Nordic nations ponder military changes with NATO in mind

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  January 11, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  CEO of BAE Systems: Overcoming hardships for a better year

  By: Charles Woodburn The beginning of 2020 was an exciting time for our company; we had just announced we would acquire two high-performing new businesses out of the Raytheon and United Technologies Corporation merger. None of us could have predicted that just weeks later, the majority of our 88,000 employees around the world would be working from home as, like so many companies, we grappled with the unprecedented impact of a global pandemic. Like all businesses, we've experienced challenges this year, especially in the areas that support civil aviation. We've had to adapt and make difficult decisions, but thanks to the actions we've taken to enhance the resilience of our business and the remarkable fortitude of our people, we've continued to deliver on our customers' priorities while keeping our people safe. While COVID-19 clearly caused disruption in the second quarter, since then most of our defense businesses have been operating with well over 90 percent of employees working. The willingness of our customers to maintain cash flow into our businesses also enabled us to support our suppliers — including small and medium-sized companies — through the pandemic. Collaborative partnership with our customers has been essential to the defense industry's ability to press ahead over the past year. It remains essential as we move forward through 2021 and face an uncertain global environment with complex threats. It's only by industry and government working closely, understanding each other, and maintaining trust that we'll be able to innovate quickly to outpace the threats. As governments commit to increased spending on defense in countries such as Australia, the U.K. and several European nations, the defense industry must rise to the challenge. Our sector not only provides critical capability for a nation's security — we deliver real benefits to the economy by sustaining and creating highly skilled jobs through investment in research and technology and through exports. I strongly believe we can have a key role to play in restoring the economies of the countries in which we operate. For our part in 2021, we'll continue to invest in skills and in new technologies that are vital to maintaining our strong positions on next-generation capabilities across the air, maritime, land and cyber domains. In the U.S. market, we continue to stay well-aligned to the U.S. National Defense Strategy and are investing heavily in modernizing facilities and using new technologies. For example, we're deploying new virtual manufacturing and robotic welding in our combat vehicle production. While the new administration's priorities are not yet clear, we expect to stay well-aligned, given our work focused on combat vehicles, precision-guided munitions, naval ship repair and modernization, electronic warfare, hypersonics, space resilience, and security. In the U.K., the announcement of increased funding for the Ministry of Defence provides welcome stability. The submission of the outline business case for Tempest at the end of 2020 was another significant step in this hugely exciting project to deliver a next-generation future combat air system. Working with our partners and supply chain, we're using cutting-edge technologies to transform how we design, develop and manufacture, helping to reduce time and cost. We'll ramp up the number of people we have working on the program through 2021, including apprentices and graduates, as part of our commitment to recruit 1,250 trainees across the U.K., despite the pandemic. In Australia, we're excited to have begun work on the prototype for the Hunter-class frigate — an Australian version of the U.K.'s Type 26. We recently recruited the 1,000th Hunter employee and expect to recruit up to 1,000 more people, including apprentices and graduates, in 2021 as the program continues to ramp up. Working with our partners and customer, we're supporting Australia to develop its sovereign defense capability to deliver on the country's recently published 10-year defense strategy. It's been a challenging year of trying to stay connected while maintaining physical distance; the inability to travel to our businesses around the world and meet our people and our customers is something I've found frustrating at times. But if we continue working closely with our partners to use the lessons we've learned in 2020, particularly regarding our agility, resilience and efficiency, this industry can play an increasingly important role in restoring our battered economies, while keeping citizens safe and economies prosperous. Charles Woodburn is the CEO of BAE Systems. https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/2021/01/11/ceo-of-bae-systems-overcoming-hardships-for-a-better-year/

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  March 1, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 27, 2019

  NAVY General Electric Aviation, Lynn, Massachusetts, is awarded a $366,206,842 five-year, firm-fixed-price requirements, long-term contract for the repair of 18 different head-of-family part numbers in support of the T-64 engine. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, North Carolina, and work is expected to be completed by February 2024. Working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source, non-competitive requirement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. (N00383-19-D-UK01) The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $157,700,000 firm-fixed-price contract to procure two operational flight trainers (OFTs), two weapons tactics trainers (WTTs); six brief/debrief stations (BDSs);, to include two OFT BDSs, two WTT BDSs; and two weapons system trainer BDSs; one part task trainer, ten electronic classrooms, two scenario generation stations, one training system support center, two virtual maintenance trainers and supporting technical data such as software, books and other publications. In addition, this contract provides contracts, logistics, engineering and management technical expertise required to procure, design, build, test, deliver, install- and inspect P-8A training systems for the government of the U. K. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (55 percent); Tampa, Florida (30 percent); Lossiemouth, Scotland (10 percent); Jacksonville, Florida (2 percent); Dallas, Texas (2 percent); and Seattle, Washington (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $157,700,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4). The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (N61340-19-C-0004). General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was awarded $34,732,571 for cost-plus-fixed-fee order N6339419F0028 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N6339416G0005 for providing in-service engineering and lifecycle support services required to maintain and support the command, control, communications, computers, combat systems and intelligence elements for the Austal Independence variant littoral combat ship. The services provided will include program planning and control, resource management, cost and schedule control, installation and modernization, software development and testing, and training support. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (80 percent); and at various shipyards dependent on ship's schedule along the east coast of the U. S. (20 percent), and is expected to be complete by February 2021. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,886,257 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $896,755 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity (N63394-19-F-0028). (Awarded Feb. 26, 2019) General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded an $18,251,709 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-09-C-2104 for planning and execution of USS South Dakota's (SSN 790) post-delivery work period (PDWP). General Dynamics Electric Boat will perform planning and execution efforts, including long lead time material procurement, in preparation to accomplish the maintenance, repair, alterations, testing, and other work during its scheduled PDWP. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. Fiscal 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,651,709 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Groton, Connecticut, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $14,121,444 for cost-plus-incentive-fee order N0001919F2693 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for the development of the F-35 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS). The AGCAS is an on-board system that prevents controlled flight into terrain. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $5,109,509 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force ($5,926,519; 42 percent); Navy ($2,110,071; 15 percent); Marine Corps ($1,378,177; 10 percent); and non-U.S. Department of Defense participants ($4,706,677; 33 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. ARMY Dobco Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, was awarded a $47,962,590 firm-fixed-price contract for the replacement of Welch Elementary School and Dover Air Base Middle School at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 25, 2021. Fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2107 military construction funds in the amount of $47,962,590 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-C-0017). NextGen Federal Systems LLC,* Morgantown, West Virginia, was awarded a $27,527,066 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for staff augmentation services. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56JSR-19-D-0011). Brayman Construction Corp., Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $21,744,985 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a cellular cofferdam at the Bluestone Dam in Hinton, West Virginia. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Hinton, West Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2015, 2018 and 2019 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $21,744,985 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington, West Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91237-19-C-0002). AIR FORCE Collins Aerospace, a division of Goodrich, Westford, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $47,606,589 modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8620-18-D-3014 for the DB-110 Tactical Reconnaissance Pod program. This modification provides foreign military sales (FMS) partner nations an ordering vehicle for the DB-110 Tactical Reconnaissance Pod program, including the following procurement of DB-110 reconnaissance pods, rogram infrastructure, airborne data link terminals, surface terminal equipment, mobile ground stations, fixed ground stations, transportable ground stations, and data and travel in support of orders. This modification brings the contract ceiling to $183,104,667 and involves FMS to Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Work will be performed in Westford, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by Nov. 14, 2023. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. TAC Industries Inc., Springfield, Ohio, has been awarded a $7,190,190 delivery order (FA8534-19-F-0028) to previously awarded contract FA8532-14-D-0003 for the production of 463L low profile nets and 463L top nets. This delivery order provides for aircraft cargo nets that secure a wide variety of cargo to the pallets prior to loading, which also minimizes the risk of the cargo shifting during flight. Work will be performed in Springfield, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in full amount are being obligated at time of award. This task order brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $54,494,482. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Federal Prison Industries Inc.,* doing business as UNICOR, Washington, District of Columbia, has been awarded a maximum $12,210,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for moisture wicking t-shirts. This is a 24-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Georgia, South Carolina, and Washington, District of Columbia, with a Feb. 25, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-F021). (Awarded Feb. 26, 2019) WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Cargo Transport System Co., Safat,, Kuwait, has been awarded a contractmodification (P00007) on contract HTC711-17-D-R021 in the amount of $10,000,000. This modification provides continued stevedoring and related terminal services to the 595th Transportation Brigade. This includes vessel loading, vessel discharge, receipt of cargo, disposition of cargo, stuffing/unstuffing of cargo, intra-terminal transfer of cargo, inland transportation of cargo, customs clearance, yard management and management expertise. Work will be performed in ports of Kuwait. The period of performance is from March 9, 2019, to Sept. 8, 2019. Fiscal 2019 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $27,709,945from $17,709,945. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Feb. 25, 2019) * Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1769868/

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  February 18, 2022 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Un rapport parlementaire évoque l’idée de porter le budget de la Défense à 2,5% du PIB

  DÉFENSE Un rapport parlementaire évoque l'idée de porter le budget de la Défense à 2,5% du PIB Dans un contexte où un conflit de haute intensité n'est plus considéré comme une hypothèse d'école, les députés Jean-Louis Thiériot et Patricia Mirallès estiment que la remontée en puissance des forces françaises doit se poursuivre et garantir la hausse annuelle prévue de +3 Md€ jusqu'en 2025. Et encore, il ne s'agit que du minimum. « Sous réserves de rester avec les mêmes ambitions, il y a un besoin complémentaire de 20 à 30 Md€ sur la prochaine LPM. Ce qui mène, grosso modo, à un effort de 2,5% du PIB (...) pour avoir notre modèle d'armée complet », a expliqué Jean-Louis Thiériot, lors de l'examen d'un rapport sur la préparation à la haute intensité, co-écrit avec Patricia Mirallès. Les deux députés ont livré quelques déficits capacitaires dont souffrent actuellement les forces françaises. S'agissant de l'Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace, le nombre de ses avions de combat est insuffisant ; ses capacités en matière de transport aérien médian devront être renouvelées (les C-235 n'étant pas éternels). Et la question des hélicoptères de transport lourd reste posée. Pour Jean-Louis Thiérot, porter le budget des armées à 2,5% du PIB aurait un réel bénéfice pour l'économie française : « un euro investi dans la défense rapporte davantage. (...) c'est un secteur industriel vital pour la France, réparti sur tout le territoire (...) permettant à la fois d'avoir l'outil de défense dont on a besoin mais aussi de développer des technologies qui nous servent sur d'autres marchés », a plaidé le député. Opex360 du 16 février