8 avril 2024 | International, Terrestre

Canada’s new defence policy has no timeline for hitting NATO’s 2 per cent spending target

Unveiled on Monday, the long-awaited defence policy update projects Canada’s military spending to increase to 1.76 per cent of the national GDP by the end of the decade.

https://www.ipolitics.ca/news/canadas-new-defence-policy-has-no-timeline-for-hitting-natos-2-per-cent-spending-target

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  • More than one company could get cash to build the Air Force’s AI-equipped Skyborg drone

    21 mai 2020 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR

    More than one company could get cash to build the Air Force’s AI-equipped Skyborg drone

    By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has kicked off a competition for one of its most highly anticipated tech programs, a drone known as Skyborg that will use artificial intelligence to make decisions in battle. The service released a solicitation May 15 for Skyborg prototypes, which will merge autonomous, low-cost aircraft with a suite of artificial intelligence capabilities. The Air Force envisions Skyborg as a family of drones — each designed for a specific mission or set of missions — with modular hardware and software payloads and a common AI backbone, which will allow software to be rapidly updated across the fleet. The Air Force intends to give multiple companies $400 million to develop different versions of the Skyborg system, although it reserves the right to award just one or no contracts. Proposals are due June 15, with awards projected around July 8, according to the solicitation. Once under contract, companies will “conduct research to develop, demonstrate, integrate and transition air vehicle, payload and autonomy technologies and systems that will provide affordable, revolutionary capabilities to the warfighter through the Skyborg program,” the Air Force said. The service previously intended to use experimentation and prototyping to have Skyborg operational by 2023. Skyborg will be what the service calls an attritable system, meaning that aircraft loss is expected and can be tolerated even though the system is not considered expendable and can be reused. Aircraft should “generate massed combat power with minimal logistical footprints,” with cost per unit and the price of operating and maintaining the air vehicles a “small fraction” for that of the Air Force's existing fighter inventory, according to the solicitation. Air Force acquisition executive Will Roper has compared Skyborg to R2-D2, the Star Wars droid that feeds Luke Skywalker helpful information while piloting an X-Wing. Skyborg would build up efficacy on its own via artificial intelligence by working with manned pilots, who would issue commands to the drone and provide feedback on the data presented by it. Last year, Roper told Defense News that the service was exploring the possibility of teaming Skyborg both with the Lockheed Martin F-35 and the Boeing F-15EX aircraft. The ability to team manned fighter jets with smart, autonomous drones could “open up the door for an entirely different way to do aerial combat,” he said in May 2019. “We can take risk with some systems to keep others safer,” he said at the time. “We can separate the sensor and the shooter. Right now they're collocated on a single platform with a person in it. In the future, we can separate them out, put sensors ahead of shooters, put our manned systems behind the unmanned.” Numerous aircraft companies are expected to bid on the Skyborg solicitation. Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is already working with the Air Force on its XQ-58A Valkyrie drone, which logged its fourth successful flight test in January as part of the Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology program. Earlier this month, Boeing rolled out its own loyal wingman drone, the Airpower Teaming System. The Royal Australian Air Force has committed to buy three of those systems for experimentation under its Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program. General Atomics and Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works each plan to offer their own aircraft proposals, according to Air Force Magazine. In fiscal 2021, the Air Force intends to spend $157.6 million across its three “vanguard programs,” which includes the Skyborg effort. The service also included an additional $25 million for Skyborg on its unfunded priorities list, which would allow it to begin integrating UAVs with artificial intelligence software. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/05/20/more-than-one-company-could-get-cash-to-build-the-air-forces-ai-equipped-skyborg-drone

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 30, 2019

    31 juillet 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 30, 2019

    ARMY BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, York, Pennsylvania, was awarded an $88,000,000 modification (P00024) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for long lead material associated with the build of the Self-Propelled Howitzer, Carrier-Ammunition Tracked Vehicle, as well as the gathering of parts associated with the total package fielding package in relation to Option 2. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $88,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Tidewater,* Elkridge, Maryland (W912DY-19-D-0017); NIKA Technologies Inc.,* Rockville, Maryland (W912DY-19-D-0004); Bowers & Kubota Consulting,* Waipahu, Hawaii (W912DY-19-D-0019); and HFS Co.,* San Antonio, Texas (W912DY-19-D-0018), will compete for each order of the $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for project management support, quantity verification and analysis representative, project integration, and other medical support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 5, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $24,436,905 modification (P00116) to contract W911S0-11-C-0014 for support services in combined arms education, doctrine, and leadership training. Work will be performed in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $24,436,905 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity. General Atomics Aeronautical System Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a $21,742,996 modification (00005P) to contract W58RGZ-18-C-0037 for MQ-1C Gray Eagle extended range aircraft unique initial spares and ground support equipment. Work will be performed in Poway, California, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2021. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $21,742,996 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for general design architect-engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Concord, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (W912WJ-19-D-0011). Accenture Federal Services, Arlington, Virginia, was awarded an $11,793,894 modification (P00026) to contract W52P1J-17-C-0022 for General Fund Enterprise Business System-Sensitive Activities cloud migration to IL6. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $2,681,158 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Schuyler Line Navigation Co. LLC,* Annapolis, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $43,103,161 firm-fixed-price contract for liquefied natural gas. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Maryland and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with a June 30, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2024 operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency, Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE604-19-D-7518). Pocono Profoods Inc., Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $15,610,588 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. 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 361-day contract with no option periods. Location of performance is New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a July 25, 2020, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-19-D-3229 and Admin contract SPE30019DA047). NAVY Ultra Electronics Advanced Tactical Systems Inc. Austin, Texas, is awarded a $39,920,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the sustainment and upgrade of the Common Aviation Command and Control System Virtual Air Defense System Integrator. The program is managed within the portfolio of Program Executive Officer Land Systems, Quantico, Virginia. Work will be performed in Austin, Texas, and is expected to be completed by July 29, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,188,092 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award, and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code § 2304(c)(1). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-19-D-0001). Harris Corp., Clifton, New Jersey, is awarded $31,312,350 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N00019-19-F-0046 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0003) to procure 77 Generation 2 Digital Receiver/Technique Generator Shop Replaceable Assemblies (SRAs) and Switch Board Assemblies to support (V)4 to A(V)4 conversions and SRAs to support Repair of Repairables, along with the associated AN/ALQ-214B(V)4/5 part number change. Work will be performed in Clifton, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed in July 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount $31,312,350 will be obligated at 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. Ultra-Electronics, Undersea Sensor Systems Inc., Columbia City, Indiana, is awarded a $24,865,776 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract containing firm-fixed-price provisions to manufacture, test, inspect, package and deliver first article and production DT-511C and DT-592D hydrophones. Work will be performed in Columbia City, Indiana, and is expected to be complete by July 2024. Fiscal 2019 and 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $3,205,793 will be obligated on the first delivery order at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with two offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-19-D-E900). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $14,296,116 firm-fixed-price, definite-quantity contract action for production of AN/SPY-1 radar solid state switch assembly modification kits. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by November 2021. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,296,116 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-19-C-WP57). Power Pro Plus Inc.,* Rancho Cucamonga, California, is awarded $12,204,059 for firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-4769 under a previously awarded, multiple award construction contract (N62473-17-D-4620) for construction of communication line operations to administration at Naval Air Station Lemoore. This project constructs a communication ductbank and manhole system to supplement the existing communication lines in support of F-35C information technology and communication system. This project will provide diverse, multiple path, communication routes within the base in secure underground communication lines. This project will also provide secondary connection between the base operations area and the base administration area. The ductbanks will be concrete encased and reinforced under paved areas and at roadway crossings. At railroad crossings, the ductbank will require directional bore with steel sleeves and will be buried at an appropriate depth under the ground surface. Manholes will be provided in the ductbank runs and as required at transition points. Full size manholes will be provided in the main cantonment areas of the base. Work will be performed in Lemoore, California, and is expected to be completed by May 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,204,059 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded $10,565,320 for modification P00148 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0067). This modification procures 16 P-8A A-Kits and 16 Turret Deployment Units for Lots 8 and 9 full-rate production aircraft. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (55%); Mesa, Arizona (44%); and Winnipeg, Canada (1%), and is expected to be completed in August 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,565,320 will be obligated at time of award, $5,650,704 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis, Oregon, is awarded an $8,741,152 cooperative research agreement to conduct research for a machine common sense (MCS) service for artificial intelligence and robotic systems. The service will learn MCS planning and inference capabilities about objects, agents and places equivalent to the capabilities of an 18-month-old infant. OSU will train the service using a first-person infant simulator, driven by real world infant behavior data. This is a four-year contract with no option periods. Work will be performed at OSU in Corvallis, Oregon. The period of performance of the award is from July 30, 2019, through July 29, 2023. The type of funding to be obligated is research, development, test and evaluation (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). This effort was competitively procured via a broad agency announcement and publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 23 proposals received and nine were selected for award. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-2-4035). AIR FORCE Watterson Construction Co., Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $9,363,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of weapons load training building at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. This contract provides renovation to Building 1340 to accommodate the addition of operations for the two incoming F-35A squadrons, as well as accommodating unique requirements for the F-35A aircraft to include architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and fire protection work. Work will be performed at Eielson AFB, Alaska, and is expected to be completed by May 15, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and seven offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,363,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The 354th Contracting Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, is the contracting activity (FA5004-19-C-A010). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1920997/source/GovDelivery/

  • French aviation rescue plan bets on defence helicopters, drones and tankers

    11 juin 2020 | International, Aérospatial

    French aviation rescue plan bets on defence helicopters, drones and tankers

    The French government has pledged to buy new military heavy-lift helicopters and accelerate plans for naval drone, ISTAR and tanker aircraft programmes as part of a wider economic stimulus package, worth €15 billion ($17 billion), aimed at protecting the country's aviation industry from faltering under the strain of COVID-19. Based on the PlanAero initative, a decision to specifically issue the defence industry with funding of €600 million means that eight H225M rotary platforms will be ordered, while orders for three A330 MRTT and one Beechcraft King Air 350 ALSR will be expedited. VSR700 rotary-wing UAS and Aliaca mini drone plans have also been brought forward. The H225M order confirms that Paris will opt for it as a replacement for legacy French Air Force Puma helicopters while the new A330 MRTT arrangements will lead to retirement of the A340 being reset from 2028 to this year. A310s will similarly be taken out of service in 2021 – two years earlier than scheduled. The ALSR is under contract with Thales and Sabena Technics with a host of additional French suppliers contributing to the programme, including Ecrin, Aquitaine Electronics, Arelis, Avantix, Elvia and Protoplane, although a 9 June announcement from the French Ministry of Armed Forces does not mention a delivery date for the aircraft. PlanAero unmanned details include the addition of a second VSR700 demonstrator as part of the French Navy's SDAM programme but new commitments for the effort and the navy's SMDM mini drone programme stop short of exact order quantities. SDAM has been contracted to Airbus and Naval Group who have designed the in-development VSR700 from the Cabri G2 light helicopter, while SurveyCopter supplies the Aliaca for SMDM. 'This additional SDAM demonstrator will enable the programme to further secure the next steps, and in particular the development of technologies and the refinement of specifications to meet the French Navy's operational requirements,' an Airbus spokesperson told Shephard. The VSR700 is due to enter service in 2028 and boasts a 500-1,000kg MTOW capability. In November 2019, Airbus announced the platform had undergone tethered flight testing with future free flight trials anticipated. A VSR700 demonstrator phase. to include ship-based flights off French Navy frigates, has been laid out as part of risk reduction activities that were originally due to be completed by 2021. Shipborne deployments from the future FTI medium frigate are a longer-term target. Following on from France's aviation support plan, the European Commission warned on 10 June that budgetary pressures stemming from COVID-19 could impact member states, calling on them to 'spend better together'. In a joint statement Josep Borrell, VP of the European Commission and Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, said that common capabilities, critical technologies and infrastructure must be strengthened but they questioned if Europe had given itself 'the means to do so'. https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/french-aviation-rescue-plan-bets-defence-helicopte/

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