July 28, 2020 | International, Aerospace

US eases military UAS export rules

The US has eased rules governing the export of military unmanned aerial systems (UAS) making it easier for it to sell UAS internationally.

Under the new rules, announced by US State Department Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs René Clarke Cooper, UAS that fly under 800kph (497mph) will no longer be subject to “presumption of denial” that made approving their sale more difficult.

The change affects the US's implementation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Under the new rules, possible UAS sales will be vetted using rules already in place for other exports.

Commenting on the change during a telebriefing, Cooper said: “All proposed transfers affected by this change will continue to be subject to the same rigorous review criteria that we have outlined in our UAS Export Policy, our Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, and of course, the Arms Export Control Act, as well as the specific non-proliferation criteria that has been identified in the MTCR Guidelines.

“The United States is going to continue conducting our robust review procedures for exporting UAS technology to support global non-proliferation objectives, and we encourage members of the MTCR, as well as non-members such as China, to do the same.”

The new rule change applies to UAS but will not affect systems such as cruise missiles, hypersonic aerial vehicles and ‘advanced unmanned aerial combat vehicles'. Cooper added that the subset of UAS covered by the new regulations ‘poses no risk for weapons of mass destruction delivery'.

Commenting on the move in a statement the White House said: “While the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is critical in slowing proliferation and promoting peace and security, it is in dire need of modernization as it applies to UAS. In a sector of rapidly-evolving technology, the MTCR's standards are more than three decades old.

“Not only do these outdated standards give an unfair advantage to countries outside of the MTCR and hurt United States industry, they also hinder our deterrence capability abroad by handicapping our partners and allies with subpar technology. More than two years of discussion with MTCR partners were unable to produce consensus on this overdue reform.”

The White House added that the move would bolster US National Security “by improving the capabilities of our partners and increase our economic security by opening the expanding UAS market to United States industry,” adding that it saw the decision as an example for other MTCR members to follow.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/us-eases-military-uas-export-rules/

On the same subject

September 23, 2020 | International, Naval

BAE shipyard sues Navy over extra work on USS Bataan
DAVE RESS BAE Systems' Norfolk shipyard is suing the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, claiming the yard is owed nearly $1.1 million for work it did on USS Bataan. The lawsuit contends that the Navy is refusing to pay for extra work that BAE and its subcontractors had to perform because the Navy didn't provide necessary supplies or complete needed work while Bataan was in the BAE shipyard. BAE won a $51.6 million, fixed-price contract to repair and modernize Bataan in September 2017. It was originally supposed to complete the work in July 2018, but that was extended to November 2018. When the ship was not delivered by then, the Navy declared BAE in default of the contract. BAE continued to work on the ship until March 2019. The lawsuit alleges that the Navy's challenges securing funds for additional work delayed completion. In addition, the lawsuit says the Navy's continued dumping of liquids into the bilge spaces prevented BAE from completing cleaning and pumping work. It also alleges that the Navy also expanded the work required, as when it directed the yard to add multiple pendant and wire installations on the Flight Deck Safety Nets. BAE said most of its claims for payment for the additional work were denied by the Navy's Contracting Officer in a formal final decision, prompting the shipyard to sue for the funds it claims it is owed. The Navy maintenance center has not yet filed a formal response to the BAE complaint. A spokesman was not immediately available for comment. https://www.pilotonline.com/business/shipyards/dp-nw-bae-bataan-20200922-3gangsit5zgtljyo2mgdvorcx4-story.html
September 9, 2019 | International, Naval

$382 MILLION U.S. NAVY HARDWARE SOLUTIONS CONTRACT AWARD
ARLINGTON, VA, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 ̶ Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it has won a U.S. Navy contract for the development, integration, and production of hardware solutions for various Navy platforms. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a base award of more than $382 million. With options, the cumulative value of the contract is estimated at more than $830 million. Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will provide design, procurement, production, sparing, test, installation, and support of displays, workstations, processors, and network systems; the production of subsequent systems, kits and enclosures; and engineering and technical services. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, the government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales program, as well as under a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth of Australia. “We are proud to continue our long history of providing the U.S. Navy with off-the-shelf and custom hardware systems that deliver the mission-critical modernization needs for our sailors. We have already delivered or are under contract for over 250 shipsets of products, going back to 1998.” said Lee Meyer, vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business. “This is another example that from stem-to-stern, Leonardo DRS provides a wide range of technologies and solutions to enhance readiness and augment shipboard operations and functionality.” he said. The contract was awarded through the Leonardo DRS Laurel Technologies business. Work will be performed in Leonardo DRS facilities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Burnsville, Minnesota; Germantown, Maryland; Largo, Florida; and Chesapeake, Virginia. Work is expected to be completed in December 2026. About Leonardo DRS Leonardo DRS is a prime contractor, leading technology innovator and supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and defense contractors worldwide. Its Naval Electronics business unit provides leading naval computing infrastructure, network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world-class manufacturing and support capabilities. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Leonardo DRS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonardo S.p.A. See the full range of capabilities at www.LeonardoDRS.com and on Twitter @LeonardoDRSnews. For additional information please contact: Michael Mount Senior Director, Public Affairs +1 571 447 4624 mmount@drs.com Twitter: @LeonardoDRSnews https://www.leonardodrs.com/news-and-events/press-releases/leonardo-drs-wins-382-million-us-navy-hardware-solutions-contract/
May 12, 2021 | International, Land

France performs first lock-on firing of MMP missile from new Jaguar vehicle
The first stage of integrating the MMP medium-range missile onto France’s new Jaguar armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle was successfully carried out last month when the weapon was fired from the retractable pod on the vehicle’s turret and hit a fixed target.

All news