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March 22, 2021 | International, C4ISR

Photonis réalise un chiffre d’affaires de 150 millions d’euros en 2020 et rachète Device-ALab

Spécialiste de la vision nocturne pour les forces armées, la PME française Photonis a conclu en 2020 un chiffre d'affaires de 150 millions d'euros, dix fois supérieur à celui de l'année précédente. Photonis a été sélectionné comme fournisseur exclusif de tubes intensificateurs de lumière pour le nouveau programme d'acquisition d'armes de précision de l'Armée Française, et il a obtenu le contrat des nouvelles jumelles de vision nocturne O-NYX. La société a par ailleurs annoncé le rachat de Device-ALab, l'un de ses partenaires dans le marché des caméras infrarouge. « Cela fait quatre ans que nous sommes partenaires et depuis plusieurs mois, nous envisagions de fusionner nos technologies. L'infrarouge est en pleine croissance et extrêmement complémentaire de nos technologies actuelles », explique Geoffroy Deltel, le directeur technique de Photonis. Les deux partenaires ont gagné il y a deux ans un contrat de la DGA pour les tireurs d'élite, et Photonis l'a accompagné en Australie pour équiper des véhicules militaires.

Les Echos du 22 mars 2021

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  • Reform efforts in South Korea create ecosystem for defense industry growth

    August 17, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Reform efforts in South Korea create ecosystem for defense industry growth

    By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — South Korea has over the past decade become a defense industry powerhouse in its own right, and it's seeking to widen its reach, with progress in international markets in recent years marking the maturity of its defense articles. This year's Defense News Top 100 list of the biggest defense companies in the world features four South Korean businesses. They are Hanwha (ranked 32rd), Korea Aerospace Industries (55th), LIG Nex1 (68th) and Hyundai Rotem Company (95th), all of which made last year's list. Continued reform The strong performance of South Korean defense companies comes in the wake of a series of reforms over the past decade, with the latest designed to consolidate industrial gains and create momentum for growth. The defense industry reforms are part of President Moon Jae-in's Defense Reform 2.0 program announced in 2018 — a complement to efforts seeking to create a slimmer, yet more efficient South Korean military that is less reliant on foreign defense technology. The push for further self-reliance is most prominent in Korea Aerospace Industries' KF-X program. KAI is developing a next-generation fighter for the South Korean Air Force. Although an American GE F414 turbofan will power the aircraft, its avionics will primarily be indigenous. These include the active electronically scanned array radar under development by Hanwha and the country's Agency for Defense Development, with support and some components supplied by Israel's Elbit Systems. Defense Reform 2.0 also puts emphasis on defense industry investment, and it comes as little surprise that the domstic market still takes up the biggest share of the pie where sales are concerned, backed up by the steady growth in defense spending: South Korea's defense budget grew 20 percent from 2009 to 2017, reaching $43 billion. Export success The reform program also places an increased priority on defense exports. The country is already successful in this area, with research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute think tank showing the country was the 11th biggest arms supplier in the world in 2017, with sales totaling $5.5 billion. In a further indication of how much South Korea's industry has grown, SIPRI also noted in a 2018 report that the country's defense exports grew 94 percent in the 10 years prior, a growth figure only bettered by Turkey for the same period. This growth has been underpinned by two of the highest-profile South Korean defense exports in the past decade: the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle family of trainer and light combat aircraft, and the Hanwha K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. The T-50 was earmarked by the Air Force as its mainstay advanced trainer and light combat aircraft. Despite losing a number of trainer competitions, including in Poland, Singapore and the United States, the Golden Eagle has since scored a number of notable contracts for export. Compared to its rivals in the trainer market, such as the Leonardo M-346 and the Boeing T-7, the main draw of the T-50 family is its combat capability in the form of the TA-50 and FA-50 equipped with sophisticated combat capabilities in the form of radars and precision weapons employment capability. This makes the aircraft attractive to nations unable to afford a high-end trainer with a light attack capability, and the list of the type's customers bears this out, with Indonesia, Iraq, the Philippines and Thailand operating the type in their respective air forces. The Philippine Air Force used its FA-50PH fleet to attack Islamic State militants in the southern part of the country in 2018. Meanwhile, Hanwha's K9 Thunder has carved a niche for itself in the global market for self-propelled howitzers. The 52-caliber, 155mm system has been selected by a number of NATO nations, beating out the similar Panzerhaubitze 2000 by Germany's Rheinmetall in Estonia, Finland and Norway. Turkey is building the K9 under license as the T-155 Firtina. The system has also been selected for license production by India and Poland, and had previously been selected by Australia in the early part of the 2010s only to be canceled following budget issues caused by the global financial crisis. Hanwha is also one of two companies left in the running to supply the Australian Army with a new infantry fighting vehicle. The AS21 Redback, which is based on the K21 vehicle operated by the South Korean Army, is to take part in an evaluation program against the Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx to supply 450 vehicles to replace M113 armored personnel carriers. The evaluation will see three of each vehicle delivered to Australia for testing, with the first two Redbacks due to reach Australia at the end of August, having left South Korea by ship late last month. Post-pandemic support Like much the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit South Korea hard, though the worst appears to be over for the country. The local defense industry was forced to adjust financially and operationally, and it remains unclear how revenue will be hit by the events of 2020. The pandemic has claimed at least one sale for the South Korean defense industry, with Argentina, which had appeared set to be the next customer for the T-50 family, deciding in April to put off the acquisition indefinitely. The South American country is yet to sign a contract, despite choosing the aircraft for purchase in July 2019. However, the South Korean government is not waiting for foreign action. Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo has unveiled plans for the country to spend more on locally produced defense articles, partly as a move to help curtail the effects of the pandemic. Jeong said during a mid-June meeting with industry CEOs that his ministry plans to adjust spending plans to continue its drive to spend more on indigenous products, and move delivery timelines to reflect the reality of schedule delays while also waiving penalties for late payments. He also plans to expand an existing strategy aimed at establishing “defense industry innovation clusters”; this move adds to the first one established in April with an initial government investment. As a result, more funding will be made available to industry and research institutes, and will be used to support regional collaboration in defense-related research and development as well as manufacturing. https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2020/08/17/reform-efforts-in-south-korea-create-ecosystem-for-defense-industry-growth

  • Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Implications for the Future of the DOD

    December 2, 2019 | International, Land

    Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Implications for the Future of the DOD

    The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (Alexandria, VA) established the DOD Biotechnologies for Health and Human Performance Council (BHPC) study group to continually assess research and development in biotechnology. The BHPC group assesses scientific advances for improved health and performance with potential military application; identifies corresponding risks and opportunities and ethical, legal, and social implications; and provides senior leadership with recommendations for mitigating adversarial threats and maximizing opportunities for future U.S. forces. At the direction of the BHPC Executive Committee, the BHPC study group conducted a year-long assessment entitled “Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Impact for the Future of the DOD”. The primary objective of this effort was to forecast and evaluate the military implications of machines that are physically integrated with the human body to augment and enhance human performance over the next 30 years. This report summarizes this assessment and findings; identifies four potential military-use cases for new technologies in this area; and assesses their impact upon the DOD organizational structure, warfighter doctrine and tactics, and interoperability with U.S. allies and civil society. https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/mad-scientist/m/articles-of-interest/300458

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 9, 2019

    July 10, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 9, 2019

    ARMY General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, was awarded a $296,100,000 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for the production of Prophet Enhanced systems. 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 June 15, 2020. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-17-D-0006). Raytheon Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded an $11,125,514 modification (P00012) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0038 for engineering services for the Spiral 3 test and evaluation plan, Spiral 3 system hardware qualification, and Worldwide Ammunition Reporting System requirements to support the Javelin missile system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $11,125,514 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Georgia, has been awarded a $245,994,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for electronic warfare and avionics system support Georgia Tech Applied Research University and Affiliated Research Center. This contract provides for essential engineering, research and development capabilities and services for the development and sustainment of systems. Work will be performed at Atlanta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by July 8, 2029. Future orders may include foreign military sales to multiple countries. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,822,133 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Electronic Warfare, Robins Air Force Base, Warner, Robins, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8523-19-D-0006). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $92,905,016 ceiling increase and option modification (P00027) to previously awarded FA4600-14-D-0004 for systems engineering, management, and sustainment supporting weather-related missions; increasing the ceiling of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract and providing for the establishment of options to increase the ordering period by six months. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $392,905,016 from $300,000,000. Work will be performed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2022. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Combat Command 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Maersk Line Limited, Norfolk, Virginia, has been awarded an estimated $170,116,349 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W026). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. American President Lines LLC, Washington, District of Columbia., has been awarded an estimated $140,308,984 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W014). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier LLC, Parsippany, New Jersey, has been awarded an estimated $83,994,841 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W015). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Matson Navigation Company Inc., Oakland, California, has been awarded an estimated $71,217,825 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W027). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Liberty Global Logistics LLC, Lake Success, New York, has been awarded an estimated $68,353,914 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W025). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Farrell Lines Inc., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded an estimated $61,956,899 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W021). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Hapag-Lloyd USA LLC, Piscataway, New Jersey, has been awarded an estimated $55,905,823 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W023). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Central Gulf Lines Inc., New York, New York, has been awarded an estimated $33,998,317 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W017). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc., Federal Way, Washington, has been awarded an estimated $19,451,914 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W036). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLC, Jacksonville, Florida, has been awarded an estimated $14,001,976 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W037). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Schuyler Line Navigation Company LLC, Annapolis, Maryland, has been awarded an estimated $12,175,878 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W031). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Young Brothers LTD, Honolulu, Hawaii, has been awarded an estimated $7,293,050 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price contract for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (HTC711-19-D-W040). Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2020. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Henry Schein, Melville, New York, has been awarded a maximum $35,520,833 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for consumable dental items. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a July 15, 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 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-19-D-0010). NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $21,256,902 modification (P00004) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N0001919-F-2512) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification provides for modification kits, special tooling and installation labor for the modification and retrofit of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in May 2024. Fiscal 2017, 2018, and 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); non-U.S. DoD participant funds; and FMS funds in the amount of $21,256,902 will be obligated at time of award, $949,495 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($6,664,143; 31%); Navy ($6,290,194; 30%); Air Force ($4,651,660; 22%); non-U.S. DoD participants ($2,966,510; 14%); and FMS customers ($684,394; 3%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. QED Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, is awarded a $17,630,160 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price ordering provisions for the storage, overhaul, assessment, repair and industrial activity to make ready for issue critical steam plant valves to support Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, engineering, technical, production and subsequent logistic support services (including personnel and facilities) required to develop and integrate technological improvements for Steam Safety and Reliability Program critical spares and 2SCOG program for steam valves installed onboard current LHD-1 class and LCC-19 class, as well as support system life cycle requirements required by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Code 412. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is expected to be complete by July 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,000,000 will be obligated at 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, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-19-D-4026). ATI Wood-Solesi, Corsico, Italy, is awarded a $14,361,448, firm-fixed-price contract for the P1804 Construct Hydrant System at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The work to be performed provides for construction of the P1804 type III hydrant system piping loop and pump control panel that will service fueling operations on ramps 1, 2 and 3. This project will be designed in accordance with the latest Department of Defense standard designs and criteria and will include a hydrant loop with seven hydrant refueling pits, pantograph flush/checkout stand facility, pantograph storage area and the replacement of the pump control panel. This project will increase the efficiency of refueling by decreasing the amount of time refueling operations take and the number of personnel required to refuel the aircraft during peak air operations. Work will be performed in Corsico, Italy, and is expected to be completed by July 2021. Fiscal 2018 military construction, (Defense Logistics Agency) contract funds in the amount of $14,361,448 are obligated at the time of this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-19-C-5022). Cardno-Amec Foster Wheeler Public Works JV, Charlottesville, Virginia, is awarded a $10,934,892 firm-fixed-price task order N62470-19-F-4093 under a previously indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-18-D-3009) for inventory existence and completeness of operating materials and supplies at various Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) public works departments. The task order also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $14,868,095. The work to be performed provides for all management, labor, supplies, equipment, information technology, materials and transportation necessary to perform screen of undocumented materials to include identification, inventory, organization, assigning unique locations, and recommendations for disposal. The options, if exercised, provides for the work to be performed at additional NAVFAC locations including Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Sigonella, Italy, Naples, Italy, and Manama, Bahrain. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (22%); Great Lakes, Illinois (9%); Ventura County, California (9%); Norfolk, Virginia (7%); Kingsville, Texas (5%); Coronado, California (5%); Earle, New Jersey (5%); Washington, District of Columbia (4%); Kittery, Maine, (4%); Lemoore, California (3%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (3%); Seal Beach, California (2%); Indian Head, Maryland (2%); Crane, Indiana (2%); Monterey, California (2%); Fort Worth, Texas (2%); Dahlgren, Virginia (2%); Panama City, Florida (2%); Kitsap, Washington (1%); Corpus Christi, Texas (1%); Everett, Washington (1%); New London, Connecticut (1%); Key West, Florida (1%); China Lake, California (1%); New Orleans, Louisiana (1%); Gulfport, Mississippi (1%); Portsmouth, Virginia (1%); and Yorktown, Virginia (1%). The work is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2019 Navy working capital fund contract funds in the amount of $10,934,892 are obligated at the time of this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. NAVFAC AVFAC Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Synensys LLC, Peachtree City, Georgia, is awarded a $9,142,957 firm-fixed-price contract for patient safety services at naval military treatment facilities within and outside of the contiguous United States to include: Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia (25%); Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California (25%); Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, Maryland (10%); Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida (10%); Naval Health Clinic, Quantico, Virginia (10%); Naval Health Clinic New England, Newport, Rhode Island (10%); and Naval Hospital Naples, Italy (10%). Fiscal 2019 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $2,198,241 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a five-year single award contract and work is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2024. The contract was competitively procured as a total small business set-aside via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N62645-19-C-0004). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1899728/source/GovDelivery/

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