Progress on drone, vehicle engines signals Turkey’s independence from foreign suppliers

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  June 20, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  Raytheon and AirMap collaborate on safe drone integration into the national airspace system

  Raytheon Company PARIS, June 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has signed a strategic agreement with AirMap, the leading global airspace intelligence platform for drones, to collaborate on future projects to safely integrate unmanned aerial systems, commonly referred to as drones, into the national airspace system and unlock the positive economic and social benefits of expanded commercial drone operations. "AirMap is ushering in a new era in drone aviation," said Matt Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business. "Drones must safely operate in an already complex ecosystem, which is where our experience matters." The agreement combines the two companies' expertise: Raytheon's Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, or STARS, is used by air traffic controllers across the U.S. to provide safe and efficient aircraft spacing and sequencing guidance for more than 40,000 departing and arriving aircraft daily at both civilian and military airports. AirMap is the leading global provider of airspace intelligence for UAS operations, with over 250,000 registered users. In 2018, the majority of U.S. registered commercial drone pilots used AirMap to request over 45,000 automated authorizations to fly in controlled airspace. "Raytheon technology has helped safely and effectively manage airspace in the most complex, dense controlled airspace in the world for decades," said Ben Marcus, AirMap Co-founder and Chairman. "They are an ideal partner to join AirMap on the path toward enabling safe, efficient, and scalable drone operations in U.S. low-altitude airspace between 0 and 400 feet." The two companies are working toward an integrated demonstration that will showcase how AirMap's unmanned aircraft traffic management platform can increase air traffic controllers' awareness of potential conflict between drones and manned aircraft near airports to ensure overall safety of the airspace. About AirMap AirMap is the world's leading airspace intelligence platform for the drone economy. Industry developers, drone operators, and airspace managers rely on AirMap's airspace intelligence and services to fly safely and communicate in low-altitude airspace. AirMap unlocks safe, efficient, and scalable operations by connecting the world's drones to airspace authorities through an open platform of APIs and SDKs, with integrations by top drone manufacturers and solution providers including 3DR, DJI, DroneDeploy, Intel, Matternet, and senseFly. Deployed in the Czech Republic, Japan, Switzerland, the United States, and available in over 25 countries, AirMap leads the industry in delivering technology solutions for UAS Traffic Management (UTM) and U-space to enable safe and responsible drone operations at scale. AirMap supports several drone enablement and research projects globally, including NASA UTM, the European Network of U-space Demonstrators and the U.S. UAS Integration Pilot Programs. For more details visit https://airmap.com. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-and-airmap-collaborate-on-safe-drone-integration-into-the-national-airspace-system-300870910.html

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

  Norway’s allies share their views on the country’s new defense plan

  By: Stephen J. Flanagan and James Black As countries around the world grapple with the unfolding coronavirus pandemic, the wider business of government continues. Norway's Ministry of Defence will shortly publish its next Long Term Plan, which will then be debated by parliament. The plan outlines how the Armed Forces, in tandem with other elements of government and society, can best address the threats to Norway from hostile states, terrorists, and fragile and failing states. The plan also examines how to bolster national resilience to deal with other risks including hybrid warfare, climate change and pandemics. A new Rand report, commissioned by the MoD to inform its strategy and policy development, offers perspectives from its closest allies on the emerging security challenges and strategic options facing Norway. We found broad alignment of Norwegian and allied assessments across Denmark, France, Germany, the U.K., the U.S. and NATO institutions, but some enduring differences in emphasis and priorities. Other allies recognize Norway as punching above its weight and playing a critical role in the defense of the North Atlantic and High North. At the same time, our research concludes there is no time for complacency. Norway's key allies agree that the most significant threat in the High North is not a crisis directed against Norway itself. The more plausible danger is “horizontal escalation” — a crisis elsewhere in Europe rapidly growing into a wider conflict that threatens Norwegian waters, airspace and territory. Russia continues to demonstrate hostile intent, and its military capabilities threaten the ability of Norway and its allies to operate military forces, secure critical infrastructure and protect civilian populations. The collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019 brings an increased threat from medium-range ballistic missiles, requiring Norwegian and allied defense planners to adjust to new threats to the homeland and region. Improvements in the Russian Northern Fleet, including surface vessels and submarines armed with modern cruise missiles, also pose an increased threat to NATO operations in the Norwegian Sea, to undersea internet cables and to sea lines of communication essential to reinforcing Norway from North America or Europe in the event of any conflict. There is also strong consensus on the enduring threats posed by terrorism, nonstate actors and challenges such as climate change in the Arctic. While all allies recognize the need to consider the strategic implications of a rising China, the United States sees China as a more direct and imminent security threat. Allies also welcome Norway's contributions to missions on NATO's eastern and southern flanks. Allies perceive Norway as having an impressive mix of high-end capabilities for a country of its size and a mature total defense concept — its strategy for engaging all elements of society in national defense. These capabilities and commitments, coupled with a well-respected approach to strategy development, have allowed Norway to have significant influence on strategic thinking within NATO. Nevertheless, significant security challenges remain, and to address them our report suggests a number of options for Norwegian leaders to consider: Strengthen deterrence in Norway: Expand surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities; increase the military posture in northern Norway; enhance the protection of bases and forces against air and missile threats; maximize the F-35 fighter jet's potential to aid joint operations; and prepare for operations in contested cyber, space and electromagnetic environments. Expand capacity to receive allied reinforcements: Build on lessons from the joint Trident Juncture 2018 exercise, which allies viewed as an important milestone but not a full stress test; pursue increasingly challenging training scenarios; ensure sufficient pre-positioned stocks of consumables and equipment; upgrade and expand infrastructure along with concepts for dispersing forces to prevent attack; and deepen cooperation to enhance military mobility and interoperability. Explore concepts to hold potential adversaries at risk: Invite allies with more advanced reconnaissance and deep-attack systems to deploy them to Norway periodically; develop longer-range weapons for Norwegian forces; explore the utility of low-cost, unmanned assets; collaborate with key allies on concepts to deny adversaries access to the sea and to better project forces onto the littoral; and refine parallel strategic communications to control escalation. Enhance national and societal resilience: Test and refine Norway's whole-of-government approach and the mechanisms for civil support to the military; contribute to NATO's strategy for addressing hybrid threats, such as disinformation, economic pressure and cyberattacks; and explore further measures to enhance collective preparedness and will to fight. Solidify Norwegian contributions to NATO and partners: Continue contributions to NATO operations beyond the north; help to address variations in defense expenditure across all NATO nations and rebalance trans-Atlantic burden-sharing; promote deeper NATO cooperation with Sweden and Finland; and use innovation and industry to enable influence within NATO. Other countries can learn from how Norway chooses to tackle these emerging challenges, and they can benefit from its lessons learned, particularly with respect to the total defense concept. Pursuit of some of these options, along with the Norwegian government's ongoing efforts to seek allied views, could help enhance deterrence in the north and overall NATO defense. Stephen J. Flanagan is a senior political scientist at the think tank Rand. James Black is a senior analyst in the defense, security and infrastructure program at Rand Europe. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/04/16/allies-share-views-on-enhancing-defense-of-norway-and-the-high-north/

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  June 25, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - June 24, 2020

  NAVY Ahtna-CDM JV,* Irvine, California (N62473-20-D-1005); Bristol Design Build Services LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N62473-20-D-1006); Corbara MGS JV,* National City, California (N62473-20-D-1007); Heffler Contracting Group,* El Cajon, California (N62473-20-D-1008); Macro Z Technology,* Santa Ana, California (N62473-20-D-1009); and Teehee Engineering Inc.,* Carlsbad, California (N62473-20-D-1010), are awarded a $99,999,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation and repair by design-build or design-bid-build of general construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Southwest area of operations in California and Arizona. The work to be performed provides for new construction, renovation and repair within the North American Industry Classification System Code 236220. The various types of construction projects may include, but are not limited to, administration buildings, academic and applied instruction training facilities, maintenance/repair facilities, military operations facilities, aircraft hangars, fire stations, office buildings, laboratories, dining facilities, related structures and other similar facilities located in California and Arizona. The maximum dollar value, including one two-year base period and one three-year option period, for all six contracts combined is $99,999,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on these contracts will be performed at various government installations located in California (84%); and Arizona (16%). The terms of the contracts are not to exceed 60 months and work is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $30,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy) (O&M, N) (O&M) and the Marine Corps. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and 15 proposals were received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $31,964,182 modification to increase the ceiling amount on five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of an additional 76 helmet display tracker systems, major assemblies, provision ordering item line items, engineering services and support equipment. This procurement will support the Navy PMA-299 Multi-Mission helicopter (MH-60S). Work will be performed in Haifa, Israel (99%); and Fort Worth, Texas (1%). In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this modification was not competitively procured. There is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Future 76 helmet display tracker systems procurements are expected to support Naval Air Systems Command PMA-299 and Foreign Military Sales requirements, which have been deployed on MH-60S Knighthawk (Seahawk) multi-mission aircraft to facilitate and enable effective tracking for the pilot and co-pilot. Work is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2020 Aircraft Procurement (Navy) funding of $15,876,977 will be obligated at the time of contract award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-17-D-JQ63). Methuen Construction Co. Inc., Plaistow, New Hampshire, is awarded a $13,261,766 firm-fixed-price contract for the design-bid-build of Dry Dock 2 portal crane rail and tunnel repairs located at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Work will be performed at Kittery, Maine. The work to be performed provides crane rail repair upgrades, which will increase the capacity of the ground level portal crane rails at the north and east sides of Dry Dock 2. Major work elements include demolition of existing crane rails, baseplates, hardware, footings, beams and pile caps; installation of micro piles; installation of reinforced concrete pile caps, beams and footings; installation of crane rail, baseplates and hardware; and site grading, drainage improvements and pavement restoration within the project limits. Additionally, the tunnel repair upgrades will demolish and reconstruct the personnel access tunnel at the east side of Dry Dock 2, including integral and adjacent ground level portal crane rails and footings. Major work elements include temporary re-routing of electrical, communication and mechanical utilities; selective demolition of reinforced concrete personnel access tunnel and crane rail footings; rock excavation; installation of new cast-in-place reinforced concrete personnel access tunnel with integral crane rails and adjacent crane rail footings; reconstruction of drainage, electrical and mechanical utilities; and site grading and paving. Work is expected to be completed by May 2022. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,261,766 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM website, and two proposals were received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-C-0033). CAPE Environmental Management Inc.,* Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded a $7,274,125 cost-plus-award-fee modification to task order N62742-19-F-0129 under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for implementation of remedial alternatives for decision units (DU) N-2, N-3, N-4, SE-1 and E-2 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii. The work to be performed under this modification provides selected remedies to be implemented that include focused dredging, placement of a thin-layer of clean material for enhanced natural recovery, treatment of contaminated sediment with activated carbon amendment material at DU E-2 and placement of activated carbon amendment in open-water areas in DU SE-1. Work is expected to be completed by August 2022. Fiscal 2020 environmental restoration (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $7,274,125 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-16-D-1807). U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND SSA Atlantic LLC, Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded an $82,803,960 firm-fixed-price contract (HTC711-20-D-R035). The contract provides stevedoring and related terminal services at ports in the Mid-Atlantic region. Work will be performed at ports in Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Morehead City, North Carolina. The contract period of performance is from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2025. Fiscal 2020 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE ASIRTek Federal Services LLC, San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a $78,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for information security support services. This contract provides for proactive support of the foundational pillars of this requirement, which are cybersecurity improvement initiatives and cybersecurity support. Work will be performed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Additional on-site support locations may include Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Randolph AFB, Texas; and Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Work is expected to be completed June 28, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with 24 offers received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Combat Command Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA7037-20-D-0001). System Dynamics International, Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $28,736,071 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for MQ-9 unmanned aerial system aircrew and support services. Work will be performed in Poway, California; China Lake Naval Air Station, California; Edwards Air Force Base, California; Palmdale, California; and Yuma, Arizona, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $403,814; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $503,902; fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount $2,853,876; and Foreign Military Sales administration funds in the amount of $95,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-20-C-2001). ATI Engineering Services LLC, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $10,101,563 contract for Rwanda C-208 EX aircraft acquisition. This contract provides the procurement of two Textron C-208 EX aircraft, associated spare parts and ground support equipment, the necessary modifications for the Rwandan Air Force, flight training device, technical drawings and interim logistic support for both aircraft and the training device. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Rockford, Illinois; and Kigali Air Force Base, Rwanda, and is expected to be completed July 31, 2022. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Rwanda and is the result of a competitive acquisition with two offers received. Fiscal 2016 Peacekeeping Operations Overseas Contingency Operations funds in the amount of $9,030,923 is being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-20-C-0001). ARMY Geneva Rock Products Inc., Orem, Utah, was awarded a $75,039,988 firm-fixed-price contract to construct 18 earth-covered modular storage magazines. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 21, 2022. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $75,039,988 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W91238-20-C-0010). Ilsi-Arcadis JV,* New Orleans, Louisiana (W912DR-20-D-0013); Princetone Hydro LLC,* Ringoes, New Jersey (W912DR-20-D-0015); and W.F. Baird & Associates,* Madison, Wisconsin (D912DR-20-D-0016), will compete for each order of the $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for civil works architect engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 13 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 23, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Mission Critical Solutions LLC,* Alum Bank, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $16,276,805 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of inert warheads. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 24, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-20-D-0025). Honeywell International Inc., Clearwater, Florida, was awarded a $7,146,942 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 66 Tactical Advanced Land Inertial Navigator High Accuracy North Finding Systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-20-D-0027). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Crowley Government Services Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $59,700,000 firm-fixed-price contract for contractor-owned, contractor-operated fuel storage facilities and services for various types of fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with three offers received. This is a four-year contract with one five-year option period. Locations of performance are Florida and Alaska, with a June 23, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Air Force and Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE603-20-C-5009). Tiger Natural Gas Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a maximum $35,439,063 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, requirements contract under solicitation SPE604-20-R-0403 for pipeline quality direct supply natural gas. This was a competitive acquisition with four offers received. This is a three-year contract with a possible six-month carryover. Locations of performance are California, Nevada and Washington, with a Sept. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy, Air Force and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2023 and customers are responsible to fund these contracts and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE604-20-D-7502). Cobham Mission Systems Davenport LSS Inc., doing business as Cobham Mission Systems, Davenport, Iowa, has been awarded a maximum $17,492,050 firm‐fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for a nitrogen inerting unit. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302‐1. This is a five‐year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Iowa, with a June 30, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-20-D-0023). Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., doing business as UTC Aerospace, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, has been awarded a $15,144,635 firm‐fixed‐price, requirements contract for F-16 accessory drive gearboxes, hydraulic start motors and B-2 airframe mounted accessory drives. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302‐1. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Locations of performance are Iowa and Connecticut, with a June 30, 2025, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriations is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Ogden, Utah (SPE4AX‐20‐D‐9410). CORRECTION: The contract announced on June 11, 2020, for Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (SPRDL1-20-D0065) for $10,836,726 was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is June 23, 2020. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2231349/source/GovDelivery/