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August 19, 2020 | International, Aerospace

Taiwan signs deal to purchase 66 F-16 jets from Lockheed Martin

Taiwan has signed an agreement to purchase 66 F-16 jets from Lockheed Martin amid escalating tensions between the US and China.

As part of the $62bn deal, Taiwan will procure the latest generation of F-16s to boost its air power. The Pentagon also confirmed the deal without specifying the buyer.

According to a Bloomberg report, the deal marks the first sale of fighter aircraft to the Asian island, which China considers to be part of its territory since 1992 when the former US administration approved the sale of 150 F-16s to Taiwan.

The latest agreement comes a year after Taiwan received approval from Washington for the purchase.

After the potential deal was announced last year, China issued a strong response and said that the deal will violate the one-China principle.

During the past year, the relationship between the US and China further deteriorated over the Covid-19 pandemic, 5G technology, Hong Kong and trade impasse.

Lockheed Martin has an initial order of 90 F-16 jets, the delivery of which is scheduled for late 2026.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/taiwan-66-f-16-jets/

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 11, 2021

    February 12, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 11, 2021

    ARMY Archer Western Federal JV, Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a $205,442,643 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a new 916-car parking structure and of a new spinal cord injury/community living center. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, with an estimated completion date of March 11, 2024. Fiscal 2021 civil construction funds in the amount of $205,442,643 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity (W912PL-21-C-0004). Westech International Inc,* Albuquerque, New Mexico, was awarded a $58,805,487 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for data collection, data management, logistical support for operational test events and field test support. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2026. U.S. Army 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-21-D-0003). Fugro USA Land Inc., Houston, Texas (W912HY-21-D-0001); Professional Service Industries Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois (W912HY-21-D-0002); Eustis Engineering LLC,* Metairie, Louisiana (W912HY-21-D-0003); and QRI-Tetra Tech JV,* Baton Rouge, Louisiana (W912HY-21-D-0004), will compete for each order of the $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for geotechnical field exploration and laboratory testing. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 8, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity. S&E Services Inc.,* Edison, New Jersey, was awarded an $11,549,400 firm-fixed-price contract for revitalizing 12 buildings at Camp Buckner. Bids were solicited via the internet with 15 received. Work will be performed in West Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $11,549,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-21-C-0003). Syblon Reid, Folsom, California, was awarded a $7,621,699 firm-fixed-price contract for the replacement of Pumping Plant 4 and other construction for the Natomas Reach D levee project. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 24, 2022. Fiscal 2020 non-federal funds; and 2020 civil construction funds in the amount of $7,621,699 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W91238-21-C-0012). NAVY International Flooring and Protective Coatings Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (N50054-21-D-2101); Main Industries Inc.,* Hampton, Virginia (N50054-21-D-2102); Surface Technologies Corp.,* Atlantic Beach, Florida (N50054-21-D-2103); and UHP Projects Inc.,* Newport News, Virginia (N50054-21-D-2104), are awarded a combined $41,425,862 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract to furnish management, administrative and production services, materials, tools, equipment and required support to accomplish removal of old deck covering and underlayment (including rubber base if present), abrasive blast, ultra-high pressure water jet and power tool clean decks; and prepare surfaces, apply primer coatings and install new non-skid deck covering onboard Navy or other military type vessels. International Flooring and Protective Coatings Inc. is being awarded a $10,887,224 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $58,889,922. Main Industries Inc. is being awarded a $9,616,068 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $50,102,014. Surface Technologies Corp. is being awarded a $9,410,280 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $47,110,600. UHP Projects Inc. is being awarded an $11,512,290 estimate and if all options are exercised, the total value will be $65,057,475. Work will be accomplished onboard Navy vessels located primarily within a 50-mile radius of Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed in February 2022, and February 2026 if all options are exercised. The maximum dollar value for all four contracts is $65,057,475. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,000 ($2,500 per awardee) will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The requirement was competitively procured as a small business set-aside solicited through the beta.SAM.gov website with five offers received. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded a $13,435,247 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical design effort to support research and development concept formulation for current and future submarine platforms. This contract procures advanced submarine research and development (R&D) including studies to support assessments, development, design studies and tests; provide on-site engineering, logistics and technical services; and integrate/incorporate technologies for land-based or at-sea tests/demonstrations. Development and design of advanced submarine R&D technologies include integration/incorporation of developing technologies as well as advanced development models into the designated R&D test platform(s) and current and future submarine platforms. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $117,332,071. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2021. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $250,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $35,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured and is a sole-source award pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(3) – Industrial Mobilization. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-2104). AIR FORCE Titan Facility Services LLC, Gilbert, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,378,274 modification (P00029) to contract FA8052-18-C-000913 for healthcare aseptic management services to exercise Option Period Two. This contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level healthcare aseptic management services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service. Work will be performed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Eglin AFB, Florida; Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida; MacDill AFB, Florida; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Patrick AFB, Florida; Charleston AFB, South Carolina; Shaw AFB, South Carolina; Moody AFB, Georgia; Robins AFB, Georgia; Columbus AFB, Mississippi; Altus AFB, Oklahoma; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and Vance AFB, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed Feb. 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at time of award. The total cumulative value of this contract including, Option Two, is $32,348,517. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. Main Building Maintenance Inc., San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a $10,355,594 modification (P00030) for healthcare aseptic management services to exercise Option Period Two. This contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level healthcare aseptic management services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service. Work will be performed at the Air Force Academy, Colorado; Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Peterson AFB, Colorado; Schriever AFB, Colorado; Beale AFB, California; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Fairchild AFB, Washington; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; FE Warren AFB, Wyoming; Hill AFB, Utah; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; McConnell AFB, Kansas; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Nellis/Creech AFB, Nevada; and Offutt AFB, Nebraska, and is expected to be completed Feb. 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at time of award. The total cumulative value of this contract, including Option Two, is $32,350,692. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8052-18-C-0006). TFOM HHS Group JV, Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $9,865,349 modification (P00021) to contract FA8052-19-C-A002 for healthcare aseptic management services to exercise Option Period Two. This contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level healthcare aseptic management services requirement for the Air Force Medical Service. Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona; Dyess AFB, Texas; Edwards AFB, California; Goodfellow AFB, Texas; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Lackland, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Los Angeles AFB, California; Luke AFB, Arizona; JBSA, Texas; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Vandenberg AFB, California, and is expected to be completed Feb. 13, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at time of award. The total cumulative value of this contract, including Option Two, is $31,537,150. The 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Raytheon Co. Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded an $8,377,372 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research project. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (38%); Goleta, California (14%); and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (48%), with an expected completion date of October 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $454,127; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,765,783, are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a limited competitive acquisition with five offers received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-21-C-0036). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY UPDATE: Skymark Refuelers LLC, Kansas City, Kansas (SPE8EC-21-D-0077), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for commercial trucks and trailers, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0008, and awarded Jan. 9, 2018. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2501750/source/GovDelivery/

  • UK: Defence Secretary secures ships to protect home waters

    November 23, 2018 | International, Naval

    UK: Defence Secretary secures ships to protect home waters

    Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has secured the protection of British home waters by announcing he will retain three of the Royal Navy's patrol ships. The future of the Batch 1 Offshore Patrols Vessels (OPVs), HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn, which currently support the Fishery Protection Squadron, have been secured by the Defence Secretary. They will be retained for at least the next two years to bolster the UK's ability to protect our fishing fleet as well as our shores. The Royal Navy currently provide around 200 days of fishery protection a year. The Defence Secretary's announcement means that the Royal Navy will now have the capacity to deliver up to 600 days of fishery protection a year if needed. Mr Williamson has announced that each ship will forward-operate from their namesake rivers – from Newcastle, Liverpool and the Cardiff area respectively – to boost rapid responses in British waters up and down the nation. The versatile ships are also vital to the Royal Navy's anti-smuggling and counter-terrorism work, and frequently escort foreign vessels, including those from Russia, through the English Channel. Speaking on board patrol vessel HMS Tyne, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: Britain's patrol vessels are essential to protecting our waters, our fisheries and our national security. Safeguarding the future of these three ships in the Royal Navy will ensure we can respond quickly to incidents at any time, further protecting our waters as we exit the EU. By forward-operating these ships from their affiliated locations across the country, including the Tyne, it will not only allow them to react quickly, but also strengthen the bonds between the Royal Navy and local communities. Just last month, HMS Tyne monitored a Russian frigate as it passed through the English Channel, while last year, HMS Mersey returned from a 48,000 mile deployment where she played a key part in a £12million drugs bust off the coast of Nicaragua and helped combat the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.The ships also deter illegal pollution activity and provide emergency firefighting capabilities for ships in distress. HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey are each operationally available for 320 days a year. The ships are armed with a 20mm cannon, which can fire 700 rounds a minute at at a maximum effective range of 1300 yards, and can travel at up to 20 knots. They will also be bolstered by five new-generation Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels over the next two years. The Royal Navy is expected to have all the Batch 2 OPVs, named HMS Forth, HMS Medway, HMS Trent, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, by the end of 2020. They will be able to enhance UK efforts to counter terrorism, combat people and drug smuggling and promote the interests of Global Britain around the world. The announcement came during the Defence Secretary's visit to Newcastle, where he also revealed the name of the sixth frigate in Britain's Type 26 class of anti-submarine warships as HMS Newcastle. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: I am also delighted to be able to continue to strengthen the bond to Tyneside today, by announcing one of Britain's future world-beating Type 26 warships will be called HMS Newcastle. HMS Newcastle, which will be built on the Clyde, is set to provide advanced protection for the UK's nuclear deterrent and Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, and offer an unrivalled anti-submarine warfare capability across the globe. HMS Newcastle will also be joined by her sister ship HMS Sheffield, which was also named by Defence Minister Stuart Andrew in the city this afternoon. The first Type 26 warship, HMS Glasgow, is expected in service in the mid-2020s. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-secures-ships-to-protect-home-waters

  • Airbus Corporate Jets wins first A321LR order for two aircraft

    August 14, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    Airbus Corporate Jets wins first A321LR order for two aircraft

    August 14, 2020 - Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) has won the first A321LR order for two aircraft from Lufthansa Technik, highlighting the market appeal and versatility of the A320neo Family. The aircraft will be multi-role capable and can be equipped for various types of missions, such as troop transport, different MedEvac role setups (medical evacuation) and will be operated by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). Lufthansa Technik has now placed a total order of five Airbus aircraft on behalf of the German Government: three ACJ350-900s and two A321LRs. The A321LRs will be able to fly up to 163 passengers, up to 6 intensive care patients and up to 12 medium care patients, depending on the installed configuration, with a maximum range of 4,200nm/7,800km or 9.5 flight hours. “We are thrilled Lufthansa Technik has become the launch customer for the ACJ long-range version of the world's best-selling A321neo,” said Benoit Defforge, ACJ President. “The ACJ320 Family features the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft in the sky, providing the greatest passenger comfort and intercontinental range. Lufthansa Technik and the German Government have a long-standing relationship with Airbus and we are proud of this new milestone order with us.” The A321LR is a member of the A320neo Family with over 7,400 orders by more than 110 customers. It delivers 30 per cent fuel savings and nearly 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. With a range of up to 4,000nm (7,400km), with 206 passengers, the A321LR is the unrivalled long-range route opener, featuring true transatlantic capability and premium wide-body comfort in a single-aisle aircraft cabin. Featuring the most spacious cabins of any business jet, while being similar in size to competing large-cabin aircraft, the ACJ320neo Family also delivers similar operating costs. The ACJ320neo Family can do this because its lower maintenance and training overheads – part of its airliner heritage – deliver a similar total cost when combined with fuel and navigation and landing charges. Some 12,000 Airbus aircraft are in service worldwide, supported by a globe-spanning network of spares and training centres, giving corporate jet customers unmatched support in the field. Airbus corporate jet customers also benefit from services tailored to their particular needs, such as the “one call handles all” corporate jet customer care centre (C4you), and customised maintenance programmes. Combined with the inherent reliability that comes from aircraft designed to fly many times a day, the ACJ320neo Family is both dependable and available when customers need it. Airbus corporate jets are part of the world's most modern aircraft family, which delivers, as standard, features which either cost more, or are unavailable, in competitors. These features include the protection and simplicity of fly-by-wire controls, the benefits of Category 3B autoland, and time and cost-saving centralised maintenance on all systems. Around 200 Airbus corporate jets are in service on every continent, including Antarctica, highlighting their versatility in challenging environments. #ACJ #A321LR @LHTechnik Your Contact Heiko Stolzke External Communications - Airbus Commercial Aircraft +49 151 4615 0714 Send an email Stefan Schaffrath Head of External Communications - Airbus Commercial Aircraft +33 6 16 09 55 92 Send an email View source version on Airbus: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/08/airbus-corporate-jets-wins-first-a321lr-order-for-two-aircraft.html

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