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By: Leo Shane III and Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday announced he will step down from that post by the end of the February, leaving a significant leadership void in President Donald Trump's Cabinet. In his resignation letter Thursday, Mattis told Trump he was making the move to allow the president to find “a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned with yours.” Mattis, a former Marine Corps general, is regarded highly among defense experts and is a well-respected military mind among lawmakers. On numerous occasions over the last two years, both Republicans and Democrats have lauded him as a calming presence within the turbulent Trump administration and a voice of reason for the sometimes impulsive commander in chief. He's also wildly popular among troops. A Military Times poll conducted in late September found that nearly 84 percent of troops had a favorable view of his work leading the armed forces. Among officers, the figure was almost 90 percent. But Mattis' relationship with Trump had appeared to sour in recent months as the president pushed for more aggressive military policies. Read Mattis' full letter here. Pentagon officials appeared caught unaware by sudden decisions made in the Oval Office on forming a new Space Force, sending troops to the southern U.S. border, and banning transgender recruits from the ranks. This week, Mattis and other top defense officials appeared to be surprised by Trump's plans for a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. On Twitter Thursday, Trump hailed Mattis for “tremendous progress” on helping to rebuild the military, including “the purchase of new fighting equipment” and “getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations.” He said a new secretary of defense would be announced in coming days. Expect the names of Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Jack Keane, a retired Army general who was an early supporter for Trump, to pop up in discussions. In his resignation letter, Mattis said he was “proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years in ... putting the department on more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the department's business practices.” But he also took aim at several Trump policies that caused friction between the White House and the Pentagon. In the letter, Mattis wrote that he believes America “must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours.” That includes “treating allies with respect” and doing “everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values.” He also specifically mentioned both the defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations and NATO as “proof” alliances that have benefited America, The timing of the resignation — just a day after Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, reportedly over the objections of Mattis — is noteworthy, especially given Mattis' reference to the ISIS coalition in his letter. Appearing on CNN shortly after the announcement, Trump's senior adviser Stephen Miller did nothing to quell the idea that Mattis quit over the Syria decision, saying it is time for Trump “to get a new secretary of defense who will be aligned with the president” on a variety of issues, specifically calling out Syria and burden sharing among NATO allies. Miller also reiterated Trump's statements that it is time for Syria and Russia to take over the fight against ISIS, while railing against the decision of America to stay in Afghanistan and Iraq. When asked by CNN's Wolf Blitzer if the administration intended to leave those countries as well, Miller said “I have absolutely no policy announcements of any kind to make tonight, whatsoever.” For months, speculation has swirled around whether Mattis could survive into year three of the administration, particularly after Trump labeled him as “sort of a Democrat” during an interview in October. However, he appeared to solidify his position within the administration in the days leading up to the mid-term elections, with a full-throated support for the president's decision to send troops to the border. Mattis said the February leave date is designed to ensure a new defense secretary is in place well before September's changeover of the chairman of the joint chief of staff. Just two weeks ago, Trump announced that Gen. Mark Milley, the current army chief of staff, would be his nominee to replace current chairman Gen. Joe Dunford. The announcement, coming almost 10 months before Dunford's term was over, caught many by surprise, and now sets up the military for a wholesale leadership change in 2019. It also represented another pressure point between Trump and the secretary. Both Mattis and Dunford supported the candidacy of Gen. David Goldfein, the Air Force's top officer, but Trump picked Milley instead. Along with Dunford, all of the joint chiefs are in line to turn over in 2019, meaning a new secretary will also have a new group of the highest uniformed officials to work with. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2018/12/20/mattis-out-defense-secretary-says-his-views-no-longer-aligned-with-trump

By: Jeff Martin 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

By: Jarosław Adamowski WARSAW, Poland — As part of efforts to modernize the country's land forces and replace Soviet-designed gear, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence has awarded a deal for 44 Leopard 2 A7+ tanks and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers to Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. In addition, Hungary will buy 12 used Leopard 2 A4 tanks for training, KMW said in a statement. The deal was signed Dec. 19 in Budapest. Prior to the signing, Hungarian Defense Minister Tibor Benko met with Frank Haun, the chief executive of KMW, the defense ministry said in a statement. Benko said he hoped that the contract would further strengthen the cooperation between the Hungarian and German armed forces. The latest development comes shortly after the Hungarian ministry handed an order for 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters to Airbus. The aircraft are to be fitted with the HForce weapon management system. On Dec. 17, Hungary and Airbus Helicopters also signed a memorandum of agreement to launch industrial cooperation on long-term aviation projects with a focus on manufacturing parts for helicopter dynamic systems. The latest contracts are part of Hungary's ten-year Zrinyi 2026 military development program whose principal aim is to upgrade the weapons and equipment of the country's armed forces. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/12/20/hungary-signs-deal-to-buy-dozens-of-tanks-howitzers-from-germanys-kmw

NORMAN DE BONO Saudi Arabia has fallen behind in making payments on its $15-billion arms deal with Canada, a contract that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he's looking for ways to halt. The Saudi government was short $1.8 billion in payments to the end of September for light-armoured vehicles assembled at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS) in London, according to financial statements from the Canadian Commercial Corp., the federal Crown corporation overseeing the controversial contract. “It is a problem. There is concern, absolutely,” a federal official with knowledge of the agreement told The London Free Press on Wednesday. The arrears on the deal can be traced to a new regime in Saudi Arabia since the agreement was signed in 2014, and there have been delays in payments since the change, said the official, who declined to be identified. “That changed the way everything worked, including payments,” he said of the desert kingdom's new leadership. However, since September the oil-rich country has been making payments and has reduced the amount owed, the official added. The deal, which the Liberals are under pressure to scuttle amid Saudi human rights abuses, including the slaying of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate in Turkey, affects thousands of workers in the London area and in a supply chain that extends nationwide. Trudeau, whose government inherited the deal from former prime minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives, said publicly this week for the first time that the Liberals are trying to find a way to stop the sale involving hundreds of light-armoured military vehicles built by the Canadian division of American defence giant General Dynamics. The report by the Crown corporation handling the sale says “trade receivables” are short $1.86 billion as of quarterly statements ending Sept. 30, and that payments have been sparse over the course of about one year. “The significant increase in past due trade receivables, is mostly attributable to the ABP contract,” the report says, referring to the armoured brigades program. “Trade receivables are considered past due when the payor has failed to make the payment by the contractual due date.” The payment issue hasn't been helped by recent public musings by Trudeau, who on Sunday told CTV's Question Period the government is looking for a way to halt the sale. “We are engaged with the export permits to try and see if there is a way of no longer exporting these vehicles to Saudi Arabia,” he said, without being specific. Such a move would devastate GDLS Canada's 1,800-member workforce in London, as well as thousands of jobs with supplier companies, said David Perry, a senior analyst with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute think-tank. The Saudis may now feel even less inclined to write a cheque, he added. “It does not give the Saudis a reason to catch up on payments. The government of Canada is responsible for making sure GDLS gets paid for the work it has done,” said Perry. It also makes even less sense that Ottawa should want out of the deal now, he added. Not only would the federal government incur billions of dollars in penalties, according to GDLS Canada, but the Saudis aren't likely to pay the balance owed. “It does not make sense. It would leave the government out of pocket,” said Perry. A review of the quarterly reports suggest payments began slowing about a year ago, he added. “We are right back to dealing with an unreliable client, and that is a problem,” said London-Fanshawe NDP MP Irene Mathyssen. “Work has been done and they have not seen fit to pay their obligation.” She also slammed Trudeau for creating uncertainty around the issue. “It is a problem, it creates stress. The PM cannot make up his mind about what to do.” As for why payments aren't being made, Mathyssen cites reports of financial issues with the Saudi government. Media in May reported soaring debt in Saudi Arabia and economic woes as a result of low oil prices. “There have been reports they overspent, they do not have the cash they once did,” said Mathyssen. “Saudis are used to dictating to the world because they hold such significant oil reserves. They are used to calling the shots.” The Canadian Commercial Corp. (CCC) helps businesses sell overseas and works with foreign governments to buy here. It declined comment on the quarterly reports, saying financial matters between the Crown corporation and business are confidential. “CCC is bound by commercial confidentiality, and, as such, we are not able to disclose the details of our contracts or their management,” the company wrote in an email message. James Bezan, the Conservative critic for national defence, blamed Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland for the slowing cash flow. Her tweets in May criticizing the Saudi human rights record coincide with fewer payments made, he said. “It is concerning. It occurred after irresponsible tweets from Freeland rather than working through proper diplomatic channels,” he said. “The Liberals are prepared to trade away good jobs in London and southern Ontario rather than deal with this at a diplomatic level.” Bezan encouraged the government to find other ways to pressure the Saudis, such as targeting oil imports here, instead of cancelling a contract that would result in massive job losses. “GDLS has been on time, and on budget,” and would be the ones punished. “The government has the responsibility to work through the payments in a timely fashion,” he said. TRUDEAU WEIGHS IN ON SAUDI DEAL Speaking to reporters at a year-end news conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked about whether he'll cancel the Saudi arms deal serviced by a major London defence contractor. “Our priority since Day 1 has been thinking about the Canadian jobs, the workers in London, and in the supply chains that have fed into this contract. We know that there are a lot of hard-working families in London who rely on these jobs, and we're going to keep those jobs in mind.” Says the contract, signed by the previous Conservative government, includes a confidentiality clause that prevents him from discussing what's in it, or the nature of the penalties for breaking the contract. Says Canadians are increasingly questioning whether the country should do business with Saudi Arabia. Called it a “complex situation.” Says he's been answering questions about the deal since taking office Says he'll continue to reflect on the “best path forward for Canada and for Canadians.” https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/saudis-fall-1-8b-behind-in-under-fire-arms-deal-with-canada

NAVY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $114,065,820 cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price, cost only contract for air and missile defense radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. The work to be performed is the integration and production support for continued combat system integration and test, engineering, training, software and depot maintenance, and field engineering services, as well as the procurement of spare parts. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $357,827,708. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64 percent); Kauai, Hawaii (18 percent); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8 percent); San Diego, California (7 percent); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2 percent); and Moorestown, New Jersey (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $46,221,947 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $6,887,511 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract was procured under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5501). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $90,428,967 for modification P00002 to a previously awarded cost-reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1012). This modification provides for the performance of studies and analysis related to the MQ-25 unmanned air vehicle engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the program. The work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in August 2024. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,000,000 will be obligated at 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. Deloitte Consulting LLP, Arlington, Virginia, is awarded an estimated value $23,041,113 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a Training Virtual Environment (TVE) that will host the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) training curriculum and deliver curriculum packages for CANES baselines. Orders issued under the contract will produce a training environment capable of being accessed from Navy electronic classrooms and provide multiple instances of cloud-based training for CANES system administrator training that will be established. The TVE will include a virtualized computing environment that fully replicates the functionality of CANES to provide realistic and testable training and scenarios. The TVE will provide a centrally located and integrated learning management system that allows for rapid curriculum updates and configuration changes. The TVE will facilitate training as well as record keeping (e.g., synchronization with current approved fleet training tracking databases) to document and track progress and training completion. Additionally, the scope of this procurement will include conducting front-end analysis; job, duty, task analysis; curriculum delivery; and training delivery, as well as conduct train-the-trainer and course events. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by December 2023. Fiscal 2017 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,800,000 will be obligated with the first task order at the time of award. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with seven bids received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-19-D-0007) . CSRA LLC, a General Dynamics Information Technology company, Stafford, Virginia, is awarded a $78,804,642 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (N00039-17-D-0002) for Information Technology (IT) services to support the Navy's outside the U. S. (OCONUS) Naval Enterprise Network (ONE-Net). The ONE-Net contract is used to continue IT services during the transition from the ONE-Net contract to the proposed Next Generation Enterprise Network Re-compete family of contracts in support of the Naval Enterprise Networks program office. ONE-Net provides OCONUS Navy commands and claimants core IT services such as: Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network and Secret Internet Protocol Router Network access, network connectivity and security, mobile access and desktop support. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $159,641,872. Work will be performed in Navy and Marine Corp locations in Bahrain, Greece, Guam, Italy, Japan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Singapore, Spain and United Arab Emirates, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 18, 2020. If all options are exercised, work could continue until May 2020. Contract funds in the amount of $19,920,766 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. No funds will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of award. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded a $46,471,808 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1047) that exercises an option to procure 15 full-rate production Lot 13 GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea skimming target base vehicles, 14 for the Navy and one for the Army. The Army procured target vehicle will be used to test and evaluate the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, Limited User Test target system. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona (50 percent); Camden, Arkansas (37 percent); Vergennes, Vermont (6 percent); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (5 percent); Hollister, California (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $46,471,808 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($43,378,169; 93 percent); and the. Army ($3,093,639; 7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded $40,313,300 for a firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the repair of the Multi-Spectral Targeting system in support of the H-60 aircraft. The contract will include a two-year base period and a one-year option period which if exercised, the total value of the contract will be $58,777,194. All work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida. Work is expected to be completed by July 2020; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by July 2021. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $11,268,133 will be issued as a delivery order (N00383-19-F-U200) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement and one offer was received in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. (N00383-19-D-U201) BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, New York, is awarded $18,623,000 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F0033 against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N00019-17-D-0007). This delivery order provides for the procurement of eight Mode 5 upgrade kits for the government of Canada; and 265 receiver transmitter upgrade kits (179 for the Navy, 43 for the government of Switzerland and 43 for the government of Kuwait) in support of the F/A-18 series aircraft. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, New York (85 percent); and Austin, Texas (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2021. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS)funds in the amount of $18,623,000 will be obligated at time of award, $918,176 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award combines purchases for the Navy ($11,739,536; 63 percent); the government of Switzerland ($2,820,112; 15 percent); the government of Kuwait ($2,820,112; 15 percent); and the government of Canada ($1,243,240; 7 percent) under the FMS program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded $13,999,253 for modification P00086 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0004) that exercises an option for the installation of one E-6B Block I/Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase 3/Block IA Very Low Frequency Transmit Terminal/Nuclear Planning and Execution System kit. Additionally, this modification provides field support engineering, differences training for one aircraft, software licenses, technology refresh activities, isolation software lab support, and program management oversight in support of E-6B Block I full-rate production contract. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (58 percent); and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (42 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,999,253 will be obligated at time of award, $300,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, is awarded $12,845,212 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00004 under a previously awarded contract (N00030-18-C-0100) to exercise an option for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed system support. The work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (85.19 percent); Titusville, Florida (9.12 percent); Denver, Colorado (5.69 percent), and work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,845,212 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Boston Ship Repair LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, is awarded a $10,960,315 firm-fixed-price contract for a 60-calendar day shipyard availability for the Regular Overhaul Dry Docking (ROH / DD) of USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195). Work will include general services; laundry room deck steel replacement; jacket water pump room steel replacement; ship service diesel generator 60K overhaul; port main engine 24K service; 06 level fan room port side steel replacement, and underwater hull and freeboard preservation. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $11,995,109. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to begin on March 4, 2019, and is expected to be completed by May 2, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,960,315 are obligated at the time of award. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured having proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C4011). Marshall Communications Corp. ,* Ashburn, Virginia, is awarded $9,671,972 for firm-fixed-price order N0042119F0244 against a previously issued NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement contract (NNG15SD82B). This order provides for the customization and configuration of the Teamcenter Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system. The Teamcenter PLM system will be a common system used to manage maintenance and repair data across Fleet Readiness Centers. This order also provides for the migration of existing maintenance and repair data that resides within separate standalone systems into the Teamcenter PLM system. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (70 percent); Cherry Point, North Carolina (10 percent); Jacksonville, Florida (10 percent); North Island, California (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,671,972 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. Cubic Defense Applications Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded a $7,582,658 firm-fixed-price contract for non-recurring engineering efforts to include specification and requirements, definition and development, qualification testing, the procurement of three full motion video test articles, verification and validation activities, test support and refurbishment of test articles in support of the H-60 Multi-Mission aircraft. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (90 percent); Norcross, Georgia (4 percent); Poway, California (3 percent); Centennial, Colorado (2 percent); and Greenville, Tennessee (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,582,658 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; two offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0025). AIR FORCE Pivotal Software Inc., San Francisco, California, has been awarded a $100,116,589 fixed-base, production-other-transaction agreement for support of the Kessel Run Experimentation Lab and will utilize the prototyped methodology and the software and services that support them across the entire Air Force enterprise architectures. Work will be performed in Boston, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Washington, District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 18, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,620,123; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $764,500 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is a follow-on to the successful prototype contract between Pivotal Software Inc. and the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-19-9-0002). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $99,254,206 undefinitized contract to procure equipment and tooling needed to increase Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile/Long Range Anti-Ship Missile production to a maximum rate where installation is required during the construction phase of the new facility. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2022. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8682-19-C-0008). Switching Power Inc., Ronkonkoma, New York, has been awarded a ceiling $57,981,395 firm‐fixed‐price, single‐award, five‐year, indefinite‐delivery/indefinite‐quantity contract for Sub‐array Power Supply Energy Savings (SAPS-ES) with an option to extend the ordering period one year. This contract provides for the production of SAPS-ES units and line replacement units spares to complete a full fleet replacement of legacy units for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System radars. Work will be performed in Ronkonkoma, New York, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $8,978,511 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA8723‐19‐D‐0002). Raytheon Co., Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, has been awarded a $33,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00008) to contract FA8730-17-D-0006 for the delivery of Identify Friend or Foe transponders and ancillary equipment. work will be performed in Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 7, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $111,000,000. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Aerospace Management Systems, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, has been awarded an estimated $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00015) to contract FA8106-17-D-0001 for contractor logistic support of the Air Force C-12 fleet. Work will be performed in Madison, Mississippi; San Angelo, Texas; Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Buenos Ares, Argentina; Gaborone, Botswana; Brasilia, Brazil; Bogota, Columbia; Cairo, Egypt; Accra, Ghana; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Budapest, Hungary; Joint Base Andrews, Maryland; Nairobi, Kenya, Rabat, Morocco; Manila, Philippines; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Bangkok, Thailand; Ankara, Turkey; Edwards Air Force Base, California; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; and Yokota Air Base, Japan. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. The estimated cumulative face value of the contract is $70,000,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded a $33,556,686 cost-plus-fixed-fee/firm-fixed-price contract for Technology Enabler Raptor Environment for Cloud Compute Services. This contract provides for development of cloud-based software development environment(s) within the Amazon Web Services Secret Cloud Compute Service region. Work will be performed in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Fulton, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by November 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition for a task order placed against the General Service Administration. Fiscal 2018 research, development, text and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,609,682 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-19-F-0002). Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California, has been awarded a $28,713,994 competitive, firm-fixed-price, other transaction agreement for experimentation per the advanced research announcement, FA8650-17-S-9300. This agreement allows for experimentation in the areas of establishing connectivity, operational experimentation, and special purpose experimentation. Experimentation will include connectivity demonstrations to Air Force ground sites and aircraft for experimental purposes. For the proposed Phase 2, the awardee proposes to perform experiments in two other key areas: early versions of a commercial space-to-space data relay service and mobile connectivity directly from space to aircraft. Work will be performed in Hawthorne, California, and is expected to be completed by June 18, 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $19,167,989 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-9-9320). (Awarded Dec. 19, 2018) Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $23,917,275 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for the Tactical Systems Emulator (TSE) development and sustainment via sole-source direct award. This contract provides for continued development of the TSE for tactical systems operator airborne signals intelligence terminal guidance training, funds new development for direct support operator training, upgrades delivered TSE classrooms, adds a mobile TSE capability, and provides sustainment to delivered systems and software for the duration of the contract period. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,826,050 are being obligated at the time of award. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA7037-19-D- A001). Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $16,666,821 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Precision Real-Time Engagement Combat Identification Sensor Exploitation (PRECISE) program. The program will primarily develop technologies that continue to advance combat ID for warfighters. PRECISE will leverage current efforts supporting the Air-to-Air Hydravision program, and is principally focused on radar-based identification of air and ground targets for airborne platforms, both tactical and reconnaissance. The effort may investigate other sensors to include electro-optical, infrared, and multi-and hyperspectral. Improvements in these areas may include technical assessments; prototype hardware and software modifications and development; systems engineering development; performance simulations; system integration; laboratory demonstrations; flight demonstrations, and participation in large demonstrations/exercises. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed March 27, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-1673). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Dec. 14, 2018, to Peraton Inc., Herndon, Virginia (FA8750-19-F-0003) for Xdomain technology through research, evolution, enhancement, maintenance, and support software and report, was actually awarded today, Dec. 19, 2018. The expected completion date is now Dec. 18, 2023. All other information in the announcement is correct. ARMY Phoenix Logistics Inc.,* Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $95,700,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement and deployment of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-D-0002). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Fullerton, California, was awarded a $23,224,795 firm-fixed-price contract for signal data processor kits. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fullerton, California, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $23,224,795 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-C-0021). Affigent LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded an $18,233,752 modification (BA04 08) to contract W91QUZ-09-A-0001 for software maintenance. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of May 24, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Army working capital; research, development, test and evaluation; operations and maintenance Army; and other funds in the combined amount of $18,233,752 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. ACC Construction Co. Inc., Augusta, Georgia, was awarded a $16,474,525 firm-fixed-price contract for special operations forces human performance training center. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of June 22, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $16,474,525 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912PM-19-C-0007). Sig Sauer Inc., Newington, New Hampshire, was awarded a $13,400,000 firm-fixed-price contract for various Sig Sauer firearm systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Newington, New Hampshire, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 1, 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $13,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-19-D-0011). Michael Baker International Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $12,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architectural and master planning services, and architect-engineering and general engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-D-0005). Critical Solutions International Inc., Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded a $10,446,373 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for technical support services to support the Product Manager Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Systems and the Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector Husky M1231. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 18, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0037). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Excel Manufacturing Ltd.,** El Paso, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $72,169,200 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with 14 responses received. This is a one-year contract with four one-year option periods. The maximum dollar amount is for the life of the contract, including options. Locations of performance are Texas and Puerto Rico, with a June 18, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1120). Gexa Energy LP, Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $30,463,435 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract to supply and deliver retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. This was a competitive acquisition with 11 offers received. This is a 24-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Jan. 31, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Air Force, Navy, Army Air Force Exchange Service , and NASA. Using customers are solely responsible to fund this requirements contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE604-19-D-8010). Reliant Energy Retail Services LLC, Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $13,351,029 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract to supply and deliver retail electricity and ancillary/incidental services. This was a competitive acquisition with 11 offers received. This is a 24-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Jan. 31, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Air Force and Texas Air National Guard. Using customers are solely responsible to fund this requirements contract and vary in appropriation type and fiscal year. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE604-19-D-8009). Chevron Product Co., Houston, Texas, has been awarded an $8,038,407 indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for lubricants. This was a competitive acquisition with 12 responses received. This is a two-year contract with a 30-day carry-over period. Locations of performance are Texas, Oregon, and South Carolina, with an April 30, 2021, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE602-19-D-0751). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a maximum $48,050,000 single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract (H92241-19-D-0002) for the production of Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB) kits to upgrade the A/MH-6 in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $4,633,100 will be obligated at the time of award as a firm-fixed-price contract. Individual task orders will be funded with procurement appropriations under the appropriate fiscal year and are not multiyear. A majority of the work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by December 2026. This contract is a non-competitive award and is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302.1. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE Ernst & Young LLP, Washington, District of Columbia, is being awarded a labor-hour contract option with a maximum value of $32,961,728 for audit services of the Department of the Air Force General Fund and Working Capital Fund Financial Statements and Examination. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2019. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which one quote was received. The contract had a 16-month base period plus three individual one-year option periods, with a maximum value of $135,006,112. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $68,367,603. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Air Force funds in the amount of $32,961,728 are being obligated at the time of this option award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-16-F-0114). *Small business ** Small disadvantaged, woman-owned business in historically underutilized business zone https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1718270/source/GovDelivery/

Spending rose by nearly 5 percent in 2018 to reach USD1.78 trillion, driven by budget increases in North America and Europe December 18, 2018 03:00 AM Eastern Standard Time LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global defence expenditure grew by 4.9 percent in 2018, the fastest growth rate since 2008, according to the annual Jane's Defence Budget report, released today by business information provider IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO). Global defence spending grew for the fifth consecutive year to reach a total of USD1.78 trillion in 2018, significantly exceeding the post-Cold War record of USD1.69 trillion in 2010, according to the report. Fueling this global growth was a 5.8 percent boost to NATO spending, which totaled USD54 billion, largely due to higher defence spending in the US. Jane's by IHS Markit forecasts that overall NATO defence expenditure will exceed USD1 trillion in 2019. “Following a challenging period for NATO members in the wake of the global financial crisis, countries have begun to increase defence spending again, in response to emerging threats,” said Fenella McGerty, principal analyst, Jane's by IHS Markit. “This has slowed the rebalance in defence expenditure toward emerging markets.” Jane's by IHS Markit projects that global defence spending growth will moderate to a level of around 2 percent per year over the next five years as budget increases in Europe and North America slow and emerging markets again become the key source of growth. “In 2018, we've seen a reversal of recent trends with Western states driving growth,” said Craig Caffrey, principal analyst at Jane's by IHS Markit. “Going forward we still see Asia and the Middle East as the key sources of sustainable increases in defence spending.” NATO members increase spending In 2010, NATO member spending accounted for two thirds of global defence expenditure. As emerging markets expanded and developed economies implemented cuts over the decade, the balance of global defence expenditure shifted dramatically. The NATO share of expenditure steadily declined to just 55 percent in 2017 with non-NATO spending on track to surpass NATO expenditure by the early-2020s. “As 24 of the 29 NATO members increased their defence budget in 2018, the decline in the NATO share of global spending has stalled,” McGerty said. “The recommitment to defence in Western states means the global balance of expenditure between NATO and non-NATO markets is now more likely to shift from the mid-2020s.” Nine NATO members will reach the 2 percent of GDP benchmark for defence expenditure in 2019 – compared to just four members in 2014. These countries are the US, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Poland, France, Latvia and Romania. US continues to invest in modernisation US defence spending increased by USD46 billion in 2018 to reach USD702.5 billion as the Pentagon sought to improve military readiness and bolster missile defence capabilities. The 7 percent boost to the Pentagon's budget represents the largest increase in US defence spending since 2008. “Modernisation accounts will reach USD244.1 billion in FY19 – the highest level of investment funding since the period FY07-10, which experienced the maximum Overseas Contingency Operations and maximum US Department of Defense (US DoD) spending levels,” said Guy Eastman, senior analyst at Jane's. “The funding levels for FY18 and FY19 have enabled the US DoD to start on the road to improved readiness and acquire improved warfighting capabilities.” Eastern European budgets continue to expand, while Germany's 11 percent spending boost will bolster Western Europe's total Six of the ten fastest growing defence budgets in the world in 2018 were situated in Eastern Europe. Defence spending in the region grew by almost 9 percent in 2018 with Poland, Romania and the Ukraine driving increases. Notably, spending on military equipment has more than doubled in the region since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Western European defence spending increased for the third consecutive year in 2018 to reach USD248 billion – 2.4 percent higher than 2017. In 2019, regional spending should exceed pre-financial crisis levels as growth accelerates to 3.6 percent driven by a major 11 percent increase in the German defence budget. “As fiscal balances have improved, countries are able to respond to a markedly poorer security environment and address the capability gaps that have emerged,” McGerty said. “European defence cooperation is also a driving factor as countries look to bolster domestic capabilities but also partner on new technologies, all of which requires greater investment.” While the outlook for defence spending growth in Europe appears on an upward trend, this hinges on a stable UK defence budget and therefore upon the outcome of Brexit negotiations and the impact on the UK economy. Strong economic conditions in Asia-Pacific drive accelerated growth Growth in Asia-Pacific accelerated to 3.6 percent in 2018 but remains below the average 4.8 percent rate seen over the past decade. Total regional spending reached a record high of USD465 billion in 2018. Despite security concerns, economic growth continues to be the primary driver of defence budget growth in Asia. “Strategic drivers are undoubtedly becoming more important, but trends continue to be dictated by economic and fiscal conditions. Strong underlying economic fundamentals mean that Asia is where we expect the majority of the sustainable long-term growth will come from,” Caffrey said. “From a budgetary perspective, we're still seeing very few indicators that an arms race is underway in Asia.” Saudi surpasses France as fifth largest defence spender Higher oil prices over the course of 2018 contributed to an uptick in growth in the Middle East and North Africa with total spending in the region reaching USD180 billion. Saudi Arabia increased its defence outlay by 7 percent to hit USD56 billion, making the Kingdom the fifth largest spender on defence globally. “The large increase in Saudi Arabia's defence budget drove trends in MENA,” Caffrey said. “With oil prices falling again in the latter part of the year, regional growth is likely to remain relatively conservative in the short term.” Brazil dominates defence spending in Latin America Latin America's defence spending grew by 10.4 percent in 2018, reaching a new high of almost USD62 billion. Brazil's allocation of USD29.9 billion accounted for 48.3 percent of this total. “The recovery in Latin American defence budgets continued this year, but aside from Venezuela, where hyperinflation necessitated massive spending supplements, growth was markedly slower than in 2017,” said Andrew MacDonald, senior analyst at Jane's by IHS Markit. Top 20 defence budgets - 2017 and 2018 (USD billion) Position Country 2017* Position Country 2018* 1 USA 656.7 1 USA 702.5 2 China 191.2 2 China 207.6 3 India 61.2 3 India 62.1 4 UK 57.0 4 UK 58.4 5 France 52.5 5 Saudi Arabia 56.0 6 Saudi Arabia 52.1 6 France 53.6 7 Russia 50.9 7 Russia 51.6 8 Japan 48.3 8 Japan 45.1 9 Germany 43.5 9 Germany 44.5 10 South Korea 38.0 10 South Korea 39.1 11 Australia 32.1 11 Australia 32.0 12 Brazil 28.9 12 Brazil 29.9 13 Italy 26.7 13 Italy 27.2 14 UAE 19.3 14 UAE 21.4 15 Canada 16.5 15 Iran 17.4 16 Israel 16.4 16 Canada 16.1 17 Iran 16.2 17 Israel 16.0 18 Taiwan 14.6 18 Spain 15.3 19 Spain 14.4 19 Taiwan 14.5 20 Pakistan 12.0 20 Turkey 13.0 *Figures in constant 2018 USD billions. The intelligence cutoff for this report is 13 December 2018. About IHS Markit (www.ihsmarkit.com) IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 business and government customers, including 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world's leading financial institutions. IHS Markit is a registered trademark of IHS Markit Ltd. and/or its affiliates. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners © 2018 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved. About the Jane's Annual Defence Budgets Report The Jane's Defence Budgets team produces the annual Jane's Defence Budgets Report every December. The report examines and forecasts defence expenditure for 105 countries and captures 99 percent of global defence spending. The Jane's Annual Defence Budgets Report is the world's most comprehensive, forward-looking study of government's defence budgets. Tracking 99 percent of the global defence expenditure from 105 of the world's largest defence budgets, data is compiled from Jane's Defence Budgets online solution platform. It includes five-year forecasts, historical data, budget charting, trend evaluation and in-depth analysis by country. In this study, values are based on constant 2018 US dollars. Contacts Freya Lewis IHS Markit +44 203 159 3255 freya.lewis@ihsmarkit.com Press Team +1 303 858 6417 press@ihsmarkit.com https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181218005033/en/NATO-Members-Drive-Fastest-Increase-Global-Defence

By: Shawn Snow As a shooter on rifle range qualification day, have you ever seen your target come up crooked, barely hanging onto the stand, and wonder, “What the heck are the Marines doing in the rifle pits?” Pulling pits at the rifle range might be most Marines' least favorite task. It requires constantly raising and lowering targets just to see them fall off the rickety stands, and quickly patching them up with pasties to give the shooter a clean canvas ... just to watch them fall off again. It's a frustrating, tedious task. There's the fact you have to rely on another Marine in the pit to accurately score your shots — and that one-point difference between the marksmen pizza box badge and sharpshooter can save a a lot of scorn before the next chance to qualify. There's the shooter who probably missed the target entirely during the last course of fire, leaving the scorer staring at the target for an eternity, seeking a nonexistent shot hole. There's always the Marine who shoots on the wrong target — those must just be bonus points to help a buddy who is about to fail on the range. The Corps' entire rifle range qualification process is rife with human error and inefficiencies that can impact Marines' scores on the range. Well, the Corps finally is looking to remedy this. In a request for information posted on the government's business opportunities portal, the Corps is in the hunt for an automatic scoring system for its ranges. In the posting the Corps said that the purpose of the new scoring system is to “reduce the amount of labor necessary to conduct KD [known distance] training/qualification. By eliminating the need for target operators in the pits, the labor overhead associated with KD training is greatly reduced.” “During marksmanship training the KDAS [known distance automated scoring] will be required to accurately show the shooter where they hit the target, to provide feedback that will assist the shooter in developing their shooting skills," the RFI stated. And the Corps is looking for a complete system that will streamline the scoring process and ease the rifle range qualification process. According to the RFI, the Corps wants new scoring platform display systems for coaches and shooters. For marksman coaches on the range, a new display unit will allow the coach to view and track the shots of four shooter lanes at once. Shooters will have a display unit that will let them track their individual shot placement and score as well. A single control system will be able to communicate wirelessly and control up to 100 targets at once, according to the RFI. That means no more Marines in the pits manually pulling targets up and down. The new scoring system is intended to reduce “the amount of time shooters need to spend on the range, freeing them up to perform other work,” the RFI reads. So maybe the days of showing up to the range at dawn also are coming to an end? Responses to the Corps' request for information regarding the new scoring system are due by Jan 11. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/12/18/are-the-days-of-pulling-pits-at-the-rifle-range-coming-to-an-end

By: Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — Amidst an ongoing row concerning Turkey's decision to buy a Russian air defense system, the U.S. State Department has cleared Ankara to purchase a package of Patriot systems, with an estimated price tag of $3.5 billion. The announcement, posted late Tuesday evening on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, would cover the procurement of 80 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced and 60 PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles, as well as associated equipment. Turkey has twice passed over the Patriot — in 2013 when it chose a Chinese system that it later dropped out of, and in 2017 when it said it finalized the S-400 deal. In both cases, Turkey insisted on a transfer of missile technology regarding the Patriot before it would consider the system, something the U.S. declined to do. The DSCA solicit said industrial offsets of some kind are required with the deal, but “at this time offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors;" whether that offset will include tech transfer remains to be seen. The S-400 is a major sticking point in the military relationship between the U.S. and Turkey. Pentagon officials and NATO leadership have been vocal that Turkey cannot be allowed to plug the S-400 into allied systems, such as integrating it with the F-35. Turkey is a member of NATO. The two systems are different in capabilities. The S-400 is a mobile system, designed for deployment behind the lines to protect critical infrastructure, with a very long range. The Patriot, meanwhile, is a medium-range system. A department spokesperson, speaking on background ahead of the announcement, said Turkey “will use Patriot to improve its air and missile defense capability, defend its territorial integrity, and deter regional threats. The proposed sale will increase the defensive capabilities of the Turkish military to guard against hostile aggression and shield NATO allies who might train and operate within Turkey's borders.” In addition to the missiles, the package includes four AN/MPQ-65 Radar Sets, four Engagement Control Stations, 10 Antenna Mast Groups, 20 M903 Launching Stations, and five Electrical Power Plant III systems. As with all DSCA announcements, dollar values and quantities may vary at the end of the day; the Senate must OK a sale before the customer and the U.S. government enter contract negotiations. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/12/19/turkey-cleared-by-us-for-35-billion-patriot-missile-deal-despite-s-400-row

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi NEW DELHI — Russia has lodged a protest over India's decision to disquality its two munitions systems from the $1.6 billion Army program, spurring newfound tensions between the two allies. During a meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation in New Delhi Thursday, visiting Russia Defence Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu made clear his displeasure about the upgraded Tunguska system and a system from Pantsir being kicked out of the pending program, a source from the India Ministry of Defence confirmed. In October, the Indian Army officially declared Hanwha Defense Systems of South Korea as the only qualified company for the gun and missile system program. In the 2013 global tender, Indian Army shortlisted three companies — Hanwha Defense Systems, which offered its Hybrid Biho system, and Russian companies Almaz Ante, which offered its upgraded Tunguska system, and KBP Tula, which offer its Pantsir system. During the IRIGC-MTC, Gen. Shoigu accused the Indian Army trial teams of purposely not completing the full trials last year. A Russian diplomat said on condition of anonymity that the two defense companies and the Russian defense ministry issued separate letters to MoD last month to reevaluate the entire selection process before making a final call. However, a senior Indian Army official said both the upgraded Tunguska system fielded by Almaz Ante and Pantsir by KBP Tula systems were not fully compliant during the trials. The program calls for procurement of five regiments, or 104 systems, of gun missiles systems, including 4,928 missiles and 172,260 rounds of ammunition costing $1.6 billion. The winner will have to provide full maintenance technology transfer for missiles to state-owned Ordnance Factory Board. The proposed gun and missile system should have a day and night camera functionality and a built-in simulator, and the gun should engage a target at 350 rounds per second, while the missile should have a range of five kilometers. The system should be able to operate up to 50 kilometers on a single fuel tank, and should have a minimum operation endurance of eight hours without refueling. The Indian Army is looking for a mix of both gun and missiles mounted on one or separate high mobility vehicles. In addition, the gun as well as the missile should be able to engage aerial targets both with and without the fire control radar, either independently or simultaneously. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2018/12/18/russia-wants-back-in-on-indias-gun-and-missile-system-competition/