Air Force gets new stopgap system for GPS 3 satellites

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  3 juin 2019 | International, C4ISR, Autre défense

  DARPA Announces ERI Summit 2019 Workshops

  For the second year in a row, DARPA is convening the electronics community to discuss the ambitions and achievements of its five-year, upwards of $1.5 billion investment in U.S. microelectronics advancement. Attendees at the second annual Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) Summit – being held July 15-17 in Detroit, Michigan – will hear from commercial and defense leaders as they share their insights on the domestic semiconductor industry and the applications driving next-generation electronics. The Summit will close on July 17 with 11 public workshops designed to demonstrate program accomplishments, shape future areas of research, and provide insights into working with DARPA as well as transitioning technologies to use. “Continued collaboration across industry, defense, and academia is critical to creating the next wave of microelectronics innovation,” said Dr. Mark Rosker, director of DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). “Last year's Summit allowed these groups to come together and collectively work towards creating a more specialized, secure, heavily automated, and DoD-available electronics industry. This collaboration contributed to the formation of six new DARPA programs. With this year's expanded roster of workshops, we are again asking the community to share their perspectives, provide guidance, and foster the connections that will help define the future of an innovative and competitive domestic electronics enterprise.” In areas ranging from security and privacy to rapid circuit design, ERI's programs are already working to address both commercial and manufacturing realities as well as the needs of the defense enterprise. Several “Ongoing Efforts” workshops will provide updates on these active research efforts, including presentations on secure hardware and software architectures for high-risk transactions; trusted-by-design components and their impact on supply chain security; and novel atomic clock architectures. Attendees will also experience live demonstrations of autonomous chip design tools as well as open source IP and verification technology in development on two ERI programs – IDEA and POSH. Both programs are addressing the complexity and cost barriers that have limited the competitive field for circuit design by exploring novel approaches to automated circuit design and IP sharing. Shaping the future of microelectronics innovation requires research and development across a vast number of technical areas and applications. Several “Emerging Concepts” workshops will explore potential future areas of investment, and will seek input from the community to help define the most critical challenges to address. These workshops will focus on enhanced security for commercial hardware; energy-efficient computing for distributed machine intelligence; and novel approaches to designing and verifying distributed systems. A four-hour workshop will also focus on the challenges facing heterogeneous integration – a critical area of exploration for an emerging wave of alternatives to traditional transistor scaling. The workshop will cover problems associated with dense digital integration and mixing silicon with compound semiconductors, as well as potential solutions and paths forward. Finally, two “Enhancing Collaboration” workshops will provide guidance to attendees who are new to working with DARPA or are interested in transitioning DARPA-funded inventions out of the lab and into the commercial world. During the “DARPA/MTO Collaboration 101” workshop, Rosker will provide both a history of the agency and information about how to work with DARPA in the future. The deadline to register for the ERI Summit is Monday, June 24, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST. Registration information as well as a full agenda and workshop descriptions are available at www.eri-summit.com. All attendees must register in advance. Workshop headcount limits will be pre-determined based on attendee interest. https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2019-05-31

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  16 janvier 2020 | International, C4ISR

  The Pentagon wants help for its satellites to talk to each other

  By: Nathan Strout The Space Development Agency wants its satellites to be able to easily talk to each other and is considering using optical intersatellite links for communications within its future low earth orbit space architecture. Now, the organization is looking for industry's help on what standards should be used for those links. On Jan. 15, the agency issued a request for information to industry to inform its attempt to establish an Optical Intersatellite Link Open Standard. Most satellites don't speak with each other directly. Instead, they utilize radio-frequency communications with a ground station to relay communications between satellites. Some satellites, however, are able to use optical links to provide direct communications between satellites without a ground station acting as an intermediary. The SDA wants to use this technology for what it calls its “transport layer,” the backbone of its plans for a new space architecture in low earth orbit. The SDA was established in March 2019 to design the Department of Defense's future threat-driven space architecture, a setup it has since defined as a multi-layered constellation of hundreds of small satellites providing several capabilities from LEO. The SDA will not be directly responsible for every layer or constellation within the architecture — most notably, the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor is being developed primarily by the Missile Defense Agency — however, the SDA will be the agency in charge of integrating those various efforts into a single architecture. Key to the entire enterprise is the Tracking Layer, a family of satellites in low earth orbit that will facilitate the flow of data between satellites in orbit and between satellites and the ground. The Transport Layer will be essential in connecting the various sensors and capabilities on orbit with weapons systems on the ground or in the air. In order to build that capability, the SDA plans to use Optical Intersatellite Links. The optical links will also need to provide range estimates of the distance between satellites in orbit and between satellites and the ground to within a meter in order to provide highly precise timing and positional data for the constellation. The SDA also envisions each satellite utilizing a chip-scale atomic clock as well as GPS signals. The problem is that there are currently no industry standards for those links. To ensure the interoperability of various vendor technologies used for those links, the SDA wants to establish that standard, and it's asking industry for help. Responses are due by Feb. 5. More specifics about what the SDA is considering for its standards is available on beta.sam.gov. According to the request, the SDA plans to issue a solicitation for Tranche 0 of the Transportation Layer in Spring 2020, with additional solicitations for the other capability layers to follow in the summer. That first tranche, known as the war fighter immersion tranche, will consist “of tens of satellites providing periodic, regional sensing and data transport capabilities, including the capability to detect hypersonic glide vehicles and to disseminate time sensitive targeting solutions over tactical data links.” According to the agency, that initial tranche could be delivered as early as fiscal year 2022 https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/c2-comms/2020/01/16/the-pentagon-wants-help-for-its-satellites-to-talk-to-each-other/

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  20 février 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 19, 2020

  NAVY Bristol Engineering Services Co. LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N39430-20-D-2221); Dawson Enterprises LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (N39430-20-D-2222); GSI-Pond JV LLC,* Flemington, New Jersey (N39430-20-D-2223); Reliable Contracting Group LLC,* Louisville, Kentucky (N39430-20-D-2224); Aptim Federal Services LLC, Alexandria, Virginia (N39430-20-D-2225); CAPE-Burns and McDonnell JV, Kansas City, Missouri (N39430-20-D-2226); Weston Solutions Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania (N39430-20-D-2227); and Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions Inc., Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (N39430-20-D-2228), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract to provide sustainment, restoration and modernization services for petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) systems at various locations worldwide. The work to be performed provides for design, engineering, inspection, testing, maintenance and repair and new construction of POL fuel systems such as pipelines, fuel storage tanks, and associated facilities at POL facilities worldwide. The maximum dollar value of the 60-month ordering period for all eight contracts combined is $880,000,000. Aptim Federal Services LLC is being awarded the seed task order in the amount of $623,600 for clean, inspect and repair services of POL fuel storage tanks located at Naval Base Point Loma. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by November 2020. All work on this contract will be performed worldwide. Based on current trends, work will be distributed to the continental U.S. (CONUS) (35%); Far East (35%); Hawaii (15%); Europe (10%); and Marianas (5%). For the CONUS locations, the 35% is estimated to be distributed to California (10.5%); Virginia (10.5%); Florida (5.25%); Washington (5.25%); Texas (1.75%); Georgia (0.35%); Louisiana (0.35%); Maryland (0.35%); Nevada (0.35%); and North Carolina (0.35%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of February 2025. Fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds (DWCF) in the amount of $693,600 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by DWCF. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with 18 proposals received. These eight contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $470,813,279 firm-fixed price modification (P00084) to a previously-awarded fixed-price incentive-firm contract (N00019-14-C-0050). This modification exercises options to procure six low rate initial production lot II VH-92A aircraft, interim contractor support and six cabin interior reconfiguration kits in support of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (50%); Coatesville, Pennsylvania (36%); Owego, New York (10%); Patuxent River, Maryland (3%); and Quantico, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $470,813,279 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is awarded a $121,507,441 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-17-C-5145 for the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) 1000 ship class integrated logistics support and engineering services. The DDG 1000 ship class is a multi-mission surface combatant designed to fulfill volume firepower and precision strike requirements. DDG 1000 combat systems provide offensive, distributed and precision firepower and long ranges in support of forces ashore while incorporating signature reduction, active and passive self-defense system and enhanced survivability features. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (40%); Tewksbury, Massachusetts (27%); San Diego, California (16%); Bath, Maine (6%); Ft. Wayne, Indiana (5%); Los Angeles, California (3%); Marlboro, Massachusetts (2%); and Nashua, New Hampshire (1%), and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,660,190; fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,650,000; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $621,000 will be obligated at the time of award, and funds in the amount of $16,281,190 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $40,029,200 modification (P00036) to a previously-awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-16-C-0048). This modification procures organic capability pilot repair material, technical publications, peculiar support equipment re-design and acquisition and logistical support in support of lot 2 CH-53K aircraft. Work will be performed in Shelton, Connecticut (78%); Stratford, Connecticut (21%); and Cherry Point, North Carolina (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $40,029,200 will be obligated at the time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. ARMY FN America LLC, Columbia, South Carolina, was awarded a $119,216,309 firm-fixed-price contract for the M4/M4A1 carbines. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-20-D-0006). DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC, Melbourne, Florida, was awarded a $21,470,307 firm-fixed-price contract for mission system computers, chief of section displays (CSD) and CSD chargers for the M777A2 Digital Fire Control System. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 19, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-20-D-0020). AIR FORCE L3 Harris Corp., Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $32,076,011 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00020) to contract FA8819-19-C-0002 for combat mission systems support sustainment Option Year One. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $24,978,900 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES JAB Innovative Solutions LLC, Bristow, Virginia, has been awarded an $8,849,120 firm-fixed-price and time and material contract for Defense Innovative Unit (DIU) scientific and technical consulting support services. DIU requires program management consulting services, with experience in scientific and technical industries, to assist with meeting the DIU core mission as the interface node between the Department of Defense (DoD), entrepreneurs, start-up firms, and commercial technology companies in Silicon Valley, California; Boston, Massachusetts; and Arlington, Virginia, to increase DoD access to leading edge commercial technologies and technical talent. Work performance will take place in Arlington, Virginia; Boston, Massachusetts; and Silicon Valley, California. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,849,120 are being awarded. The expected completion date is Sept. 18, 2021. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-18-F-0434). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2088143/source/GovDelivery/