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By: Ben Werner ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Coast Guard hopes to keep its aging fleet of short-range search and rescue helicopters flying for another dozen years while evaluating the potential of vertical lift studies from the Pentagon to fulfill future missions. The Coast Guard started flying the Aerospatiale Helicopter Corp. MH-65 Dolphin in 1984. The helicopters are used on both coasts and in Alaska. During disasters, the Coast Guard loads them into cargo planes for transport to the affected areas to assist search and rescue operations. But the fleet is nearing the end of its lifespan, and a replacement has yet to be identified, Adm. Karl Schultz, the commandant of the Coast Guard, said Friday during a briefing at the annual Military Reporters and Editors conference. “We're watching the Department of Defense very carefully with future of vertical lift,” Schultz said. “We fly a fleet of 98 of Aerospatiale Dolphin helicopters, MH-65s. There's no more of those being made, so that fleet of 98 is what we'll have there.” The Marine Corps and Army are leading the effort to develop vertical lift capabilities. The Marine Corps has used the tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey for years, and the Navy is now starting to integrate the airframe into its airwing as a replacement carrier onboard delivery aircraft for its aging fleet of 27 C-2A Greyhound turbo-prop aircraft. However, funding for the Coast Guard is tight for a force Schultz said is nation's first line of defense to protect borders, combat smuggling, ensure maritime traffic safety and keep ports open. The Coast Guard continually scrapes together resources and accepts cast-off equipment from the Department of Defense to accomplish its myriad of missions. “90 percent of the Coast Guard budget is classified as non-defense discretionary funding,” Schultz said. “We were shortsighted in the past not making some of these needs known.” A month into Fiscal Year 2019, Schultz does not have an approved budget, whereas the Department of Defense does. Congress will likely consider Coast Guard funding, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, after next week's mid-term elections. So, with other priorities requiring funding, Schultz said the Coast Guard is determined to squeeze a decade of life out of the Dolphins. “We're probably looking to fly those more than 30,000 hours, so we're into what we're calling our MH-65 Echo upgrade,” Schultz said. “We're going to keep those things in the air for a while, probably into 2030.” At the same time, Schultz is preparing a gap solution, by squeezing more life out of another aging airframe, the Coast Guard's fleet of 45 MH-60 Jayhawks. Part of the Coast Guard's strategy includes refurbishing used Navy MH-60 Seahawks and keep them flying for about 20,000 more hours. “I'd like to grow the 60 fleet because there's no more 65s and we need to press in on that gap period – 2018 to early 2030 time frame,” Schultz said. “The 60s are our long-term solution, but we'll bridging that gap.” In FY 2018, the Coast Guard received $25 million sustain and expand the fleet of 45 MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, and $20 million to upgrade the fleet of MH-65 Dolphins, according to the Coast Guard budget. Schultz said the active hurricane season spurred Congress to provide more money for airframes. To recapitalize Coast Guard equipment, Schultz said he'd like to see annual appropriations of about $2 billion for buying new systems or refurbishing used equipment. The Coast Guard requested $11.65 billion total in 2019 to cover procurement, operations, personnel and other costs. “We've lost 10 percent of our purchasing power in the past decade,” Schultz said. “We've deferred maintenance during this period.” The Coast Guard is also refurbishing its fleet of fixed-wing aircraft. Congress funded the purchase of a 15th C-130J cargo plane in the FY 2018 budget, and Schultz hopes, if approved, funding for a 16th C-130 will remain in the FY 2019 budget. He'd like the Coast Guard to have a fleet of 22 C-130J aircraft. Meanwhile, in 2014, the Coast Guard inherited a fleet of 14 C-27J Spartan cargo planes from the U.S. Air Force. The Coast Guard is in the process of preparing these medium-range twin-engine turboprop planes for search and rescue missions, but Schultz said they ran into a snag. “There's a bit of a worldwide parts shortage,” Schultz said. “We're fielding the C-27s, and the first ones are out at our air station in Sacramento.” https://news.usni.org/2018/10/29/squeezing-another-decade-out-of-dolphin-helicopters

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Atlantic Diving Supply Inc., doing business as ADS,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (SPE8EH-19-D-0001); W.S. Darley & Co.,* Itasca, Illinois (SPE8EH-19-D-0002); Unifire Inc.,* Spokane, Washington (SPE8EH-19-D-0003); Mallory Safety and Supply,* Longview, Washington (SPE8EH-19-D-0004); Federal Resources Supply Co.,* Stevensville, Maryland (SPE8EH-19-D-0005); and L.N. Curtis & Sons,* Oakland, California (SPE8EH-19-D-0006), are sharing a maximum $78,000,000 bridge contract under solicitation SPM8EH-12-R-0009 for fire and emergency services equipment. These are firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, 120-day bridge contracts. These were sole-source acquisitions using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Locations of performance are California, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, with a Feb. 27, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Califon Systems LLC,** Dallas, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for medical equipment, maintenance of medical equipment, and/or spare parts for medical equipment. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive acquisition with 59 responses received. Location of performance is Georgia, with an Oct. 28, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D1-19-D-0003). General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, has been awarded a $14,334,060 firm-fixed-price contract for distribution boxes. This is a one-year contract with one one-year option. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Locations of performance are Michigan and Florida, with a Jan. 31, 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, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-C-0009). Honeywell International Inc., Torrance, California, has been awarded a maximum $10,028,200 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-LH07) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-14-G-001Y) for heat exchangers. This is a two-year, six-month contract with no option periods. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is California, with an April 29, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ARMY The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $46,051,155 modification (P00097) to contract W58RGZ-15-C-0017 to complete negotiations on, and take delivery of, undelivered items as well as continue investments in both supply chain management performance and reliability improvements. Work will be performed in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 Army working capital funds in the amount of $46,051,155 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. NAVY JLL-Midnight Sun IFMS, LLC,* Kotzebue, Alaska, is awarded a $30,408,548 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operations support services at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and outlying areas. The work to be performed provides for base operations support services to include facility investment, other (training pools), utilities management, electrical, wastewater, steam, water, compressed air, base support vehicles and equipment, environmental, and other related services. The maximum dollar value including the base period and seven option years is $236,917,489. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (99 percent); and outlying areas (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps Reserve); fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds; fiscal 2019 Defense Health Program; and fiscal 2019 family housing operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $24,099,510 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the base period. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-19-D-1750). Reid Middleton Inc.,* San Diego, California, is awarded a maximum amount $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, architect-engineering contract for structural engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for preparation of fully designed plans and specifications for design-bid-build construction projects; preparation of request for proposal packages for design-build projects; structural and/or seismic investigations, studies, evaluations and recommendations for upgrades to existing facilities; anti-terrorism design related to analysis of blast effects and design to prevent progressive collapse; innovative structural system design; technical reviews of government-prepared designs and design-build packages; post construction award services; cost estimating; and coordination of various technical disciplines. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited to California (87 percent); Arizona (5 percent); Nevada (5 percent); Colorado (1 percent); New Mexico (1 percent); and Utah (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2414). DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY HRL Laboratories LLC, Malibu, California, was awarded a $9,155,987 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) millimeter-wave GaN maturation project. Work will be performed in Malibu, California (97 percent); and Huntington Beach, California (3 percent), with an expected completion date of April 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,208,000 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition off the Microsystems Technology Office office-wide broad agency announcement HR001116S0001, with 138 offers received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-19-C-0006). *Small Business **Veteran-owned small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1675408//

NICOLAS RAULINE Les principaux acteurs du secteur voient leur carnet de commandes grimper. Et les dépenses militaires américaines devraient continuer d'augmenter. Si les observateurs sont encore divisés sur l'existence d'un « Trump bump » pour l'économie américaine, le secteur de la Défense est, sans conteste, l'un des premiers bénéficiaires de la politique de la Maison-Blanche. La vague de résultats trimestriels de ces derniers jours en a encore apporté la preuve. Boeing , porté par ailleurs par ses activités dans le transport aérien, a ainsi relevé ses prévisions annuelles, après avoir publié des... Article complet: https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/0600054719752-lindustrie-americaine-de-la-defense-profite-a-plein-de-leffet-trump-2217773.php

LONDON, Oct. 29, 2018 /CNW/ -- Current and evolving growth prospects in the global aerospace adhesives and coatings market look promising over the next six years. Frost & Sullivan's analysis forecasts the market to reach $1.90 billion by the end of 2024, driven by an increasing need for lighter materials, investment in technically advanced products, evolving regulations, and high-volume demand for new and refurbished aircraft. "While manufacturers are increasingly investing in product development to enhance environmental sustainability and product efficiency, customers are seeking out products that are easy to apply, highly durable, quick drying, lighter in weight, environmentally sustainable, and regulatory compliant," said Christeena Thomas, Senior Research Analyst,Chemicals and Materials, EIA at Frost & Sullivan. For further information on this analysis, please visit http://frost.ly/2vs Merger and acquisition activities are expected to continue, with global companies acquiring small manufacturers to access their products, technical competences, distribution channels, and customer bases. To gain a competitive advantage, Thomas recommends manufacturers invest in developing adhesive formulations that are superior in properties such as durability and UV resistance and compatible with multiple substrates while exhibiting reduced overall weight after application. Key trends creating growth opportunities in the market include: A boost in unmanned aerial vehicle demand in commercial, defence, and general aviation segments due to decreased technology costs High demand for adhesives and coatings in the defence and aerospace segments in the Asia-Pacific and Rest of World countries with increased investments in domestic manufacturing and operations Customer demands for newer, high-performance adhesives and coatings Growth in defense spending in the aerospace sector due to changing global economic conditions Growing demand for adhesive and coatings formulations that are compatible with robotic applications Replacement of traditionally used heavy fasteners with lighter-weight adhesives "Programs such as Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) in the European Union, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to increase the research and development and transaction costs that businesses incur when developing and distributing new types of chemical compounds," noted Thomas. "In addition, extensive testing, verification, and approval cycles delay product launches, resulting in significant time and costs for material suppliers." Growth Opportunities in the Global Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Market, Forecast to 2024 market intelligence identifies disruptive market and technology trends, drivers and restraints, market share and competitive analysis. Percent unit shipment forecast by technology, application, chemistry, and end-industry for Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World are also provided. Growth Opportunities in the Global Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Market, Forecast to 2024 is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan's Visionary Science research and analysis available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organisations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/demand-for-new-and-refurbished-aircraft-and-need-for-lightweighting-materials-fuel-aerospace-adhesives-and-coatings-sector-growth-698876461.html

By: Jeff Martin GRAPEVINE, Texas — The U.S. Air Force is exploring the logistics of space-based cargo operations under the purview of Air Mobility Command, even as the impact of a new Space Force on the mobility community remains to be seen. “I don't know how it will affect mobility, but most of you know space affects mobility every day,” Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday at the 2018 Airlift/Tanker Symposium outside Dallas, Texas. “Whatever the Space Force is or does, it has to protect our national interest in space,” he said, adding that GPS is critical to the air mobility community. As for what space cargo operations could look like, the previous head of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Carlton Everhart, espoused the possibility of moving cargo using rocketsduring a Defense Writers Group breakfast in August. “Think about this. Thirty minutes, 150 metric tons [and] less than the cost of a C-5,” he said at the time. Apart from cargo operations, such a focuses space presence could help with pre-positioning equipment and supplies in orbit, ready to be dropped to Earth. But in a roundtable with reporters Friday, the new commander of AMC, Gen. Maryanne Miller, said while the command continues to study the possibility, space cargo operations remain at the conceptual stage. “We're continuing, our [planning] community is going to continue to have discussions with the space companies, and we have agreed to just sit with them and just stay up to date with where they're going with their future plans, to just be at the table with them” she said. “We won't commit any resources, but we've committed to work with them to see how quickly they progress through that." One potential would be SpaceX's next-generation reusable BFR rocket, currently under development. During the roundtable, Miller confirmed that the Air Force had spoken to SpaceX about the idea. “They have talked about moving cargo in space, and we've sat down with SpaceX and had that discussion. But it's really just discussion at this point," she said. “Our connection with space is really just going to be at the table with them, to look at how much progress they're making.” As for what type of cargo could possibly be moved, that's still being discussed. But in August, Everhart said he'd be willing to stick “anything” in space. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/airlift-tanker-annual/2018/10/26/us-air-force-explores-space-based-cargo-operations-confirms-talks-with-spacex

MONTREAL, Oct. 29, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) is pleased to announce that the Aurora Engineering Partnership – formed by Qinetiq; Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group; and BMT – has been appointed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) as their Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). The partnership will help the MOD to cut the costs of their engineering services, while ensuring the UK's Armed Forces receive the best equipment and support. With the Aurora Partnership, the MOD will get access to extensive experience in the defence sector, as well as experience of delivering similar partnerships in other sectors. The Partnership will help DE&S manage these costs, driving effective change and savings through financial discipline and transparent, simplified pricing. "The vision for the EDP is to form a strong and professional engineering partnership with DE&S, enabling agile and efficient outcomes for front line equipment and support," said Dr. Gordon Barr, Managing Director, Aurora Engineering Partnership, QinetiQ. "The Engineering Delivery Partner is a huge opportunity, not only for us but for the UK's defense programs, ensuring it has the right support first time, safely and within budget," added Nick Roberts, President, Engineering, Design and Project Management, SNC-Lavalin. "Working with our partners, we'll focus first and foremost on the outcomes for those on the front line, working collaboratively to drive increased performance and productivity wherever we can." Another key element of the EDP will be driving innovation from across industry and academia. As part of this, Aurora will build a provider network including niche and specialist small to medium sized enterprises (SME) to tap into the best UK expertise. "We are establishing a sustainable provider network that encourages and develops SMEs as a vital part of providing more efficient and innovative services to DE&S," explained Roy Quilliam, Aurora Engineering Director, BMT. "We already have an unprecedented 280 companies registered, of which 70% are SMEs, to provide engineering services to the Aurora Engineering Partnership." For the second quarter 2018, SNC-Lavalin's engineering, design and project management business has delivered a book to bill ratio of 1.2. About SNC-Lavalin Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a global fully integrated professional services and project management company and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. From offices around the world, SNC-Lavalin's employees are proud to build what matters. Our teams provide comprehensive end-to-end project solutions – including capital investment, consulting, design, engineering, construction, sustaining capital and operations and maintenance – to clients across oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, infrastructure, clean power, nuclear and EDPM (engineering design and project management). On July 3, 2017, SNC-Lavalin acquired Atkins, one of the world's most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, which has been integrated into our sectors. www.snclavalin.com About QinetiQ Listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: QQ.L), QinetiQ is a leading science and engineering company operating primarily in the defence, security and aerospace markets. Our customers are predominantly government organisations including defence departments, as well as international customers in other targeted sectors. Visit our website www.QinetiQ.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @QinetiQ Visit our blog www.QinetiQ-blogs.com About BMT BMT is an international design, engineering and risk management consultancy, working principally in the defence, energy and environment, marine risk and insurance, maritime transport and ports and logistics sectors. BMT invests significantly in research. Its customers are served through a network of international subsidiary companies. The group's assets are held in beneficial ownership for its staff. Website: www.bmt.org Companies wishing to express an interest in joining Aurora's network of providers can do so at www.auroraengineeringpartnership.co.uk. SOURCE SNC-Lavalin For further information: Media: Daniela Pizzuto, Director, External Communications, 514-393-8000, ext. 54772, media@snclavalin.com; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, 514-393-8000, ext. 57553, denis.jasmin@snclavalin.com https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/aurora-partnership-to-help-transform-uk-defence-engineering-services-698877631.html

NAVY American International Contractors Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N62470-19-D-5000); Bryan 77 Construction JV,* Colorado Springs, Colorado (N62470-19-D-5001); ECC-MEZ LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia (N62470-19-D-5002); P. & C. Development S.A/Ergotem S.A. JV, Athens, Greece (N62470-19-D-5003); SKE-ICM JV, Viale Venezia, 79/B33074 Fontanafredda (PN) (N62470-19-D-5004); and Zafer Taahhut, Insaat Ve Ticaret A.S., Ankara, Turkey (N62470-19-D-5005), are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-build, design-bid-build construction contract for construction and renovation projects located primarily at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), but also worldwide. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years for all six contracts combined is $240,000,000. The work to be performed provides for tasks for general building type projects (new construction, renovations, alterations, demolition, repair work, and any necessary design) including: industrial, airfield, aircraft hangar, aircraft traffic control, infrastructure, administrative, training, retail, food service, dormitory, community support facilities and both vertical and horizontal construction for Department of Defense activities. ECC-MEZ LLC is being awarded the initial task order at $9,990,000 for the construction of an Aircraft Apron Expansion at CLDJ, Djibouti, Africa. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by November 2020. All work on this contract will be performed in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, whose area of responsibility includes facilities located in Kenya, Africa, areas managed by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, but also worldwide. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of October 2023. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,040,000 are obligated on this award; of which $50,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); and operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 18 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Central Lake Armor Express Inc.,* Central Lake, Michigan, was awarded a $59,369,617 ceiling, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production of up to a maximum 65,469 Plate Carrier Generation III – Soft Armor Inserts and data reports. Work will be performed in Central Lake, Michigan, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 24, 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,220,578 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award and funds will before the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as a total small business set-aside via the Federal Business Opportunities website with 13 offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-19-D-1509). (Awarded Oct. 25, 2018) Praescient Analytics LLC,* Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded a $45,279,089 single award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, supply and services contract (N65236-19-D-1002) utilizing firm-fixed-price and firm-fixed-price, level-of-effort delivery/task orders. This contract is for the delivery of an advanced analytics technical solution (AATS) software product. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia (95 percent); and Charleston, South Carolina (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $15,701,990 will be placed on the first delivery order and obligated at the time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The single award contract was competitively procured by full and open competition via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command - Electronic Commerce Central website and the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Industries San Diego Shipyard Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded a $44,779,160 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of USS O'Kane (DDG 77) fiscal 2019 Extended Selected Restricted Availability. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization, and repair of USS O'Kane. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $51,505,314. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by January 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); and working capital fund funding in the amount of $44,779,160 will be obligated at time of award, and funding in the amount of $35,141,499 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition 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-4406). BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded $9,532,186 for modification P00021 to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-17-C-0001) to provide systems engineering and integration services in support of Trident II (D5) strategic weapons system, the SSGN attack weapon system, and strategic weapon surety. Work will be performed in Rockville, Maryland (70.6 percent); Washington, District of Columbia (14.7 percent); Kings Bay, Georgia (5.1 percent); Silverdale, Washington (2.7 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (1.5 percent); San Diego, California (1.1 percent); Barrow, United Kingdom (1.1 Percent); Alexandria, Virginia (1.0 percent); Buffalo, New York (0.3 percent); Downingtown, Pennsylvania (0.3 percent); Ocala, Florida (0.2 percent); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (0.2 percent); Montgomery Village, Maryland (0.2 percent); New Lebanon, New York (0.2 percent); New Paris, Ohio (0.2 percent); Wexford, Pennsylvania (0.2 percent); Alton, Virginia (0.2 percent); Springfield, Virginia (0.2 percent); Vienna, Virginia (0.2 percent); and St. Mary's, Georgia (0.2 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $8,488,977; and fiscal 2019 research and development test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,043,209 will be obligated on this modification. No contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $54,626,116 labor hour and cost contract for the Unified Platform Systems Coordinator. This contract provides for continued development, integration, fielding and sustainment for the Unified Platform Program. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2021. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and six offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8307-19-F-0002). AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland, has been awarded a $23,696,816 firm-fixed-price contract for non-developmental contractor-owned and contractor-operated unmanned aerial systems, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance. This contract provides support force protection efforts at airfields located within U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Work will be performed at Bagram Airfield and Kandahar AF, Afghanistan, with an optional site at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan, and is expected to be completed by March 27, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $17,556 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of this contract is $114,064,396. The Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (FA4890-19-C-0002). * Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1674381/

La Belgique, tout comme l'Italie et les Pays-Bas, ont préféré acheter américain plutôt qu'européen pour leur défense aérienne. Et ce n'est ni le prix, ni les capacités techniques du F-35 qui les ont convaincu, mais leurs alliances. Le “contrat du siècle” belge est tombé dans les mains des Américains: jeudi, la Belgique a officialisé le choix de l'avion de chasse F-35 du groupe américain Lockheed Martin pour remplacer sa flotte d'avions de chasse F-16, écartant le Rafale du français Dassault et le Typhoon du consortium européen Eurofighter. Un achat estimé à 3,6 milliards d'euros. Une décision qui passe mal auprès des partenaires européens de la Belgique. Emmanuel Macron a dit dès le lendemain regretter "la décision du gouvernement belge d'acheter des avions de chasse F-35 américains "plutôt qu'une offre européenne", une décision qui "stratégiquement va a contrario des intérêts européens". La Belgique a choisi son allié américain La Belgique n'est pas le premier pays de l'UE a mettre un coup de canif dans l'Europe de la Défense. L'Italie et les Pays-Bas ont déjà fait le choix du F-35 plutôt que d'un avion européen. Si la Belgique justifie son choix pour des raisons techniques: coordination plus simple avec les pays voisins (comme les Pays-Bas), emport de bombes, interopérabilité au sein de l'Otan... la raison serait surtout diplomatique. "Le choix de l'avion de chasse fait partie des achats les plus stratégiques pour un pays. C'est une arme de souveraineté et choisir une technologie, c'est s'engager pour 30 ou 40 ans. Vous êtes ensuite pieds et poings liés avec votre fournisseur", affirme Philippe Plouvier, directeur associé au Boston Consulting Group sur les questions de défense et d'aéronautique. "Si vous faites une carte du monde, des achats d'avions de chasse par pays, c'est très révélateur des alliances. Quand la Belgique choisit le F-35, elle choisit un parapluie de défense américain plutôt que franco-allemand", poursuit-il. Une explication que donne aussi, à demi-mot, ce vendredi le premier ministre belge Charles Michel: "Pour moi les Etats-Unis ne sont pas devenus un ennemi parce que Donald Trump est président". Et malgré les "divergences de vues" avec Washington "la sécurité pour nos petits-enfants sera liée au maintien et au renforcement d'une double alliance, européenne et transatlantique". Un avion très cher et pas encore opérationnel Car mieux vaut rester ami avec le pays qui vous vend des avions de chasse. Le choix du F-35 ferre la Belgique: "que se soit en termes de pièces détachés ou de mise à jour logicielle... Sans les Etats-Unis, les F-35 belges n'iront pas très loin”, concède Philippe Plouvier. Pour justifier leur choix, les Belges ne pourront en tout cas pas brandir l'argument du prix. Le coût du développement du F-35 a explosé les estimations de départ. L'avion collectionne les problèmes techniques et "il n'atteint pas encore les performances prévues initialement, notamment en termes de furtivité", reconnait Philippe Plouvier. Si 300 appareils ont déjà été livrés (principalement aux Etats-Unis, Canada et Royaume-Uni), les tests opérationnels du F-35 se finiront en 2019. Les pays qui l'ont choisi doivent donc s'attendre à voir la facture s'alourdir pour profiter des améliorations futures. "Ce qui est révolutionnaire dans cet avion, ce ne sont ni ses moteurs, ni sa structure, mais son logiciel embarqué. Les mises à jour auront un prix", promet-il. La fin de l'Europe de la défense? Les deux "perdants" du contrat belge n'ont pas tardé à réagir. Le Français Dassault Aviation a évoqué dans un communiqué un "mauvais signal pour la construction de l'Europe de la défense". De son côté d'Airbus, partenaire du programme Eurofighter, regrette "l'opportunité manquée de renforcer la coopération industrielle européenne au moment où l'on demande à l'Union Européenne de s'unir en matière de Défense". Les deux entreprises continuent en tout cas de travailler en commun pour le projet de Système de combat aérien futur (Scaf), voulu notamment par le président français Emmanuel Macron. "L'Europe doit développer une vraie capacité d'industrie de défense européenne, dans tous les pays qui croient à cette aventure. Ma détermination en sort renforcée", a-t-il déclaré vendredi. "Tout n'est pas perdu. La France, l'Allemagne et le Royaume-Uni ont la volonté de créer cet avion européen du futur", juge Philippe Plouvier. Pour le spécialiste, c'est peut-être un mal pour un bien que beaucoup de pays européens ne soient pas concernés. "Il faut reproduire l'exemple réussi du missilier européen MBDA, qui est compétitif, technologiquement haut de gamme et où la France et le Royaume-Uni ont un partage équilibré des responsabilités". Et éviter de reproduire les erreurs des programmes de l'avion de transport militaire A400M et celui de l'Eurofighter "avec des surcoûts, et de l'éparpillement industriel". https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/pourquoi-la-belgique-et-d-autres-pays-europeens-preferent-acheter-des-avions-de-chasse-americains-1552975.html

By: Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany — French-German plans for a joint fighter aircraft project may be off to a rocky start, as reports emerged last week about fundamental disagreements between the two partners over export restrictions for such a weapon. According to a report on the website of the German magazine Der Spiegel, French negotiators made unlimited exportability of the so-called “Future Combat Air System” a prerequisite for getting started on the project. The position is at odds with a more restrictive policy by Berlin, where arms deals to sensitive countries traditionally are more heavily scrutinized for the potential of human-rights abuses by the recipient government. The Spiegel based its report on a four-page confidential cable from Germany's ambassador in Paris, Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, describing the outcome of a Sept. 21 “crisis meeting” in the French capital. So deep ran the diverging views at the gathering that Claire Landais, the French secretary-general for defense and national security, threatened to cancel further planning unless Germany would agree to French demands for unconstrained exports of the future combat aircraft, according to the Spiegel. Airbus CEO Tom Enders, whose company is involved in the planning alongside Dassault Aviation, criticized the reported German insistence on export caveats. “Berlin can't urge greater European cooperation in its Sunday speeches and then refuse it when concrete projects are taking shape,” he told the magazine. The idea behind the Future Combat Air System program is to create a sixth-generation aircraft that would eventually help wean European air forces from U.S.-made hardware. A development contract is eyed for the mid-2020s following years of concept studies. The future weapon is envisioned as a collection of aerial capabilities built around a new fighter aircraft. Supporting systems are eyed to include unmanned aircraft of various types plus a datalink architecture connecting all elements. German arms exports outside NATO and EU countries have come under renewed fire here since Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered by regime agents in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The Saudi government initially denied knowing about the crime but was forced to acknowledge Khashoggi's death following weeks of international pressure. The reported French-German disagreement on the exportability of FCAS comes on the heels of an interview by Airbus Defence and Space chief Dirk Hoke in the French business journal La Tribune on Oct. 18. Hoke said Airbus would take leadership of the overall system package of FCAS while Dassault would spearhead the fighter aircraft — a position that has the potential to create additional friction in the project. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/10/28/export-constraints-emerge-as-sticking-point-for-future-german-french-combat-aircraft-report