News

By: Andrew Chuter LONDON — The British government has approved the largest rise in its defense budget since the end of the Cold War, with £16.5 billion (U.S. $21.9 billion) in additional funding made available for spending on shipbuilding, space, cyber, research and other sectors over a four-year period. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the increase could transform the military and bring to an end an era of retreat in the armed forces. “For decades, U.K. government has pared and trimmed our defense budget. If we go on like this, we risk waking up to discover our armed forces have fallen below the minimum threshold of viability. I have refused to pick up the scalpel yet again. I've decided the era of cutting must end, and end now,” the prime minister told Parliament in a statement. The retreat to which Johnson referred is made up of capability cuts, program delays and cancellations, reductions in research and development, and slashed personnel numbers amid defense budgets that have regularly failed to match ambitions. Winners and losers Among the efforts likely to benefit from the commitment of new money are the Tempest future combat air program; a number of shipbuilding projects, including a fleet of logistics ships; and various space and cyberspace assets. Specifically, the spending commitment will finance the country's order of eight Type 26 and five Type 31 frigates, which are under construction in Scotland, where the U.K. government faces renewed calls for independence. Johnson said he is also committed to the embryonic Type 32 next-generation frigate and the building of a multipurpose research ship. Also included in Britain's transformation plans are the creation of a Space Command capable of launching a rocket from a site in Scotland by 2022 as well as a new agency focused on artificial intelligence. But Johnson also warned some programs would not receive equal attention. “We will need to act speedily to remove or reduce less relevant capabilities — and this will allow our new investment to be focused on the technologies that will revolutionize warfare,” he said. Johnson gave no clues to where the ax might fall, but new armored vehicle programs, of which the British Army have several currently running, are often cited by analysts as a potential target for cuts. “Now is the right time to press ahead because emerging technology on the horizon will make the returns from defense investment infinitely greater,” he told Parliament. “We have a chance to break free from the vicious circle where we ordered ever deceasing numbers of evermore expensive pieces of military hardware, squandering billions of pounds along the way.” The government said military modernization will be underpinned by a record investment of at least £1.5 billion extra and £5.8 billion in total on military research and development, including a commitment to further invest in the future combat air system. “This reverses the systematic decline in this crucial area in the last 30 years,” according to the Prime Minister's Office. What's been the reaction? Commitment to the major hike in extra spending came after the Treasury gave in to pressure from Johnson to provide extra funding for the armed forces over a four-year period rather than accept the chancellor's preference for a one-year funding settlement. The announcement is being termed as the first phase of an integrated defense review being conducted to coordinate defense, security, foreign and development policies. The review was expected to already be published, but with plans in flux and the new factor of additional cash, a more detailed review will not likely be public until next year. The Royal United Services Institute think tank in London said that over the next four years, the “additional cash represents a real-term increase of between 10 percent and 15 percent in the defense budget: equivalent to some £4 billion more annually than had been promised.” RUSI also noted the announcement, “provided little clarity on the foreign policy ambition, and it appears likely that we will have to wait until the new year for the full integrated review to be revealed. In the meantime, the [Ministry of Defence] will be under considerable pressure to ensure that its ambitions do not again outrun its (now significantly enhanced) means.” Analysts here say that despite the new spending commitment, the MoD will still have to cut a number of programs to balance it's books. The National Audit Office, the government's financial watchdog, has repeatedly warned the 10-year equipment plan is unaffordable, saying it could be too costly by as much as £13 billion. The current annual defense budget is about £40 billion. The new spending pledge will see the defense budget account for 2.2 percent of gross domestic product, meeting NATO guidelines. Johnson, who is currently self-isolating, having recently come into contact with a lawmaker who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, said he had taken the decision to raise spending in the teeth of the pandemic because the “defense of the realm must come first.” “The international situation is more perilous and more intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold War, and Britain must be true to our history and stand alongside our allies,” he said. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said the increase will cement the U.K.'s position as the largest defense spender in Europe and the second largest in NATO, after the U.S. The announcement drew an immediate and welcoming response from acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller. “The [Department of Defense] applauds the announcement by the U.K. to significantly increase defense spending. The U.K. is our most stalwart and capable ally, and this increase in spending is indicative of their commitment to NATO and our shared security,” he said. “With this increase, the U.K. military will continue to be one of the finest fighting forces in the world. Their commitment to increased defense funding should be a message to all free nations that the most capable among us can — and must — do more to counter emerging threats to our shared freedoms and security.” The move was also welcomed locally by ADS, a major industry lobby group. “This investment will boost our national security, help the U.K. address new and rapidly evolving threats by developing innovative world-class equipment, and support our economic recovery. The commitment to key projects will embed high-value design and manufacturing skills in all regions and nations of the U.K. for decades to come,” said Paul Everitt, the ADS chief executive. But Everitt also said the money must be quickly spent with the U.K.'s prosperity a priority. “It is important that the procurement regime delivers quickly and in a manner that prioritizes U.K. industrial impact, aiding planning and clarity and helping to build back better,” he said. The £16.5 billion in extra spending is over and above the government's pledge to increase defense spending by 0.5 percent above inflation for every year of the four years remaining of the existing Parliament. The government said that on existing forecasts, this is an overall cash increase of £24.1 billion over four years. Johnson told Parliament that would represent spending of £190 billion over the next four years. But how will the government's massive spending in the fight against COVID-19 impact these spending plans? Media and analysts here reckon Britain's huge overseas development budget is likely to take a hit to make these new efforts a reality. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/11/19/uk-to-boost-defense-budget-by-219-billion-heres-who-benefits-and-loses-out/

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE DU MINISTÈRE DES ARMÉES Paris, le 19 novembre 2020 Le ministère des Armées soutient la start-up Earthcube, qui devient Preligens, dans sa levée de fonds de 20 millions d'euros pour consolider son leadership européen. Cette levée de fonds menées par Ace Management, aux côtés de Definvest, fonds du ministère des Armées, opéré par Bpifrance, avec 360 Capital, investisseur historique. Elle va permettre à Earthcube de poursuivre et d'accélérer sa phase d'hyper croissance : En poursuivant ses développements dans les technologies de rupture pour répondre à de nouveaux cas d'usage dans le secteur de la défense et du renseignement ; En intensifiant son développement à l'international. La levée de fonds a été réalisée auprès d'Ace Management, fonds de référence dans le secteur des industries stratégiques et de la cybersécurité, Definvest, fonds dédié aux entreprises stratégiques de la Défense, et 360 Capital, fonds reconnu en Europe pour son expertise dans la « deep tech » et investisseur historique d'Earthcube (seed). Ces trois fonds sont également rejoints par des investisseurs privés reconnus pour leurs expertises, dont Octave Klaba, fondateur et président du conseil d'administration du groupe OVH. Fondée en 2016 par Arnaud Guérin (CEO) et Renaud Allioux (CTO), Earthcube développe des solutions d'analyse automatique de données (notamment d'informations géospatiales) au moyen de techniques d'intelligence artificielle. Implantée en France, elle est leader européen dans son secteur. Cette levée de fonds est aussi l'occasion pour Earthcube d'annoncer son changement de nom. La société devient Preligens, un nouveau nom qui reflète davantage la réalité de son activité : mettre à la disposition des analystes des technologies révolutionnaires qui les accompagnent dans une prise de décision rapide et les aident à anticiper des menaces éventuelles. Cette levée va permettre à Preligens de piloter de manière optimale sa phase d'hyper croissance - la société a multiplié par 4 son chiffre d'affaires en 2019 et en 2020 - et de maintenir ainsi son avance technologique sur les sujets d'intelligence artificielle appliquéau secteur de la Défense et du Renseignement. L'entreprise, basée à Paris et implantée également à Washington D.C. et à Londres, emploie 80 personnes et concentre le plus important centre de recherche en Intelligence Artificielle en Europe dans son domaine. Pour Arnaud Guérin, Co-fondateur et CEO de Preligens « Notre modèle, qui repose avant tout sur les succès commerciaux remportés par nos produits et la reconnaissance de l'excellence de nos technologies, trouve dans cette levée de fonds un formidable accélérateur pour développer encore plus vite nos innovations technologiques et intensifier le rythme de notre conquête géographique. » Pour Florence Parly, ministre des Armées, « Nous sommes aux côtés de Preligens – Earthcube à l'époque - depuis leurs débuts ! Les applications de cette pépite nationale sont primordiales pour le domaine de la défense. Elles nous apportent un vrai gain opérationnel pour l'exploitation de nos informations géospatiales : sans Preligens nous ne verrions pas certaines choses. Je suis fière que le ministère des armées participe à cette levée de fonds via Definvest. C'est une vraie success-story à la française, la start-up d'hier est désormais un leader européen employant 80 personnes et réunissant des compétences très complexes, participant directement à notre souveraineté nationale. » Investir dans la technologie et développer de nouveaux produits Aujourd'hui très avancée dans l'analyse par l'intelligence artificielle de données géospatiales, Preligens étend celle-ci sur d'autres sources cruciales pour le secteur de la défense et du renseignement. Ses développements technologiques permettront d'élargir le champ des possibles pour ses algorithmes pour d'une part anticiper au mieux les besoins évolutifs de ses clients historiques ou naturels et d'autre part répondre à de nouveaux cas d'usage et à de nouveaux clients. Poursuivre et intensifier le développement à l'international Preligens a également la volonté d'accélérer son développement à l'international. Les technologies développées par Preligens lui confèrent en effet un avantage compétitif et un potentiel significatif dans de nombreux pays alliés et auprès d'organisations internationales. Hors de France, la société est déjà présente au Royaume-Uni, dans plusieurs pays de l'Union européenne et aux États-Unis. Preligens entend renforcer sa présence sur ces marchés et en ouvrir de nouveaux. Selon Augustin Blanchard, Partner chez Ace Management « L'équipe de Preligens nous a séduits par la pertinence et la puissance de sa technologie qui se traduit très concrètement par des contrats importants en Europe et à l'international. Cette avance technologique lui permet de se différencier nettement sur son marché. » Nicolas Berdou, investisseur expert défense chez Bpifrance renchérit : « En tant qu'acteur ayant pour vocation de soutenir les entreprises innovantes, développant des technologies disruptives et stratégiques pour notre pays, c'est une fierté de participer à la levée de fonds de Preligens et d'accompagner le développement de cette pépite française en France et à l'international. » Alexandre Mordacq, General Partner chez 360 Capital conclut : « Nous soutenons Earthcube, devenue Preligens, depuis ses débuts et nous avons été très impressionnés par la capacité de cette société à croître et à se développer sur les dernières années. Les fondateurs et leur équipe ont réussi à démontrer que le secteur de la défense et du renseignement peut offrir de superbes opportunités pour des start-ups particulièrement agiles et innovantes. » Enfin, à l'occasion de cette levée de fonds, Preligens annonce deux nouveaux membres indépendants au sein de son Comité stratégique : · Fabrice Aubert, secrétaire général groupe de Nexity, a notamment occupé auparavant (entre 2017 et 2019) le poste de conseiller institutions, action publique et transition numérique au cabinet d'Emmanuel Macron, Président de la République ; et · Marc Fontaine, ancien responsable de la transformation digitale d'Airbus entre 2016 et 2020, a également occupé divers postes de direction, notamment en tant que directeur de cabinet de Tom Enders puis de Fabrice Brégier entre 2007 et 2016. Intervenants : · Ace Management : Augustin Blanchard, François Lavaste, Nathan Le Clanche · Bpifrance : Nicolas Berdou, Maud Henrotte, Marie-Laetitia Vassort · Banque d'investissement : Clipperton Finance (Thibaut Revel, Eloi Verspieren) · Conseils société : Dechert LLP (Xavier Leroux, Johann Gandilhon) · Conseils investisseurs : Orrick Rambaud Martel (Benjamin Cichostepski, Vincent Babin), Gide Loyrette Nouel (Pierre Karpik) · Audit financier : Grant Thornton (Nicolas Tixier, Stéphany Brevost) · Audit juridique : Orrick Rambaud Martel À propos de Preligens Fondée en 2016 par Arnaud Guérin et Renaud Allioux, Preligens développe des technologies d'analyse, par l'Intelligence Artificielle, de données en masse issues de différentes sources, notamment géospatiales. Basée à Paris, cette société française leader européen dans son domaine et implantée à l'international (Londres, Washington, DC), emploie actuellement 80 personnes dont une majorité de scientifiques qui constituent, au niveau mondial, une des plus grandes équipes en Intelligence Artificielle dans le secteur de la Défense et du Renseignement. Gr'ce à ses technologies innovantes, reconnues internationalement, qui aident les analystes à prendre des décisions éclairées, l'entreprise entend contribuer à la construction d'un monde plus sûr. Pour en savoir plus : https://www.preligens.com À propos d'Ace Management Ace Management, filiale de Tikehau Capital, est une société de capital-investissement spécialisée dans les secteurs industriels et technologiques, avec plus d'un milliard d'euros d'actifs sous gestion. Fondé en 2000, Ace Management investit via des stratégies sectorielles, comme les industries stratégiques, la cybersécurité et les technologies de confiance. Ace a construit son modèle sur des partenariats avec de grands groupes investisseurs dans ses fonds (notamment Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, Thales, EDF, Naval Group, Sopra Steria). Expert de ces secteurs et doté d'une forte culture entrepreneuriale et industrielle, Ace Management accompagne le développement de ses participations dans la durée avec une stratégie différenciée. Ace Management est présent à Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux et Montréal, et bénéficie de la présence mondiale de Tikehau Capital. Pour en savoir plus : https://www.acemanagement.fr/ À propos 360 Capital 360 Capital : Investisseur early stage européen 360 Capital est une société de capital-risque, qui investit en early stage dans l'innovation digitale et la deep tech en Europe. Depuis 20 ans, elle accompagne des entrepreneurs talentueux dans la création d'entreprises technologiques à forte croissance. Dirigée par une équipe expérimentée basée à Paris et à Milan, 360 Capital Partners gère 400M€ d'actifs et un portefeuille de plus de 50 participations. Pour en savoir plus : www.360cap.vc À propos de Definvest, de Bpifrance et de la Direction générale de l'armement Doté initialement de 50 millions d'euros apportés par le ministère des Armées, le montant du fonds Definvest a été doublé à la demande de la ministre des Armées, Florence Parly, afin d'accompagner les entreprises stratégiques de la base industrielle et technologique de défense dans le contexte de crise COVID-19. Definvest allie les expertises complémentaires de la Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) et de Bpifrance. Le fonds vise, dans le prolongement des dispositifs de soutien aux PME déjà déployés par la DGA, à prendre des participations au capital des pépites technologiques du secteur de la Défense, aux côtés d'investisseurs financiers et industriels, pour leur permettre de se développer en toute autonomie. La souveraineté de notre système de défense repose sur une industrie forte et compétitive. L'industrie de défense française représente 200.000 emplois et compte plus de 4.000 PME technologiques aux côtés d'une dizaine de grands groupes. Bpifrance finance les entreprises – à chaque étape de leur développement – en crédit, en garantie et en fonds propres. Bpifrance les accompagne dans leurs projets d'innovation et à l'international. Bpifrance assure aussi leur activité export à travers une large gamme de produits. Conseil, université, mise en réseau et programme d'accélération à destination des startups, des PME et des ETI font également partie de l'offre proposée aux entrepreneurs. Gr'ce à Bpifrance et ses 50 implantations régionales, les entrepreneurs bénéficient d'un interlocuteur proche, unique et efficace pour les accompagner et faire face à leurs défis. Plus d'information sur : www.Bpifrance.fr – Suivez-nous sur Twitter : @Bpifrance - @BpifrancePresse Force d'expertise, d'essais et d'ingénierie au sein du ministère des Armées, la Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) a pour missions d'équiper les armées de façon souveraine, de préparer le futur des systèmes de défense, de promouvoir la coopération européenne et de soutenir les exportations. Premier acheteur de l'État, en 2019 la DGA a passé 13,4 milliards d'euros de commandes à l'industrie et investi 890 millions d'euros au profit de l'innovation et des projets de technologie de défense. Avec 18 sites en France, ses 10 000 hommes et femmes civils ou militaires, dont près de 60 % de cadres, ingénieurs ou experts, et son réseau de collaborateurs à l'international, la DGA intervient dans tous les domaines de la défense (combat terrestre, naval, aérien, systèmes électroniques de communication et d'information, dissuasion, espace, cyber-sécurité, robotique, etc.). https://www.defense.gouv.fr/salle-de-presse/communiques/communique_le-ministere-des-armees-soutient-la-start-up-earthcube-qui-devient-preligens-dans-sa-levee-de-fonds-de-20-millions-d-euros-pour-consolider-son-leadership-europeen

Bern/ Berlin, 18 November, 2020 – Airbus and the Federal Republic of Germany today submitted their official offer to the Swiss Federal Office of Armaments armasuisse for the sale of Eurofighter aircraft to Switzerland. The offer has been prepared in cooperation with the other Eurofighter nations as well as the industrial partners Leonardo and BAE Systems, and meets the requirements of the so called new combat aircraft (Neues Kampfflugzeug - NKF) procurement process implemented by Switzerland to replace its currently used F-5 and F/A-18 fleet with a more modern model. With the acquisition of the Eurofighter, the Federal Republic of Germany is offering Switzerland the opportunity to deepen its existing military partnership, particularly with regard to the joint training of the two air forces. With the Eurofighter, Switzerland will gain full autonomy in the use, maintenance and application of the data from its aircraft. With more than 660 orders, the Eurofighter is by far the most widely used aircraft for securing airspace over Europe. It is operated jointly by the four partner nations Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain and is undergoing continuous development. Only a few days ago, Germany itself signed the contract for the procurement of 38 Eurofighters from the latest Tranche 4 and is offering Switzerland the opportunity to lay the foundations for even closer political, economic and security cooperation by procuring the same type of aircraft. Michael Flügger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Switzerland, said: "With this offer, we are inviting Switzerland as our neighbor and reliable partner in security policy and economic matters to protect its airspace with the Eurofighter and to close cooperation between our air forces. For Germany, Switzerland is not just a customer, but a strategic ally with whom we would like to further intensify our already close cooperation. The Eurofighter is the only platform jointly developed and operated by several European nations and would therefore be an ideal solution for Switzerland". Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said: "With the offer submitted today, we want to show that the Eurofighter is the best overall package for Switzerland. It is the most modern fighter aircraft currently built in Europe and meets all the requirements demanded by Switzerland. By providing construction data and other important information, Switzerland will be given complete and independent control of the Eurofighter, guaranteeing full transparency. With over 200 suppliers in the Confederation, Airbus is already a strong partner for Switzerland, and we look forward to expanding this cooperation even further". @AirbusDefence @Team_Airbus_CH #Air2030 #Eurofighter #NKF #Schweiz https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/11/airbus-and-germany-submit-eurofighter-offer-to-switzerland.html

HASSAN MEDDAH DÉFENSE , HAUTS-DE-FRANCE , HAUTS-DE-SEINE , BOUCHES-DU-RHÔNE , GIRONDE PUBLIÉ LE 19/11/2020 À 06H00, MIS À JOUR LE 19/11/2020 À 11H27 La Marine nationale va recevoir 12 appareils Albatros pour lutter contre le trafic et la pêche illégale et détecter les pollutions. La commande passée auprès des acteurs de l'aéronautique s'élève à 1,3 milliard d'euros. Une commande de 12 avions pour un montant de 1,3 milliard d'euros... Par les temps qui courent, c'est toujours bon à prendre pour les acteurs de l'aéronautique qui subissent une crise sans précédent. A l'occasion de son déplacement à l'usine de Dassault Aviation à Seclin (Nord), la ministre des armées, Florence Parly, doit annoncer ce 19 novembre une commande de 12 appareils, des Falcon 2000, au profit de la Marine nationale pour ses missions de surveillance maritime. L'usine de Seclin, spécialisée dans la production des pièces primaires des Rafale et des jets d'affaires de Dassault Aviation, fabriquera les premières pièces de structure des Falcon 2000, aussi rebaptisés Albatros dans le cadre du programme AVSIMAR (avion de surveillance et d'intervention maritime). Des capteurs électroniques de dernière génération Depuis leurs bases navales en Outre-mer et à Lann-Bihoué près de Lorient (Morbihan), les Albatros auront pour mission de lutter contre les trafics de stupéfiants, la piraterie, la pêche illégale et de détecter les pollutions. Les avions de surveillance maritime de la Marine nationale ont détecté 54 pollutions en 2018 et 110 en 2019. Selon les chiffres avancés par le ministère des Armées, entre 10 et 25% de la pêche mondiale est réalisée de manière illégale. La commande pour les 12 appareils s'élève à environ 1,3 milliard d'euros. Elle comprend leurs équipements électroniques ainsi qu'un contrat de 10 ans de maintenance. La commande bénéficiera au maître d'œuvre industriel Dassault Aviation ainsi qu'à l'ensemble de ses partenaires. Naval Group fournit le système d'information de la mission, Thales le radar de surveillance maritime, Safran la boule optronique. Une partie des appareils fabriqués en Inde "Le Falcon 2000 Albatros est un avion à hautes performances doté d'un système de mission et de capteurs de dernière génération. (...) Plusieurs pays s'intéressent à ces avions qui constituent une réponse performante aux enjeux considérables de la protection et de la sécurité maritime du territoire et de l'action de l'Etat en mer", a précisé Eric Trappier, PDG de Dassault Aviation dans un communiqué de presse. Les coast-guards américains et les garde-côtes japonais s'appuient déjà sur des appareils de l'avionneur français pour assurer leurs missions de surveillance maritime. Le contrat signé avec le ministère des Armées devait générer une centaine d'emplois pendant la phase de développement qui concernera essentiellement les sites de l'avionneur à Saint-Cloud (Hauts-de-Seine), Mérignac (Gironde) et Istres (Bouches-du-Rhône). Une cinquantaine d'emplois supplémentaires seront mobilisés pendant la phase de fabrication et de soutien. Les trois premiers exemplaires sont produits et assemblés en France et les appareils suivants en Inde par l'avionneur et son partenaire local Reliance. Cela répond aux contreparties industrielles négociées à l'occasion de la vente de 36 Rafale en 2016 entre Paris et New-Delhi. Les premiers appareils livrés en 2025 Les nouveaux Albatros remplaceront la flotte vieillissante actuelle composés de Falcon 50 et Falcon 200 militarisés qui arrivent en bout de course avec déjà une quarantaine d'années de vol au compteur. Sur les 12 appareils, 7 seront en permanence en mission et les 5 autres serviront à la formation et l'entraînement des équipages ou seront indisponibles car en maintenance. Ils auront des performances accrues de l'ordre de 10% avec notamment 8 heures d'autonomie et une élongation de 2700 nautiques (soit environ 5000 km). Ils seront également équipés de meilleurs équipements électroniques (anti-brouilleurs GPS, communications militaires sécurisées, communications satellitaires, récepteur d'identification automatique AIS ...). Les livraisons des 12 appareils s'étendront jusqu'à 2030 avec les trois premiers exemplaires livrés en 2025. https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/les-industriels-de-l-aero-qui-vont-beneficier-de-la-commande-d-appareils-de-surveillance-maritime-sont.N1030214

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor ARLINGTON, Va. — The next generation of executive transport helicopter for the president of the United States is planned for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in July 2021, a Navy spokeswoman said, but the decision of when to place the aircraft in service will be determined by the White House. The VH-92A, built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin company, was selected in 2014 to replace the VH-3D and VH-60N helicopter fleet used to transport the president and other government executives. Six VH-92As were ordered in 2019. Followed by six more in February 2020. Total inventory will be 23 VH-92A aircraft, comprised of 21 operational fleet aircraft and two test aircraft. The presidential helicopter fleet is operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One, based at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, Va., with a detachment at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington. “Government testing to validate system performance and prepare for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation is progressing on schedule and will support an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) planned for July 2021,” the Navy spokeswoman said. “The VH-92A will enter service post IOC at the determination of the White House Military Office.” https://seapowermagazine.org/marines-presidential-helicopter-headed-for-ioc-in-july/

By: Joe Gould WASHINGTON ― Oshkosh on Wednesday announced John Pfiefer as its next president and chief executive, replacing Wilson Jones, who plans to retire on April 2. Pfeifer joined Oshkosh in May 2019 as the head of the company's Access Equipment, Fire & Emergency and Commercial segments. In May 2020, he was appointed president and assumed responsibility for the company's defense segment and its global supply chain, digital technology and marketing functions. Prior to Oshkosh, Pfeifer led Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation that specializes in marine propulsion systems, and held various global business management positions with the ITT Corporation. Jones, who is also retiring as an Oshkosh board member, served the company for 15 years. “Having worked closely with John since he joined us in 2019, I have seen his commitment to our People First culture,” Jones said in a company announcement. “Under his leadership, the Company will continue to drive innovation, serve our customers and advance our business around the world. I look forward to supporting John and the team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.” https://www.defensenews.com/2020/11/18/oshkosh-names-new-ceo-john-pfeifer

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — Despite increasing coronavirus cases in the U.S., the Pentagon's top weapons buyer on Wednesday sounded a note of confidence that defense companies would remain open throughout the winter and keep weapons production on track. “I am concerned about that — as we see within [the Defense Department] — the number of [COVID-19 positive] individuals still are increasing in industry,” Ellen Lord, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said during the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Ascend conference. However, she added she doesn't anticipate another wave of facility closures. “We're very hopeful that all of the steps that industry took during the pandemic — to space out [production] lines, to do telework, to find ways to comply with all the CDC regulations — that those have really prevented severe cases and the need to shut down,” she said, using an acronym for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “So I'm optimistic that although cases are going up, industry is going to continue to be very resilient. And we will continue at pretty impressive productivity rates,” she added. At the height of the pandemic earlier this year, almost 700 defense companies shut down operations in the hopes of quelling the spread of the virus. By June, that number had decreased to 33 businesses, according to data from the Defense Logistics Agency and the Defense Contracts Management Agency Currently, only one of those companies remains closed, Lord said. However, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has been trending upward in the country since the end of September, with a high of almost 195,000 new cases reported Nov. 12, according to CDC data. But there is cause for hope: On Wednesday morning, Pfizer announced that phase 3 trials of its vaccine showed it was 95 percent effective in preventing the virus, and the company could seek emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration within days, CNN reported. During the conference, Lord was asked whether defense contractors would get priority access to COVID-19 vaccines, given the defense industry's status as an “essential” business sector during the pandemic. “I don't have the answer to that,” she said. “That's being sorted out right now in the White House.” https://www.defensenews.com/2020/11/18/the-pentagon-is-bullish-on-health-of-defense-industrial-base-even-as-covid-19-cases-mount/

By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin-owned Sikorsky's President Dan Schultz is set to retire at the beginning of 2021 and Paul Lemmo, the company's current vice president of integrated warfare systems and sensors, will take over the role, according to a Nov. 18 Lockheed statement. The bench will shift within Lockheed with Jon Rambeau, the current vice president of C6ISR, taking over for Lemmo. Gregg Bauer, vice president for undersea warfare, will assume Rambeau's role. “Just recently the president of our Sikorsky business, Dan Schultz, announced his decision to retire at the beginning of 2021,” Stephanie Hill, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, said in the statement. “Dan has had a tremendous impact to Lockheed Martin and I'm grateful for his contributions.” Schultz joined Lockheed in 2006. Before assuming his current role at Sikorsky, he was the vice president and general manager of ship and aviation systems. Schultz served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was the program manager for the Joint V-22 Osprey tiltrotor program, according to his company biography. Lemmo “built a broad career” that spans more than 30 years at Lockheed Martin, Hill said. “I'm proud of Lockheed Martin's focus on talent development which allows for smooth and seamless transitions and ensures we continue to support our customers' missions without disruption,” Hill said. Sikorsky is in the midst of two major helicopter competitions with the U.S. Army — the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA). Sikorsky has partnered with Boeing in the FLRAA competition and in both efforts the company is competing head-to-head with Bell. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/11/18/heres-whos-taking-over-as-sikorskys-president/

ARMY Hydrogeologic Inc.,* Reston, Virginia (W9128F-21-D-0006); Cape Environmental Management Inc.,* Norcross, Georgia (W9128F-21-D-0007); Environmental Chemical Corp.,* Burlingame, California (W9128F-21-D-0008); Bhate Environmental Associates Inc.,* Birmingham, Alabama (W9128F-21-D-0009); Bay West-Ahtna JV LLC,* Saint Paul, Minnesota (W9128F-21-D-0010); Bristol Environmental Remediation Services LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (W9128F-21-D-0011); Kemron Environmental Services Inc.,* Atlanta, Georgia (W9128F-21-D-0012); and North Wind-CDM JV LLC,* Idaho Falls, Idaho (W9128F-21-D-0013), will compete for each order of the $176,250,000 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for environmental remediation projects. Bids were solicited via the internet with 21 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 17, 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a $93,293,554 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for research, development, test and evaluation of artificial intelligence for the smart sensor prototype unmanned aerial platform. Bids were solicited via the internet with 999 received. Work will be performed in Poway, California, with an estimated completion date of March 2, 2023. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $13,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-21-C-0001). B.L. Harbert International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a $46,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repair and replacement of existing taxiway pavements, shoulders, drainage, signage, lighting systems, duct banks, paint and markings and temporary taxiways. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 11, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $46,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-21-C-0002). DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY Logistics Health Inc., La Crosse, Wisconsin, was awarded a $162,000,000 modification to their current indefinite-delivery bridge contract (HT0011-19-D-0002). This award, titled “Reserve Health Readiness Program,” provides health readiness support services to the military service components to meet medical and dental standards essential in maintaining a deployable force. This extension to the current bridge contract will permit time to complete evaluations and award of a competitive follow-on to this requirement. Services include immunizations, physical examinations, periodic health assessments, post-deployment health reassessments, mental health assessments, dental examinations, dental treatment, laboratory services, and other services as required to satisfy military service component health readiness needs. Services are delivered at military service component designated sites during group events, through the contractor's call center, and within an integrated network. The work will be performed in every U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, and Germany with period of performance from Dec. 1, 2020, to Nov. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds will be obligated on task orders issued under this award. This contract was awarded on an other than full and open competition basis; pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1). The Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY The Bell Boeing Joint Program Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $36,546,991 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to three-year delivery order SPE4AX-18-D-9433 against base contract SPRPA1-17-D-009U to extend the period of performance for delivery of V-22 spare consumable and depot-level repairable parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Locations of performance are Maryland, Texas, and Pennsylvania, with a May 10, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $16,441,085 modification (P00001) to firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable order N00019-20-F-0024 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0029. This modification provides for fiscal 2021 special progressive aircraft rework sustainment efforts in support of the VH-3D/VH-60N executive helicopter. Specifically, this modification provides security, project engineering, integrated logistics, material, sustainment engineering, training and program support. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (88%); and Quantico, Virginia (12%), and is expected to be completed in November 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,441,085 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY GE Research, Niskayuna, New York, has been awarded a $14,313,300 cost contract, including options, for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE) program. In Phase 1 of the program, GE Research proposes to develop and select promising water extraction materials. The key objective will be to fabricate an Air2Water prototype device for the production of potable water that will be powered by readily-available fuel and builds directly from pioneering sorbent materials for water harvesting from desert air. Work will be performed in Niskayuna, New York (77%); Berkeley, California (18%); Chicago, Illinois (3%); and Mobile, Alabama (2%), with an estimated completion date for Phase 1 of November 2022. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $858,975 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR001121C0020). AIR FORCE Tunista Services LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, has been awarded a $7,606,147, firm-fixed-price modification (P00011) to contract FA4855-18-C-0001 for continuation of operations, maintenance and support services at Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico. The contract modification provides for the exercise of Option Year Three procured under the basic contract. Work is expected to be completed Nov. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $29,954,509. The 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The multiple award contract announced on Sept. 10, 2020, for a not-to-exceed amount of $95,000,000 for maintenance, repair and minor construction work at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Creech AFB, Nevada; and Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, also includes Valwest Construction, Gilbert, Arizona (FA4861-21-D-0003), as an awardee. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2420033/source/GovDelivery/