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By: David B. Larter WASHINGTON — Former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly hadn't been out of the job more than a month before the Navy canceled an ongoing study he'd launched into the future of aircraft carriers — a review he optimistically termed “Future Carrier 2030.” Modly and his predecessor, Richard Spencer, had been excited by the prospect of fielding smaller, more risk-worthy carriers that could reduce the chance of China or Russia landing a major punch in a conflict simply by sinking or disabling a single ship, such as a Nimitz- or Ford-class aircraft carrier with thousands of sailors and tens of billions of dollars of hardware aboard. But very soon after Modly's spectacular departure, former acting Secretary James McPherson canceled the study until further notice. Still, as the effort to move to a smaller carrier seems frozen — as it has been for decades every time someone suggested it — the Navy is forging ahead with preparing its big-deck boats — the amphibious assault ships — for operating with the Marine Corp's F-35B. The Corps' F-35 fighter jet is a short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing variant. The Navy recently inked a $200 million contract with BAE Systems to upgrade the amphibious assault ship Boxer to be able to operate with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the fifth landing helicopter assault ship to be so amended. “The USS Boxer [dry-dock availability] will complete a combination of maintenance, modernization, and repair of the following systems: Hull structure, propulsion, electrical plant, auxiliary systems, and communications and combat systems, as well as alterations to prepare the ship for operations with the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF),” according to a statement from Naval Sea Systems command. But the idea of smaller carriers is one the Navy has been flirting with more recently. Last fall, the Navy packed 13 F-35Bs on the amphibious assault ship America. Then-Navy Secretary Spencer later said the ship could hold up to 20. “I will tell you, we are augmenting the aircraft carrier with our ideas, such as this lightning carrier,” Spencer said at the Brookings Institution think tank. “Twenty F-35 Bravos on a large-deck amphib. My cost performance there is tremendous. Does it have the same punch? No, it doesn't, but it does have a very interesting sting to it.” The Boxer, which is an older class of big-deck amphib, could likely pack about 15 F-35Bs if it were dedicated for the purpose, according to Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — The U.S. Navy is facing growing asymmetric threats, not least of which is from China, and more specifically its anti-access/area denial strategy. The Pentagon's annual report on China' military strength from 2019 describes the A2/AD strategy as a means to “dissuade, deter, or, if required, defeat third-party intervention against a large-scale, theater-wide campaign” mounted by China's People's Liberation Army, or PLA. In short, it appears Beijing's aim is to prevent American and allied military forces from operating freely in the A2/AD airspace and maritime “bubble” around China's coastline. China has in recent years worked to extend the range of this bubble beyond the so-called first island chain and into the Western Pacific. The key to this effort is not just longer-range missiles, but also a growing number of space-based sensors. The U.S.-based Union of Concerned Scientists reported that as of 2016, China had 192 satellites in orbit, a number that has since increased, with nearly all of these belonging to organizations or companies with close ties to the government and having dual roles to for civilian and military use. Some of China's satellites include several payloads that are almost certainly for military purposes, such as electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar and electronic intelligence technology. The country also uses a constellation of Naval Ocean Surveillance System satellites providing persistent coverage of water surrounding China. These capabilities can also support targeting for China's anti-ship ballistic missiles, and with sufficient numbers and integration, they could provide real-time target triangulation data to build up a robust picture of a target's location to ultimately generate a targeting approach. Meet the DF-21D The long-range, conventionally armed ballistic missile DF-21D is meant for attacking moving ships at sea, most notably the U.S. Navy's showpiece nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The theory behind its creation is that a missile speeding down to sea level on a ballistic trajectory at speeds of Mach 5 or higher would prove extremely difficult to counter. The road-mobile anti-ship ballistic missile system is mounted on a wheeled transporter erector launcher to improve survivability against enemy counter-strikes. Said to have a range of about 780 nautical miles, the DF-21D is a version of the DF-21 family of two-stage, solid-fueled, single-warhead conventional or nuclear medium-range ballistic missiles in use by the PLA Rocket Force. The U.S. Defense Department suggests that the DF-21D reached initial operating capability with the PLA in 2010, with the system thought to employ maneuverable reentry vehicles with a terminal guidance system assisted by China's network of satellites, such as the Jianbing-5/YaoGan-1 and Jianbing-6/YaoGan-2 that provide targeting data in the form of radar and visual imaging, respectively. There are, however, questions about the missile's effectiveness. China has reportedly tested the DF-21D against fixed land targets, but it's unknown whether it was tested against a moving target. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the capability of the weapon, particularly from a maturity and efficacy standpoint. It also brings into question whether China's sensor technology can generate the kind of real-time, highly precise data required to enable the DF-21D to accurately target an aircraft carrier maneuvering at 30 knots. But the missile and its sensor net could be used to keep watch on and provide deterrence at maritime chokepoints among the first island chain, specifically the Miyako Strait between Okinawa, Japan, and Taiwan as well as the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines. This would theoretically reduce the demand on a less-than-mature sensor net and kill chain to limited geographic areas through which potential targets would have to sail. Considering the limited combat radius of carrier-borne aircraft without large-scale support from aerial refueling tankers, the ability to keep an American carrier battle group at arm's length may be all that China's A2/AD capability requires. An attack with anti-ship ballistic missiles can be used in conjunction with other anti-ship missiles and timed to simultaneously arrive at a target. Such an attack could be mounted from longer-range anti-ship missiles like the YJ-12 and YJ-18. Both are Chinese improvements of Russian designs, derived from the Kh-31 air-to-surface missile and the 3M-54 Klub cruise missiles, respectively. Both are capable of supersonic speeds, with the anti-ship YJ-18A variant attaining its maximum speed of about Mach 2 in its terminal attack phase following subsonic cruise. The YJ-12 can fly at speeds of between Mach 2 and Mach 4, depending on launch and cruise altitudes. Both can also reach long ranges. The YJ-12 is widely believed to have a range of between 108 and 216 nautical miles, while the YJ-18 is believed to possess a range of 290 nautical miles. The YJ-12 can be launched from wheeled transporter erector launchers as well as from vertical launch cells on ships like the Type 052D or Type 055 destroyers. The YJ-12 can also be launched from aircraft, like the Xian H-6 bomber, the JH-7 fighter bomber and possibly the Shenyang J-11/15/16, Chinese derivatives of the Russian Sukhoi Flanker family. Is a new long-range air-to-air missile on its way? China's indigenous Flanker derivatives are also expected to the primary carrier platform for a new long-range air-to-air missile reportedly in development. Expected to be used to target an adversary's high-value airborne assets such airborne early warning and control systems and tanker aircraft, the missile has been given the temporary designation “PL-XX.” Observers believe the eventual in-service designation will be PL-20. The new missile was first observed in 2016 carried by a Shenyang J-16 multi-role fighter, however it almost certainly was an inert mock-up. It was seen earlier this year on a Xian JH-7 fighter-bomber. By comparing the known sizes of the parent aircraft and its hardpoints, it's been estimated the missile is about 5.8 metres (20 feet) long and about 300 milometers (1 foot) in diameter, which is significantly larger than typical medium-range air-to-air missiles, like the American AIM-120. Four rear-mounted fins bestow maneuverability and control for the missile. There is little verifiable information about the new missile's performance; however, a public schematic of how China would use the weapon shows the ramjet or solid fuel-powered missile can attain a straight-line range of 300 kilometers (188 miles). After launch, most likely with preliminary targeting data provided by a friendly airborne early warning and control aircraft, the missile would fly a parabolic trajectory on its way to its target, attaining an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet from a launch altitude of 50,000 feet, before plunging toward the target. A mixture of GPS, inertial navigation systems and space-based radars are expected to provide launch and mid-course guidance, before an active electronically scanned array radar takes over at the terminal phase. If China succeeds in putting such a weapon into service, the PLA Air Force will then be able to compel an adversary's vital force-multiplier aircraft to operate farther away, or risk being shot down. This would reduce their effectiveness and that of the tactical aircraft they are supporting in the event of a conflict. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/06/01/chinas-missile-and-space-tech-is-creating-a-defensive-bubble-difficult-to-penetrate/

Farnborough International has launched FIA Connect: a platform to connect the global aerospace industry. Taking place during what would have been the 2020 airshow week, FIA Connect will run from July 20-24. Over five days, there will be a series of free-to-attend digital aerospace events, including a full virtual conference program focussed on topics leading industry and featuring high profile speakers, as well as range of business growth opportunities. Speaking about the launch of FIA Connect, Gareth Rogers, chief executive of Farnborough International said: “The cancellation of the airshow in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a major shock, however the team is determined to create something that brings as many aspects of the show to the global aerospace industry as possible. “Through our biennial airshow, we have been privileged to serve as a platform for connecting industry, facilitating business growth, and showcasing the very latest in innovation and technology. “The Farnborough International team is working hard to deliver a week of world-class content and thought leadership in order to provide some support to industry at a time when we cannot meet.” Registration for FIA Connect is set to go live in the middle of June. The schedule of events includes: The FINN Sessions – a comprehensive webinar program of insight and analysis featuring leading figures and focussed on the topics that matter: MRO, defence, airlines, space, urban aviation and future workforce. Meet the Buyer is to run free-of charge on Tuesday July 21. This is a strategic opportunity, connecting suppliers with buying decision makers at pre-arranged, private and secure virtual meetings. Farnborough Friday a day developed to help address the skills gap, this virtual hub will include careers advice, inspirational speaker videos, downloads and workshops. ADS Partnership – FIA Connect is partnering with ADS Group, the U.K. trade association for aerospace, defence and security, to provide support, guidance and topical sessions of analysis, giving the best of insight and resource to help business keep up to date, informed and connected. All content for FIA is being created in-house by the team at Farnborough International with the technological capability being delivered by Eventscase: a platform designed to facilitate all key areas of live, hybrid and virtual events. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/farnborough-international-has-launched-fia-connect-a-digital-aerospace-event/

By: Joe Gould Updated 5/29/20 with response from the Pentagon. WASHINGTON ― The Pentagon has spent less than a quarter of the $10.6 billion Congress gave it in March to protect military personnel and marshal American industry to procure face masks, ventilators and other products hospitals need in their fight against the coronavirus. Citing the Trump administration's most recent reports to Congress, Democratic senators say the Pentagon has placed on contract 23 percent of the funds it was provided nine weeks ago as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020. It's the latest criticism in a sharp back and forth between congressional Democrats and the Pentagon over the latter's response to the global pandemic. As the nation surpassed 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, nine Senate Democrats wrote to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday, calling for him to provide Congress with a spending plan for the remaining funds. Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Vice Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., led the letter, which was obtained by Defense News. “We are concerned by the delays in providing this important information, the lack of transparency in the use of emergency funds appropriated to the Department, and troubling signs the funds will instead be spent for other purposes,” the letter read. “Lacking a spend plan, we are not even sure what those purposes may be.” Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., signed the new letter with Durbin, Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Jon Tester, D-Mont.; Tom Udall, D-N.M.; Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. Though the coronavirus rescue package included more than $1 billion for National Guard deployments requested by the administration to support state authorities, the Guard didn't need the money because the Federal Emergency Management Agency has since taken responsibility for reimbursing states. “We do not understand why the Department requested these funds ... nor do we know what they will be used for now,” the lawmakers wrote. The Pentagon has thus far obligated $167 million of the $1 billion Congress granted under the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that the president recently invoked, to have industry produce key items such as N95 respirator masks and swabs needed for coronavirus testing, ventilators and other items. “Lacking further information from the Department on its plans for these funds, we are unable to answer simple questions such as whether the U.S. Government is doing everything in its power to address shortfalls in supplies which are not only needed at this moment, but also in preparation for a predicted second wave of coronavirus infections,” the lawmakers wrote. In a statement, chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said the department “remains committed to legally and responsibly executing these funds on the highest priorities to protect our military and their families and safeguard our national security capabilities. As we have seen, this is an evolving and dynamic situation where priorities and requirements change, which is why it is so important that we remain faithful and accountable stewards of the taxpayer dollar.” “As the Members know, the spend plan is due per the CARES Act in four weeks, on June 26th. The plan is currently in final review and approval, and we expect it to be on the Hill by close of business [May 29], a full month prior to the required due date,” Hoffman added. “In the interim, the Department has shown its commitment to transparency through daily and weekly updates from senior DoD leaders to multiple Congressional committees — both staff and members. In addition, DoD has provided hundreds of responses to Congressional COVID queries, and will continue to do so.” The Department of Defense announced its first use of the Defense Production Act on April 13 in the form of $133 million in contracts to 3M, O&M Halyward, and Honeywell to boost domestic production of N95 respirator masks. On Thursday, the DoD announced its latest: $2.2 million to Hollingsworth & Vose for 27.5 million N95 ventilator filters and 3.1 million N95 respirators per month, starting in August ― all to “relieve manufacturing bottlenecks and will expand N95 mask production and ventilator use.” The letter comes just weeks after the Pentagon made a surprise decision to move its point person for the Defense Production Act, Jen Santos, into a new job. But it's also as Democrats have urged President Donald Trump to dramatically increase domestic production of personal protective equipment and testing supplies. “Throughout this crisis, you have continued to lay blame for the public health response on others, from members of the previous administration to those who report to you now,” Schatz, Durbin, Tester and Baldwin wrote in a letter to Trump on May 15. “Your dismissal of the Pentagon's senior industrial policy official appears to be the latest example of removing a knowledgeable and well-regarded technocrat for no reason but to cover for your failure to fully invoke and utilize the DPA authorities.” In early May, Esper clapped back at accusations the DoD had not been transparent in its response to COVID-19. A letter from Senate Armed Services Committee member Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and nine Democratic colleagues, which accused the Defense Department of failing to adequately respond to the pandemic, contained “a number of misleading, false, or inaccurate statements,” Esper said. “Our commitment is to ensure that we provide Congress complete, accurate and timely information which we are doing on weekly basis,” he said, adding that he speaks with committee leaders on a weekly basis. “We recognize Congress has an important oversight role, but it should be an informed oversight role, and we are committed to doing that.” Aaron Mehta contributed to this report. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/05/28/the-pentagon-has-spent-only-23-of-its-covid-19-response-funds-congress-is-asking-why/

By: Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany — A new budget proposal for the European Union shows that the bloc's defense plans are back on the table as the continent pushes to revive its economy following the coronavirus crisis. Two flagship programs to that end — the European Defence Fund and the Military Mobility initiative — are set to receive €8 billion (U.S. $9 billion) and €1.5 billion (U.S. $1.7 billion), respectively, in the seven-year plan beginning in 2021, according to a proposal unveiled this week by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Those figures are lower than the initial proposal of €13 billion and €6.5 billion for the two budget lines. But they represent an uptick compared with recent negotiation positions that envisioned defense-related spending slashed even more. Defense spending remains an unbeloved subject in many European countries, and it is notable that there is no dedicated political narrative around building military prowess in the context of the bloc's recovery plan, dubbed Next Generation EU during a May 27 speech by von der Leyen. Still, the fact that the European Defence Fund — designed to foster intra-continental defense cooperation — remains in the mix is in itself a statement, according to analysts. Defense-spending advocates in Europe believe a robust military can strengthen the EU's hand in trying to assert its role on the world stage with other players like China and Russia. The new proposal of €8 billion for the European Defence Fund may not seem like much, given the high, upfront costs for multinational military equipment projects, said Sophia Besch, a senior research fellow at the Center for European Reform. “But it's a win for the [European] Commission in the current political context,” she added. “COVID-19 has shifted the priorities, and even before the crisis there were signs that defense was losing ground in the traditional budget battles,” Besch said. Given that, the new proposal is “better than nothing,” she argued. At the same time, the de facto reduction would make it harder to prove for the commission that the intended effects can be achieved with the amount envisioned, Besch predicted. Funding through the European Defence Fund and its associated channels ensures that certain projects in many member states can happen at all, said Yvonni-Stefania Efstathiou, an Athens, Greece-based defense analyst specializing in the emerging European defense-cooperation framework PESCO, or Permanent Structured Cooperation. “Allocations to the EDF have the potential of triggering more defense cooperation, as those funds will be used to finance collaborative research and common capability development projects,” she said. What is still missing, however, is an overarching context of where the EU wants to go with its defense ambitions, she argued. “The impact of these funds will be limited unless there is also progress on the common definition of strategic priorities and military requirements.” The cut to the budget line for military mobility means member states stand to pay more of their own money for updating bridges, roads and rail networks to ensure military equipment can quickly move along the continent in the event of a standoff with Russia. The work is seen as a critical interface between the EU and NATO, and alliance officials previously expressed hope for a funding injection that could speed projects along, especially in Eastern Europe. “Unless we have the full costings of how much bridges and roads will cost, it is hard to evaluate whether the funds are sufficient,” Efstathiou said. “What is easy to predict, however, is the dissatisfaction of the Eastern European states.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/05/29/the-european-unions-defense-ambitions-are-still-showing-signs-of-life/

ARMY General Dynamics-OTS, Williston, Vermont, was awarded a $3,420,531,156 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price) contract for production and engineering services for Hydra-70 rocket systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2026. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q20F0282). Canadian Commercial Corp., Ottawa, Canada, was awarded a $380,117,626 hybrid (firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-level-of-effort) contract for MX sensor systems product and system support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 28, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-20-D-0008). CR Nationwide LLC-Trumble Construction Inc. JV1,* Texarkana, Texas, was awarded a $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for general roof construction. Bids were solicited via the internet with nine received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-20-D-4005). General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Taunton, Massachusetts, was awarded a $37,012,955 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for post-deployment software support services for Product Manager Tactical Network-Mission Network, Tactical Network-Transport On-The-Move systems and equipment. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Taunton, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of June 1, 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $23,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland is the contracting activity (W15P7T-20-F-0114). Leidos Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded a $33,302,166 modification (P00032) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0058 for continued contactor logistics support services in Afghanistan. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Afghanistan Security Forces (Army) funds in the amount of $33,302,166 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. GFP Group LLC,* Corpus Christi, Texas (W911SA-20-D-2014); MDJ Contracting Inc.,* Dallas, Texas (W911SA-20-D-2015); Sames Inc.,* McAllen, Texas (W911SA-20-D-2016); Arevalos Trade Co. LLC,* San Antonio, Texas (W911SA-20-D-2017); and Miami Technology Solutions LLC,* Reston, Virginia (W911SA-20-D-2018), will compete for each order of the $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to provide construction services for a broad range of renovation and construction projects. Bids were solicited via the internet with 14 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2025. The 419th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, is the contracting activity. AECOM Technical Services, Los Angeles, California, was awarded a $24,335,524 firm-fixed-price contract to design the renovation of Sijan Hall, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of April 20, 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $24,335,524 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-20-C-0005). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded a $22,158,960 modification (P00026) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0025 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges for 120mm tank training ammunition. Work will be performed in Plymouth, Minnesota, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 28, 2021. Fiscal 2020 procurement of ammunition (Army) funds in the amount of $22,158,960 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Digiflight, Columbia, Maryland, was awarded an $18,193,257 modification (000456) to contract W31P4Q-09-A-0012 for programmatic support services for the Apache attack helicopter project office. Work will be performed in Columbia, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Army) funds and 2020 Foreign Military Sales (Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Morocco, UAE and UK) funds in the amount of $18,193,257 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Carahsoft Technology Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $16,056,758 modification (BA0137) to contract N00104-08-AZF43 to provide SAP software licenses, third-party software licenses co-developed with SAP, and associated maintenance in support of the Army's financial and logistics enterprise resource planning programs. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Reston, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds; and Army working capital and research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $16,056,757 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $13,842,939 modification (P00047) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0038 for engineering services for Spiral 3 system qualification of the Javelin missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 missile procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $13,842,939 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Sauer Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, was awarded a $10,480,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of existing food preparation areas, serving areas and administrative areas. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 4, 2021. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Army) funds in the amount of $10,480,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, Delaware, is the contracting activity (W912PM-20-C-0014). Security Signals Inc.,* Cordova, Tennessee, was awarded a $10,201,843 firm-fixed-price contract for soldier hand-held signal devices. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-20-F-0328). Elbit Systems of America, Roanoke, Virginia, was awarded an $8,977,727 modification (P00008) to contract W56JSR-17-D-0017 to ensure continued support for the Army Communications Electronics Command Integrated Logistics Support Center. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 25, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. WFEL Ltd., Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom, was awarded an $8,034,740 firm-fixed-price contract for retrofit kits for the Dry Support Bridge system. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fort Hood, Texas; and Cheshire, UK, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $8,034,740 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-F-0222). General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $7,746,408 modification (P00018) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0026 to provide logistics support and training services to the Iraqi Army. Work will be performed in Taji, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2010 Iraq train and equip (Army) funds in the amount of $7,746,408 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a modification (P00016) to contract W31P4Q-15-D-0003 to increase the period of performance of contract from 61 to 66 months. No funds were obligated at the time of the award. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Poway, California, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 28, 2020. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The contract award announced on April 30, 2020, to Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas (W31P4Q-20-C-0023), for incidental services, hardware, facilities, equipment and all technical, planning, management, manufacturing and testing efforts to produce Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3 missiles, missile segment enhancement configuration and associated ground support equipment and spares, included the incorrect funding source and amount of obligated funds. The announcement should have said Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $3,161,854,602 were obligated at the time of the award. All other information in the original announcement is correct. AIR FORCE Alion Science and Technology, McLean, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0001); Apogee Research, Arlington, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0002); World Wide Technology, St. Louis, Missouri (FA8612-20-D-0003); BAE Systems, San Diego, California (FA8612-20-D-0004); Boeing Defense Systems, St. Louis, Missouri (FA8612-20-D-0005); Borsetta, Denver, Colorado (FA8612-20-D-0006); CACI, Chantilly, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0007); Chooch Intelligence Technologies, San Mateo, California (FA8612-20-D-0008); Collins Aerospace Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa (FA8612-20-D-0009); Dell Technologies, Round Rock, Texas (FA8612-20-D-0010); Fregata Systems, St Louis, Missouri (FA8612-20-D-0011); General Dynamics, Bloomington, Minnesota (FA8612-20-D-0012); Hellebore Consulting Group, Troy, Ohio (FA8612-20-D-0013); Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, Arizona (FA8612-20-D-0014); Immersive Wisdom, Boca Raton, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0015); L3 Harris, Greenville, Texas (FA8612-20-D-0016); Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, Texas (FA8612-20-D-0017); Northrop Grumman, Melbourne, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0018); Palantir, Palo Alto, California (FA8612-20-D-0019); Parsons Government Services, Colorado Springs, Colorado (FA8612-20-D-0020); Persistent Systems, New York, New York (FA8612-20-D-0021); Raytheon, McKinney, Texas (FA8612-20-D-0022); Securboration, Melbourne, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0023); Silvus Technologies, Los Angeles, California (FA8612-20-D-0024); Simple Sense, Brooklyn, New York (FA8612-20-D-0025); Solid State Scientific, Hollis, New Hampshire (FA8612-20-D-0026); Viasat, Carlsbad, California (FA8612-20-D-0027); and Wind Talker Innovations, Fife, Washington (FA8612-20-D-0028), have been awarded $950,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts for the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). These contracts provide for the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The locations of performance are to be determined at the contract direct order level and are expected to be completed by May 28, 2025. These awards are the result of fair and open competition with 28 offers received. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used on this contract but no funds will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Northrup Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, has been awarded a $12,641,680 firm-fixed-price modification (P00047) to contract FA8620-15-C-3001 for initial aircraft spares to assist in sustainment purposes of the Global Hawk in the Republic of Korea. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed May 30, 2022. This contract is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales in the full amount will fund this contract. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. ABBA Construction Inc.,* Jacksonville, Florida, has been awarded a $10,481,178 firm-fixed-price contract for the multi-phase renovation of Hangar 68 Joint-Preflight Integration of Munitions and Electronic Systems (J-PRIMES) test facility. Work will be performed on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and includes updated fire suppression systems, administrative and lab spaces, HVAC, furniture, vestibule, and bathrooms. These projects are estimated to be completed by May 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2823-20-R-0001). ACTA LLC, Torrance, California, has been awarded an $8,821,909 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Safety Hazard Analysis and Risk Processing (SHARP) II System. This contract provides for performance-based services with a combination of severable (flight analysis) and non-severable (risk analysis) services. SHARP II is the designation for the hardware, software and procedures used to perform flight analysis and risk analysis by the 45th Space Wing Launch Safety analysts in support of space launch missions at the Eastern Range, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Work will be performed in Torrance, California; and at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed Nov. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $38,188 are being obligated under the first task order. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2521-20-D-0002). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Penn Power Group LLC, York Haven, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $91,621,582 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for two-cycle diesel engine spares. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Location of performance is Pennsylvania, with a May 28, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-20-D-0136). Fxc Corp., Costa Mesa, California, has been awarded a maximum $7,472,938 firm-fixed-price, definite-quantity contract for drogue parachute assemblies. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a three-year, five-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with an Oct. 14, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A7-20-C-0128). NAVY Rolls Royce Marine North America (RRMNA), Walpole, Massachusetts (N64498-20-R-4011); and Wartsila Defense Inc. (Wartsila), Chesapeake, Virginia (N64498-20-R-4012), are awarded $67,000,000 for indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, firm-fixed-price contracts with firm-fixed-price task order provisions for the repair and refurbishment of controllable pitch propellers blades and fixed pitch propellers on behalf of the Naval Sea Systems Command S05Z 2SCOG Program. The contracts awarded to RRMNA and Wartsila are not to exceed a combined total of $67,000,000. Work under the RRMNA contract will be completed in Walpole, Massachusetts, and under the Wartsila contract, work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia. This requirement involves providing the repair of the U.S. Ship Arleigh Burke DDG 51, U.S. Ship Ticonderoga CG 47, U.S. Ship San Antonio LPD 17, U.S. Ship Widbey Island LSD 41, U.S. Ship Avenger MCM 1, U.S. Ship Peleliu LHA 6 Class Propulsion Controllable Pitch Propeller assemblies, U.S. Ship Wasp LHD 1 and U.S. Ship Zumwalt DDG 1000 Class Propulsion Monobloc Propellers. These propellers and blades will be provided to the contractors as government furnished materials. In addition, the contractors are responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified in the statement of work. Work is expected to be complete by May 2026. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the total amount of $1,000 ($500 minimum guarantee per contract) will be obligated at time of award via individual task orders and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured using full and open competition via the Beta.SAM.gov website and three offers were received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. InCadence Strategic Solutions Corp., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $16,048,337 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-20-D-2017) for the purchase of Identity Dominance System-Marine Corps Increment 2 (IDS-MC Inc. 2) systems and technical services. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia. The proposed contract will provide for procurement of full rate production (FRP) IDS-MC Inc. 2 systems and procurement of certain incidental support efforts associated with FRP and software maintenance such as ancillary software development services, basic software maintenance services and sparing to keep pace with technical advances and cybersecurity vulnerability abatement. Work is expected to be complete by May 2025. Fiscal 2019 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $410,736; fiscal 2020 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $3,426,145; and fiscal 2020 research, development, testing and evaluation (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $342,170 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award. Funds will not expire at the end of current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The contract was prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $15,392,275 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-6258 to exercise options for production and component work. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (66%); Chantilly, Virginia (18%); and Marion, Massachusetts (16%), and is expected to be complete by June 2023. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,392,275 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Alpha Marine Services LLC, Galliano, Louisiana, is awarded a $12,585,814 modification under previously awarded firm fixed-price contract N32205-18-C-3520 to fund the second one-year option period for a U.S.-flagged maritime support vessel (M/V Kellie Chouest) in support of U.S. Southern Command. Work is to be performed at sea, starting June 1, 2018, and is expected to be complete, if all options are exercised, by April 2023. This contract includes a 12-month base period, three 12-month option periods and one 11-month option period, which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $57,464,816. The option will be funded by fiscal 2020 and 2021operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities and three offers were received. The Naval Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Bristol Design Build Services LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded a $9,011,390 firm-fixed-price task order (N62473-20-F-4683) under a multiple award construction contract for construction of Provost Marshall's Office facility replacement at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California. The work to be performed provides for construction of a replacement facility for the base Provost Marshall's Office. This project will also provide construction of a mechanical yard and trash enclosure and resurfacing and restriping of the existing parking lot. Work is expected to be complete by February 2022. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $9,011,390 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-17-D-4627). Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $7,804,005 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00019-20-F0009) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0031 that procures labor, equipment and material to produce, install, integrate and test KGR-72 very low frequency receiver A and B-kits into 14 E-6B aircraft and associated training systems. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas, and is expected to be complete by September 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,804,005 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. MISSLE DEFENSE AGENCY Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation,* Huntsville, Alabama, is being awarded a $20,312,262 non-competitive commercial, firm-fixed-price contract with a one-year base value of $3,907,503 for custodial services support with four one-year option periods. This contract shall provide all labor, management, supervision, equipment, tools and supplies required to operate Missile Defense Agency custodial services in multiple locations to maintain facilities which present a clean, neat and professional appearance. The work will be performed in the National Capital Region; Dahlgren, Virginia; Huntsville, Alabama; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; and Vandenberg AFB, California, through May 31, 2025. This contract was procured via required source, Source America. Fiscal 2020-2021 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $112,671; and research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,582,371 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0858-20-C-0007). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2202498/source/GovDelivery/

Rapports de précision et de cadeaux 2020-2026 mondial de production Avion de chasse sans pilote régionale de lindustrie, Statut de vente et de la consommation et perspectives Rapport de recherche du marché professionnel avec un aperçu de la division de lindustrie. Le rapport contient une analyse détaillée et tableau et les figures en elle. Mondiale Avion de chasse sans pilote marché 2020 Rapport de recherche offre des informations à jour et les données historiques sur le marché Avion de chasse sans pilote. Létude fournit des données historiques de 2015-2019 avec une prévision de 2020-2026 basé sur les ventes et les revenus. Il fournit une analyse clé sur létat du marché des fabricants Avion de chasse sans pilote avec les meilleurs faits et des chiffres, le sens, la définition, lanalyse SWOT, avis dexperts et les derniers développements à travers le monde. Le rapport calcule également la taille du marché, Avion de chasse sans pilote ventes, le prix, les revenus, la marge brute et part de marché, la structure des coûts et le taux de croissance. Le rapport estime que les revenus générés par les ventes de ce rapport et technologies par divers secteurs dapplication. Rapport final ajoutera lanalyse de limpact des Covid-19 sur cette industrie. Obtenez un PDF Exemple de rapport @ www.precisionreports.co/enquiry/request-sample/15294860 Lobjectif de létude est de définir la taille des marchés des différents segments et pays au cours des années précédentes et de prévoir les valeurs des cinq prochaines années. Le rapport est conçu pour intégrer à la fois bénéficier des aspects qualitatifs et quantitatifs de lindustrie en ce qui concerne chacune des régions et des pays impliqués dans létude. En outre, le rapport accueille également des informations détaillées sur les aspects cruciaux tels que les conducteurs et les facteurs de retenue qui définiront la croissance future du marché Avion de chasse sans pilote. La recherche porte sur la taille actuelle du marché Avion de chasse sans pilote du marché et ses taux de croissance sur la base des dossiers de 6 ans avec les grandes lignes de la compagnie des joueurs / fabricants clés: Airbus Defense and Space BAE Systems Boeing Lockheed Martin Saab http://millaujournal.com/2020/05/29/avion-de-chasse-sans-pilote-market-forecast-2020-2026-par-tendances-mondiales-de-lindustrie-la-croissance-future-vue-densemble-rgional-taille-partager-estimation-du-revenu-et-perspective/

Les coûts d'achat et d'entretien des nouveaux avions de combat ont été révélés dans la presse dominicale. Les nouveaux avions de combat coûteraient 18 milliards de francs au total, selon une estimation du Département fédéral de la défense (DDPS). En plus des coûts d'acquisition de 6 milliards de francs, près de 12 milliards viennent s'ajouter pour la maintenance des jets pendant toute la durée de leur utilisation. Ces chiffres publiés par la «SonntagsZeitung» ont été confirmés par l'Office fédéral des armements (ArmaSuisse). Pour les articuler, Berne s'est appuyée sur vingt ans d'exploitation de la flotte d'avions de chasse F/A-18 actuellement en service. «En règle générale, les coûts d'exploitation calculés sur trente ans devraient être environ deux fois plus élevés que le coût d'achat», a déclaré le porte-parole d'ArmaSuisse. Comme ni le type d'avions ni leur nombre ne sont encore déterminés, des calculs plus précis ne sont pas encore possibles. Le Conseil fédéral devrait faire son choix début 2021. Cette estimation de Berne a été précédée de discussions politiques sur les coûts des jets pendant tout leur cycle de vie. Dans certains cas, des montants beaucoup plus élevés que les 18 milliards de francs ont été articulés. Les opposants à l'achat de nouveaux avions de combat ont parfois estimé les dépenses à environ 24 milliards de francs. Ils se sont appuyés en partie sur des calculs effectués par les autorités allemandes et canadiennes. Votation fin septembre Le Conseil fédéral et le parlement prévoient d'acheter de nouveaux avions de chasse pour 6 milliards de francs à partir de 2025. Il s'agit de remplacer la flotte actuelle d'avions F/A-18 et Tiger. Les Suisses voteront le 27 septembre prochain après que le Groupe pour une Suisse sans armée (GSsA), le PS et les Verts ont lancé un référendum. Les Helvètes ne se prononceront pas sur le type d'avion, ni sur le nombre de jets, entre 36 et 40, qui seront achetés. Actuellement, une deuxième série d'offres est en cours. Au printemps dernier, quatre fabricants ont fait voler leurs engins dans le ciel suisse lors d'une démonstration. Quatre jets restent dans la course: le Rafale français (Dassault), l'Eurofighter allemand (Airbus) et, côté américain, le successeur du F/A-18, le Super Hornet de Boeing, et le F-35A de Lockheed-Martin. https://www.tdg.ch/les-nouveaux-jets-couteraient-18-milliards-574000585177

June 01, 2020 Aviation Week Network forecasts that annual MRO demand for Western-designed attack helicopters will increase 11.1% during this decade, from $4.2 billion in 2020 to $4.6 billion in 2029. Aviation Week defines attack helicopters as rotary-wing aircraft that are unable to carry cargo internally, are armed with a forward-firing cannon of at least 20mm, and which can carry and self-designate targets for anti-tank guided missiles. Ninety percent of MRO demand in 2020 will be generated by just two helicopter families: the Boeing AH-64 Apache and Bell AH-1 Cobra. The AH-64 will see an 8% increase in its MRO demand over the next 10 years from $2.9 billion to $3.2 billion. Overall, the AH-64 will generate 68.6% of the global MRO demand total. The AH-1's MRO demand will drop 12.3% in the next ten years. Despite the decline, the AH-1 still will generate 18.2% of total attack helicopter MRO. The Airbus Tiger will see the largest decline in MRO demand of any attack helicopter. With no probable future export orders on the horizon and an early retirement by Australia, the Tiger's MRO demand will fall 23.5% from 2020 to 2029. The Leonardo AW129 family of attack helicopters could experience a 22.1% growth in its MRO demand over the forecast if TAI and its T129 derivative manages to hold on to its hard won, but now in danger, export orders by securing a non-US export-restricted engine. Open requirements and competitions will produce over a billion dollars of MRO demand in the next decade, a significant boost to any program. Source: Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) 2020 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast For more information about the 2020 Forecast and other Aviation Week data products, please see: http://pages.aviationweek.com/Forecasts https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/z/aviation-week-forecasts-western-attack-helicopter-mro-family-2020-2029