emergency beach erosion control. Bids were solicited with two received. Work will be performed in Broward County, Florida, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $7,864,771 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-19-C-0006). NAVY BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, Sterling Heights, Michigan, is awarded a $140,354,780 modification to exercise options for the fixed-price-incentive (firm target) Contract Line Item Numbers (CLIN) 3001, 3002, and 3003 portions of a previously awarded contract (M67854-16-C-0006). This modification is for the purchase of 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles and associated production, fielding and support costs. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania (85 percent); and Aiken, South Carolina (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $140,354,780 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The option CLINs were included within that contract and are being exercised in accordance with FAR 52.217-7 option for increased quantity-separately priced line item. The U.S. Marine Corps' Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-16-C-0006). Emprise Corp. LLC, Ledyard, Connecticut, was awarded a $96,470,026 firm-fixed-price level of effort with a five-year ordering period for Shipboard Automated Maintenance Management Systems (SAMM). Engineering services in this contract will assist Military Sealift Command (MSC) afloat and ashore operations. The engineering maintenance management systems consist of both afloat and ashore systems with various modules and functions that work together to optimize MSC maintenance programs. SAMM is required for shipboard personnel to document maintenance performed on MSC vessels and record daily machinery operational data. The system also provides a consistent maintenance plan for the MSC fleet. This engineering system is a recurring requirement, which will allow MSC to continuously achieve interoperability and maintain and sustain fleet operations. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and work is expected to be completed Dec. 9, 2023. This contract will be funded with Fiscal 2018 working capital funds (Navy and U.S. Transportation Command) funds in the amount of $10,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, having one offer received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519D1001). (Awarded Dec. 5, 2018) BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (BAE), San Diego, California, was awarded a $78,847,897 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the USS Shoup (DDG 86) fiscal 2019 Depot Modernization Period Availability (DMP). This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Shoup. This is a Chief of Naval Operations-scheduled DMP. The purpose is to maintain, modernize and repair USS Shoup. This is a “long-term” availability and was competed on a coastwide (west coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel's homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Shoup. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $87,672,675. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $59,836,401; and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $19,011,496 will be obligated at time of award, and $59,836,400 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received in response to solicitation N00024-18-R-4407. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4407). (Awarded Dec. 3, 2018) L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC., Madison, Mississippi, was awarded a $21,845,138 modification (P00035) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, labor hour, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-0007). This modification increases the ceiling and extends the period of performance to provide contractor logistics services and materials for organizational and depot-level services required to support and maintain the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed in Milton, Florida, and is expected to be completed in January 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. Teledyne Wireless LLC, a Teledyne Microwave Solutions Company, Rancho Cordova, California, is awarded an $8,243,062 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract in support of evaluation, minor repair and manufacture of 10kW traveling wave tubes; manufacture of 13kW traveling wave tubes; government-furnished equipment maintenance for traveling wave tubes; and incidental engineering services. Work will be performed in Rancho Cordova, California, and is expected to be completed by November 2023. This work is to support subcomponents of the Aegis Combat System. The traveling wave tube design was developed by Teledyne Wireless LLC, who has proprietary design rights for the 10kW and 13kW traveling wave tubes. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $196,276 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-19-D-WP83). Black Construction/Mace International JV, Harmon, Guam, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N4008419F4086 for $27,350,842 under a multiple award construction contract for the design build repair of Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH) -13 and UPH-17 at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. The work to be performed provides for repairs to the building components and utility systems which are old and increasingly deteriorated. The work will also address life safety and energy deficiencies which have begun to generate intensive maintenance and reliability concerns. Work will be performed in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be completed by August 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $27,350,842 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Far East, Yokosuka, Japan, is the contracting activity (N40084-18-D-0066). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Creation Gardens Inc.,* Louisville, Kentucky, has been awarded a maximum $49,500,000 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a 36-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Kentucky and Indiana, with a Dec. 4, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Department of Agriculture schools. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-19-D-P344). Heart and Core LLC, Minnetonka, Minnesota, has been awarded a maximum $7,920,000 modification (P00011) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-17-D-1018) with four one-year option periods for moisture wicking T-shirts. This is an indefinite-delivery contract. Locations of performance are California and Minnesota, with a Dec. 15, 2019, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1707044/

  • Maritime security: EU revises its action plan

    June 26, 2018 | International, Naval, Security

    Maritime security: EU revises its action plan

    90% of the EU's external trade and 40% of its internal trade is transported by sea. Safe and secure seas and oceans are of fundamental importance for free trade, the EU economy and living standards. The Council today adopted conclusions on the revision of the EU maritime security strategy (EUMSS) action plan. With this action plan, the EU reaffirms its role as a global maritime security provider. It promotes international cooperation, maritime multilateralism and the rule of law at sea, in line with the strategic priorities identified in the EU Global Strategy. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini The EU has interests but also responsibilities in global maritime security. This is why the EU actively contributes to safe and secure seas and oceans in different parts of the world, using several of the EU's existing instruments such as the Instrument for Peace and Stability and the European Development Fund, as well as EU policies, such as the Common Security and Defence Policy. The EU's maritime security strategy action plan was first adopted on 16 December 2014 to help safeguard the interests of the EU and protect its member states and citizens. It addresses global maritime risks and threats, including cross-border and organized crime, threats to freedom of navigation, threats to biodiversity, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or environmental degradation due to illegal or accidental discharge. The revision adopted today allows for a more focused reporting process to enhance awareness and better follow-up to the strategy. The action plan brings together both internal and external aspects of the Union's maritime security. The actions foreseen in the plan also contribute to the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, the renewed EU internal security strategy 2015-2020, the Council conclusions on global maritime security, and the joint communication on international ocean governance. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/06/26/maritime-security-eu-revises-its-action-plan/

  • Leaders wrestle with a potent mix: AI and weapons of mass destruction

    November 30, 2024 | International, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Leaders wrestle with a potent mix: AI and weapons of mass destruction

    New technologies can lower the bar for manufacturing dangerous weapons, while also helping watchdog organizations in detecting treaty infractions.

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