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ByChristen McCurdy Nov. 26 (UPI) -- General Electric was awarded a $1.3 million contract modification to deliver T700 helicopter engines for the Army, Navy, Air Force and other agencies. The contract, announced by the Department of Defense on Tuesday, funds delivery of engines for the Army's H-60 utility helicopter, used for air assault, aeromedical evacuation and special operations support, as well as the AH-64 attack helicopter used by the Army for destroying armor, personnel and materiel targets in obscured battlefield conditions. The GE T700 is a turboshaft engine that powers several families of aircraft, including the Blackhawk and Seahawk helicopters. Under the contract, GE will also deliver engines for the H-60 helicopter used by the Navy for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and drug shipment interception. The Department of Defense also said in the announcement that the contract will funds delivery of engines for additional unspecified programs of the Air Force, Foreign Military Sales and other government agencies. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order and work is expected to be finished in December 2024. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/11/26/GE-awarded-13M-for-T700-helicopter-engines-to-Army-Navy-Air-Force

ByChristen McCurdy Nov. 26 (UPI) -- NATO and Boeing will formally announce details of a $1 billion contract Wednesday for upgrades to Airborne Warning and Control System planes, the alliance said Tuesday. The Wednesday contract will be signed in a formal ceremony at Melsbroek Airport in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Sir Michael Arthur, President of Boeing International in attendance. Stoltenberg confirmed to reporters last week that NATO was on the verge of inking a deal to modernize the AWACS fleet. He did not say what upgrades were needed. "I can confirm that we will sign a contract upgrading, modernizing the AWACS fleet," Stoltenberg said last week ahead of a meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs. "This reflects the importance of modernizing our capabilities, including our common capabilities, as the AWACS fleet is." NATO operates 14 AWACS planes, which detect enemy missiles and aircraft in NATO airspace, were introduced in 1982. The alliance intends to keep them in service until 2035. The alliance has used them to patrol the Mediterranean Sea and in missions against the Islamic State. NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu also tweeted last week that the upgrades, in addition to receipt of the first of five Global Hawk surveillance drones in Sicily, "reflects how NATO is investing in high-tech capabilities." While NATO is expected to replace the E-3 fleet after 2035, Stoltenberg did not indicate how that could happen aside from referencing the incoming Global Hawks as part of a modernization. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/11/26/Boeing-NATO-to-announce-1B-contract-for-AWACS-upgrades

By: Nathan Strout The Air Force awarded Capella Space a $750,000 base contract for high-resolution radar imagery during one of the service's rapid acquisition events earlier this month. Capella Space announced Nov. 20 that the Air Force plans to use the company's sub 0.5 meter synthetic aperture radar imagery for virtual reality software, missile defense and developing predictive intelligence to foresee foreign threats. “The U.S. Air Force is always working to maintain our leadership as a global technology innovator, and this contract is a testament to that commitment,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, head of the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center. SAR satellites are unique in their ability to collect imagery despite adverse weather or lighting conditions that make optical sensors useless. Unlike optical sensors, SAR sensors can pick up data on material properties, moisture content, elevation and precise changes and movements. In addition, SAR data can be used to make both 3D recreations or 2D images of 3D objects. Capella plans to launch its first SAR satellite in early 2020 as part of a constellation of 36 satellites that it expects to be operational in 2022. “Capella will work alongside the U.S. Air Force to foster collaboration and deliver a product that best suits their mission needs,” Dan Brophy, vice president of government services at Capella Space, said in a statement. “Timely SAR data that presents changes on Earth holds tremendous military value, and we will make adaptations to meet unique military requirements. Together with the Air Force, we will define the applications for this data in its hybrid, military and commercial space architecture.” The contract was awarded during the Air Force's Space Pitch Days Nov. 5-6, where the Air Force invited small and nontraditional companies to make pitches for their products and solutions in an environment like the television show “Shark Tank.” The Air Force awarded Phase II Small Business Innovative Research contracts on the spot to several companies, including to Capella Space. At the conclusion of this base contract, Capella could win a Phase III contract in 2020. https://www.c4isrnet.com/intel-geoint/2019/11/25/the-air-force-may-have-found-new-imagery-it-needs-at-a-pitch-day/

NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $831,008,187 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target, firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0001). This modification provides for the production and delivery of 15 lot 14 F-35A aircraft and associated red gear in support of the Government of Australia. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (59%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $831,008,187 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. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $327,950,000 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target advance acquisition contract to procure long lead material, parts and components in support of the Lot 15 production and delivery of 48 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (35%); El Segundo, California (25%); Warton, United Kingdom (20%); Orlando, Florida (10%); Nashua, New Hampshire (5%); and Baltimore, Maryland (5%), and is expected to be completed in June 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $327,950,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-20-C-0009). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $29,180,420 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-5103 for additional Aegis combat system engineering, computer program maintenance, in-country support, staging support and implementation studies in support of current and future Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Aegis shipbuilding programs in support of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, Spanish Armada, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy, with scope available to support other potential FMS customers. The current Aegis FMS programs supported include the Japanese Kongo and Atago-class ships, Korean KDX III class ships, Spanish F-100 and F-110 program, Norwegian F310-class ships and Australian Hunter and Hobart-class ships. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (96%); Tokyo, Japan (1%); Seoul, South Korea (1%); Bergen, Norway (1%); and Adelaide, Australia (1%), and is expected to be completed by June 2020. FMS funding in the amount of $29,180,420 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, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded a $27,248,586 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Short Pulse Research, Evaluation and non-Space, Weight and Power (SWAP) demonstration for Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-sUAS). Work will be performed in Kansas City, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by March 2022. The period of performance is 55 months including a 48-month base period, three 24-month option periods, two 32-month option periods, and three 36-month option periods, which will run concurrently Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation, Navy funds in the amount of of $8,314,445 are obligated at time of award and incrementally funded with a base period valued at $7,913,051 and options at $19,335,535, and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was originally competitively procured under N00014-18-S-B001 FY18 long range broad agency announcement (BAA). Since proposals will be received throughout the year under the long range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation cannot be determined at this time. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia is the contracting activity (N00014-18- C-1017-P00006). (Awarded Nov. 25, 2019) Applied Physical Sciences Corp, Groton, Connecticut, was awarded a $23,225,953 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the multi-disciplinary tools, technologies, and experimental methods in support of future naval platform stealth and operations. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (87%); and Cheswick, Pennsylvania (13 %), and is expected to be completed by October 2024. The total cumulative value of this contract including the base period is $23,225,953. This contract has no options. Fiscal year 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation, Navy funds in the amount of $146,749 are obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-19-S-B001, “Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology.” Since proposals will be received throughout the year under the long range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation cannot be determined at this time. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014- 20-C-0001). (Awarded Nov. 25, 2019) Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $17,620,319 fixed-price-incentive (firm target), cost and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-5104 to exercise options for ship integration and test of the AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) for AWS Baselines through Advanced Capability Build (ACB) 12. The contract provides for AEGIS shipboard integration engineering, AEGIS test team support, AEGIS modernization team engineering support, ballistic missile defense test team support, and AWS element assessments. This contract will cover the AWS ship integration and test efforts for five new construction DDG 51 class ships, the major modernization of five DDG 51 class ships, and the major modernization of six CG 47 class ships. It will additionally cover the integrated combat system modifications and upgrades for all current ships with all AWS baselines up to and including ACB 12. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia (44%); Everett, Washington (42%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (4%); Bath, Maine (3%); Moorestown, New Jersey (3%); Camden, New Jersey (2%); and various places below one percent (2%), and is expected to be complete by November 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy-OPN); fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Navy-OMN); and fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy-SCN) funding in the amount of $10,882,412 will be obligated at the time of award, and $589,453 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year — fiscal 2020 OPN, 92%; fiscal 2020 OMN, 5%; and fiscal 2013 SCN, 3%. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $13,741,368 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N00019-20-F-0338) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This delivery order provides production engineering support for the installment and integration of weapon systems on the F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G aircraft. This delivery order also includes an option for research development, test and evaluation production engineering support. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (82%); and St. Louis, Missouri (18%), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,641,692 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. Centurum Information Technology Inc., Marlton, New Jersey, is awarded an $11,665,502 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide technical sustainment engineering, logistics and modernization support for integrated and non-integrated shipboard and ashore installations of satellite communications systems. Support will be provided to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force and Department of Homeland Security programs. This one-year contract includes four one-year options, which, if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contact to an estimated $59,414,364. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (40%); onboard Navy ships (40%); and at the contractor's facilities in Marlton, New Jersey (20%). The period of performance of the base award is Nov. 26, 2019, to Nov. 25, 2020. If all options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through Nov. 25, 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy); and other procurement (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-18-R-0119, which was published on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce Central website. Two proposals were received and one was selected for award. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-20-D-0119). University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded an $8,514,445 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract N00014-18-C-1017. The total value of this contract is $27,248,586, including base and exercised options. This modification provides for the short pulse research, evaluation and non-space, weight and power demonstration for counter-small unmanned aerial systems. Work will be performed at Kansas City, Missouri, with an expected completion date of March 2022. Fiscal 2019 research, development test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,314,445 are obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $8,314,445 will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 25, 2019) Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $7,993,893 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2301) for littoral combat ships (LCS) industrial post-delivery availability (IPDA) support for LCS 24. This contract modification is for IPDA efforts for LCS 24. Austal USA will provide shipboard support to implement approved engineering change proposals, approved government-responsible deficiencies identified during test and trials, and crew-related activities and preventative maintenance. Austal will also provide program management support and logistics support for technical documentation affected by the work performed. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (80%); and Pittsfield, Massachusetts (20%), and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $3,000,000 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, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-11-C-2301). AIR FORCE M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $101,871,372 modification to previously awarded contract FA4890-16-C-0005 for the backshop and flight line maintenance of multiple aircraft types on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional year of maintenance support under the multiple year contract. Work will be performed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $526,894,462. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $101,871,372 will be obligated at the time of the award. The Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, is the contracting activity. The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $93,000,000 bilateral modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract FA8819-18-D-0009 for additional engineering support services, systems engineering for complex systems, specialized research and development and other support functions. This modification increases the ceiling of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the previously awarded amount of $93,000,000 to $186,000,000. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by May 10, 2025. The total ceiling of the contract is $186,000,000. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance; and fiscal 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 research and development funds are being used and no funding is being obligated at the time of the award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. Coulson Aircrane Ltd., Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, has been awarded a $39,262,254 firm-fixed and cost-type contract to procure design, engineering, development, manufacture and install of a 4000 gallon fire retardant delivery system for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The contract award provides a 27 month period of performance. Work will be performed at Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, and is expected to be completed by February 2022. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $39,262,254. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $36,730,820 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8504-20-C-0001). Phoenix Management Inc., Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $12,097,480 face value, firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable, labor hour modification (P00004) to previously awarded contract FA6606-19-C-A003 for base operations support services at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts. This contract modification is for the addition of an option for an additional 12 months of service. Work will be performed at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2020. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $20,942,258. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 439th Contracting Flight, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Corp., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded an $8,517,484 modification (P00093) under previously awarded contract FA8705-14-C-0001 to exercise the interim contractor support, data and travel option for Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal. Work will be performed at Largo, Florida, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. The total cumulative value of the contract is now $348,366,192. Fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in the amount of $8,517,484 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Material Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. The Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, has been awarded an $8,308,308 cost-plus-fixed-fee change order contract modification (P00148) to the previously award contract FA8705-13-C-0005 for the Software InfoSec Module (SIM) Support Fixture (SSF). The contract modification is for the development and test of the SSF, which is used to maintain operational spare SIMS on the shelf to maintain the Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals Operation availability requirement for fielded sites. Work will be performed at Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by August 2020. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $400,411,224. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation in the amount of $500,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. ARMY Leidos, Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $71,539,840 modification (P00010) to contract W52P1J-18-C-0047 for support services at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant, Pueblo Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant and the Anniston Field Office. Work will be performed in Reston, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 23, 2028. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation Army funds in the amount of $6,941,878 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Complete Mobile Dentistry,* Windsor, Wisconsin, was awarded a $19,832,365 firm-fixed-price contract for personal services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 21 received. Work will be performed in Windsor, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Department of Defense acquisition workforce development funds in the amount of $19,832,365 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-20-F-0011). Complete Mobile Dentistry,* Windsor, Wisconsin, was awarded a $15,013,694 firm-fixed-price contract for personal services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 21 received. Work will be performed in Windsor, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Department of Defense acquisition workforce development funds in the amount of $15,013,694 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-20-F-0014). Pick Electric Inc.,* Spokane, Washington, was awarded a $9,157,622 firm-fixed-price contract for upgrades to the direct current system and low voltage switchgears at the lower Granite Lock and Dam powerhouse. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Pomeroy, Washington, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2023. Fiscal 2020 firm-fixed-price funds in the amount of $5,351,690 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, Washington, is the contracting activity (W912EF-20-C-0003). Crawford Consulting,* East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $9,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract for engineering and construction management services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 10 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-20-D-0001). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Sustainment Technologies LLC, Bryan, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $32,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This was a competitive acquisition with 101 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a Nov. 25, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-20-D-0024). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Marietta, Georgia, was a awarded a maximum $93,000,000 modification on an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (H92403-18-D-0002-P00002) for operational flight program upgrades on SOF C-130 fixed wing aircraft along with systems engineering and integration support activities encompassing multiple third party systems sources for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The work will be performed in Marietta and is expected to be completed by April 2024. This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis. USSOCOM Headquarters, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2027618/source/GovDelivery/

by Chris Thatcher Complications with the technical manuals for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-295 search and rescue (SAR) aircraft could delay delivery of the first plane. Manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space unveiled the first C295W (CC-295 is its Canadian designation) in its distinctive RCAF search and rescue paint scheme in mid-October at its production facility in Seville, Spain, and was anticipating handover by the end of the year. While members of the SAR test and evaluation flight of 434 Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron have been in Seville since early fall to assess the aircraft and complete various flight and technical manuals, the Air Force has yet to accept the aircraft. “There have been challenges in the completion of the required technical manuals, which are required for all aspects of safe aircraft operation — from flying to maintenance,” the RCAF and assistant deputy minister (materiel), the military's acquisition branch, said in a statement. “Technical manuals are a critical component when it comes to the safe operation of any fleet. The safety of our aviators is simply not something we are willing to compromise on. We continue to collaborate with Airbus, prioritizing the work required in order to deliver the new search and rescue aircraft safely and effectively.” In a statement to CTV News, an Airbus spokesperson said, “Work on operational technical publications is under review to ensure these are tailored to the customer's requirements and additional time is required.” Airbus will deliver 16 of the twin-propeller CC-295 aircraft to replace the de Havilland CC-115 Buffalo and Lockheed Martin CC-130 Hercules used in a search and rescue role. Despite the delay, the RCAF is still expecting to bring the first aircraft to 19 Wing Comox. B.C., by April 2020. “While it is not yet known if this will cause a delay in final delivery, we remain optimistic that the supplier can work towards an acceptable solution so that our on-site testing and evaluations can be done prior to flying the first aircraft to Canada next spring, as previously planned,” said a spokesperson. In its statement to CTV, Airbus said it had been working “tirelessly to meet the demanding delivery milestones of the Canadian [fixed-wing search and rescue] FWSAR program and to date the company has successfully completed design, development, certification and manufacture of the aircraft, as well as the first stages establishing the program's support operations in Canada.” In addition to the first aircraft, six more CC-295s are in final assembly or completing flight test. Aircrew and maintainers with 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron, reactivated on July 11, 2019, began initial cadre training on the CC-295 at Airbus' facility in Spain in September. The aircraft will operate from four main bases in Comox, Winnipeg, Man., Trenton, Ont., and Greenwood, N.S. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/first-delivery-of-airbus-c295w-to-rcaf-could-be-delayed

HASSAN MEDDAH Des allées pleines de visiteurs, des exposants toujours plus nombreux, des stands truffés d'innovations... La 21eme édition du salon Milipol dédiée à la sécurité et la sûreté des Etats, qui se tient à Paris du 19 au 23 novembre, fait encore le plein. A Paris Nord Villepinte, du 19 au 23 novembre, la 21eme édition de Milipol, qui vise 30 000 visiteurs professionnels, souligne le dynamisme du marché de la sécurité et de la sûreté au niveau mondial mais en France également. Forte de 130 000 personnes, la filière tricolore génère un chiffre d'affaires de 30 milliards d'euros dont un tiers réalisé à l'export. Outre son cycle de conférences, ce salon s'impose comme le véritable bazar de la sécurité. Les acheteurs professionnels, comme les 170 délégations étrangères qui ont fait le déplacement, ont pu trouver de quoi assurer leurs besoins en protection. Dans les stands, on trouve de tout... ou presque. 1/ Le fusil électromagnétique anti-drone de la gendarmerie Les gendarmes exposent sur le stand du ministère de l'Intérieur leur dispositif de lutte anti-drone. Une mallette équipée d'un dispositif rayonnant permet de détecter toute intrusion dans un rayon de 5 km. Le gendarme arrose alors le drone avec un fusil brouilleur émettant des ondes électromagnétiques avec une portée d'un km environ et dans un cône de 70° d'ouverture environ. Les ondes émises brouillent le GPS et neutralisent les communications entre l'opérateur du drone et son engin, forçant ce dernier à se poser. Cette solution a été conçue par la société italienne CPM Elettronica. 2/ La camionnette espion La société Intellexa expose un van d'un genre très particulier. En plus de ses deux passagers, il embarque un véritable centre de contrôle et d'espionnage pour mener des missions de renseignements dans le plus grand secret : caméras pour filmer les allées et venues dans les environs à travers les vitres teintées, antennes d'interception à 360° des communications sans-fil (Wifi, 2G, 3G, 4G...), outils d'investigation et d'infection numérique à distance... 3/ Des fusils en veux-tu, en voilà Sur le stand de l'armurier italien Beretta, se côtoient des armes pour snipper pour atteindre des cibles à plus de 2km, des armes semi automatiques capables de tirer plus de 800 coups par minute, des fusils d'assaut... 4/ Le laboratoire mobile d'analyse ADN Pour identifier des victimes au plus près du terrain lors d'une catastrophe (crash d'avion, ouragan, terrorisme...), la société TraceIP a conçu un laboratoire mobile d'analyse ADN. Opérationnel deux heures après l'arrivée sur site, il peut analyser une vingtaine d'échantillons en 30 minutes, gr'ce à une innovation développée et brevetée par l'Institut de recherche criminelle de la Gendarmerie nationale. 5/ Le drone dopé à l'intelligence artificielle Drone Volt présente sur son stand un drone de surveillance. L'appareil embarque deux cameras, l'une offrant un zoom optique *30, l'autre thermique pour la surveillance nocturne. Les images traitées par un moteur d'intelligence artificielle, identifient les formes, détectent des plaques d'immatriculation... Pour gagner en robustesse, son fuselage est constitué d'une structure carbone monobloc. 6/ Le détecteur de snippers La PME française Cilas présente sur son stand un système de détection avant-tir de sniper basé sur l'effet «œil de chat». Le laser du dispositif balaie une zone à risque préalablement définie envoyant un rayon invisible susceptible d'être réfléchi par la lunette du fusil du sniper ou ses jumelles. Le système permet alors de localiser le tireur jusqu'à 1 km de distance en fonction de la taille de l'optique détectée. Il est déployable en une dizaine de minutes. 7/ Le dispositif anti-voiture bélier Stopper net un véhicule de 7,5 tonnes lancé à 80 km/heure. C'est la capacité du dispositif contre les voitures bélier développé par la société Kopp. Ce ralentisseur à double sens d'arrêt est composé de deux peignes métalliques biseautés capables de relever à 50 cm de hauteur en moins de 3 secondes. Cet obstacle escamotable nécessite très peu de génie civil, se fondant dans la chaussée à 50 cm de profondeur. 8/ Les smartphones grand public avec une sécurité militaire Ercom, société récemment rachetée par Thales, présente à Milipol des téléphones sécurisés permettant l'échange de données confidentielles gr'ce à une carte SIM capable de chiffrer les appels, les SMS, les data.... Basée sur des smartphones Samsung, l'offre vise les collaborateurs des gouvernements et des grands groupes pour protéger leurs données sensibles en mobilité, et en cas de perte, de vol et d'écoute. Ces appareils bénéficient de l'agrément Diffusion Restreinte de l'OTAN et l'ANSSI, l'Agence nationale pour la sécurité des systèmes d'information. https://www.usinenouvelle.com/editorial/en-images-fusil-anti-drone-camionnette-espion-milipol-le-grand-bazar-de-la-securite.N906149

ARMY General Electric Co. - GE Aviation, Lynn, Massachusetts, was awarded a $1,336,809,577 modification (P00021) to contract W58RGZ-15-D-0048 for T700 engine deliveries in support of the Army H-60 and AH-64 programs, Navy H-60 programs, Air Force programs, Foreign Military Sales and other government agencies. 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 Dec. 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AXXIS,* Fort Worth, Texas (W912DY-20-F-0001); Chinook Systems Inc.,* Cocoa Beach, Florida (W912DY-20-F-0002); Dewberry Design-Builders Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina (W912DY-20-F-0003); EPC Service Inc.,* Aiea, Hawaii (W912DY-20-F-0004); Honeywell International Inc., Morris Plains, New Jersey (W912DY-20-F-0005); Johnson Controls Building Automation Systems Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (W912DY-20-F-0006); KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Columbia, Maryland (W912DY-20-F-0007); M. C. Dean, Tysons, Virginia (W912DY-20-F-0008); Parsons Technical Services Inc., Pasadena, California (W912DY-20-F-0009); Prime Mechanical of Wisconsin LLC,* Poynette, Wisconsin (W912DY-20-F-0010); SEI Group Inc.,* Huntsville, Alabama (W912DY-20-F-0011); Siemens Government Technologies Inc., Arlington, Virginia ( W912DY-20-F-0012); Spectrum Solutions Inc.,* Madison, Alabama (W912DY-20-F-0013); and Stewart Group Enterprises LLC,* Benson, North Carolina (W912DY-20-F-0014), will compete for each order of the $1,200,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement and installation of utility monitoring and control systems and similar services such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with 28 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 24, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Navistar Defense LLC, Lisle, Illinois, was awarded a $26,748,087 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Somalia) contract for two commercial Medium Tactical Vehicle Variants -- the 6x6 General Transport Truck and the 6x6 Wrecker Vehicle Recovery Truck, and spare parts. 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 Nov. 25, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0016). Detyens Shipyards Inc.,* North Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded an $11,991,749 firm-fixed-price contract for dry dock and repair of the Dredge Wheeler, labor, materials and equipment. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in North Charleston, South Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 26, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, civil works funds in the amount of $11,991,749 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-20-C-0004). NAVY Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is awarded a $403,301,277 modification (P00062) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0002). This modification increases the scope of the contract to procure an additional seven System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA) shipsets, 60 SDTA pod subsystems, 27 pieces of peculiar support equipment, one fatigue test pod and one static test pod in support of the initial operational test and evaluation phase of the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Program. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas (33%); Forest, Mississippi (33%); El Segundo, California (22%); Andover, Massachusetts (7%); and Fort Wayne, Indiana (5%), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $172,233,232 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-18-D-0001). This modification increases the ceiling of the contract to continue service life modifications to extend the operational service life from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours of up to 23 F/A-18E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas (59%); El Segundo, California (25%); and St. Louis, Missouri (16%), and is expected to be completed in May 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Applied Physical Sciences Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $23,225,953 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the multi-disciplinary tools, technologies and experimental methods in support of future Naval platform stealth and operations. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (87%); and Cheswick, Pennsylvania (13%), with an expected completion date of October 2024. The total cumulative value of this contract including the base period is $23,225,953. This contract has no options. Fiscal 2019 research, development test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $146,749 are being obligated the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-19-S-B001, "Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology." Proposals will be received throughout the year under the long range BAA and the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014- 20-C-0001). Marine Solutions Inc.,* Nicholasville, Kentucky, is awarded a maximum $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering for inspection, structural engineering, design and post-construction award services for bridge structures at Navy and Department of Defense installations worldwide. The work to be performed provides for architect-engineer services to include, but not limited to: topside and underwater bridge inspections; bridge load capacity analysis and load ratings; analysis of existing conditions and comparison to previous inspections reports; design of bridge repairs, inclusive of plans and specifications, report preparation and cost estimates for bridge rehabilitations, and the review of such documents produced by others in accordance with the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) criteria and the National Bridge Inspection Standards. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities predominantly in the U.S., but also worldwide. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of November 2024. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, Navy (O&M, N)) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M, N funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and Federal Business Opportunities website with seven proposals received. The NAVFAC EXWC, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity (N39430-20-D-2206). Advanced Alliant Solutions Team, Fairfax, Virginia, is awarded a $9,038,301 modification (P00021) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-16-C-0068) to exercise an option for information assurance services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Digital Networks Applications. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2020 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $8,007,190 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Canyon Consulting, Los Angeles, California, has been awarded an $18,928,670 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract under the Small Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase-III program for the Advanced Global Positioning System technologies. This contract provides for wideband global positioning system digital payload and architecture. Work will be performed at Los Angeles, California, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2025. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $18,928,670. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $700,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory Geospace Technologies Branch, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, has been awarded a $13,720,071 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00029) to previously awarded contract FA8509-17-C-0002 for the permanent installation of the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program. This out-of-scope modification provides for the procurement of an additional trial kit install, travel and interim contractor support. Work will be performed at Centennial, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 16, 2021. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $86,000,000. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, testing and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,162,453 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Optim LLC, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $18,750,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical equipment. This was a competitive acquisition with 63 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with a Nov. 24, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D1-20-D-0003). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, has been awarded a $9,800,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00347) under contract HQ0276-10-C-0001. This modification increases the total cumulative contract value by $9,800,000 from $3,162,719,877 to $3,172,519,877. Under this modification, the contractor will perform engineering and design support services necessary for continuation of planning efforts executed under the Technical Assistance Case to support the Aegis Ashore Japan Foreign Military Sales Main Case. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with an expected completion date of July 31, 2020. Funds from the government of Japan in the amount of $9,800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract modification is the result of a sole source acquisition. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Phoenix Air Group Inc., Cartersville, Georgia, has been awarded a task order (HTC711-20-F-R013) under contract HTC711-16-D-R001 in the amount of $8,832,188. The task order provides continued charter air transportation services to the Headquarters U.S. Africa Command. Work will be performed in Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany, to various points throughout Africa and Europe. The period of performance is from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Air Force operations and maintenance funds were obligated at award of the task order. This task order brings the total cumulative face value of the contract value to $56,982,110 from $48,149,922. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2026407/source/GovDelivery/

Ahead of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world's largest military training and simulation event to be held next week in Orlando, Fla., CAE announced it has completed major upgrades to the CT-156 Harvard (T-6) and CT-155 Hawk flight training devices (FTDs) used as part of the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Sask. The upgrades were done on three CT-156 Harvard FTDs and one CT-155 Hawk FTD that are used extensively for ground-based training elements of the NFTC pilot training syllabus. CAE replaced computing hardware on the simulators, added new visual display systems, updated the instructor operator stations, and upgraded the image generators to the latest CAE Medallion series. CAE will now begin upgrading the CT-155 Hawk FTD located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., which is used as part of phase IV fighter lead-in training under the NFTC program. “The ground-based training system and use of simulators has become increasingly important for military pilot training,” said France Hébert, vice-president and general manager, CAE Canada. “With the upgraded flight training devices used for NATO Flying Training in Canada, we will now be able to deliver ground-based training that is more immersive and realistic, which in turn contributes to the more effective and efficient delivery of live flying training.” The effectiveness of the upgraded CT-156 Harvard and CT-155 Hawk FTDs is already benefiting student pilots. The new visual systems provide more realism in the synthetic environment and have enabled training tasks such as formation flying and tactical scenarios to be rehearsed in the simulators, thus enhancing the efficiency of performing these tasks during live flying training. As the prime contractor for the NFTC program, CAE operates the NFTC base facilities, delivers the ground-school classroom and simulator training, and supports the live flying training on a fleet of Beechcraft T-6 (CT-156 Harvard) and BAE Systems Hawk (CT-155 Hawk) aircraft. CAE operates the NFTC program out of 15 Wing Moose Jaw and 4 Wing Cold Lake, and the program is designed and delivered in cooperation with the Government of Canada to support pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force and allied militaries. The NFTC program combines basic, advanced, and lead-in fighter training as part of the comprehensive military pilot training program. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/cae-upgrades-trainers-at-15-wing-moose-jaw

The U.S. government is pushing into hypersonic weapons in a big way, with at least five different weapons programs currently in development. Nanotechnology is shaping up to be a key tech that will enable delivery systems to survive traveling through the atmosphere at Mach 5 and above, with carbon nanotubes showing promise as strong, lightweight material that rapidly sheds heat. Hypersonic weapons are weapons that travel at incredible speeds through the atmosphere. Hypersonics start at Mach 5 (3,836 miles an hour), or five times the speed of sound. Pushing an object through the air at really, really fast speeds creates a unique problem: as speed increases, the friction from the object passing through air also increases. This friction generates heat. The skin of the SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance jet and the fasted manned airplane ever built regularly warmed to up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit at Mach 3. The X-15 rocket plane, flown during the 1960s, reached temperatures of 1200 Fahrenheit as it flew to Mach 6. At Mach 10, the friction is enough to “melt the toughest steel,” while at Mach 20, the temperature reaches an astounding 17,000 Fahrenheit. Eventually, hypersonic weapons could reach Mach 24. Scientists and engineers understand how to handle traditional air friction problems thanks to the technical challenges of spacecraft and nuclear warheads re-entering the atmosphere. But a missile warhead de-orbiting over an enemy target is only exposed to heat for a handful of minutes, as it transitions from space to the atmosphere and finally smashes into its target. A hypersonic weapon, on the other hand, spends its entire flight within the atmosphere and is exposed to high heat the entire time. An article at DefenseOne describes how scientists are working with carbon nanotubes to solve the heat issue. Scientists at Florida State University's High-Performance Materials Institute are looking into using carbon nanotubes as a construction material for hypersonic weapons. Carbon nanotubes are a synthetic material consisting of carbon tubes with a diameter as small as one nanometer. Carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel and insulate against heat. Now, researchers have discovered that soaking carbon nanotubes in phenol can increase their ability to disperse heat by one-sixth, allowing less nanomaterials to be used for the same job. What does this mean for hypersonic weapons? It means that materials that can stand the heat and stresses of hypersonic, atmospheric travel are on the way, and that hypersonic weapon designers could even safely achieve higher speeds by using thicker layers of the stuff. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a29847271/us-military-nanotech/