News

AIR FORCE Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a $445,361,476 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Air Force National Capital Region information technology services. This contract provides a full range of classified and unclassified information technology services in the National Capital Region. Work will be performed in the National Capital Region to include Joint Base Andrews, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and the Pentagon, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 2, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,522,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force, District of Washington Contracting, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity (FA7014-19-D-A005). GTA Containers Inc., South Bend, Indiana, has been awarded a $9,478,079 contract modification (P00004) to previously awarded FA8533-16-D-0001 for collapsible fuel tank production. The contract modification provides for the purchase of additional quantities of 34 10K collapsible fuel tanks; 171 50K collapsible fuel tanks; and 130 210K collapsible fuel tanks being produced under the basic contract. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $15,102,610. Work will be performed at South Bend, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of delivery order award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. NAVY Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, is awarded a $69,929,520 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-6425 to exercise Option Year Three for the production of Mk 48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo afterbody/tailcone sections, production support material, spares, auto-electrical power source test sets, engineering support, other direct costs and hardware repair services. Work will be performed in Bedford, Indiana (50%); Marion, Massachusetts (29%); Middletown, Rhode Island (16%); and Indianapolis, Indiana (5%), and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $69,929,520 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. Lockheed Martin, Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $50,307,909 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-5151 to exercise options for ship integration and test of the Aegis Weapon System (AWS) for AWS Baselines through Advanced Capability Build 16. The contract provides for Aegis shipboard integration engineering, Aegis test team support, Aegis modernization team engineering support, Ballistic Missile Defense test team support, Aegis ashore support and AWS element assessments. This contract will cover the AWS ship integration and test efforts for nine new construction DDG 51 class ships and the major modernization of seven DDG 51 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 16. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (49%); Deveselu, Romania (12%); Norfolk, Virginia (8%); San Diego, California (8%); Washington, District of Columbia (7%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (5%); Mayport, Florida (4%); Bath, Maine (3%); and various places each below one percent (4% cumulative), and is expected to be complete by September 2024. Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,774,574 will be obligated at time of award and $1,452,864 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems, Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $46,679,930 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-6405 to exercise Option Year One for the production of MK54 MOD 0 lightweight torpedo array kits. This option provides spares, production support material, and related engineering services, hardware support and maintenance of government-furnished equipment. This modification combines purchases for the Navy (23%); the government of Canada (46%); Netherlands (28%); and Norway (3%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Braintree, Massachusetts (70%); and Lititz, Pennsylvania (30%), and is expected to be completed by September 2022. FMS funding in the amount of $36,031,476; and fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) in the amount of $10,648,454 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 (N00024-18-C-6405). General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a $33,187,541 cost-plus-incentive-fee, indefinite-delivery/definite-quantity contract for up to two Bearing Support Structure (BSS) inseparable assemblies in support of the Columbia-class program. This contract is for a five-year ordering period and does not include options. Work will be performed in Tupelo, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by August 2024. Fiscal 2019 National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund (NSBDF) funding in the amount of $12,497,115 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, West Bethesda, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00167-19-D-0006). Homeland Security Solutions Inc., Hampton, Virginia, is awarded a $10,951,521 firm-fixed-priced modification to previously awarded contract M00264-19-C-0007 to exercise Option Year One. The work to be performed provides program management support, training, human resources services and non-guard security support services to the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Camp Lejeune/New River, North Carolina (11%); Camp Pendleton, California (10%); Washington, District of Columbia (9%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (8%); Miramar, California (8%); Quantico, Virginia (8%); Camp Smith and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (7%); Beaufort/Parris Island, South Carolina (6%); Yuma, Arizona (5%); Barstow, California (5%); San Diego, California (5%); Albany, Georgia (5%); Okinawa, Japan (5%); Bridgeport, California (2%); Blount Island, Florida (2%); New Orleans, Louisiana (2%); and Iwakuni, Japan (2%), and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $10,095,934 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Installations, National Capitol Region - Regional Contracting Office, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Progeny Systems Corp., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $10,688,154 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-6410 to exercise Option Year Two for the production of MK54 MOD 1 lightweight torpedo proof of design components, test equipment, associated production support material, spares, and engineering and hardware support services. This modification combines purchases for the Navy (99%); and the government of the United Kingdom (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Charleroi, Pennsylvania (70%); Salt Lake City, Utah (26%); and Manassas, Virginia (4%), and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,680,514; and FMS funding in the amount of $32,306 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. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, has been awarded an estimated $38,040,445 modification (P00039) to a three-year base contract (SPE7MX-16-D-0100) with two one-year option periods adding vehicle spare parts. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are Michigan and South Carolina, with an Aug. 11, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. General Electric Co., Lynn, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $8,845,490 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-QH08) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (FA8122-19-G-0001) for compressor casings. 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 47-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with a July 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ARMY RTI Technologies LLC,* McEwen, Tennessee, was awarded an $18,601,016 firm-fixed-price contract for or the procurement of the M700 time blast fuse. 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. 2, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-0086). CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $10,172,707 modification (P00058) to contract W15QKN-15-C-0049 for the Integrated Personnel and Pay System. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,172,707 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. NW Construction Inc.,* Bozeman, Montana, was awarded a $7,656,775 firm-fixed-price contract for equalizer dam and dike modifications, construction, electrical, controls, and concrete. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Idaho, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2019 Bureau of Indian Affairs construction funds in the amount of $7,656,775 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (W912PP-19-C-0022). CORRECTION: A $377,006,101 contract award to Southwest Range Services LLC, Las Cruces, New Mexico (W91151-19-C-0008), was announced Aug. 30, 2019, with an incorrect amount of obligated funds. The correct contract obligation amount is $231,230. All other information in the announcement is correct. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND International Auto Logistics LLC, Brunswick, Georgia, has been awarded a task order modification (P00024) on contract HTC711-14-D-R025 in the estimated amount of $14,950,112. This modification provides continued support of transportation and storage of Department of Defense-sponsored (DoD) shipments of privately owned vehicles belonging to military service members, and transportation of DoD-sponsored shipments of privately owned vehicles belonging to DoD civilian employees. Work will be performed at multiple locations within and outside the U.S. The option period of performance is Sept. 1, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 transportation working capital funds were obligated. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $942,359,138 from $927,409,026. 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/1950681/source/GovDelivery/

By: Tom Kington ROME — Just as Europe begins serious discussions about joint defense programs, Italy is scrambling to forge a new government, putting decision-making in Rome on hold amid Britain's exit from the European Union and a change of guard at the organization. Following the collapse of the Italian government last month, Rome is expected to have a new coalition majority in place this week, but the hiccup may further delay decisions about Italy's role in Britain's Tempest fighter program, European partnerships and purchasing of F-35 aircraft. The uncertainty in southern Italy matches the threat of chaos further north if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson carries out threats to leave the EU on Oct. 31 without a trade deal, just as the European Commission awaits a new crop of leaders following the EU election in May. “Defense programs are always prone to delays and cost overruns, but when they are joint programs, that risk increases — and now is a case in point,” said Aude Fleurant, the director of arms and military expenditure at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Swedish think tank. Origins and options Italy's government upheaval began in early August when one of the members of Italy's populist coalition government, the League party, walked away from the administration after too many policy rows with its partner, the Five Star party — ending the government's parliamentary majority. League party leader Matteo Salvini, whose anti-migrant policies have spurred his popularity after 14 months of government, hoped he could take sole command of the government through new elections. But his plan suffered a setback when Five Star entered talks with its sworn rival, the center-left Democratic Party, to build a new majority and carry on governing without the League. As a sign of open hostilities between the former coalition partners, Italian Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta — who is backed by Five Star — sent Navy ships to escort vessels carrying rescued migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, much to the anger of League leader Salvini. With the likelihood that ministers for the new Five Star-Democratic Party coalition will be sworn in this week, it's unclear if Trenta will keep her post. Nevertheless, a new government will likely add further delay to Italy's decision on whether to join the U.K. Tempest program. That potential time frame adds to the months during which Trenta failed to decide on the program following its launch by the U.K. in 2018, despite pressure from Italian defense company Leonardo and behind-the-scenes talks between Italian and British military officials. In the meantime, Sweden has signed up, raising fears Italy will miss out on technological work. Trenta's hesitancy may have stemmed from the fact that the party that put her in office, Five Star, has mixed feelings about Italy's ongoing purchase of F-35 jets. During her time in office, the government prevaricated over fulfilling its planned order of 90 aircraft. Someone in Rome is needed to arbitrate in the row between the Navy and Air Force over who should manage the basing of the F-35B, which both forces are ordering. Analysts warned that Italy could miss its chance to snatch F-35 contracts that Turkey is losing as it's forced out of the program. One analyst said tension could escalate over the F-35 if and when a Five Star-Democratic Party coalition emerges. “Let's see who the minister is — that will make a difference,” said Alessandro Marrone, a senior fellow at the IAI think tank in Rome. A second analyst said that by divorcing from the right-wing League and teaming with the center-left Democrats, Five Star's skepticism toward the F-35 could become more pronounced. “I could imagine Five Star agreeing to pro-EU policies favored by the Democrats in return for blocking the F-35 program, or even agreeing to enter the Tempest program in return for blocking the F-35,” said the analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity. A source with knowledge of the inner workings of the Italian government said the Democrats might also sacrifice the F-35 to win an agreement to build a rail line in northern Italy that Five Star opposed. Gabriele Iacovino, an analyst at the International Study Center in Rome, said: “Defense is always the last issue to be considered when a new government is formed, and the defense minister is always the last to be appointed.” Five Star did make one reference to defense in an Aug. 30 list of 20 policies it wants to pursue in a new coalition with the Democrats. “Put an end to the sale of armaments to war-waging countries, and incentive the process of converting industry,” the Five Star party stated, suggesting that parts of the Italian defense industry would be turned over to the production of civilian technology. But in a successive draft list of policies issued Sept. 3, the policy was missing, apparently dropped. Looking west At the other end of Europe, Brexit is creating uncertainty of a different kind for the continent, said Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the IISS think thank in London. “There are two kinds of challenge for the British defense community when it comes to Brexit: one is relationship management, the other about bureaucratic,” he said. “Relationship management is in part how ugly the U.K.'s departure is, and for how long the atmosphere is soured between London and its erstwhile partners in Brussels,” he added. “The bureaucratic issues include problems regarding the movement of goods and personnel within defense companies operating in or across Europe, and the ability to access, or not, European research and development funding.” That spells trouble for U.K. firms, but also for Italy's Leonardo, which has 7,000 staff in the U.K. after buying up large parts of the defense electronics industry there. If anything, Leonardo's challenge is twofold: It must keep channels open between its U.K. facilities and European markets, but also with its sister operations in Italy. “In the case of a no-deal [Brexit], how will Leonardo transfer parts and staff from its U.K. to its Italian operators?” said the source knowledgeable of the Italian government's inner workings. Speaking to Defense News in March, Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo said it would be crucial to know where the intellectual property for a product must be registered so it can secure development funding from the EU. “There is also an upside since having a base in the U.K. could help Leonardo when it comes to deals with the U.S. and help counterbalance the hegemony of France and Germany in Europe,” said Iacovino, the analyst in Rome. Furthermore, if political crises and Brexit are bumps in the road for Italy and the U.K., defense cooperation between France and Germany is certainly not going smoothly, said Aude Fleurant at SIPRI. “The French-German plans for a sixth-generation fighter, FCAS, are being held up by significant differences over exports to the Middle East,” she said. “France is very unhappy over Germany's opposition, and Germany is refusing to budge.” https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/dsei/2019/09/08/an-unpredictable-autumn-changes-across-europe-could-spell-delays-for-industry-deals

Steadicopter présente une nouvelle version de son drone Black Eagle 50. A l'occasion du salon DSEI, l'entreprise israélienne Steadicopter présentera une version modernisée du Black Eagle 50. Cet aéronef correspond à un drone VTOL (à décollage et atterrissage vertical), capable de mener des missions civiles et militaires. Il a principalement été mis au point pour la conduite d'opérations ISTAR (renseignement, surveillance, acquisition de cible, reconnaissance). La nouvelle version du Black Eagle 50 repose sur deux nouveautés majeures. D'une part, l'aéronef a été équipé d'un système de navigation inertielle, lui permettant de se déplacer sans accès au signal GPS et de calculer les coordonnées de l'appareil en permanence. Deuxième grosse amélioration apportée au Black Eagle 50, l'appareil a été modifié afin de pouvoir conduire des missions en environnement naval, voire même d'être embarqué à bord d'un b'timent. Le Black Eagle 50 peut ainsi désormais conduire des missions sur terre et en mer. Son endurance, comprise entre 3 et 4 heures, et sa portée, pouvant atteindre les 150 km, lui permettent ainsi de couvrir de large périmètre à chaque mission. Equipé de capteurs permettant de conduire des missions en environnement diurne et nocturne, le Black Eagle 50 peut emporter une charge utile allant jusqu'à 5 kilos, pour une masse à vide de 27 kilos. Sa masse maximale au décollage est de 35 kilos. Par Justine BOQUET http://www.apps-drones.com/nouvelle-version-du-black-eagle-50-126255

ARMY Southwest Range Services LLC, Las Cruces, New Mexico, was awarded a $377,006,101 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical expertise for the operation, maintenance, research, development and other support of testing facilities, instrumentation, systems and equipment for test operations. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $377,006,101 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-19-C-0008). J.E. McAmis Inc.,* Chico, California, was awarded a $140,700,210 firm-fixed-price contract for construction activities related to rehabilitating the South Jetty located at the Mouth of the Columbia River. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Hammond, Oregon, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 29, 2025. Fiscal 2019 civil works; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $17,675,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity (W9127N-19-C-0025). Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $129,811,367 modification (PZ0017) to Foreign Military Sales (Oman and Taiwan) contract W31P4Q-17-C-0194 to procure missiles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2021. Fiscal 2010 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $129,811,367 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. PAE Government Systems Inc., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $122,830,985 modification (P00013) to Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan) contract W56HZV-17-C-0117 for ground vehicle support. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Kabul, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 Afghanistan Security Forces, Army funds in the amount of $122,830,985 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. HydroGeoLogic Inc.,* Reston, Virginia (W912QR-19-D-0051); CTL Environmental LLC,* Novi, Michigan (W912QR-19-D-0052); PE Ayuda Joint Venture LLC,* St. Louis, Missouri (W912QR-19-D-0053); CAPE-Cabrera JV LLC,* Norcross, Georgia (W912QR-19-D-0054); ESI-ATC JV LLC,* Westland, Michigan (W912QR-19-D-0055); PIKA-Insight JV LLC,* Stafford, Texas (W912QR-19-D-0056); and EnSafe Inc.,* Memphis, Tennessee (W912QR-19-D-0057), will compete for each order of the $95,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for environmental restoration services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 20 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 28, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $77,609,835 modification (P00251) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and installed kits. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; defense procurement and other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $77,609,835 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. California Department of Rehabilitation, Sacramento, California, was awarded a $56,473,292 firm-fixed-price contract for food services, dining facilities management functions, food receiving and storage, food preparation for grab-n-go services, food serving, facility sanitation and janitorial duties, logistics and management functions. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 29, 2024. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9124J-19-D-0016). Tiya Services LLC,* Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was awarded a $36,622,610 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for base operations support services acquisition. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Fort Benning, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $6,339,755 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Benning, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W911SF-19-C-0024). International Business Machines Corp., Bethesda, Maryland, was awarded a $30,994,674 modification (P00061) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0008 for services and solutions necessary to support and maintain the Army's General Fund Enterprise Business System. Work will be performed in Bethesda, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 15, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. LLC, Old Brook, Illinois, was awarded a $26,470,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Baltimore Harbor maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army; and cost share funds in the amount of $26,470,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-19-C-0033). Heeter Geotechnical Construction LLC, Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $23,908,476 modification (P00004) to contract W912P5-18-C-0017 for Kentucky Lock Downstream Lock excavation construction. Work will be performed in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 5, 2021. Fiscal 2019 civil works funds in the amount of $23,908,476 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity. Herve Cody Contractor LLC,* Robbinsville, North Carolina, was awarded a $20,607,010 firm-fixed-price contract for reservoir and intake canal bank stabilization. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Indiantown, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 9, 2020. Fiscal 2019 civil works funds in the amount of $20,607,010 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912EP-19-C-0024). Tower Industries - Allied Mechanical Wisconsin,* Greenville, Wisconsin, was awarded an $18,473,434 firm-fixed-price contract for the Bomb Dummy Unit cast ductile iron practice bomb. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Greenville, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 procurement of ammunition, Army funds in the amount of $18,473,434 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-C-0048). Intercontinental Construction Contracting Inc.,* Passaic, New Jersey, was awarded a $14,893,318 firm-fixed-price contract for excavation and installation of in-ground pre-placed crypts, construction of a maintenance building with restroom and storage. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in West Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction funds in the amount of $14,893,318 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-19-C-0018). San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, San Antonio, was awarded a $13,303,000 firm-fixed-price contract to procure Integrated Head Protection System, retention system units for helmets. 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 Aug. 29, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-19-D-0019). Alltech Engineering Corp.,* St. Paul, Minnesota, was awarded an $11,648,500 firm-fixed-price contract to rehabilitate the two spillway tainter gates at Raystown Dam to repair or replace the structural, mechanical, and electrical components in the tainter gate system. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Hesston, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of July 22, 2022. Fiscal 2018 civil works funds in the amount of $11,648,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-19-C-0030). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract. The total value of this contract is $326,998,037. Under this follow on contract, the contractor will design, develop, integrate, test and certify the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 6.0 capability. Aegis BMD 6.0 provides an increased BMD capability by incorporating the Air and Missile Defense Radar, now designated SPY-6, for introduction on the first DDG Flight III. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of December 2025. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $14,999,999 will be obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0276-19-C-0001). NAVY Raytheon, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded $246,495,123 for an undefinitized contract action, performance-based logistics requirements contract for repair, upgrade, or replacement, required availability, required reliability, configuration management, inventory management and obsolescence management in support of the Close-In Weapon System, Land-based Phalanx Weapon System, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and SeaRAM. This contract includes a two-year base period with one three-year option, which if exercised, will bring the contract ceiling value to $466,395,931. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky, and work is expected to be completed by August 2021; if the option is exercised, work will be completed by August 2024. Annual working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-VP01). Progeny Systems Corp., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $115,736,303 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for an upgrade to the Mk 48 mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) heavyweight torpedo program, to include the following deliverables for associated subsystem electronic systems: detail design, engineering development models, proof-of-design units, proof-of-manufacturing units, low-rate initial production units and factory test equipment. Also included in this procurement are related engineering and hardware repair services and provisioned-items orders. This contract includes options, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $186,567,981. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (40%); Salt Lake City, Utah (18%); Middletown, Rhode Island (18%); Charleroi, Pennsylvania (17%); Cranston, Rhode Island (5%); and Annapolis, Maryland (2%), and is expected to be completed by February 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through August 2026. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,790,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-6408). Design Partners Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded a maximum amount $50,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for architect-engineer services for various architectural projects under the cognizance of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for architect-engineer services to include, but are not limited to, the execution and delivery of military construction project documentation; functional analysis and concept development workshops; design charrettes; design-build request for proposal solicitation documents; design-bid-build design contract documents; cost estimates; technical surveys and reports including concept studies; site engineering investigations and surveys; collateral equipment buy packages; comprehensive interior design, to include structural interior design; and furniture, fixtures, and equipment packages; and post construction award services. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy, Marine Corp and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Hawaii area of responsibility. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) 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 military construction planning and design funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-19-D-5029). Kellogg Brown and Root Services Inc., Houston, Texas, is awarded a $27,721,832 modification of the first bridge under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operations support services at Isa Air Base, Kingdom of Bahrain. The work to be performed provides for but is not limited to, all management, supervision, tools, materials, supplies, labor and transportation services necessary to perform galley services, bachelor quarters and laundry services, facility management, emergency service requests, urgent service, routing service, minor work I and II, facilities investment, custodial, pest control service, integrated solid waste, grounds maintenance, wastewater, operate reverse osmosis water treatment system and base support vehicles, environmental, fire emergency services and explosive safety officer services. After award of this bridge, the total cumulative contract value will be $175,403,361. Work will be performed at Isa Air Base, Kingdom of Bahrain. This bridge period is from September 2019 to May 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $11,247,681 for non-recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe Africa and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity (N62470-14-D-6012). Al Larson Boat Shop Inc.,* San Pedro, California (N55236-15-D-0013); Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.,* San Diego, California (N55236-15-D-0014); Integrated Marine Services Inc.,* Chula Vista, California (N55236-15-D-0015); Marine Group Boat Works Inc.,* Chula Vista, California (N55236-15-D-0016); Miller Marine Inc.,* San Diego, California (N55236-15-D-0017); and Nielsen Beaumont Marine Inc.,* San Diego, California (N55236-15-D-0018), are each awarded contract modifications with a combined ceiling of $15,000,000 to exercise option year four to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contracts to provide marine boatyard services and industrial support for boats and vessels greater than or equal to 15 meters or 50 feet in length. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, or contractor facilities on the West Coast and is expected to be completed by September 2020. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) Co., a public utility company regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, San Diego, California, is awarded $12,765,441 for firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-5128 under the basic ordering agreement (BOA) N62473-18-G-5615 for energy conservation measures at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California. The work to be performed provides for energy conservation and resiliency measures that includes: repairing point to point redline radios; installing advanced metering infrastructure; installing supervisory control and data acquisition; replacing high bay high intensity diode, T5HO, and T8 lighting with light emitted diode (LED); replacing direct digital control equipment; replacing boilers; replacing base wide T8/T12, compact fluorescent, interior incandescent, halogen and exterior lighting fixtures with LED; perform constant commissioning and retrofit or replacement of heating and air conditioning units. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 30, 2020. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. This project will utilize third party financing through the utility company in the amount of $12,765,441. The energy conservation project will be amortized for a term of 13 years with an annual rate of 2.81%, and the payment will be included as a separate utility bill submitted annually based upon the amortization schedule for a grand total cost of $15,636,652. This task order falls under the terms and conditions of the BOA with SDG&E. The BOA allows for services without full and open competition pursuant to the statutory authorities of 10 U.S. Code (USC) 2304 and 10 USC 2913. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-18-G-5615). Honeywell International Inc. Defense & Space, Tempe, Arizona, is awarded $11,465,688 for modification P00006 under a previously awarded performance-based logistics requirements contract (N00383-12-D-003D) for repair, replacement and program support for auxiliary power units used on F/A-18 A-G models, P-3, and C-2 aircrafts along with providing coverage for the main fuel controls and electronic control unit used on the F/A-18 and the P-3 engine driven compressor. This modification includes a four-month period of performance and will bring the total estimated value of the contract to approximately $260,000,000. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (50%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (39%); and various contractor facilities (11%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued, and funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract includes support for the Australian F/A-18 Super Hornet under the Foreign Military Sales program, and represents less than one percent of the estimated contract value. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, and one offer was received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Peraton Inc., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded $11,374,305 for modification P00028 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-16-C-0016) to exercise various contract options for the continuation of support services including critical system assessment and vulnerability services and reentry systems development support services for the Trident II (D5). Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado (71.1%); Washington, District of Columbia (22.5%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (4.6%); and Albuquerque, New Mexico (1.8%). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2020. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $6,108,026; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,266,279 will be obligated as a result of this award. The fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,108,026 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis to Exelis Inc. (now Peraton Inc.) and previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunity website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. The Korte Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $10,470,093 for firm-fixed-price task order N69450-19-F-0720 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-19-D-0910) for renovation of Hangar 1338 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. This task order is for a design-build construction project to renovate Hangar 1338 for the installation of two government installed training modules, Navigation, Seamanship and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) 4.0 and NSST 5.0, and related equipment. NSST is a state-of-the-art naval ships bridge team trainer facility designed to replicate the environment found on the bridge of a Navy ship and utilize life-like scenarios with visual simulation to train Navy bridge teams. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,470,093 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, New York, is awarded a $9,462,556 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6311 to exercise an option for the production of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Surface-to-Surface Missile Module. The LCS are fast, agile and networked surface combatants, optimized for operating in the littorals through outfitting seaframes with mission-specific mission packages. The primary missions supported by mission packages are: anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures and surface warfare. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama (80%); Bethpage, New York (18%); and Hollywood, Maryland (2%), and is expected to be complete by May 2021. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,445,109 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. IntraMicron Inc.,* Auburn, Alabama, is awarded a $9,377,828 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, level-of-effort contract, for provision of engineering and technical services for the Energy and Conversion Research and Development Branch. Work will be performed in Auburn, Alabama, and is expected to be complete by August 2022. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the total amount of $4,584,294 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(5), authorized or required by statute, this procurement was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-19-D-4025). Tekla Research Inc., Dumfries, Virginia, is awarded $8,972,221 for cost-plus-fixed-fee task order N00173-19-F-3001 under a previously awarded contract (N00178-14-D-7965) for research and development in electro-optical and infrared for advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and electronic warfare prototypes. The total cumulative face value of this contract is $45,481,093. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia. The period of performance is 60 months including a 12-month base period, and four 12-month option periods. Period of performance for the base period is Sept. 15, 2019 – Sept. 14, 2020. Working capital (Defense) funds in the amount of $1,557,000 will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current year. This task order was procured using competitive procedures as a 100 percent small business set-aside via SeaPort-e under a request for proposal #N00173-19-R-3000. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. CAPE Environmental Management Inc.,* Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded $7,771,456 for firm-fixed-price task order N63473-19-F-5014 under a small business remedial action contract for a non-time-critical removal action (NTCRA) at installation restoration (IR) site 19 Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California. The work to be performed is for the contractor to develop an amendment to the 2014 action memorandum based on engineering evaluation/cost analysis alternatives for IR Site 19 NTCRA, and implement the actions in the amendment: excavation, surface vacuuming and erosion control at MCAS Miramar, San Diego. Due to ongoing movement of contaminated sediment/soils and lead overshot from Site 19, the Navy requires an interim solution that will stabilize and remove contaminated sediments and soils surrounding the range. The task order also contains four unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative task order value to $13,863,610. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2022. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $7,771,456 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62742-16-D-1807). AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., Layton, Utah, has been awarded a $122,910,723 firm fixed price contract, for the intercontinental ballistic missile cryptography upgrade increment II (ICU II) production. This contract definitizes an undefinitized contract action (UCA) issued Oct. 29, 2018, and provides the government 75 A-4 drawers and 8 digital components, with the option to procure 431 additional A-4 drawers. Work will be performed at Huntsville, Alabama; Huntington Beach, California; and Layton, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2017 missile procurement funds in the amount of $5,762,283; fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds in the amount of $23,590,855; and fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds in the amount of $5,705,951 were obligated on the UCA; fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds in the amount of 2,535,700; and fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds in the amount of $45,144,887 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8204-19-C-0001-PZ0008). General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, has been awarded a $30,837,185 face value cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for bioeffects research of directed energy effects. This contract provides for research on directed energy systems to assist in transitioning Department of Defense technologies. Work will be performed at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Nov. 28, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $250,000 will be obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-6055). M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $24,666,741 contract modification (P00037) to previously awarded contract FA4890-16-C-0012 for T-38 Sustainment Services. The modification will provide intermediate and organizational maintenance of T-38 aircraft for Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Force Global Strike Command. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $24,666,741. Work will be performed at multiple U.S. Air Force bases and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award and no funds 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. Rockwell Collins Inc., Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $15,400,000 modification (P00006) firm-fixed price to contract FA8102-16-D-0005 for services and supplies in support of modernization, expansion and depot-level contractor logistics support. This contract will provide support for Scope Command's High Frequency Global Communications System in support of Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard requirements. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas, in support of this Aug. 31, 2019, through Aug. 30, 2020, ordering period. This option three of the contract is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Total estimated contract value as of option award is $56,000,000. No funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Ensco Inc., Springfield, Virginia, has been awarded a $14,300,000 firm-fixed-price modification (P00060) to previously awarded contract FA8807-17-C-0001 for providing off base contractor accommodations for the RN Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) Support contract. When the contract was initially awarded, the government had office space available for the contractor; however, the government is not able to provide office space to the contractor for performance on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, any longer and needs the contractor to secure off base accommodations to continue performance on the SE&I contract. Work will be performed at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $637,244 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Center, Sustainment Directorate, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. IF Armor International LLC, doing business as Man Lift, Warner Robins, Georgia, was awarded a $10,856,307 firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of explosion proof articulating boom lifts. This contract provides for the purchase of commercial, 45-, 60- and 80-foot lifts modified to meet explosion proof articulating boom lifts specifications. Work will be performed in Shelby, North Carolina, with an ordering period of two years. This award is the result of a competition acquisition with three offers received. Fiscal 2019 depot maintenance activity group capital investment program funds are being used and no funds were obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8571-19-D-A004). DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a time and materials contract (HHM402-19-C-0058) with a ceiling of $89,993,973 to provide support services for the Defense Intelligence Agency's (DIA) Directorate of Analysis. Through this award, DIA will procure services for the production, dissemination and tracking of DIA's finished intelligence products, including the development and maintenance of applications and tools used to perform the mission. Work will be performed in the National Capital Region with an expected completion date of Feb. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,780,907; and research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $586,012 are being obligated at time of award. This contract has been awarded through a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. The Virginia Contracting Activity, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1949291/source/GovDelivery/

Par LEE BERTHIAUME La division Airbus Defence and Space, en partenariat avec le gouvernement britannique, était l'une des quatre entreprises qui devaient selon toute vraisemblance soumissionner pour ce contrat de 19 milliards portant sur la construction des 88 nouveaux avions de chasse qui doivent remplacer les CF-18 vieillissants de l'Aviation royale canadienne. Mais dans un communiqué publié vendredi, Airbus annonce qu'elle a informé le gouvernement canadien de sa décision de retirer de la course son « Eurofighter Typhoon » pour deux motifs — déjà évoqués par ailleurs avant même le lancement officiel de l'appel d'offres en juillet. Le premier motif concerne l'obligation pour les soumissionnaires de préciser comment ils comptent s'assurer que leurs avions pourront s'intégrer au réseau canado-américain ultra-secret de renseignement, connu sous le nom de « Two Eyes », qui est utilisé pour coordonner la défense commune de l'Amérique du Nord. Airbus conclut que cette exigence fait peser « un coût trop lourd » sur les avions qui ne sont pas américains. Le géant européen explique qu'il aurait été tenu de démontrer comment il envisageait d'intégrer son Typhoon au système « Two-Eyes » sans même connaître les détails techniques de ce système ultra-secret de renseignement. Le deuxième facteur a été la décision du gouvernement libéral de modifier la politique qui obligeait traditionnellement les soumissionnaires à s'engager légalement à investir autant d'argent dans des produits et activités au Canada que ce qu'ils tirent des contrats militaires décrochés. En vertu du nouveau mécanisme, les soumissionnaires peuvent plutôt établir des « objectifs industriels » et signer des accords non contraignants promettant de tout mettre en œuvre pour les atteindre. Ces soumissionnaires perdent des points dans l'appel d'offres, mais ils ne sont plus écartés d'emblée de la course. Les États-Unis soutenaient que la politique précédente violait un accord signé par le Canada en 2006 pour devenir l'un des neuf pays partenaires dans le développement du F-35 de Lockheed Martin. Or, cet accord prévoit que les entreprises des pays partenaires se feront toutes concurrence pour obtenir des contrats en sous-traitance. Deuxième retrait Dans son annonce, vendredi, Airbus soutient que la nouvelle approche ne valorise pas suffisamment les engagements contraignants qu'elle était prête à offrir et qui constituaient l'un de ses principaux arguments. La ministre des Services publics et de l'Approvisionnement, Carla Qualtrough, a défendu à nouveau l'approche de son gouvernement dans ce dossier. Dans une déclaration écrite publiée après l'annonce du retrait d'Airbus, elle a estimé que cette nouvelle approche « assurera une participation maximale des fournisseurs ». « Notre gouvernement priorise les retombées économiques solides dans ce projet, a soutenu Mme Qualtrough. Nous sommes convaincus que cet investissement soutiendra la croissance de la main-d'œuvre canadienne hautement qualifiée dans les industries de l'aérospatiale et de la défense pour les décennies à venir et créera d'importantes retombées économiques et industrielles dans l'ensemble du pays. » Airbus devient la deuxième entreprise à retirer son chasseur de l'appel d'offres canadien, après le retrait du « Rafale » de la société française Dassault en novembre dernier. Il ne reste plus maintenant comme prétendants que le « F-35 » de Lockheed Martin, le « Super Hornet » de son concurrent américain Boeing et le « Gripen » du suédois Saab. Boeing et Saab ont déjà exprimé leurs préoccupations au sujet de la nouvelle politique en matière d'exigences industrielles, affirmant que ces changements ne profiteront pas aux contribuables et à l'industrie canadienne de l'aérospatiale et de la défense. Les entreprises devraient soumettre leurs offres l'hiver prochain et le contrat final doit être signé en 2022 ; le premier avion ne sera pas livré avant au moins 2025. Les gouvernements fédéraux successifs s'emploient à remplacer les CF-18 depuis plus de dix ans. Selon le porte-parole conservateur en matière de défense, James Bezan, le retrait d'Airbus prouve que le gouvernement libéral a mal géré tout ce dossier pendant son mandat — notamment en attendant quatre ans avant de lancer l'appel d'offres promis en campagne électorale en 2015. « Alors que d'autres pays ont choisi des avions de combat en moins de deux ans, le bilan du premier ministre Justin Trudeau en matière d'achats militaires en est un de retards et d'échecs », a estimé M. Bezan. Le gouvernement conservateur précédent avait annoncé en 2010 un plan pour acheter des F-35 de Lockheed Martin sans appel d'offres, mais il y a renoncé deux ans plus tard à la suite de préoccupations concernant les coûts et les capacités de ce chasseur furtif. https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/201908/30/01-5239279-airbus-se-retire-de-la-course-pour-remplacer-les-cf-18-canadiens.php

By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — Japan's Defense Ministry has requested a budget of $50.5 billion for its next fiscal year, an increase of 1.2 percent over the previous year and the eighth straight year of an increase. The funds will be used to acquire more Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, including Japan's first short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing F-35B, as well as increasing its Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker fleet to six aircraft. The bulk of the budget request is for costs associated with U.S. military forces stationed in Japan, with $1.9 billion requested to pay the salaries of Japanese citizens employed by the U.S military, supporting training exercises, and performing maintenance on and improvements to U.S. military facilities. The ministry's request includes $1.08 billion for F-35s, which is made up of $291.3 million for three conventional takeoff and landing F-35As and $795.3m for six F-35Bs. These will be Japan's first F-35Bs, and it's expected the country will eventually order 42 "B" models, of which 18 will be acquired over the next five years, according to Japan's Mid-Term Defense Plan released late last year. It also has plans to eventually operate 105 F-35As. The F-35Bs are to be operated from two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers. Japan announced last year plans to convert both ships, which are currently designed to operate helicopters, to be able to handle F-35Bs. Notably, the budget request asks for $29.1 million for “partial refurbishment” to enable F-35B operations. According to other reports, modifications for the ships include improvements to the heat resistance of their flight decks as well as the installation of additional lighting for aircraft operations. Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya added that F-35B deck trials could be conducted with U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs based in Japan following the modification work. Beyond the jets The budget request also asks for $1.05 billion for four more Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft, and $284.8 million for more Raytheon SM-3 Block IIA ballistic missile interceptors. The request for funding for four KC-46As is a departure from normal procedure, Previously, Japan ordered one tanker each during the 2017 and 2018 fiscal years. According to the ministry, the batch order is a more cost-effective means of acquisition, resulting in $100 million worth of savings. Given that Japan already awarded contracts to Boeing for two of the three KC-46As previously on order, the budget request for four more tankers suggests the ministry wants funding for the last aircraft and and for an additional order of three KC-46s. Defense News has sought clarification from Japan's Defense Ministry over whether this is the case. The budget request also includes a number of acquisitions from Japan's defense industry, with $654.3 million for another Soryu-class diesel-electric attack submarine. And should the budget pass, Kawasaki Heavy Industries will be able to keep its aircraft production lines open, with the ministry seeking funds to acquire three more P-1 anti-submarine aircraft and six C-2 airlifters at $213.4 million and $599 million respectively. The ministry also wants money for more equipment destined for Japan's land forces: 33 Type 16 wheeled maneuver combat vehicles and seven Type 19 wheeled self-propelled howitzers. The Type 19 is a newly developed eight-wheel drive howitzer sporting a 155mm weapon mounted on the German MAN HX military truck chassis, and it's earmarked to replace the towed FH70 howitzer currently in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The Defense Ministry also wants to continue funding the development of indigenous electronic warfare capabilities. Japan's next fiscal year begins April 1, 2020. The budget request is not necessarily the actual amount that will be allocated by the Finance Ministry. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2019/08/30/heres-what-japans-defense-ministry-wants-to-do-with-505-billion

By: Stephen Losey Fourteen students graduated Thursday from the Air Force's Pilot Training Next program, which includes using virtual reality systems to teach aspiring aviators to fly. The latest class, which is the second iteration of Pilot Training Next and began this January, included some students from the U.S. Navy and the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. In a Thursday release, the Air Force said the graduates include two Air National Guardsmen who were selected to fly airframes including the F-35 Lightning II, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the C-17 Globemaster III, the B-2 Spirit, and others. The two Navy graduates will fly the T-45A Goshawk, and the lone RAF graduate will fly the Typhoon. “It definitely made the process more difficult having to push through burgeoning technology, but I am glad that I could be a part of the development process towards a more efficient and thorough version of learning for the future,” said 2nd Lt. Aaron Sless, a distinguished graduate of the program and winner of the Warrior Award, who is slated to become an F-35 pilot. “I am excited to see how PTN progresses technology and learning in the future and how it will be applied to undergraduate pilot training, and the Air Force at large.” Air Force Recruiting Service Commander Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, who made history as the Air Force's first female fighter pilot, said at the graduation that the students represent the future of aviation and are on the “leading edge” of a new way to learn to fly. “The fact is, we are looking at a whole new way of learning in a non-standard way from the Air Force perspective,” Leavitt said. “Remember, dream big, be bold and learn to take calculated risk.” Pilot Training Next uses advanced biometrics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality systems to try to find ways to streamline how the Air Force trains new pilots. The program uses off-the-shelf VIVE Pro VR headsets and stations with sticks, throttles and other equipment to simulate virtual cockpit and practice maneuvers. The AI tracks students' biometrics, including stress, to tailor the simulation environment and train them most efficiently. The program also includes time flying actual aircraft. The Air Force's first PTN class began in April 2018 in the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Austin, Texas. In May, the program moved to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas. The third class is scheduled to begin in January, the Air Force said. The Air Force eventually wants similar VR training programs to more efficiently teach airmen to be maintainers or go through other technical training programs. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/08/30/virtual-reality-pilot-training-program-graduates-latest-class-including-brits

U.S. Air Force B-2s trained with Royal Air Force F-35s Aug. 29, the first time foreign fifth-generation fighter jets have integrated with the U.S. stealth bombers. Three B-2 bombers from the 509th Bomber Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, are part of a U.S. Strategic Command bomber task force and are forward deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, U.K., which is U.S. Air Forces in Europe's forward operating base for bombers. They arrived in theater Aug. 27. “We're delighted that the USAF and [the] Bomber Task Force are here in the UK and that our F-35 Lightning pilots have the chance to fly alongside and train with the B-2 bomber crews," said Group Capt. Richard Yates, chief of staff at the UK Air Battle Staff, in an RAF news release. "This is the first time that any other country has done this.” The training aims to improve the interoperability of the strategic bombers with the fifth-generation fighter aircraft of European allies and demonstrate U.S. commitment to deterring adversary aggression on the continent, according to an Air Force news release. “Our Royal Air Force friends are integral to the 509th Bomb Wing mission," said Lt. Col. Rob Schoeneberg, Bomber Task Force commander, 393rd Expeditionary Squadron, in the Air Force news release. "The beauty of our partnerships is that we get to understand how they see the world. "Working alongside international fifth-generation aircraft provides unique training opportunities for us, bolsters our integration capabilities and showcases the commitment we have to our NATO alliance.” Prior to the training in England, a B-2 from the task force flew from RAF Fairford to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland. The Aug. 28 mission involved hot-pit refueling at Keflavik AB. The purpose of the flight was to conduct theater familiarization for aircrew members and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to allies and partners. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/08/31/british-f-35s-train-with-us-b-2s-for-the-first-time

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 29, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a contract at an estimated value of $347 million as part of a multi-year hypersonic weapons development in support of the Army's focus in long-range precision strike missiles. As the prime contractor for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) systems integration project, the Lockheed Martin-team will develop and integrate a land-based hypersonic strike prototype in partnership with the Army Hypersonic Project Office, part of the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. The team includes: Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS), Integration Innovation Inc. (i3), Verity Integrated Systems, Martinez & Turek, and Penta Research. "Lockheed Martin is driving rapid technical development for these national priority programs," said Eric Scherff, vice president for Hypersonic Strike Programs for Lockheed Martin Space. "There are natural synergies with our industry teammates. We believe our relationships offer the Army unmatched expertise and puts us in the best position to deliver this critical capability to the nation. Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the Army in integrating the common hypersonic glide body and the land-based hypersonic strike weapon system prototype. We are committed to combining the best of what our companies have to offer to deliver on this national priority program." The Army also awarded a contract to DTS at an estimated value of $352 million to produce the first commercially manufactured set of Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) systems. DTS selected Lockheed Martin to support integration and prototyping of this new C-HGB. The C-HGB will be available across military services to provide commonality to air, land and sea platform needs and requirements. "Dynetics Technical Solutions is pleased to partner with Lockheed Martin on this national defense priority. The Common-Hypersonic Glide Body and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon programs will modernize our national capabilities and will counter the threat from our foreign adversaries. We are looking forward to the progress our teams will make as we deliver this combat capability to the warfighter," said Steve Cook, DTS president. The Army LRHW prototype will leverage the C-HGB and introduce a new class of ultrafast and maneuverable long-range missles with the ability to launch from ground mobile platforms. The LRHW system prototype will provide residual combat capability to soldiers by 2023. Hypersonic strike weapons, capable of flying speeds in excess of Mach 5, are a key aspect of the long-range precision fire modernization effort for the Army and the national security strategy to compete with and outpace potential threats. LRHW program work will be performed at Lockheed Martin's Alabama, Colorado, California and Texas facilities. Lockheed Martin is an established industry leader in the development of hypersonic strike technology and our experience will serve as the cornerstone for hypersonic defense systems. Lockheed Martin's hypersonic strike awards exceed over $2.5 billion across the corporation. We are proud to partner with the Army, Air Force, and Navy on the technology development and demonstration for multiple capabilities that span all hypersonic flight disciplines. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2019-08-30-Lockheed-Martins-Expertise-in-Hypersonic-Flight-Wins-New-Army-Work