News

By: David B. Larter WASHINGTON – The Maritime Administration has inked a deal for two more training ships for its prospective Merchant Marine officers in a move that could provide the Navy with a suitable hull for special mission auxiliary ships in the future. MARAD contracted for two additional National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, adding on to the two it purchased last year. The ships are destined for use at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, and Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas. The contract, announced Jan. 19, with Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is worth approximately $600 million. If the last ship is contracted, it would bring the total buy to $1.5 billion, according to the marine trade publication gCaptain. The NMSVs are also national assets that can be used in humanitarian assistance missions, can accommodate up to 1,000 people and includes a modern medical facility. The vessels could also prove useful in the Navy's quest to identify a flexible hull that can meet a series of missions as it seeks to replace its aging logistics fleet, Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner and maritime historian at Campbell University, told Defense News last year. “Those vessels serve as a potential hull form for maybe a hospital ship, maybe a command ship, an aviation logistics ship, a sub tender: There's potential there,” Mercogliano said. Questions remain around how the Navy will replace some of its special mission ships, such as the aging hospital ships, and the NMSV is worthy of consideration. For moving lots of tanks and howitzers across long distances, the NSMV isn't well-suited. But for many of the other missions the Navy needs to recapitalize, including its hospital ships, it could prove useful. “I don't think they'd be good for a roll-on/roll-off — it's not designed for a large mission bay,” Mercogliano said. “But I think for the hospital ship, a command ship, there's a lot of utility there.” https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/01/27/maritime-administration-inks-a-deal-for-two-more-multi-mission-support-ships

Un doublement des plafonds de financement de la banque publique Bpifrance serait à l'étude, afin de remédier à des difficultés de financement à l'export de l'industrie de défense française, rapportent Les Echos. Selon le quotidien, l'Assemblée nationale devrait diffuser, le 17 février prochain, un rapport sur le financement de l'industrie de défense, et devrait faire plusieurs recommandations. Des pistes telles que la formation de référents bancaires aux sujets stratégiques, le renforcement du rôle de Bpifrance à l'export, la création d'une banque à capitaux mixtes dédiée au secteur de la défense, ou encore le développement de fonds de souveraineté, seraient examinées. « Il y a un réel problème de financement bancaire à l'export et il faut absolument remonter les plafonds de garanties de la BPI », estime le député LR Jean-Louis Thieriot, rapporteur sur le sujet à l'Assemblée nationale. Les Echos du 28 janvier

Byron Callan January 26, 2021 The Biden administration probably will not unveil an outyear spending plan for the Defense Department until the late spring of 2021 at the earliest, and more likely it will come out with the fiscal 2023 budget submission in February 2022. The administration should, however, be commenting on some of the bigger changes as different reviews and assessments are completed before that budget plan is released. Consensus now is that Pentagon spending will be flat at least in the first term of the Biden administration, though analysts are not clear on what this means. Will the Pentagon's budget be unchanged from the level that was appropriated for fiscal 2021? Will it be flat in inflation-adjusted terms, which means it would rise at 2% annually in current dollars? Or will the budget be flat in current dollars, which would entail a roughly 2% annual decline in Pentagon purchasing power, assuming inflation is 2%? Each would have different outcomes for the spending that would flow to contractors. Defense optimists could argue that flat budgets historically have not lasted too long. There were periods in which budgets were flat over 2-4 years annually in the late 1950s, early 1960s and mid-1990s. Flat periods, however, were succeeded by growth—usually because of a crisis or a new military contingency. No one has a working crystal ball that will show what is ahead for the 2020s. There are reasons to believe, however, that the 2020s are different. Although interest rates are at historic lows, the ratio of U.S. debt to GDP is at levels seen during World War II. There is pent-up demand for non-defense discretionary spending—notably for infrastructure, and an aging U.S. population will likely demand more health care and other “social” spending. “Endless wars” in the Middle East may temper Americans' willingness to engage in new overseas missions, unless a major provocation occurs that is akin to the 9/11 attacks. The flat budget period could last longer than the post-World War II era suggests. Is “flat” good for contractors? That depends. Markets started to digest that U.S. defense spending was flattening in 2020. The largest U.S. defense contractors underperformed the S&P 500 in 2020 and are doing so again in the first days of 2021. The initial market verdict is that flat is not good. The assessment might be true, but it is going to depend on two factors: how the Pentagon reallocates resources in a flat budget environment and how contractors change their strategies and portfolios. A flat top-line defense budget could be positive if the Pentagon can successfully cut military personnel and operations and maintenance (O&M) spending. Both are tall tasks. Winding down operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East is not going to free up significant troop numbers, and in any event, both are apt to exert gravitational pulls from which the U.S. cannot easily break free. Global security risks are not going to allow the sort of force structure cuts that occurred at the end of the Cold War and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Readiness and training also will remain a priority in this environment. Spending on military personnel and O&M that keeps pace with inflation may place even more pressure on investment. If those accounts grow at 1-2% annually, in a flat top-line period, that will put even more pressure on investment. Still, while there has been no indication so far, it is conceivable that the Biden administration will propose reductions in force structure and will attack O&M costs with more vigor. It will take 1-2 years at least to realize those savings, but they could be applied to modernize a smaller military. For a number of years, the Pentagon attempted to retire older “legacy” weapon systems in order to fund new investment, but Congress has stymied efforts to muster out older Navy cruisers, aircraft carrier refueling systems and aircraft such as the A-10. The Defense Department could renew this line of attack, but it may be reminded of the old adage that repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. The Pentagon will have to change its approach here by offering more incentives to states and districts that could be affected by the elimination of squadrons or units, and it has to be more forceful in confronting contractors whose net interests are harmed by such moves. A final thought is how contractors' strategies might change. In 2020 and so far in 2021, outperformance was evidenced by small-to-midsize contractors that appeared better aligned with Pentagon investment priorities in artificial intelligence, autonomy, supply chain resilience and low-cost weapons. The largest contractors may be able to unlock value in a flat top-line environment if they can spin off segments that are stagnant or declining. Sprawling program portfolios are apt to perform more in line with market growth rates, and that is not a recipe for superior performance. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/opinion-are-flat-pentagon-budgets-new-or-new-down

Aéro Montréal is working with McGill University's Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) to improve the capabilities of the SDQué​bec portal using artificial intelligence. A team of five McGill students are assessing the current status of the portal and developed a survey to collect information that will help with their assessment. This survey will be used to gather valuable insight on how we can enhance the user experience regarding the search engine tool already available on the portal. Answers are completely anonymous but if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to andrea.yzeiri@mail.mcgill.ca. ​ https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/mMR5i7pn#/0 The survey closes on February 5th, 2021 at 11:30pm EST. It only takes 5 minutes, many thanks in advance for your help !

January 25, 2021 - Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, (FMV), have signed two agreements concerning the next generation of surface ships and corvettes. A Product Definition Phase for the Mid-Life Upgrades (MLU) of five Visby-class corvettes, as well as a Product Definition Phase for the next generation; Visby Generation 2 corvettes. The collected value of the contracts is 190 MSEK. The contracts include requirements' analysis and are respectively the start of the modification work of the five corvettes and the acquisition of the Visby Generation 2. “The contract is a major step forward for Sweden's surface combat capability, with the upgrade of current corvettes and the creation of the next generation vessels. The Visby corvettes have been pioneers for 20 years, and after Mid-Life Upgrades they will be well equipped for future assignments. The experience and knowledge that the Visby class has gathered over the years will feed into the development of Visby Generation 2,” said Lars Tossman, Head of Business Area Kockums. The Visby Generation 2 is a development of Visby-class version 5 and will be equipped with a modern anti-ship missile system, torpedo system and air defence missile system. The first Visby-class corvette was launched on June 8, 2000 and today five corvettes are in operational service. The product definition phase regarding Mid-Life Upgrades, aims to make the five ships in the class operationally relevant beyond 2040. In addition to modifying the ships' existing systems, an air defence missile system will be added as a new capability. The RBS15 anti-ship missile system will be upgraded to the latest version as well as will the torpedo system with the new Saab Lightweight Torpedo. For further information, please contact: Saab Press Centre, +46 (0)734 180 018, presscentre@saabgroup.com www.saab.com Twitter: @Saab Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions within military defence and civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents around the world. Through innovative, collaborative and pragmatic thinking, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers' changing needs. View source version on Saab: https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/saab-signs-two-contracts-for-next-generation-corvettes-for-sweden

By: Nigel Pittaway MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia's defense minister announced initiatives Monday that will fund early development work on a range of advanced guided weapons and new mine countermeasures/hydrographic ships for the Royal Australian Navy. The guided weapons program, to be developed under Project Sea 1300, is part of a 20-year, AU$24 billion (U.S. $19 billion) investment in maritime weapons that will deliver long-range anti-ship missiles, extended-range surface-to-air missiles, advanced lightweight torpedoes and maritime land-strike capabilities to the Navy. Under Project Sea 1300, the Australian government will continue to invest in the international development program for the Evolved Seasparrow Block 2 surface-to-air missile. Funds will also be used to further develop the SM-2 Block IIIC and SM-6 Block I missiles. The weapons upgrades will be integrated into the Navy's current and future major surface combatant fleet, beginning with the eight Anzac-class frigates, which are undergoing a series of upgrades via a midlife capability assurance program. “All of these new weapons will enhance the protection of our maritime resources and also our nation's border. They will also hold potential adversaries out to much greater distances — up to 1,500 kilometers [932 miles],” Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said. Reynolds added that the investment is in line with the recent Defence Strategic Update, which noted that “a number of nations” in the Asia-Pacific region are developing maritime capabilities, including sophisticated long-range strike weapons. “These announcements are not about any one nation in particular. They are about ensuring Australia has the sovereign capability in the maritime, land and air domains to protect our nation from any potential threats,” she said. Reynolds also announced that the government will acquire eight new, role-adaptable ships for mine countermeasures and hydrographic missions under Project Sea 1905. The new ships will be a variant of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels currently under construction for the Navy and will be built at Henderson in Western Australia. The government previously promised to build three vessels for the mine countermeasure and hydrographic roles; the new commitment for five more ships will attract an additional investment of AU$5 billion. “[The Department of] Defence has also released an invitation for Australian industry to provide us with a toolbox of robotic and autonomous systems for these eight new vessels,” the minister said. “And I would encourage all Australian companies — and we have many companies who are at the leading edge of autonomous systems, vehicles and vessels — to have a look at this and to work with Navy to develop options,” she said. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/01/26/australia-invests-in-advanced-maritime-weapons-minehunters/

NAVY BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded an $81,348,624 firm-fixed-price modification (P00005) to previously awarded contract N00019-19-C-0001. This modification exercises an option to procure 1,512 radio frequency countermeasures for Lot 12 of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in support of non-U.S. Department of Defense participants, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers and for the Navy. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire (74%); Landenberg, Pennsylvania (7%); Topsfield, Massachusetts (2.5%); Industry, California (1.6%); Hamilton, New Jersey (1.5%); Carson, California (1.3%); Dover, New Hampshire (1.1%); Londonderry, New Hampshire (1%); Chartley, Massachusetts (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (9%), and is expected to be completed in March 2024. Fiscal 2021 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $27,761,832; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $26,040,168; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $15,925,392; and FMS funds in the amount of $11,621,232 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $64,121,341 modification (P00013) to firm-fixed-price order N00019-20-F-0571 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0008. This modification exercises options for the procurement of Digital Channelized Receiver/Techniques Generator and Tuner Insertion program technology to upgrade F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft with Digital Tuner Insertion Program electronic warfare racks and high efficiency low voltage power supply. These upgrades will enable for future upgrades to Lot 15 Block 4 configuration, including Technical Refresh Three for the Air Force and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2025. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $57,865,601; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $6,255,740 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $19,950,844 modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00039-16-C-0050 to produce, test and deliver fully integrated Navy Multiband Terminals (NMT). NMT is a multiband capable satellite communications terminal that provides protected and wideband communications. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $557,882,121. Work will be performed at Largo, Florida (54%); South Deerfield, Massachusetts (25%); Stow, Massachusetts (13%); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (8%), with an expected completion date of May 2022. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,950,844 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This sole-source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Jacobs Government Services Co., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to exercise an option under previously awarded contract N40080-17-D-0018 for architectural/engineering design services within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Washington, D.C., area of responsibility. Award of this option brings the total cumulative contract value to $90,000,000. Work will be performed at various administrative facilities located within, but not limited to, Maryland; Washington, District of Columbia; and Virginia, and is expected to be completed by December 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Task orders under this award will be primarily funded by fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps); and fiscal 2021 Navy working capital funds. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Laurel Technologies Partnership, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded an $11,044,416 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N63394-20-C-0008 to exercise options for Programmable Power Supply MK 179 Mod 0 production units in support of the Vertical Launch System (VLS). This option exercise is for the manufacture, assembly, test and delivery of additional production units of the VLS Programmable Power Supply MK 179 Mod 0. The VLS provides area and self-defense, anti-air warfare capabilities, counter-air and land attack cruise missile defense and surface and subsurface warfare capabilities. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2021 defense-wide procurement funding in the amount of $11,044,416 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, has been awarded a $29,791,307 firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement-no-fee order modification (P00002) to contract FA8509-20-F-0014 for the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program low rate initial production. This order provides for the procurement of production kits, spares and weapon system trainer support. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado, and is expected to be completed Jan. 19, 2023. Fiscal 2021 U.S. Southern Command other procurement funds in the amount of $5,522,844; fiscal 2021 Air Force other procurement funds in the amount of $6,564,225; fiscal 2020 Air Force other procurement funds in the amount of $6,937,237; and fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in the amount of $10,767,001, are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded an estimated $27,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for KC-135 Aero-I satellite communications replacement. This contract provides to identify, develop, integrate and test a commercial off the shelf Iridium Satellite Communication system to replace the current C/KC-135 International Marine/Maritime Satellite system. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed July 31, 2026. This contract involves optional Foreign Military Sales to Turkey and France. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and seven offers received. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $3,800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8105-21-D-0002). AAR Allen Service Inc., doing business as AAR Aircraft Component, Garden City, New York, has been awarded a $9,188,386 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F-16 accessory drive gearbox (ADG) and jet fuel starter (JFS) repairs. This contract provides for the repair of both ADG and JFS, which are utilized in the secondary power system of the F-16 C/D aircraft. Work will be performed in Garden City, New York, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 26, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Defense working capital funds, a no year appropriation, in the amount of $1,498,440 are being obligated on the initial order. The Air Force Material Command, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8251-21-D-0005). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Genesis Vision,* doing business as Rochester Optical, Rochester, New York, has been awarded a maximum $29,700,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for optical lenses. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a three-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a Jan. 25, 2024, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-21-D-0015). ARMY Sikorsky Aircraft Cor., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $26,009,930 modification (P00165) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 to exercise an option for two Army Black Hawk Exchange and Sales Team UH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $26,009,930 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AITC-Five Domains JV LLC, Winter Springs, Florida, was awarded a $19,803,618 firm-fixed-price contract to provide train, advise, assist and mentor services for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) funds in the amount of $19,803,618 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-21-C-0009). Perspecta Enterprise Solutions LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $15,304,502 firm-fixed-price contract for an eight-month bridge to continue support to integrate, sustain, modernize and protect the information technology (IT) architecture, infrastructure and associated IT services of Human Resource Command. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fort Knox, Kentucky, with an estimated completion date of June 26, 2021. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $7,427,207 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J21C2001). Eastman Aggregate Enterprises LLC, Lake Worth, Florida, was awarded a $14,040,069 firm-fixed-price contract for the Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project beach renourishment. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 27, 2022. Fiscal 2018 civil construction funds in the amount of $14,040,069 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-21-C-0006). Poseidon Barge Ltd., Berne, Indiana, was awarded an $8,379,000 modification (P00002) to contract W912BU-19-P-0051 for the purchase of and modification to the structure of pontoons. Work will be performed in Berne, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2022. Fiscal 2019 revolving funds in the amount of $8,379,000 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2483503/source/GovDelivery/

AIR FORCE Chugach Range and Facilities Services JV LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $112,991,156 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable contract for Ascension Island Mission Services. This contract provides for radar tracking, space surveillance tracking, telemetry, timing and sequencing, communications, airfield operations, operations, maintenance and engineering support for facilities, systems, equipment, utilities and base operating support responsibilities. Work will be performed on Ascension Island Auxiliary Airfield and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $104,367 are being obligated at the time of award. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2521-21-C-0015). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY FedMedical Inc.,* Summerville, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $30,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for pulse oximeters, exam/surgical lights and related accessories. This was a competitive acquisition with 137 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is South Carolina, with a Jan. 24, 2026, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D1-21-D-0005). Lions Services Inc.,** Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $10,480,000 modification (P00007) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-20-D-B082) with two one-year option periods for improved combat helmet chinstraps. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Jan. 28, 2022, ordering period end date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY Alabama Shipyard LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $19,679,483 firm-fixed-price contract (N32205-21-C-4128) for a 76-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul/dry docking on USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1). The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $21,847,693. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by May 24, 2021. Contract funds in the amount of $19,679,483 are obligated in fiscal 2021 using working capital funds (Navy). This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the beta.Sam.gov website and three offers were received. The Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Progeny Systems Corp.,* Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $15,480,788 cost-plus-fixed fee and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-6204 to exercise options for engineering and technical services for Navy submarines and aircraft carriers. This option exercise is under Small Business Innovation Research Topic N05-051, for software build production, engineering and technical services and includes all material travel, subsistence and incidental material in support of the related production orders and services. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (30%); Groton, Connecticut (25%); Bremerton, Washington (15%); Las Vegas, Nevada (10%); Cleveland, Ohio (10%); Chesapeake, Virginia (4%); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (2%); San Diego, California (2%); and Kings Bay, Georgia (2%), and is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) $1,900,000 funding will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. General Electric Co., Niskayuna, New York, is awarded a $10,197,968 cost-type contract to develop a mobile automated manufacturing platform to provide just-in-time manufacturing of nucleic acid countermeasures to rapidly produce, formulate and package doses of nucleic acid therapeutics or prophylactics. This two-year contract includes three one-year option periods which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $41,219,762. Work will be performed at the contractor's facilities in Niskayuna, New York (52%); San Diego, California (24%); Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France (20%); and Seattle, Washington (4%). The period of performance of the base award is from Jan. 25, 2021, through Jan. 24, 2023. If all option periods are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Jan. 24, 2026. Funds in the amount of $1,973,062 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2021 funds will be obligated using research, development, test and evaluation funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This contract was competitively procured via a DARPA broad agency announcement solicitation (HR0011-20-S-0006) published on the beta.SAM.gov website. Ten proposals were received and two were selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-21-C-4014). *Small business **Mandatory source https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2482200/source/GovDelivery/

By: Burak Ege Bekdil ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey on Jan. 23 launched its first locally built frigate, the I-class TCG Istanbul, advancing a program that involves the production of four corvettes and four frigates. Under the MILGEM program, Turkey manufactured and delivered four Ada-class corvettes to the Navy. The Istanbul is the first of the four I-class frigates. The Istanbul was built under a 2019 contract awarded by the government procurement agency SSB to STM, a government-controlled defense company. The warship will be used in advanced air defense, naval warfare and patrolling missions, and it will support underwater warfare missions. It will be delivered to the Navy in 2023. “The MILGEM program dates back to early 2000s. But it is delivering critical platforms just when needed, i.e., when Turkey needs hard power to support its assertive foreign policy in the eastern Mediterranean,” defense analyst Ozgur Eksi said. Turkey and its traditional Aegean rival Greece came close to military conflict several times during 2020 due to their disputes over continental shelf, airspace, territorial waters, demilitarization of Greek islands and islets, air traffic centers, and exclusive economic zones in addition to the broader territorial disputes around Cyprus. The I-class frigates will feature weapons systems including a locally made 16-cell MDAS vertical launching system (a total of 64 surface-to-air missiles yet to be specified); four-by-four SSM launch canisters for the Atmaca weapon; an Aselsan-made 76mm Gokdeniz close-in weapon system; two Aselsan-made 25mm machine guns; and a HIZIR torpedo countermeasures system. The ship class' specifications are: Dimensions: Length: 113.2 meters; Beam: 14.4 meters; Draught: 4.05 meters Displacement: 3,000 tons Speed: Max: 29-plus knots; Economic: 14 knots Range with economic speed: About 5,700 nautical miles Main Propulsion: CODAG, two MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines (driving two shafts) and a LM2500 gas turbine (in CODAG configuration) Power generation: Four diesel generators Platforms: Capacity to carry two S70 Seahawk helicopters (one in the hangar and one on the platform); Two rigid hull inflatable boats Endurance: Minimum 15 days of operational capability without replenishments https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/01/25/heres-what-we-know-about-turkeys-newly-launched-homemade-frigate