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December 21, 2018 | International, Land

US Army moves closer to equipping an active protection system on Bradley Fighting Vehicles

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has chosen to move forward with the Iron Fist Lightactive protection system for its Bradley Fighting Vehicle, after evaluating the APS' ability to be installed on the vehicle.

The Army will now install the system onto a number of Bradley vehicles for a second phase of more extensive testing and evaluation, according to a release from the industry team providing the system.

That team, made up of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Israeli companies IMI Systems and Elbit Systems, are working to integrate and test the system, designed to protect the Bradley from threats like anti-tank missiles, rocket propelled grenades and other weapons.

Iron Fist It uses a variety of sensors and countermeasures to stop those threats before they reach the vehicle. They include a electro-optical “soft kill” jammer and a physical “hard kill” interceptor to stop threats from getting closer to the vehicles.

“We are excited to move into Phase II and bring the vast capabilities of our Active Protection System to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Army on advancing this important technology as well as enhancing integration capabilities across multiple Army platforms” Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament and platform systems for GD-OTS, said in a statement.

While the release announcing the progress in testing did not say what the next phase would look like, it could mirror the same process the Army has used to qualify and evaluate Rafael's Trophy for the Abrams tank. More advanced tests will likely be against multiple types of threats in a simulated urban environment.

The decision can be seen as a vote of confidence in the system and could mean further fielding on a larger number of vehicles down the road.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2018/12/20/army-moves-closer-to-equipping-an-active-protection-system-on-bradley-fighting-vehicles

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 4, 2018

    December 7, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 4, 2018

    NAVY Astro Mechanical Contractors Inc.,* El Cajon, California (N62473-19-D-2416); Heffler Contracting Group,* El Cajon, California (N62473-19-D-2417); Public Works Contractor Inc., doing business as PWC Inc.,* Spring Valley, California (N62473-19-D-2418); Souza Construction Inc.,* Farmersville, California (N62473-19-D-2419); Ja'nus Ventilation and Mechanical Inc.,* Lakeside, California (N62473-19-D-2420); and Able Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.,* Chula Vista, California (N62473-19-D-2421), are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation, and repair by design-bid, of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system projects at various government installations located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. The maximum dollar value including a two-year base period and one three-year option period for all six contracts combined is $200,000,000. The work to be performed provides for new construction, renovation, and repair within the North American Industry Classification System code 238220, by design-build, of HVAC system projects. Types of projects may include, but are not limited to: boiler/chiller plants; digital direct controls or energy management control system; HVAC equipment energy optimization; commissioning and retro commissioning; distribution systems including, supply and return air systems, ventilation and exhaust systems, steam, glycol, medical gas, refrigerant, heating hot water and chilled water distribution, associated terminal devices, heat recovery equipment, heat exchangers, sound attenuation, insulation, and associated appurtenances; energy supply including oil, gas, steam, heating hot and chilled water distribution systems and equipment including special cooling and humidity control, dust and fume collectors, air purifiers, paint booth ventilation systems; and system testing and balancing. Astro Mechanical Contractors Inc., is being awarded the initial project task order at $1,618,230 to repair HVAC system in H60 Simulator Facility, Naval Base Coronado (NBC) Building 352 at NBC, San Diego. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Dec. 19, 2019. All work on these contracts will be performed at various government installations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility including, but not limited to, California (90 percent); Arizona (6 percent); Nevada (1 percent); Utah (1 percent); Colorado (1 percent), and New Mexico (1 percent). The terms of the contracts are not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of November 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $1,618,230 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); operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps); and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside procurement via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 19 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. The NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $46,167,531 cost-plus-fixed- fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-18-C-4321) for non-nuclear repair services required to support submarine maintenance. 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This delivery order provides fiscal 2019 funding for the Modern Transmission Security and Tactical Secure Voice Suite B, Cryptographic Equipment Application integration for the ARC-210 RT-1939A(C), RT-1990A(C) and RT-2036(C) radios in support of multiple aircraft platforms. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in January 2022. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,815,536 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $10,782,772 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-12-C-4323 for long lead time material procurement and management services for CG-65 and CG-69. Huntington Ingalls provides necessary engineering, technical, planning, ship configuration, data, and logistics efforts for lifetime support of both maintenance and modernization. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is expected to be complete by August 2019. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,782,772 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, is awarded a $7,078,327 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-14-C-6227 to exercise options for the production of low-cost conformal arrays. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York (90 percent); Marion, Massachusetts (8 percent); and Owego, New York (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2020. 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AIR FORCE General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $26,718,824 option (002620) to a previously awarded contract (FA8620-15-G-4040) for MQ-9 contractor logistics support phase three. The contractor will provide an additional period of contractor logistics support for the French Air Force. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2019. This contract involves 100 percent foreign military sales to France. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contract activity. General Electric (GE) Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded an $11,116,525 firm-fixed-price contract for engineering and technical services in support of the following engines: F-16 F110-GE-100, A-10 TF-34, KC-135 F-108, B-1 F118, E-6B F108, T700-401C, J85-21B, F110, F16 C/D, F/A-18 and F110-GE-129. This contract provides for on-site proficiency training and advice to elevate the technical skill and abilities of personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of the GE Aviation equipment/systems to the level of self-sufficiency. Work will be performed at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Baltimore, Maryland; Springfield, Illinois; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Naval Air Station North Island, California; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California; Isa Air Base, Bahrain; Cairo West AB, Egypt; Engine Depot, Israel; Ahmed al Jaber AB; Kuwait and Daegu AB, South Korea, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. This contract is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This contract involves 41.6 percent foreign military sales (FMS) to Israel; Egypt; Bahrain; South Korea, and Kuwait. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,000,000; and fiscal 2019 FMS funds in the amount of $1,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8604-19-D-8004). L-3 Technologies Inc., Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $7,795,473 firm-fixed price requirements contract for E-3 sustainment. This contract provides for repair and overhaul of E-3 electron tubes. Work will be performed in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by June 5, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated upon issuance of delivery orders. Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8117-19-D-0008). DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY Yellowfin Transportation, Shawnee, Kansas (HE1254-19-D-2001), is awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract for daily commute and special needs student transportation services in the amount of $8,570,866. The location of performance is Fort Benning, Georgia. The award is for a four-year and seven-month base period ending July 31, 2023; and a five-year option period ending July 31, 2028. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds will be used to fund the initial task order. This contract was competitively procured via request for proposal HE1254-18-R-2016, with two offers received. The contracting activity is the Department of Defense Education Activity, Alexandria, Virginia. (Awarded Dec. 3, 2018) CG Logistics, Ridgeland, Mississippi (HE1254-19-D-2002); is awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract for daily commute and special needs student transportation services in the amounts of $8,848,772. The location of performance is Fort Benning, Georgia. The award is for a four-year and seven month base period ending July 31, 2023; and a five-year option period ending July 31, 2028. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds will be used to fund the initial task order. This contract was competitively procured via request for proposal HE1254-18-R-2016, with two offers received. The contracting activity is the Department of Defense Education Activity, Alexandria, Virginia. (Awarded Dec. 3, 2018) WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES NetCentrics Corp., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded an $8,156,810 time and material, labor-hours, and firm-fixed-price contract modification. The contract was to obtain Joint Service Provider information technology service delivery support services for Washington Headquarters Services (WHS); the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Pentagon Force Protection Agency; and the WHS-supported organizations. Work performance will take place in the National Capital Region, including the Pentagon, Mark Center and Crystal City, Virginia. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,156,810 are being obligated on this award. The expected completion date is May 30, 2019. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-19-C-0008). (Awarded Nov. 29, 2018) *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1705364/

  • Curtiss-Wright to Upgrade Navy Helicopter Mission and Flight Management Computers to Meet New Threats - Seapower

    June 9, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval

    Curtiss-Wright to Upgrade Navy Helicopter Mission and Flight Management Computers to Meet New Threats - Seapower

    ASHBURN, Va. — Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division announced June 7 it was awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin to provide its Modular Open-Systems Approach (MOSA) computers and video processing modules to upgrade the Mission Computer and Flight Management Computer (MC/FMC) on the U.S. Navy’s fleet of...

  • This Army unit will be first to test an exoskeleton that lightens combat load

    June 11, 2018 | International, Land

    This Army unit will be first to test an exoskeleton that lightens combat load

    By: Todd South Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division will be the first to test the long-awaited exoskeleton that developers say can reduce injuries, carrying loads and help troops move around the battlefield with ease. The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center partnered with the division in February to identify, evaluate and transition exoskeleton technology to the Army. NSRDEC has led exoskeleton efforts for the Army for a number of years. One of the more advanced products that will soon hit the division is made by Lockheed Martin. Army Times spoke recently with company officials about the ONYX device, which will go through phases of testing, beginning as early as this fall. The first phase will include a six-month “development effort” in which researchers work on “quality of life” portions of making the knee- and hip-focused device fit comfortably and correctly to the soldier's body, said Keith Maxwell, senior program engineer for the company's exoskeleton technologies. That will be done with 10th Mountain soldiers later this year. And that's not the only high-tech gear that 10th Mountain soldiers will be testing. They're one of two units, along with the 101st Airborne Division, that will take robotic vehicles to act as gear mules into the formations later this year. That's part of the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport program. The program has four vehicles being evaluated by those Army units and a yet-to-be identified Marine Corps unit at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For the ONYX, 10th Mountain soldiers will evaluate the changes as they develop an exoskeleton “concept of operations.” A second phase will include a cycle that starts in early 2019 to add in faster, quieter actuators to the device; those will also be tested by 10th Mountain soldiers. Then a third round will test for ruggedized operation before the Army decides if or when the tech will be fielded. Officials estimate the device could be ready for fielding as early as 2021. The most challenging movements of climbing, especially with a load, up stairs or mountain faces, present strain on the endurance and strength of a soldier but also put them in a position for significant injury to their back, hips or knees. The exoskeleton allows a soldier to transfer the weight of the load from his or her frame to the device. Much of the work began years before with the Human Universal Load Carrier, or HULC. But that system was too bulky and required more power, which meant more batteries. More batteries meant more weight, which could cancel out the benefits of transferring load bearing, Maxwell said. So, with the ONYX, developers incorporated changes made in systems that came after HULC – removing added power requirements and adding technology that had been used in the medical field by B-Temia for people with extremity injuries. Last year, a University of Michigan study by their Human Neuromechanics Laboratory showed reduced fatigue using the knee-stress relief device that is part of the ONYX exoskeleton called the FORTIS. The university had four participants carry a 40-pound backpack at different speeds on a treadmill at a 15-degree incline. All showed reduced exertion when using the exoskeleton, according to the study. While the ONYX device has shown considerable promise in clean environments, the big step will be ruggedizing it for fieldwork, Maxwell said. “That's the hardest part of all, ruggedization,” Maxwell said. And that's a matter of time and investment. “None of the stuff we're facing is insurmountable,” Maxwell said. Waterproofing the device is paramount, he said. The standard is for it to be submersible to three feet of water for 15 minutes. While the current device focuses on the lower body, which carries most of the load and presents most soldier injury problems, there are technologies that are coming from this research that could eventually work their way into upper body support and possibly the TALOS suit that is being developed by Special Operations Command. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/06/05/this-army-unit-will-be-first-to-test-an-exoskeleton-that-lightens-combat-load/

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