January 11, 2024 | International, C4ISR
Frigate program delayed as shipyard is a ‘few hundred’ workers short
The yard is a “few hundred” workers short, Andy Bosak, the deputy program manager, said at the Surface Navy Association’s annual conference.
June 29, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Turkey’s ‘chronic engine problem’ is harming defense projects, warn officials
By: Burak Ege Bekdil
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's inability to produce a fully indigenous engine is harming some of the country's otherwise successful domestic defense programs, according to industry and government officials.
“We had it 15 years ago, we had it 10 years ago and we are still having it,” said a former defense industry chief. “It's our chronic engine problem.”
A government procurement official agreed, telling Defense News that “at best the problem causes major delays, and at worst it can be an existential threat [to programs].”
The Altay, a multibillion-dollar program for the production of Turkey's first indigenous tank, has long been delayed due to difficulties surrounding the engine and transmission used to power the new-generation tank.
BMC, a Turkish-Qatari joint venture that in 2018 won the serial production contract for the Altay, said in October 2020 that the tank would be fielded within 24 months. The original target was to have the Altay in the field this year 2020. Today, procurement officials and industry sources say even 2022 is an optimistic deadline.
Western countries with power pack technology, particularly Germany, have been reluctant to share technology or sell to Turkey for political reasons.
“Lack of a feasible power pack [engine and transmission] is depriving the program of any sensible progress,” noted an industry source.
Turkey also needs an engine for the new-generation TF-X fighter jet as well as indigenous helicopter models in the making.
At the center of these engine efforts is Tusas Engine Industries, a state-controlled engine maker.
TEI announced June 19 that it successfully tested its locally made TJ300 miniature turbojet engine, which the company produced for medium-range anti-ship missiles. The engine features a thrust rating of 1.3 kilonewtons.
Company officials say the TJ300 engine's more advanced, future versions could power larger anti-ship cruise missiles and land-attack cruise missiles. Turkey hopes to power its anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles with locally developed engines.
“The effort is about ending dependency on imported designs,” a TEI official said. Turkey currently imports miniature air-breathing engines from Microturbo — a unit of French company Safran — to power its domestically developed cruise missiles.
Separately, Turkey's Kale Group is developing a larger, albeit miniature turbojet engine called the KTJ-3200. It has a 3.2-kilonewton thrust rating, and will power the Atmaca and SOM missile systems. On a much bigger scale, Kale Group has ambitions to develop an engine to power the TF-X.
In 2017, Kale Group and British company Rolls-Royce launched a joint venture to develop aircraft engines for Turkey, initially targeting the TF-X. But the £100 million (U.S. $124 million) deal was effectively put on hold due to uncertainties over technology transfer. In December, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavusoğlu said the government is keen to revive talks with Rolls-Royce.
When asked for an update on negotiations, a Rolls-Royce spokesperson told Defense News: “We submitted an engine co-development proposal to Turkey, but the customer has not elected to pursue this to date.”
A year before the Kale Group-Rolls-Royce partnership, Turkish Aerospace Industries — a sister company of TEI — signed a $125 million heads of agreement with U.K.-based firm BAE Systems to collaborate on the first development phase of the TF-X. Turkey originally planned to fly the TF-X in 2023, but aerospace officials are now eyeing 2025 at the earliest.
TEI is also developing the TS1400, a turboshaft engine it intends to power the T625 Gökbey, a utility and transport helicopter developed and built by TAI. The Gökbey currently flies with the CTS-800A turboshaft engine supplied by Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company, a joint venture between American firm Honeywell and Rolls-Royce.
The Gökbey made its maiden flight in September. TEI says it successfully tested the “core” of its TS1400 turboshaft engine and plans to deliver the prototype to TAI in late 2020.
But analysts remain cautious. “These efforts may eventually fail to materialize without meaningful foreign know-how,” said a London-based Turkey specialist. “Or they may come at costs not viable for mass production.”
Andrew Chuter in London contributed to this report.
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May 13, 2020 | International, C4ISR
Kratos Receives $14 Million C5ISR System Award
San Diego, May 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it has received a $14 million Command, Control, Communication, Computing, Combat, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) System award. Kratos is a leading provider of C5ISR Systems and Solutions in support of Unmanned Aerial Drone, Missile, Radar, Missile Defense, High Powered Directed Energy and Chemical, Biological, Radiation, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Detection Programs for National Security Missions. The C5ISR systems under this contract award will be produced in secure Kratos manufacturing facilities. Due to competitive, customer related and other considerations, no additional information will be provided related to this contract award. Tom Mills, President of Kratos C5ISR Division, said, “Kratos is the recognized provider of rapidly developed and fielded affordable products and systems. Kratos C5ISR Division is focused on supporting our customers in addressing the recapitalization of strategic weapon systems to address increasing peer and near peer threats to the United States and its allies. All of Kratos is proud to support this customer in this mission critical priority national related security program.” About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research and streamlined development processes. Kratos specializes in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems, and next-generation turbojet and turbo-fan engine development. For more information, go to www.KratosDefense.com Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 29, 2019, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos. Press Contact: Yolanda White 858-812-7302 Direct Investor Information: 877-934-4687 investor@kratosdefense.com View source version on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.: https://ir.kratosdefense.com/news-releases/news-release-details/kratos-receives-14-million-c5isr-system-award
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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/