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ARMY Center for Disease Detection, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $59,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for medical laboratory testing services. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-19-D-0003). NAVY EMCOR Government Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $33,076,238 modification to extend the period of performance under previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N40080-10-D-0464) for base operations support at federal installations within a 100-mile radius of the National Capitol Region. The work to be performed provides for all labor, management, supervision, tools, materials and equipment required to perform facility investment services for federal installations. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $310,373,231. Work will be performed at various installations in and around the National Capitol Region. This extension covers the period from October 2018 to September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2019 Navy working capital contract funds in the amount of $23,332,381 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the base period of the contract extension. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 30, 2018) John C. Grimberg Co. Inc., Rockville, Maryland, was awarded a $30,824,949 firm-fixed-price contract for the renovation of the Agile Chemical Facility, Phase III at Naval Support Facility Indian Head. The work to be performed provides for the construction of an Otto Fuel II (OFII) transfer pipeline and reconfigures other piping to accommodate the new OFII piping within the Agile Chemical Facility (ACF) compound. Project constructs one building and renovates portions of the following Buildings: 775, 781, 786A, 786B, 786C, 786E, 786F, 1006, 1695, 1696, 1769, 1784, 1829, 3152, 3177, 3464, and 3790. Renovations will repurpose facilities to complete the ACF to provide a safer and more efficient process to produce the full complement of nitrate esters and related fuels. The existing control system equipment throughout the plant will be replaced with new equipment which is forward and backward compatible with the existing Siemens process control system. Project will also upgrade, integrate and consolidate heating, lighting, process piping processes for a more efficient plant operation. Work will be performed in Indian Head, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2017 military construction, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $30,824,949 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-01(a)(iii)(A) and (B), authorizes the use of other than full and open competition when there is only one available source. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-18-C-0008). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. Inc., Greenbelt, Maryland, was awarded a $20,450,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the improvement of Fuller Road at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The work to be performed provides for the reconstruction, widening and minor realignment of existing Fuller Road from U.S. Route 1 to Mason Drive, and new entry control facility/access control point with entrance to security building(s). The security facilities include new gate house, two sentry houses, inspection shelters, a canopy structure, and personnel weather shelters. The work includes forest clearing; demolition and removals; grading; retaining walls; utility relocations; site utilities (storm drain, sanitary sewer, telecom, and power); buildings structures; vehicle inspection canopy; active vehicle barrier; and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Quantico, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by June 2020. Fiscal 2014 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $20,450,000 are obligated on this award and expired at the end of fiscal 2018. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-18-C-0034). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $7,560,586 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F0267 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026). This delivery order provides for the procurement of 163 repairable spare items in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Palmdale, California (81.96 percent); Irvine, California (4.79 percent); Ronkonkoma, New York (4.10 percent); Marlborough, Massachusetts (2.26 percent); San Diego, California (2.09 percent); Hauppauge, New York (2.07 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (2.73 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,560,586 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Diversified Service Contracting Inc.,* Dunn, North Carolina, was awarded a $7,269,740 modification to extend the period of performance under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N40080-11-D-3020) for base operations support at Patuxent River. The work to be performed provides for all labor, management, supervision, tools, materials and equipment required to perform pest services, grounds services, janitorial services, and transportation services. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $78,351,571. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland. This extension covers the period from October 2018 to September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2019 Navy working capital contract funds in the amount of $6,069,740 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the base period of the contract extension. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 30, 2018) AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been award a $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price requirements, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity single award contract for Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA aircrew and maintenance courseware. The contractor will provide F-15QA aircrew and maintenance courseware, syllabi, student tracking system and program management to support the QEAF. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed Dec. 28, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $24,857,542 are being obligated at the time of award. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-19-D-0011). Parsons Government Services, Pasadena, California, has been awarded a $17,769,011 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Agent-Based Data Analytics and Persistence Technology. The scope of this effort is to generate input data; perform data modeling; research, design, develop, and implement novel algorithms, frameworks, information management tools, data stores and services; and integrate capabilities and services into robotic and content production systems. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to be completed Sept. 28, 2023. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-18-C-0138). (Awarded Sept. 28, 2018) Motorola Solutions Inc., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $16,348,704 contract for performing a land mobile radio trunking system technology refresh. This contract provides for updating and replacing outdated technology on Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Force Space Command land mobile radio trunking systems across 23 Air Force bases. Work will be performed in Eglin, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $16,348,704 are being obligated at the time of award. The 21st Contracting Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA251718C7005). (Awarded Sept. 28, 2018) AeroVironment Inc. has been awarded a $13,000,000, single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, for Raven RQ-11B small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). This contract satisfies recurring requirements for RQ-11B SUAS, spares kits, ancillary equipment, and recurring related training. The location of performance is U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility which includes Central America, South America and the Caribbean nations. The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2023. This award is the result of a non-competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,800,000 is being obligated at the time of award. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (FA4890-18-D-0010). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2018) GSD&M Idea City LLC, Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $9,870,088 task order modification against a previously awarded requirements contract for national television advertising. The contractor will provide online and television media in support of the Air Force Recruiting Service television campaign for calendar year 2018. Work will be performed in Austin, Texas, and is expected to be completed March 29, 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,870,088 are being obligated at the time of award. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-08-D-0019). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) ACE World Companies, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $7,290,103, firm-fixed-price contract for four Aerial Work Platforms. The contractor will provide all equipment, labor, transportation, tools, consumables, design, fabrication, delivery, assembly, installation, inspection, testing, training, and documentation for the four Aerial Work Platforms. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and is expected to be completed by April 28, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Capital improvement funds in the amount of $7,290,103 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8125-18-C-0015). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2018) CORRECTION: A Sept. 27, 2018, announcement that Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa (FA8540-18-D-0018), was awarded a $28,914,642 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receiver was incorrectly posted. The contract was awarded Sept. 28, 2018. DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY Leidos, Reston, Virginia, was awarded a five-year, $21,208,213, firm-fixed-price task order (HHSN316201200044W) utilizing the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center contract tool. This contract providesshared services to support current and future infrastructure for enterprise data transport and data processing, and performance and performance management operations for the Defense Health Agency Health Information Technology Directorate, Infrastructure and Operations Division. In addition, the contract will develop engineering and performance monitoring supporting optimization of networks. This award was open competition with two quotes received. Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 28, 2018) Tuknik Government, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a five-year, $7,137,145, firm-fixed-price task order (HT001-18-C-0030) through the U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Program. This contract supports the Medical Circuit Management Program in the Military Health System, Defense Health Agency Information Technology division. Contract supports communications, telephone switches and computing infrastructure required to maintain the Military Health System circuits worldwide. The base year of $1,614,917 is being funded with fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds. This award is a non-competitive direct 8(a) acquisition. Place of performance is Falls Church. Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 28, 2018) *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1650791/

Company will support rotor blades on more than 450 U.S. Army Chinooks around the globe Boeing manages rotor blade support work at its Philadelphia site PLANO, Texas, Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) will continue its support for the U.S. Army's inventory of H-47 Chinook rotor blades with a new $160 million contract award. The five-year performance-based logistics agreement extends work that began in 2012 and calls for the continued management of stock availability and the overhauling of all Chinook blades for the U.S. Army. Boeing is responsible for rotor blade maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as developing innovative ways to save blades that would typically be removed from service. There are more than 450 U.S. Army Chinooks worldwide. "The Chinook has proved itself to be critical to the U.S. Army's wide range of missions, and supply availability is critical to the Chinook's operational readiness," said Kathleen Jolivette, director of U.S. Army Services for Boeing Global Services. "With our demonstrated performance and expertise, we look forward to partnering with our customers on reducing ownership costs and extending blade life for mission success." Operating as one of Boeing's three business units, Global Services is headquartered in the Dallas area. For more information, visit www.boeing.com/services. Contact Jessica Carlton Communications Office: +1 256-937-5692 Mobile: +1 256-603-7137 jessica.m.carlton@boeing.com SOURCE Boeing http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-10-01-U-S-Army-Awards-Boeing-160-Million-to-Continue-Chinook-Rotor-Blade-Support

Contract finalizes seventh full rate production lot of AARGM, providing unmatched protection from surface-to-air threats LOS ANGELES – Oct. 2, 2018 – The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $171 million contract for Lot 7 full rate production (FRP) of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). The contract will deliver advanced capability to U.S. warfighters as well as the Italian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force to counter the accelerating proliferation of surface-to-air threats. “The rapid proliferation of today's threats require the most advanced solution to detect and defeat surface-to-air-threats and protect our nation and allies,” said Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager, defense electronic systems, Northrop Grumman. “AARGM is an affordable, game-changing solution and we are proud to provide this capability to the warfighter.” AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system, upgrading legacy AGM-88 HARM systems with capability to perform destruction of enemy air defense missions. AARGM is the most advanced system for pilots, with in-cockpit, real-time electronic order of battle situational awareness against today's modern surface-to-air threats. It is able to rapidly engage traditional and non-traditional advanced land- and sea-based air-defense threats, as well as striking, time-sensitive targets. AARGM is a U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative major acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as the executive agent. AARGM is currently deployed and supporting operational requirements for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The missile is integrated into the weapons systems on the FA-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. The Italian Air Force (ItAF) recently completed operational testing of AARGM on their Tornado Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft. A series of flight tests culminated with direct hits on critical air defense threat targets, confirming the operational effectiveness and suitability of AARGM on the Italian Air Force Tornado and allowing the Italian Air Force to transition AARGM into operational squadrons. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information. https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-awarded-171-million-for-advanced-anti-radiation-guided-missile-contract

Meggitt PLC, a leading international company specialising in high performance components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defence and energy markets, has been awarded a five year Indefinite Demand/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement with U.S. Defence Logistics Agency to supply wheels, brakes and related spare parts. The contract, worth $323m over the life of the award, covers the supply of depot-level spares for a number of defence platforms including F-16 Falcon, H-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook. The contract includes a further five year option period and replaces a prior five year IDIQ agreement which expired on 30 September 2018. President of Meggitt's Aircraft Braking Systems, Luke Durudogan said: “This award demonstrates the trust and confidence that our customers have in our employee's expertise, products and services. We look forward to working in partnership with the U.S. Defence Logistics Agency.” ENDS Enquiries Sarah Taylor Communications Manager Meggitt PLC Tel: +44 (0) 7395 788 748 Email: press.office@meggitt.com About Meggitt PLC Headquartered in the United Kingdom, this international group operates in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for its specialised extreme environment engineering, Meggitt is a world leader in aerospace, defence and energy. Meggitt employs more than 11,000 people at over 40 manufacturing facilities and regional offices worldwide. https://www.meggitt.com/news/meggitt-awarded-323-million-multi-year-agreement-with-u-s-defense-logistics-agency/

By Stephen Carlson Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has received a $631.8 million foreign military sales contract to sell the Netherlands and Japan Hellfire II missiles. Work on the contract, announced Monday by the Department of Defense, will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of September 2021. Army fiscal 2017 and 2018 foreign military sales and other procurement funds in the combined amount of $631.8 million were obligated at the time of award. The Hellfire II is the primary air-to-ground short-range precision guided missile for U.S. helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles and is in service with many other nations. It has been produced in ground- and ship-launched models as well. The Hellfire uses a laser-guidance system that can either be directed by a laser targeting pod on the launching aircraft or a separate laser designator used by ground forces or other aircraft. A variant used by the AH-64 Apache Longbow uses a radar and inertial guidance system that utilizes a fire-and-forget capability which does not require continuous lock from the launching helicopter like the laser version does. The Hellfire was designed primarily as an air-launched anti-tank weapon and has been in service since 1984. It has seen widespread use in Iraq, Afghanistan and other theaters as a general precision strike weapon. It has also been the main weapon used by unmanned aerial vehicles in the Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency's targeted dronestrike program. Over 15,000 have been used in conventional and targeted attacks since 2001. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2018/10/02/Lockheed-to-provide-Hellfire-II-missiles-for-the-Netherlands-Japan/2961538484205/

By: Nigel Pittaway MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia's Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group issued a request for information for at least 16 special operations support helicopters. The helicopters will be acquired under Project Land 2097 Phase 4, which has not been formally approved by the Australian government but has been identified as a priority for future defense spending in the 2016 Defence White Paper. The proposed timeline calls for a request for tender in the fourth quarter of 2019, with the major delivery of equipment to follow in 2022. “The project is currently in the exploratory phase, collecting information and proposals to inform concepts for capability realisation,” according to the RFI's cover letter, authored by CASG's acting first assistant secretary of the helicopter division, Brigadier Jeremy King, and the head of land capability at Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Kath Toohey. “The project is considering a wide range of procurement options based around a light helicopter as the major system. The acquisition strategy is developmental and is subject to Government approval,” the letter read. According to the RFI, the requirement is for a proven commercial or military off-the-shelf light helicopter, which is already in service with other operators. Other requirements include optimization for use in dense urban environments, capable of rapid deployment by the Royal Australian Air Force's C-17A airlifters, and the ability to be fitted with simple and proven intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment and weapons. The helicopters are intended for use by the Australian Army's 6th Aviation Regiment, based at Holsworthy, south of Sydney, and will complement a squadron of larger NHI MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. The Taipans are replacing the 6th Aviation Regiment's existing Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk, beginning in January 2019. The RFI does not specify a desired size for the new helicopter, but four are required to be deployed aboard one C-17A. In an earlier update to the Army's major battlefield aviation programs, CASG's first assistant secretary of the helicopter systems division, Shane Fairweather, and Toohey discussed a helicopter in the four-ton class. The primary role of the new helicopter will be to provide an air assault capability by small teams of special forces, with secondary roles including ISR (using electro-optical sensors), fire support and general utility. The RFI calls for a helicopter that can be rapidly reconfigured between these roles. The main base for operations will be at Holsworthy, but the Australian Army is considering the establishment of a permanent detachment of helicopters — referred to in the RFI as the “independent detachment” — in a yet-to-be-decided location. Australia's Special Operations Command has two commando regiments based at Holsworthy and the Special Air Service Regiment based in Western Australia. The RFI calls for four helicopters to be maintained online at Holsworthy, in addition to the independent detachment (four aircraft) and two deployable elements, each of four helicopters. The number of helicopters to be acquired is not specified in the document, but respondents are asked to provide an assessment of how many will be needed to support 16 aircraft online at any given time. The forthcoming RFI was a major focus at the 2018 Land Forces exhibition, held in Adelaide in early September, with several major helicopter manufacturers declaring their intention to respond. Then-head of Airbus Group Australia Pacific Tony Fraser said the European manufacturer intends to offer its 3- to 7-ton H145M helicopter. “We will compete the H145M and we expect it to be a very strong competitor,” he said. Also speaking at Land Forces, Bell's business development director for Australia, Dan McQuestin, revealed that the company intends to bid the 2.5-ton Bell 407GT, an armed version of the popular 407GX civil helicopter. “It's COTS, it's already deployed in the field in the Middle East and maintained through a commercial supply chain,” he said. Boeing Defence & Security's vice president of global sales and marketing for Australia said he was keen to see what the Commonwealth's requirements would be, but the U.S. manufacturer saw its 1.6-ton AH-6i Little Bird as a candidate. “Based on our conversations, we think the AH-6i is a viable alternative for Land 2097 Phase 4,” he said. “We'll see what is in the RFI, but we certainly expect to bid.” Leonardo's helicopter division announced during the show that it will propose the AW109 Trekker helicopter. Other potential contenders include MD Helicopters with its MD530G helicopter, and Northstar Aviation with the 407MRH Lightning, a multirole helo based on the Bell 407. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/10/02/australia-releases-rfi-for-at-least-16-special-operations-helicopters

By: Pierre Tran PARIS – U.S. defense officials are in detailed talks with French counterparts on a request for the sale of American components built into French cruise missiles, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. Asked by a French journalist about Washington blocking the sale of the Scalp long-range weapon to Egypt and Qatar, Mattis said American and French staff were meeting on that very issue even as a press conference was being held. “We discussed this,” he said. “We also have our staffs meeting. We have an invitation out to France to answer two final questions. The meetings are going on as we speak.” Mattis, on his first visit to Paris as defense secretary, was speaking at a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly, held at Brienne House. The two issues to be resolved target “certain technologies” that the United States only shares with its closest allies, including France, and whether that technology can be further transferred, and how France can protect that technology, he said. “Right now we don't have a final answer but it is all going in the right direction,” he said. “And it was a very fruitful discussion today. Our staffs are working this forward right now.” The conundrum stems from the French sale to Egypt and Qatar of Scalp cruise missiles to arm Dassault Rafale fighter jets. The weapons include U.S. parts, leading Washington to evoke the International Traffic in Arms Regulations regime. Parly, meanwhile, thanked Mattis, for help in gaining U.S. authorization for arming French Reaper drones, cleared for fitting by the end of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to come to Paris to mark the Nov. 11 Armistice Day, she said. That date is highly significant for France, marking the end of World War I, in which millions of troops died in the trenches. Mattis said he was not concerned about a drive by France and Germany to build a stronger European defense, as there were some issues which were “of interest only to Europeans.” As long as the European drive would not duplicate NATO or compete for alliance forces, “we see this in a positive direction,” he said. Mattis earlier met French President Emmanuel Macron and would go on to Brussels for a NATO ministerial meeting. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/10/02/mattis-offers-easing-of-us-export-limits-on-french-cruise-missile

By: Andrew Chuter LONDON — Britain's defense secretary has revealed the government held discussions with Boeing over the purchase of a fleet of Wedgetail E-7 airborne warning and control aircraft. Discussions are also taking place with Australia about cooperating in the use of the aircraft, Gavin Williamson said. Williamson said the Ministry of Defence had undertaken market analysis and discussions with other potential providers, concluding “that the potential procurement of the E-7 represents the best value for money option for the U.K. against need, whilst representing a significant opportunity for increased defense cooperation and collaboration with our key ally Australia.” “The Wedgetail is the stand-out performer in our pursuit of a new battlespace surveillance aircraft, and has already proved itself in Iraq and Syria,” Williamson said. The MoD said in a statement that further discussions are set to take place prior to an investment decision. “If selected, U.K. industry could be involved significantly with the program, from modification work to through life support,” the MoD said. Said Williamson: “The MoD will work closely with Boeing to ensure [exploration of] how Britain's leading defense industry could also benefit from any deal.” One company expected to benefit from any E-7 deal is the Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group. Marshall already builds auxiliary fuel tanks for the Poseidon P-8 maritime patrol aircraft program, and industry sources say the Cambridge, England-based company is set to convert 737 aircraft to the Wedgetail configuration as part of the deal. The talks with Boeing about raising U.K. content on the aircraft are an effort to head off likely criticism over handing yet another major contract to the U.S. defense giant without holding a competition and with little in the way of work coming to local industry. Boeing Apache attack helicopters and Poseidon P-8 maritime patrol aircraft have both recently been purchased without a competition. The U.S. contractor is, however, trying to nullify criticism over growing its workforce here to 2,300 and spending a sizable sum of cash building Poseidon support facilities at the aircraft's main Royal Air Force operating base at Lossiemouth, Scotland. “We work with our U.K. supply chain, government and military partners to provide critical capability, U.K. content, U.K. exports, skills and value for money to our armed forces,” a Boeing spokesperson said. The intention to undertake two large, sole-source deals in the armored vehicle sector U.S. and German companies have fueled anger from a number of British defense companies over the country's procurement policy. Any British Wedgetail deal would be done with Boeing and not through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales route. Williamson did not provide details on cost and aircraft numbers, but up to six aircraft are expected to be procured to replace the Royal Air Force's aged Sentry E-3D fleet. The cost is likely to be in excess of £2 billion (U.S. $2.6 billion), putting more pressure on Britain's overcommitted defense budget. The likelihood of Wedgetail being purchased as a single-source procurement has provoked anger among potential rivals like Airbus and Saab. The two European companies discussed joining forces earlier this year in a move to offer a credible and cheaper option to the Wedgetail. In June, parliamentary Defence Committee Chairman Julian Lewis wrote an open letter to then-Defence Procurement Minister Guto Bebb, urging him to hold a competition to replace the Sentry E-3Ds. Williamson's announcement is also notable for the increasing depth of cooperation emerging between Britain and Australia. Australia already operates a fleet of Wedgetails, and a small number of British Royal Air Force personnel have been training on the aircraft since mid-year. “Our future with Australia will already see us operate the same maritime patrol aircraft [the P-8], Type 26 warships and F-35 jets. Wedgetail may join that formidable armory and help us work together to take on the global threats that we both face,” Williamson said. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/10/02/britain-confirms-talks-with-boeing-over-potential-26b-wedgetail-aircraft-buy/

The next generation of aircraft will be different from anything seen before. Disruptive technologies enabled by digitalization are transforming the industry, creating new business models and empowering new market entrants. The digitalization disruption is here. Are you ready for innovation through simulation? The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is challenged to design more fuel-efficient, quieter and safer evolutionary and derivative aircraft to reduce operation lifecycle costs for the airlines. Simultaneously it is wrestling with the rapid revolutions of urban air mobility (UAM) and commercial drones. Global defense spending is increasing as organizations innovate to maintain or establish technology leadership. The new space race has begun as nontraditional companies and new spacefaring nations challenge the historic dominance of government funded agencies. Across the whole industry, these trends demand innovation at a pace never seen before, combined with the globally disruptive cross-industry forces of autonomy, electrification, connectivity and the digital twin, as well as new materials and additive manufacturing. It requires innovation in a design space for which there is no precedent. Full report: http://images.link.pentonaviation.com/Web/PentonAv/%7B8abc8a86-ee52-4ae3-b46f-5df9036d89fd%7D_Aerospace_and_Defense_Whitepaper.pdf