News

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — If the Air Force moves forward on a proposed initiative to buy light attack planes, it won't happen by the end of 2018. The service intended to put out a final request for proposals this month for a potential light attack aircraft program, but the date has now slipped into 2019, an Air Force official confirmed Tuesday. “The Air Force does not anticipate release of the final Light Attack Request for Proposal by the end of the calendar year as we complete additional analysis,” said Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Hope Cronin in an emailed response to Defense News. The service released a draft solicitation on Aug. 3, following two experimentation campaigns that brought the Sierra Nevada Corp.-Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, Textron's Scorpion jet and AT-6 attack plane, and L3's AT-802L Longsword to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico for several rounds of test flights. The second set of flight experiments between the A-29 and AT-6 were curtailed this summer after an A-29 crashed, killing its pilot. However, the Air Force maintained that it could garner the data it needed on aircraft maintenance and network operations while testing the planes on the ground. Air Force acquisition officials have shied away from declaring whether a program of record will begin in the fiscal year 2020 budget, but the August presolicitation seems to limit the contenders to the A-29 and AT-6, stating that SNC and Textron “are the only firms that appear to possess the capability necessary to meet the requirement within the Air Force's time frame without causing an unacceptable delay in meeting the needs of the warfighter.” The goal of the light attack experiments is to prove whether the Air Force can quickly bring industry to the table to experiment with off the shelf equipment and rapidly make a decision about whether to buy it. In that light, the delay in releasing the final request for proposals is at least a slight setback, as it's unclear whether the wait for a final RFP could also push back the Air Force's proposed due date for awarding a contract — before the start of the 2020 fiscal year on Oct. 1. But it remains unclear whether the Air Force will have the money to buy it. Officials have maintained that a light attack capability is “additive," meaning that they would not be willing to sacrifice procurement dollars designated for aircraft in existing or planned programs of record so that it could buy the AT-6 or A-29. However, the Pentagon's topline budget is still uncertain. Defense Department budget officials had geared up for a $733 billion budget in FY20, only to have President Donald Trump call for a cut to $700 billion. Now, it appears that number is growing after intervention from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and congressional hawks, and could be as high as $750 billion. Whether the light attack aircraft program fits into any of those topline budgets is currently unknown. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/12/18/start-of-air-forces-light-attack-plane-competition-pushed-back-until-next-year

By: Andrew Chuter LONDON — Britain is to rebuild weapon stockpiles, strengthen Joint Forces Command and earmark cash to rapidly innovate as part of a long-awaited defense modernization review revealed Tuesday by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. The defense secretary told Parliament on Dec. 18 that the review, known as the Modernising Defence Programme, would improve the lethality, reach and mass of the armed forces. However, he stopped short on detailing where the cash would coming from and who the long-term winners and losers might be in regard to capabilities and programs as priorities change. Although Williamson told lawmakers he would do “everything within my power to make sure that the U.K. remains a tier-one military power,” his statement disappointed some in the defense sector for its blandness. Labour, the main opposition party in Britian, called the statement “waffle” and said Williamson had done nothing to address a funding shortfall of between £7 billion and £15 billion (U.S. $8.8 billion and $18.9 billion) in equipment budgets over the next 10 years. Some analysts also felt the yearlong review had failed to deliver. “It's an announcement about future announcements, it's the [Ministry of Defence] keeping lots of option open, “ said Jon Louth, the director of defense, industries and society at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London. “It's all about seeing what can be achieved in next year's governmentwide departmental spending review." Howard Wheeldon, a British-based defense commentator, said the review had “hardly a specific detail of anything that really matters other than some minimal strategic intentions to be found amongst the prose. Perhaps the best that can be said is that while it contains many strategic positives, loads of ambition and intent, at the very least it doesn't contain any new specifics in relation to planned cuts.” Alex Ashbourne-Walmsley of Ashbourne Strategic Consulting said the review was an “anti-climax.” “We have waited all year for this, and what we have is a very thin document. It's hard to fault the aspiration, but making it a reality is a different matter. Where's the money coming from?” she said. Ashbourne-Walmsley and Louth agreed the MoD's success, or otherwise, in securing additional funds when the government's departmental medium-term spending plans are agreed sometime next year is the key. “For the MoD, it's all about next year's departmental spending review. It's unfortunate that the moment the review came on the horizon, that invalidated most of the things that the modernizing defense review could have hoped to achieve,” Ashbourne-Walmsley said. “A lot of these plans are hostage to fortune in terms of the spending review [known as the comprehensive spending review], economic damage from Brexit and even a change of government,” she added. The MoD has secured an additional £1.8 billion in funding this year from the Treasury for spending on items like the nuclear deterrent, anti-submarine warfare and cipher capabilities, but the department still has considerable work to do to balance the books on a total budget slated to top £39 billion next year. The National Audit Office, the government's financial watchdog, reckons the MoD is at least £7 billion overcommitted on its 10-year, £186 billion equipment plan. But, the office admits, it could be a lot more. Williamson acknowledged the MoD had to create “financial headroom for modernization,” but told Parliament this could be achieved through efficiencies. “Based on our work to date, we expect to achieve over the next decade the very demanding efficiency targets we were set in 2015, including through investment in a program of digital transformation,” he said. Analysts here reckon that's an optimistic target without capability cuts; although there was no mention of any reductions in the statement. “We all know that you cannot [achieve efficiency targets] without taking the knife to something. So what we may be able to deduce or fear is that hidden out there somewhere is a chapter of probable announcements of what might yet be to come,” Wheeldon said. One thing appears: Spending priorities are set to change as the MoD reacts to the growing threat from potential adversaries. That includes rebuilding depleted weapons stockpiles. “To improve the combat effectiveness of our forces, we will re-prioritize the current defense program to increase weapon stockpiles. And we are accelerating work to assure the resilience of our defense systems and capabilities,“ Williamson said. “We will improve the readiness and availability of a range of key defense platforms: major warships, attack submarines, helicopters and a range of ISTAR platforms,” he added, without concrete details. Williamson also said Joint Forces Command capabilities are set to be upgraded. “A major new step will involve an improved Joint Forces Command that will be in a better position so that defense can play a major role in preventing conflict in the future and improve our cyber operations and capabilities across the armed forces, but also across government as well,” he said. “Our adversaries and competitors are accelerating the development of new capabilities and strategies. We must keep pace and conceive of our joint force as consisting of five domains — air, land, sea, cyber and space — rather than the traditional three,” he told lawmakers. The review might have been short on details, but the MoD is pledging to drive the military modernization effort with funding, albeit a small amount, for innovation. Britain already has a small defense innovation fund, which this year has £20 million to put toward projects in areas including unmanned air systems, virtual reality training and enhanced digital communications. The fund will grow to £50 million in the next financial year. New “Spearhead” innovation programs will apply cutting-edge technologies to areas including subsurface threats to submarines; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities; and command and control in the land environment. For now, the MoD is investing £160 million to create a transformation fund, but additional money may be available in the upcoming comprehensive spending review if Williamson can make the case for it. “I will ring-fence £160 million of MoD's budget to create this [transformation] fund available for innovative new military capabilities. I will look to make a further £340 million available as part of the spending review. This fund will be available for new innovative military capabilities, which allows us to stay one step ahead of our adversaries," Williamson argued. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/12/18/britain-eyes-a-more-lethal-force-in-newly-revealed-defense-modernization-review

– The USAF Contract Consolidates Multiple Training Programs Into a Single, Unified Program – NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2018-- L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) has been selected as the prime contractor for the F-16 Simulators Training Program (STP) by the U.S. Air Force. Valued at $350 million, the F-16 STP contract consolidates the previous F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC), F-16 Weapons and Tactics Trainer (WTT) Advanced Sustainment, and F-16 Training System (TS) programs into a single, unified program. “For more than four decades L3 has proudly developed pilots and expert technicians in support of U.S. Air Force F-16 weapons system operations,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, L3's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. “This award demonstrates our ability to deliver comprehensive, world-class training solutions that support total air readiness.” Now in a prime contractor role, L3 was the incumbent on two of the three predecessor programs to the F-16 STP, including the F-16 MTC and F-16 TS. The company was awarded the F-16 MTC in 2008 through a competitive procurement. “By combining three different programs, F-16 STP will enable the U.S. Air Force to provide a more cost-effective approach to maintaining concurrency for the warfighter,” said Mike Swanger, Program Manager, F-16 Simulators, U.S. Air Force. “Our international allies will have the opportunity to benefit from our expertise in their own countries,” added Lenny Genna, President of L3 Link Training & Simulation. “We are proud to build on our long-standing partnership with the Air Force and look forward to being a key provider of F-16 training systems and services for many years to come.” Since 1986, L3 has provided the U.S. Air Force with state-of-the-art, high-fidelity F-16 training systems at both domestic and overseas locations. The company simultaneously ensures that the training systems remain concurrent with the fielded aircraft configurations to ensure the highest-quality training. L3's training systems support maintainers and aircrews across the globe. L3 Technologies is an agile innovator and leading provider of global ISR, communications and networked systems, and electronic systems for military, homeland security and commercial aviation customers. With headquarters in New York City and approximately 31,000 employees worldwide, L3 develops advanced defense technologies and commercial solutions in pilot training, aviation security, night vision and EO/IR, weapons, maritime systems and space. The company reported 2017 sales of $9.6 billion. To learn more about L3, please visit the company's website at www.L3T.com. L3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding L3 is routinely posted on the company's website and is readily accessible. Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “will,” “could” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements included in the company's recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181218005778/en/ Source: L3 Technologies L3 Technologies Corporate Communications 212-697-1111 https://www.l3t.com/press-release/l3-awarded-comprehensive-f-16-pilot-training-contract-valued-350-million

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has provided a final update on the Modernising Defence Programme to the House of Commons. In July, I made a statement setting out headline conclusions from six months of work on the Modernising Defence Programme (MDP). Since then, work has continued apace. Firstly, I would like to welcome the extra £1.8 billion of funding for Defence, including the additional £1 billion that was in last month's Budget. Today, I want to provide an update on the MDP, and set out the work that will be ongoing. I have placed a full report on the MDP in the library of the House. First, I should put the MDP into context. The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review was the right plan for Defence at that time. The Government put the Defence budget on a firmer footing, increasing throughout the life of the Parliament. Defence is much stronger as a result of that. NATO is growing in strength and the UK is a leader. More allies are meeting the 2 per cent spending guideline, or have developed plans to do so. We are the second largest defence spender in NATO, one of only a small number of allies to spend 2 per cent of our GDP on defence, and invest 20 per cent of that in upgrading equipment. We can be proud of what we have achieved since 2015. But we have to also be vigilant. National security challenges have become more complex, intertwined and dangerous since 2015 and these threats are moving much faster than anticipated. Persistent, aggressive state competition now characterises the international security context. In response to the growing threats the MDP was launched in January. And, in the last year, our Armed Forces have demonstrated their growing capability, engaged globally, and supported the prosperity of the UK. The Royal Navy has increased its mass and points of presence around the world. We have taken steps to forward base the Army, enhancing our global posture. The Royal Air Force has continued to innovate, and has celebrated a proud past its RAF100 years since its creation. Progress has also made in cyber and space, as the changing character of warfare makes both domains increasingly important. We have reinforced the UK's position as a leading voice in NATO and on European security. And, our Armed Forces have led the way for Global Britain, tackling our adversaries abroad to protect our security at home and nurturing enduring relationships with our allies and partners. Through the work over the past year the MDP has identified three broad priorities, supported by the additional £1.8 billion invested in Defence. Firstly, we will mobilise, making more of what we already have to make our current force more lethal and better able to protect our security. The UK already has a world-leading array of capabilities. We will make the most effective use of them. We will improve the readiness and availability of a range of key Defence platforms: major warships, attack submarines, helicopters and a range of ISTAR platforms. We are adjusting our overseas training and deployments to increase our global points of presence, better to support allies and influence adversaries. To improve the combat effectiveness of our Force, we will re-prioritise the current Defence programme to increase weapon stockpiles. And we are accelerating work to assure the resilience of our Defence systems and capabilities. We can mobilise a full spectrum of military, economic and soft power capabilities. And, where necessary and appropriate we will make sure we are able to act independently. We will also enhance efforts with our allies and partners, aligning our plans more closely with them, acting as part of combined formations, developing combined capabilities, and burden-sharing. And we continue to invest in, and grow, our global network of Defence personnel and the education and training we offer in the UK and overseas. Secondly, we will modernise, embracing new technologies to assure our competitive edge Our adversaries and competitors are accelerating the development of new capabilities and strategies. We must keep pace, and conceive of our joint force as consisting of five domains, air, land, sea, cyber and space, rather than the traditional three. We must modernise, targeting priority areas. A major new step will involve improved Joint Forces Command that will be in a better position so that defence can play a major role in preventing conflict in the future and improve our cyber operations and capabilities across the armed forces but also across government as well. This year Defence's Innovation Fund put £20 million towards projects in areas including unmanned air systems, virtual reality training, and enhanced digital communications for the Future Commando Force. The fund will grow to £50 million next financial year, increasing the scope, ambition and value of the projects it can support. We will launch new ‘Spearhead' innovation programmes that will apply cutting-edge technologies to areas including sub-surface threats to our submarines, our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, and command and control in the Land Environment as well. And to drive innovation and change through the Department I am launching a Transformation Fund. Next year, I will ring-fence £160 million of MOD's budget to create this fund available for innovative new military capabilities. I will look to make a further £340 million available as part of the Spending Review. This fund will be available for new innovative military capabilities which allows us to stay one step ahead of our adversaries. Together these and other steps will enable the acceleration of our modernisation plans. Thirdly, we will transform, radically changing the way we do business in Defence. We need to improve markedly the way we run Defence. To sustain strategic advantage in a fast-changing world, we must be able and capable of continuous and timely adaptation. We will embrace modern business practices and establish a culture that nurtures transformation and innovation. We also need to create financial headroom for modernisation. Based on our work to date, we expect to achieve over the next decade the very demanding efficiency targets we were set in 2015, including through investment in a programme of digital transformation. We will develop a comprehensive strategy to improve recruitment and retention of talent, better reflecting the expectations of the modern workforce. We will access more effectively the talents of our ‘Whole Force' across all three Services, Regulars, Reserves, Civil Service and industrial partners. Looking ahead, dealing effectively with persistent conflict and competition will increasingly hinge on smarter, better informed long-range strategy. To help achieve these goals we will establish a permanent Net Assessment Unit, as well as a Defence Policy Board of external experts, to bring challenge to Defence policy and to Defence strategy. Our achievements under the MDP have made Defence stronger. The capability investments and policy approaches set out, with the £1.8 billion worth of Defence funding, will help us keep on track to deliver the right UK Defence for the challenging decade ahead. Without a shadow of a doubt, there is more work to be done as we move towards next year's Spending Review. We must sustain this momentum if we are to realise our long-term goals of increasing the lethality, reach and mass of our Armed Forces. I will do everything within my power to make sure that the UK remains a Tier-One military power in the decade ahead, and that we continue to deliver the strong defence and security that has been the hallmark of the government. I commend this statement to the House. The Modernising Defence Programme https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/modernising-defence-programme-update

Detail of outcome The Defence Secretary launched the Modernising Defence Programme in January 2018 with the aim of further strengthening and modernising defence in response to a more complex and challenging international security situation. This report ‘Mobilising, modernising and transforming defence' describes a set of policy approaches and capability investments that will help to keep us on track to deliver the right UK defence for the coming decade. Supported by the additional £1.8 billion funding announced in the Autumn Budget, defence will: mobilise, making more of what we already have to ensure our armed forces are best placed to protect our security modernise, embracing new technologies and assuring our competitive edge over our adversaries transform, radically changing the way we do business and staying ahead of emerging threats As we move towards the 2019 Spending Review, we must sustain this momentum. The Defence Secretary will continue to work with the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the National Security Council to explore how these aims should be fulfilled alongside our other national security priorities. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-defence-programme-public-consultation

Helen Chachaty Mise à jour 13h (heure française) : Le lancement est reporté de 24 heures en raison de conditions météorologiques défavorables. L'observation spatiale prend une nouvelle dimension. Le premier satellite CSO (Composante spatiale optique) doit en théorie être mis sur orbite ce 18 décembre par un lanceur Soyouz, depuis le Centre spatial guyanais (CSG) de Kourou. La constellation CSO - composée de trois satellites - remplacera à terme le système Hélios II et reprendra les missions d'observation spatiale pour les forces armées françaises, mais aussi pour les pays partenaires du programme MUSIS (Multinational space-based imaging system). D'une masse de 3,5 tonnes, CSO-1 sera placé sur une orbite héliosynchrone à 800 kilomètres d'altitude et déployé pour des missions de reconnaissance, avec la capacité de produire des images très haute résolution. CSO-3 aura les mêmes fonctions, alors que CSO-2 sera quant à lui placé sur une orbite polaire à une altitude différente, soit 480 kilomètres d'altitude, afin de remplir la mission d'identification. Le deuxième satellite bénéficiera donc d'une résolution augmentée par rapport à CSO-1 et -3 et sera capable de produire des images d'extrêmement haute résolution - une donnée non-dévoilée. CSO-2 sera théoriquement lancé en mai 2020, toujours par Soyouz, CSO-3 devrait quant à lui être tiré par Ariane 6 en octobre 2021. Ces satellites de nouvelle génération représentent un « saut qualitatif en termes de résolution d'image, de précision de localisation et de nombre de prises de vue », explique un aviateur. Les satellites CSO sont destinés à effectuer des prises de vue en fonction des besoins militaires de la France et des pays partenaires (Allemagne, Belgique, Espagne, Italie, Suède). Dotés de capacités multispectrales et infrarouges, les satellites CSO permettront de disposer d'images mono- et stéréoscopiques. La participation de la Suède, qui met à disposition une antenne à Kiruna, permettra par ailleurs au satellite de « décharger » les données toutes les 90 minutes, contre environ deux fois par jour pour l'antenne de la base aérienne de Creil. La capacité journalière maximale est estimée à environ 800 images. La composante spatiale optique est articulée autour des trois satellites, d'un segment sol de mission pour le contrôle des satellites et d'un segment sol utilisateur. CSO-1, -2 et -3 ont été réalisés sous maîtrise d'oeuvre d'Airbus Defence & Space, l'instrumentation optique a été fournie par Thales Alenia Space France. Le segment sol mission est opéré par le CNES depuis Toulouse. Il est composé d'un centre de programmation (Capgemini) et de commande-contrôle (Airbus Defence & Space) et d'un centre d'expertise qualité image (Thales Service et Capgemini). Quant au segment sol utilisateur, situé à Creil, il a été conçu et réalisé par Airbus Defence & Space. La Direction générale de l'armement est responsable de la conduite du programme et assure la maîtrise d'ouvrage du segment sol utilisateur. Elle a délégué au CNES la maîtrise d'ouvrage pour la réalisation des satellites et du segment sol de mission, ainsi que le lancement des satellites - qui sera effectué par Arianespace. Le lancement de CSO-1 intervient alors que la ministre des Armées Florence Parly doit prochainement rendre au président de la République Emmanuel Macron un rapport sur la stratégie spatiale militaire française. « Il faut avoir en tête que l'espace devient le thé'tre de confrontations », avait-elle déclaré à l'occasion d'une rencontre avec des journalistes début septembre, mettant en avant la nécessité de disposer de capacités spatiales efficientes. Florence Parly avait également rappelé que « protéger l'espace, c'est protéger nos opérations. C'est aussi garantir notre souveraineté et trouver l'opportunité de partenariats avec nos alliés européens, et c'est surtout protéger nos modes de vie et notre quotidien ». La Loi de programmation militaire 2019-2025 inclut, outre la mise en oeuvre du programme CSO-MUSIS, la mise en service du programme CERES (Capacité d'écoute et de renseignement électromagnétique spatiale), des deux premiers satellites du système Syracuse IV et le lancement du programme OMEGA (Opération de modernisation des équipements GNSS des armées). Les premières images produites par CSO-1 sont attendues « dans quelques mois », explique-t-on au CMOS (Centre militaire d'observation spatiale). Après le lancement du satellite suivra une période de calibrage des instruments de bord et de calage du télescope et de la structure. https://www.journal-aviation.com/actualites/41584-l-observation-spatiale-nouvelle-generation-paree-au-lancement

YANN ROUSSEAU Tokyo a approuvé ce mardi un plan de programmation militaire qui comprend de gigantesques commandes aux industriels américains. Donald Trump devrait être ravi. Pékin est l'ennemi déclaré. Après avoir longtemps pris soin de peser ses mots pour ne pas heurter la sensibilité de son puissant voisin, le gouvernement japonais de Shinzo Abe explique désormais qu'il doit très rapidement réorganiser sa politique de sécurité pour répondre à l'inquiétante montée en puissance de la Chine dans la région. « Nous avons besoin de développer des capacités de défense véritablement efficaces plutôt que de simplement étendre nos capacités traditionnelles », prévient l'exécutif japonais dans son nouveau plan de programmation militaire approuvé ce mardi pour les cinq prochaines années. Si Tokyo pointe, dans son analyse de la géopolitique régionale, la menace des missiles balistiques intercontinentaux nord-coréens et l'activité russe au nord de l'archipel, il s'alarme avant tout de la pression chinoise dans les mers de la zone. Le texte évoque ainsi les activités militaires de Pékin en Mer de Chine orientale, où les deux pays se disputent la souveraineté de petits îlots , mais également les ambitions du régime chinois dans le Pacifique ou sur des mers plus au sud, où patrouillent de plus en plus de navires chinois. Le plan rappelle encore les investissements de la Chine dans les technologies militaires spatiales et la cyberguerre. 210 milliards d'euros de dépenses « L'inquiétude est forte », résume l'exécutif, qui estime que la nation ne peut plus, dès lors, se contenter, comme il le faisait depuis 1945, d'un simple système d'autodéfense dépendant des Etats-Unis. « Nous allons sécuriser, à la fois en quantité et en qualité, les systèmes de défense qui sont nécessaires afin de répondre au rapide changement de nos conditions de sécurité », a confirmé Yoshihide Suga, le porte-parole du gouvernement. Pour accélérer une remise à niveau de son armée, Tokyo se propose de dépenser sur les cinq prochaines années fiscales - à partir d'avril 2019 - 27.470 milliards de yens, soit 210 milliards d'euros, essentiellement en achats de nouveaux équipements militaires. Ce mardi, le gouvernement de Shinzo Abe a d'ailleurs annoncé une commande supplémentaire de 105 F-35 de l'américain Lockheed Martin, qui va venir s'ajouter à un récent achat de 42 avions de chasse de cette génération, destinés à remplacer, notamment, la vieille flotte de F-15. Dans le cadre de ce gigantesque contrat, le pays va se doter de plusieurs F-35 B, probablement dans leur version dite STOVL, qui permet des décollages courts ainsi que des appontages verticaux sur des porte-avions. Le pays a, en effet, formellement reconnu qu'il allait, pour la première fois depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, doter son armée de porte-avions . Les navires ne proviendront pas d'un coûteux et délicat développement ex nihilo mais résulteront d'une transformation de ses deux porte-hélicoptères, Izumo et Kaga, récemment mis en service. Leurs ponts de 248 mètres de long vont ainsi être réaménagés pour accueillir les nouveaux chasseurs. Réaction favorable attendue de Trump Tokyo va aussi acquérir deux versions terrestres du système de défense aérienne Aegis Ashore, qui pourraient notamment protéger son territoire d'éventuels missiles nord-coréens. Le pays prévoit également l'achat de quatre avions ravitailleurs KC-46 Pegasus produits par Boeing. Si Tokyo ne fait aucun commentaire public, ce mardi, sur la nationalité de tous ces fournisseurs, les analystes notent que ces gigantesques commandes passées à des géants américains vont ravir Donald Trump. A un moment où la Maison-Blanche s'agace du déficit commercial élevé des Etats-Unis avec le Japon. Yann Rousseau https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/asie-pacifique/0600366307008-cette-nuit-en-asie-le-japon-debloque-210-milliards-pour-soffrir-deux-porte-avions-et-des-chasseurs-f-35-2230862.php

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Corp., Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $585,206,351 fixed-price incentive delivery order for the Homeland Defense Radar - Hawaii (HDR-H). The contractor will design, develop, and deliver the HDR-H radar providing autonomous acquisition and persistent precision tracking and discrimination to optimize the defensive capability of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and counter evolving threats. This award is the result of a competitively awarded acquisition in which one offer was received. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $51,389,757 are being obligated at time of award. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey; and Oahu, Hawaii. The exact location in Oahu, Hawaii, will be determined at the conclusion of the ongoing site selection and National Environmental Policy Act processes. The period of performance is from Dec. 18, 2018, through Dec. 17, 2023. The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-19-F-0018). DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Reston, Virginia, was awarded a competitive, single award indefinite-delivery/indefinite–quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for X86 processor capacity services. The total lifecycle amount of the contract is $323,921,060. The minimum guarantee for this effort is $770,000, $675,000 of which is being met by the first delivery order under HC1084-19-F-0001, and is funded by fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds. Performance will be at current Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) data centers or future DISA centers in the continental U.S. (CONUS), DISA outside CONUS (OCONUS) data centers, and other DISA or DISA-approved locations worldwide in which DISA may acquire an operational responsibility. Proposals were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities websites, and six proposals were received from the proposals solicited. The period of performance is for a base of five years beginning Dec. 19, 2018, and five one-year periods through Dec. 18, 2028. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott AFB, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1084-19-D-0002). NAVY General Electric Co., Lynn, Massachusetts, is awarded $290,834,776 for modification P00014 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0047) for the procurement of eight F414-GE-400 install engines for the Navy. In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 56 F414-GE-400-1A install engines; four F414-GE-400 spare engines; two spare engine containers and 12 spare engine modules for the government of Kuwait. These engines power the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts (59 percent); Hooksett, New Hampshire (18 percent); Rutland, Vermont (12 percent); and Madison, Kentucky (11 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount $290,834,776 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the. Navy ($33,261,704; 11 percent); and the government of Kuwait ($257,573,072; 89 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $91,720,000 ceiling-priced, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of new aircrew and maintenance training systems, as well as upgrades and modifications to the existing F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircrew and maintenance training systems to ensure the systems are representative of fleet aircraft and systems and interface with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Joint Simulation Environment. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $32,260,000 will be obligated at time of award, $32,097,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This contract combines purchase for the Navy ($90,836,000; 99.03 percent); and the Air Force ($884,000; 0.97 percent). The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (N6134019D0906). Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is awarded $65,648,632 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N00383-19-F-HC02 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-15-G-005D) for the repair of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared system used in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (77 percent); Jacksonville, Florida (20 percent); and El Segundo, California (3 percent). Work is expected to be completed by December 2020. Working capital funds (Navy) in the full amount of $65,648,632 will be obligated to fund the delivery order and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One source was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded a $32,396,621 five-year, firm-fixed-price requirements, long-term contract for the repair of 103 items of the ALQ-126B electronic countermeasures systems and two items of the ALE-55 radio frequency countermeasure system to support countermeasures for various aircraft. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire (47 percent); Jacksonville, Florida (48 percent); and Crane, Indiana (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed by December 2023. 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. This contract was a sole-source pursuant to the authority set forth in 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-UA01). Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded $14,915,670 for modification P00004 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-18-D-0004) to exercise additional contract line item numbers under Option Year I for the manufacture and delivery of additional quantities of the AN/ARC-210 family of radio equipment in support of Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in September 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded $11,740,000 for not-to-exceed delivery order N0001919F2610 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0003) for the Navy and Air Force. This order provides for non-recurring engineering for the redesign of the Control Actuation System electronic controller and the requalification of the dimeryl diisocyanate utilized in the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block I/II/II+ missiles. Work will be performed in Santa Clarita, California (48 percent); Rocket Center, West Virginia (33 percent); and Tucson, Arizona (19 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Fiscal 2019 weapons procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $3,471,918 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($5,870,000; 50 percent); and the Air Force ($5,870,000; 50 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. L3 Adaptive Methods, Centreville, Virginia, is awarded a $7,674,780 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-15-C-5220) to exercise an option for the accomplishment of services for the Undersea Warfare and Surface Warfare command and control systems. The services include systems engineering, program management, software development, risk management, prototype development, information assurance, training, and integrated logistics support. Work will be performed in Centreville, Virginia (50 percent); and Keyport, Washington (50 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $4,279,000 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $420,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $141,447,329 firm-fixed-price contract (FA8672-19-C-0010) to exercise an option to previously awarded contract FA8672-10-C-0002 for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II. The contractor will provide low-rate initial production for 1,260 SDB II Lot Five munitions, 389 single-weapon containers, 344 dual-weapon containers, 20 production reliability incentive demonstration effort captive vehicles, 20 production reliability incentive demonstration effort tests, 36 weapon load crew trainers/conventional munitions maintenance trainers and data. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition resulting from follow-on to competition. Fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds in the amount of $141,447,329 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $7,394,373 modification (P00063) to contract FA808-12-C-0010 for Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite vehicles 5/6. The contract modification is for Space Vehicle 5 Liquid Apogee Engine (LAE) 4-corners testing request for equitable adjustment. Work for this effort is complete. The testing of the LAE engine took place in Tokyo, Japan, the removal and replacement took place in Sunnyvale, California. Fiscal 2017 missile procurement funds will fund the contract. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,032,081,111. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. ARMY M.A. Mortenson Co., doing business as Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was awarded a $36,298,000 firm-fixed-price contract to design and construct a 61,515 square foot administrative facility including administrative spaces, classrooms, and secure spaces. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of March 10, 2021. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $36,298,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-19-C-0006). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Michelin North America Inc., Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $26,289,870 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for aircraft tires supporting the Global Tire Program. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is South Carolina, with a Dec. 17, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-19-D-0046). Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $24,047,839 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for aircraft tires supporting the Global Tire Program. This was a competitive acquisition with two offers received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Ohio, with a Dec. 17, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-19-D-0045). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $17,040,935 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-18-F-0003) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-14-D-002U) for F/A-18 depot level repairable parts support. 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 four-year, four-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Missouri, California, Florida and North Carolina, with an April 18, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $9,549,053 firm-fixed-price contract for 128 display control modules for the Abrams tank. 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 two-year base contract with one six-month option period. The option is being exercised at the time of award. Location of performance is Texas, with an April 30, 2021, 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, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-C-0070). Tennier Industries Inc.,* Delray Beach, Florida, has been awarded a $9,309,281 modification (P00007) to a one-year contract (SPE1C1-17-D-1090) with two one-year option periods for various parkas. This is a fixed-price contract. Locations of performance are Florida and Tennessee, with a Dec. 19, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Marine Corps and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a $24,916,847 modification (P00036) to previously awarded contract HR0011-16-C-0001 for classified information technology services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $105,016,388 from $80,099,541. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of February 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $20,949,939 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1717218/source/GovDelivery/

Orbital Insight will use MDA high-resolution imagery to strengthen oil inventory product RICHMOND, BC and PALO ALTO, CA, Dec. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - MDA, a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), and Orbital Insight, a leading provider of geospatial analytics, today announced the latest agreement providing new datasets for Orbital Insight's product offerings. MDA will provide high-resolution imagery from its RADARSAT-2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite to Orbital Insight, which will process and transform the data into actionable intelligence for the energy industry. "Building on an already strong relationship with a second Orbital Insight contract award, MDA will provide valuable insight into energy supply chains by enabling timely, reliable imaging of global oil storage sites, regardless of cloud cover," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. "This solution reinforces the unique and powerful combination of RADARSAT-2's large imaging capacity and timely data delivery, with Orbital Insight's geospatial analytics capabilities, to grow the market for information derived from SAR imagery." MDA's RADARSAT-2 has global monitoring capabilities, including a large collection capacity and high-resolution radar imaging. The satellite acquires data regardless of light or weather conditions, due to its active imaging mechanism. As a result, RADARSAT-2 provides an accurate and reliable source of information about ground activity such as changes in oil tank inventories. Orbital Insight will use the imagery to create oil inventory information that is incorporated into its energy products, which include the Global Geospatial Crude Index, a single number that objectively captures global crude inventory insights on a daily basis. Orbital Insight's customers use the Global Geospatial Crude Index to make economic decisions with confidence in global energy markets. "Having access to cutting-edge datasets strengthens our product offerings, so we're pleased to deepen our relationship with MDA as a key imagery provider," said Dr. James Crawford, founder and CEO of Orbital Insight. "SAR imagery is valuable because it provides information even if conditions on the ground aren't visible due to weather or lighting. Expanding this partnership delivers direct customer value." This new contract expands Orbital Insight's relationship with Maxar Technologies. The geospatial analytics firm also has a multi-year partnership with DigitalGlobe focused on high-resolution electro-optical satellite imagery and DigitalGlobe's Geospatial Big Data platform (GBDX). Orbital Insight refines its analytic capabilities using DigitalGlobe's satellite imagery at petabyte-scale on GBDX, revealing insights for industry use cases such as estimating harvest yields, making more accurate retail predictions, and monitoring global energy and natural resource markets. About MDA MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, space sensors, satellite payloads, antennas and subsystems, surveillance and intelligence systems, defence and maritime systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA's extensive space expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and commercial applications that include multi-platform command, control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems, land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and insights derived from multiple data sources. Founded in 1969, MDA is recognized as one of Canada's most successful technology ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal, Halifax and the United Kingdom. MDA is a Maxar Technologies company (TSX: MAXR; NYSE: MAXR). For more information, visit www.mdacorporation.com. About Maxar Technologies As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com. About Orbital Insight Orbital Insight develops geospatial analytics to help its clients unlock societal and economic trends at a global scale. The company works with petabytes of geospatial data, including imagery from satellites, drones and other sources. Using computer vision and machine learning technologies, it processes and transforms this data to enable businesses, governments and NGOs to make better decisions. Learn why Fast Company voted Orbital Insight one of the most innovative companies of 2017 and 2018 at www.orbitalinsight.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and other information included in this release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. Statements including words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, as well as other statements referring to or including forward-looking information included in this release. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this release. As a result, although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation. Contact Wendy Keyzer | MDA Media Contact | 1-604-231-2743 | wendy.keyzer@mdacorporation.com Jason Gursky | Maxar Investor Relations | 1-303-684-2207 | jason.gursky@maxar.com SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd. Related Links www.maxar.com https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/maxars-mda-and-orbital-insight-announce-expanded-sar-satellite-imagery-agreement-702924451.html