SDLE has been awarded the contract for maintenance of the Leopard 2A4 towers

On the same subject

• 

  May 24, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  French Air Force introduces new UAV pilot training scheme

  Frédéric Lert, Bordeaux - Jane's Defence Weekly The French Air Force is ramping up the recruitment and training of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crews to cope with the service's expanding air vehicle inventory. While the 1/33 Belfort UAV squadron currently flies five GA-ASI MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs using 20 qualified crews (with each crew consisting of a pilot, sensor operator, tactical co-ordinator and image analyst), the plan is to have 24 MALE UAVs operational by 2030, generating a requirement for 80 to 100 crews. The greatest urgency is to train the pilots to cope with this expansion, so the air force is introducing a new course into its flying schools alongside those already existing for fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters. The first phase of training will fall under the responsibility of the Centre d'excellence drone (CED) in Salon de Provence, southern France. The CED, which until now was more oriented towards research, thus sees its mission considerably evolve. During this phase the students will fly Cirrus light aircraft and receive some specific training, especially in relation to instrument flight rules (IFR). The second phase will then take the student pilots to the air force flying school in Cognac, where they will improve their piloting skills on the Grob 120 basic trainer. They will then move on to the UAV Operational Conversion Squadron (Escadron de Transformation Opérationnelle Drone - ETOD) and the 1/33 Belfort to acquire the particular tactical know-how required to operate the Reapers. https://www.janes.com/article/88729/french-air-force-introduces-new-uav-pilot-training-scheme

• 

  November 3, 2020 | International, Naval

  THALES ET NEXTER ÉQUIPERONT LES BÂTIMENTS DE LA MARINE NATIONALE D’UNE NOUVELLE GÉNÉRATION D’ARTILLERIE

  • Le système RAPIDFire développé par le GME Thales et Nexter a été choisi par la Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) afin d'équiper de prochains b'timents de la Marine nationale d'une nouvelle artillerie. • Ce nouveau système novateur et polyvalent de défense très courte portée permettra de doter des b'timents de surface d'une capacité d'auto-défense rapprochée contre les menaces modernes aériennes et de surface. Les forces navales sont aujourd'hui confrontées à des menaces multiples aux comportements complexes, comme celles représentées par les drones aériens et de surface, les avions légers et les missiles. Le RAPIDFire développé par Thales et Nexter répond à ce besoin de défense très courte portée des Forces armées en exploitant les savoir-faire des deux groupes. C'est un système d'artillerie de nouvelle génération, multi menaces (air et surface) et multi milieux (terre et naval), dont le coût d'engagement est adapté à celui de ces menaces. Le RAPIDFire est un système d'arme de grande précision gr'ce à son viseur optronique intégré sur la tourelle, ses algorithmes de conduite de tir performants, son canon et son système de gestion automatique des munitions permettant la meilleure réactivité et une efficacité optimale pour l'opérateur. Le RAPIDFire intègre le canon de 40 mm développé par CTAI, la filiale internationale de Nexter Systems et BAE Systems. Le système a la capacité d'utiliser toute la gamme de munitions développées dans le cadre des programmes terrestres et est prédisposé pour utiliser une future munition dite « intelligente » A3B (Anti-Aerial AirBurst). Le groupement momentané d'entreprises (GME) formé par Nexter et Thales pour le RAPIDFire s'inscrit dans la continuité du partenariat étroit initié par les deux groupes il y a dix ans. Aujourd'hui, le programme est en phase de développement. Suivront ensuite la qualification, la production et la livraison de systèmes d'armes dans les forces, dont le premier exemplaire sera livré en 2022. Développé dans une approche surface–air permettant l'utilisation à la mer mais également depuis la terre, le marché prévoit également une option pour préparer une future utilisation sur porteur terrestre. Le RAPIDFire, véritable solution interarmées, sera ainsi un système canon susceptible d'équiper les forces navales, terrestres et aériennes. « Nous sommes très heureux d'accompagner la Marine nationale dans le renforcement de ses solutions de défense. Parce qu'il allie rapidité de mise en œuvre et précision, le RAPIDFire développé en coopération avec Nexter constitue la meilleure réponse pour protéger les b'timents de la Marine nationale contre les menaces modernes et a vocation à devenir un élément essentiel et durable de notre offre de solutions avancées pour la protection de nos forces. » Thomas Got, Directeur Général Systèmes Intégrés pour la Protection de l'Espace Aérien, Thales. « Le 40 CTA présente des caractéristiques inégalées de puissance et de compacité, qui en font un système d'armes particulièrement adapté à la protection des b'timents de surface. Avec le RAPIDFire, Nexter se réjouit d'élargir le spectre d'emploi du CTA40 en coopération avec Thales et la Marine nationale. » Michel Vatrey, Directeur des Systèmes et Programmes, Nexter A propos de Nexter Nexter, société du groupe KNDS, est le leader français de la défense terrestre et le 3ème munitionnaire européen. Son domaine d'activité s'étend à la fourniture de systèmes et de munitions pour les forces aériennes et navales. Nexter propose également des systèmes et des solutions de protection dans le domaine de la sécurité. Le groupe confirme sa politique de développement à l'international avec 69% de prises de commandes à l'export en 2019. En France, Nexter est pleinement mobilisé pour répondre aux objectifs du programme SCORPION, à travers la rénovation du char Leclerc, la production des engins VBMR GRIFFON et EBRC JAGUAR au sein d'un GME (Nexter, Arquus, Thales) ainsi que le développement du VBMR Léger SERVAL. Le chiffre d'affaires de Nexter s'est établi pour 2019 à 1,1 milliard d'euros, dont 16% sont alloués aux activités de Recherche & Développement. Le groupe propose par ailleurs une large gamme de véhicules blindés comme le VBCI et le TITUS®, les systèmes d'artillerie CAESAR® et 105LG1, des munitions intelligentes (BONUS), les robots de la gamme NERVA®, de nombreux équipements ainsi que des services clients, de soutien et de revalorisation. Plus d'informations sur www.nexter-group.fr Contact Presse Louis Dosseur +33 1 39 49 32 31 l.dosseur@nexter-group.fr A propos de Thales Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) est un leader mondial des hautes technologies qui investit dans les innovations du numérique et de la « deeptech » – connectivité, bigdata, intelligence artificielle, cybersécurité et quantique – pour construire un avenir de confiance, essentiel au développement de nos sociétés. Thales propose des solutions, services et produits qui aident ses clients –entreprises, organisations, Etats – dans les domaines de la défense, de l'aéronautique, de l'espace, du transport et de l'identité et sécurité numériques, à remplir leurs missions critiques en plaçant l'humain au cœur des décisions. Thales compte 83 000 collaborateurs dans 68 pays. Le Groupe a réalisé un chiffre d'affaires de 19 milliards d'euros en 2019 (sur la base de données intégrant Gemalto sur 12 mois). Contact Presse Faïza Zaroual +33 (0)7 81 48 80 41 faiza.zaroual@thalesgroup.com https://www.thalesgroup.com/fr/group/journaliste/press_release/thales-et-nexter-equiperont-batiments-marine-nationale-dune

• 

  February 24, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 20, 2020

  NAVY Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $233,036,890 firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract action for the procurement of Mk 41 Vertical Launching System vertical launcher module assemblies, modernization kits and spare components. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (74%) and the governments of Korea (18%), Finland (4%), and Germany (4%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland (40%); Indianapolis, Indiana (36%); Farmingdale, New York (9%); Saginaw, Michigan (5%); Waverly, Iowa (2%); Thomaston, Connecticut (2%); Chaska, Minnesota (2%); St. Peters, Missouri (1%); Hampstead, Maryland (1%); Santa Rosa, California (1%), and Peachtree City, Georgia (1%), and is expected to be completed by March 2025. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $46,607,377 was obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-5310). (Awarded Feb. 14, 2020) Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded an $11,967,528 modification (P00003) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N00019-19-F-2972) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-19-G-0029). This modification provides non-recurring engineering to replace existing subsystems, such as the Data Transfer Unit, Defense Electronic Countermeasure System and ARC-210 radio, with the CH-53K production aircraft. Non-recurring engineering efforts include investigation, systems engineering support, risk analysis, integration development, weight impact, publication updates including maintenance, training, update tooling and qualification testing. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (55.82%); Stratford, Connecticut (35.7%) and Fort Worth, Texas (8.48%), and is expected to be completed in August 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,967,528 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Bath Iron Works, Bath Maine, is awarded an $8,462,959 fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-2305 to exercise an option for accomplishment of post-delivery availability work items for Guided Missile Destroyer 118. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine (93%), Brunswick, Maine (6%), and other locations below 1 % (collectively totaling less than 1%) and is expected to be completed by February 2021. Fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) and fiscal 2013 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,462,959 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $1,962,124 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Dark Wolf Solutions LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $75,000,000 blanket purchase agreement for cyber innovation services. This award was made from GSA Professional Services Schedule number: GS-00F-086GA. The contractor is a Phase III, Small Business Innovation and Research program participant. The location of performance is Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The work to be conducted includes software penetration testing and adversarial assessment. The work is expected to be complete by Oct. 19, 2020. Fiscal 2020 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,093,286 are being obligated at the time of award via task order FA7014-20-F-0041. Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity (FA7014-20-F-0041). Williams Aerospace & Manufacturing (formerly Merex Aircraft Co.), a Kellstrom Defense company, has been awarded a $40,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the acquisition of A-10 Speed Brake assemblies. This contract provides for upper and lower left speed brakes assembly and upper and lower right speed brakes assembly. Work will be performed in Camarillo, California, and is expected to be complete by February 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Consolidated sustainment activity group working capital funds in the amount of $10,501,432 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8212-20-D-0001). Chemring Energetic Devices Inc., Downers Grove, Illinois, has been awarded a $24,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for supply of various Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices for various U.S. and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) aircraft. Work will be performed in Downers Grove, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by August 2027. The contract involves foreign military sales to Greece, Taiwan, Thailand, Switzerland, Uruguay, India, Saudi Arabia, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Denmark, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, South Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Turkey, Poland, Bahrain, Tunisia, Egypt and The Netherlands. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force fiscal 2018 funding in the amount of $1,882,272; Air Force fiscal 2019 funding in the amount of $1,065,552; U.S. Navy fiscal year 2019 funding in the amount of $134,032; Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $2,539,705 are being obligated at the time of award under delivery order FA8213-20-F-2525. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8213-20-D-0002). C. Martin Company Inc., North Las Vegas, Nevada, has been awarded a $7,462,086 option exercise modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8601-18-D-0004. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for additional facility and equipment support under the basic contract. The location of performance is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 research development test and evaluation funds are being obligated shortly after award on a task order. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $21,941,348. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Stonewin LLC,* New York, New York, has been awarded a minimum $59,678,523 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for marine gas oil. This was a competitive acquisition with 41 responses received. This is a 56-month base contract with one six-month option period. Locations of performances are Alabama, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas and South Carolina, with an Oct. 31, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Coast Guard and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE608-20-D-0350). EMIT Corp., Houston, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $20,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This was a competitive acquisition with 104 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Feb. 19, 2025, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-20-D-0030). ARMY K S Ware & Associates LLC, Nashville, Tennessee, was awarded a $12,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for value engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 19, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-20-D-0012). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2089858/source/GovDelivery/