10 février 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
AIR FORCE
Honeywell Inc., Clearwater, Florida, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with estimated ceiling of $3,517,000,000 for Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation System Modernization (EGI/EGI-M) follow-on production and sustainment. This contract provides production, sustainment and engineering technical services in support of the EGI/EGI-M system. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2035. This contract will allow foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 procurement funds in the amount of $1,635,018 are being obligated for the first order of EGIs for the F-15 aircraft. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8576-20-D-0001).
Engility Corp., Andover, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $655,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for services supporting the Space and Missile Systems Center Development Corps Innovation & Prototype Operations at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. This contract provides engineering, development, integration, and sustainment services supporting the current Ground System Enterprise throughout its evolution, including the transition to and buildout of Enterprise Ground Services. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and is expected to be complete by July 2, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with five proposals received. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA8818-20-D-0009).
Highlight Technologies LLC, Fairfax, Virginia, has been awarded a $7,708,136 hybrid firm-fixed-price, time and materials modification (P00004) to previously-awarded contract FA8730-19-F-0176 for the Kessel Run Enterprise Services Software Environment for Kessel Run Experimentation Labs. This modification provides the software environment management services for the Kessel Run Experimentation Labs and brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $14,502,143. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 14, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,483,737 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.
NAVY
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $347,714,510 modification to a previously-awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target advance acquisition contract (N00019-20-C-0009). This modification procures long lead materials, parts, components and support necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of 43 lot 15 F-35 aircraft for non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30%); El Segundo, California (25%); Warton, United Kingdom (20%); Orlando, Florida (10%); Nashua, New Hampshire (5%); Nagoya, Japan (5%); and Baltimore, Maryland (5%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Non-DoD participant funds in the amount of $204,964,510; and FMS funds in the amount of $142,750,000, 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.
WSP USA Inc., Federal Way, Washington, is awarded a $100,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for waterfront projects at various locations in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest (NW) area of operations. Initial task order is being awarded at $5,900,965 for multi-mission dry dock alternatives feasibility and engineering study in support of environmental impact statement development, Naval Base Kitsap and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed provides for an interdisciplinary team to furnish engineering and design services for waterfront projects at various locations predominantly serviced by NAVFAC NW. The design and engineering services will require expertise in architectural, mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, geotechnical, corrosion control, coastal, naval architect, fire protection, survey, cost and environmental disciplines as it pertains to Department of Defense facilities and systems. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by March 2021. All work on this contract will be performed in Washington state (90%); Alaska (1%); Idaho (1%); Iowa (1%); Minnesota (1%); Montana (1%); Nebraska (1%); Oregon (1%); North Dakota (1%); South Dakota (1%); and Wyoming (1%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of January 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M,N) contract funds in the amount of $5,900,965 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M,N. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with four proposals received. NAVFAC NW, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity (N44255-20-D-0001).
Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $38,204,181 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously-awarded contract N00024-12-C-2115 to exercise options to procure onboard repair parts for Virginia class attack submarines Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) Arkansas (SSN 800) and PCU Utah (SSN 801). Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by February 2023 for PCU Arkansas and August 2023 for PCU Utah. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $9,797,000 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. The statutory authority for this sole-source award is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Platforms & Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $19,187,652 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-15-C-4103 for long lead time materials in support of the Virginia class attack submarines (SSN 804) and (SSN 805) propulsor components. This modification provides the required long lead time materials needed for the fixed components in support of the SSN 804 and SSN 805 Virginia class submarine propulsor. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky (90%); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (10%), and is expected to be completed by February 2024. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $19,187,652 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
American Petroleum Tankers LLC, Blue Bay, Pennsylvania, is awarded $15,792,900 for a firm-fixed-price modification with reimbursable elements to a previously-awarded contract N32205-17-C-3502. This modification provides for the second one-year option for one U.S.-flagged vessel in support of the Department of Defense Logistics Agency Energy aboard the Motor Vessel Evergreen State. Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed, if all options are exercised by Jan. 8, 2023. This contract includes a one-year firm period of performance, three one-year option periods and one 11-month option period. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $10,140,250 for fiscal 2020; and $5,652,650 for fiscal 2021, are obligated and will not expire. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $12,941,188 firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously-awarded basic ordering agreement N00024-19-G-5107 for shipboard and shore-based spare parts. This order covers installation and checkout, coordinated shipboard allowance list and coordinated shore-based material/maintenance allowance list spares. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts (86%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (9%); and Chesapeake, Virginia (5%), and is expected to be completed by March 2022. This contract involves foreign military sales to the Republic of Korea (51%); and government of Japan (49%). Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $12,941,188 will be obligated at the time of award. This order was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this order was not competitively procured (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-20-F-5108).
POWER Engineers Inc., Hailey, Idaho, is awarded a $10,493,283 firm-fixed-price task order N62742-20-F-0306 modification P00003 under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for various electrical engineering projects and related services at various locations in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific area of operations. The work to be performed provides design and engineering services to prepare a design-bid-build construction package consisting of full plans, specifications, detailed cost estimate and other services as required to construct a new multi-story operations center to replace Building 112. Also included are two new single-story warehouses at U. S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Finegayan and at United States Naval Base Guam (U.S. NBG); an underground pathway and ducting to support a 23-mile 288-strand fiber optic cable between Andersen Air Force Base and U.S. NBG. Work will be performed in Dededo, Guam, and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2019 military construction (planning and design) contract funds in the amount of $10,493,283 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. NAVFAC Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-16-D-0002).
CORRECTION: A contract action announced on Feb. 6, 2020, to Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, for $7,598,226 should have identified a definitized contract action to previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-2111, not “undefinitized.” All other information in the announcement is correct.
ARMY
L3 Technologies Inc., Muskegon, Michigan, was awarded a $59,056,763 contract for 235 eHydro-Mechanically Propelled Operational Reliability [THOR] II Transmission 800s in a mix of both new and remanufactured configurations. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Muskegon, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Army working capital funds in the amount of $59,037,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-15-C-0119).
EA-SCF JV,* Hunt Valley, Maryland, was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for environmental services at Fort Belvoir. 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 Feb. 6, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-20-D-0014).
Dyncorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded an $11,361,712 modification (P00028) to contract W58RGZ-19-C-0025 for aviation maintenance services. Work will be performed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Bangor, Maine; and Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement, Army; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $11,361,712 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama is the contracting activity.
Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies Inc., North Bethesda, Maryland, was awarded a $9,258,000 modification (P00001) to contract W911S0-19-D-0009 to provide industry standard, nationally recognized training and certifications to verify and validate student proficiency in cybersecurity roles as defined in the Joint Cyberspace Training and Certification Standards Concept of Operations. 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 Feb. 5, 2021. Fort Gordon, Georgia, is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Otis Products Inc.,* Lyons Falls, New York, has been awarded a maximum $33,688,736 firm-fixed-price contract for gun cleaning kits. This was a competitive acquisition with two offers received. This is a three-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a Feb. 6, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-20-D-0076).
UPDATE: Atlantic Diving Supply Inc., doing businesses as ADS Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (SPE8EC-20-D-0051), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0010 announced May 31, 2017.
UPDATE: Truck Country of Wisconsin Inc., De Forest, Wisconsin (SPE8EC-20-D-0053), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0008 announced April 20, 2017.
UPDATE: Wright & Wright Machinery Co., Inc.,** Monticello, Kentucky (SPE8EC-20-D-0054), has been added as an awardee to the multiple-award contract issued against solicitation SPE8EC-17-R-0002 announced Nov. 8, 2016.
*Small business
**Veteran-owned small business
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2078385/source/GovDelivery/
20 octobre 2024 | International, Terrestre
Bi-NYX is a binocular night vision solution providing the true stereoscopic vision needed by specialist frontline sections and vehicle drivers, in particular, to operate at night and in difficult terrain.
12 décembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
ARMY Galveston Coastal Services JV, Houston, Texas, was awarded a $228,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering 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 Dec. 10, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-20-D-0001). Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $22,441,319 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to design, develop and validate system prototypes for a combined arms squad. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2019 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funds in the amount of $11,323,800 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912CG-20-C-0005). NAVY Ahtna-CDM JV,* Irvine, California (N62473-20-D-0026); R. A. Burch Construction Inc.,* Ramona, California (N62473-20-D-0027); Bristol Design Build Services LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N62473-20-D-0028); Insight Pacific LLC,* Brea, California (N62473-20-D-0029); I.E.-Pacific Inc.,* Escondido, California (N62473-20-D-0030); Patricia I. Romero Inc., doing business as Pacific West Builders,* National City, California (N62473-20-D-0031); and Heffler Contracting Group,* El Cajon, California (N62473-20-D-0032), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award design-build construction contract for construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of operations (AO). The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition and repair work by design-build or by design-bid-build of commercial and institutional facilities, administrative and industrial facilities, housing facilities, child care centers, lodges, recreational/fitness centers, retail complexes, warehouses, offices, community centers, medical facilities, operational airfield facilities, hangars, armories, fire stations, auditoriums, religious facilities and manufacturing facilities. The maximum dollar value including the base two-year performance period and one three-year option period for all seven contracts combined is $99,999,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on this contract will be performed primarily within the NAVFAC Southwest AO which includes California (55%); Nevada (40%); Arizona (1%); Colorado (1%); New Mexico (1%); Utah (1%); and remainder of the U.S. (1%), with an expected completion date of December 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) (O&M,N) contract funds in the amount of $35,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M,N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 33 proposals received. These seven contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Etolin Strait Partners LLC,* Norfolk, Virginia, was awarded a $30,000,000, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price job order contract for minor construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington, District of Columbia, area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for the accomplishment of various maintenance, repair, alteration and minor new construction projects to government facilities located primarily within the NAVFAC. The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the task order's request for proposal. Work will be performed primarily in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M) funding in the amount $10,000 and will expire at the end of fiscal 2019. Future task orders will be funded primarily by military construction (Navy); O&M (Navy); O&M (Defense Logistics Agency); and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 11 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-19-D-0007). (Awarded Sept. 30, 2019) AIR FORCE Nightingale Corp., Tonawanda, New York (FA8003-20-A-0001); Great Journey West LLC, Saint Charles, Missouri (FA8003-20-A-0002); SCS Integrated Support Solutions LLC, Manassas, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0003); Feigus Inc., Wall, New Jersey (FA8003-20-A-0004); Govsolutions Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0005); SLM Contract Furniture Inc., San Diego, California (FA8003-20-A-0006); Workplace Solutions Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0007); NxVet LLC, Woodbridge, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0008); Seating Inc., Nunda, New York (FA8003-20-A-0009); and Trade Products Corp., Fairfax, Virginia (FA8003-20-A-0010), have been awarded an $80,000,000 multiple award blanket purchase agreement for executive, task, conference room and side chairs. This agreement provides for delivery of office chairs at a discount off General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedules pricing to Air Force offices in the continental U.S. Work will be performed at Tonawanda, New York; Hawthorne, California; Buena Park, California; Bryan, Texas; Hillsboro, Oregon; and Nunda, New York, and is expected to be completed by December 2024. This award is the result of a 100% small business set-aside competitive acquisition and 26 offers were received. Current fiscal year operations and maintenance funds will be obligated with each order and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Thomas Scientific LLC, Swedesboro, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $49,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for laboratory supplies. This was a competitive acquisition with 15 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no options. Location of performance is New Jersey, with a Dec. 18, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-20-D-0006). KaVo Dental Technologies LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency electronic catalog. This was a competitive acquisition with 101 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Dec. 10, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-20-D-0026). Duck Delivery Produce Inc.,* Portland, Oregon, has been awarded a maximum $26,000,000 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a 48-month contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Oregon and Washington state, with a Dec. 10, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Department of Agriculture schools and reservations. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-S740). Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $12,141,494 firm-fixed-price, definitive type contract for Biological Agent Warning System 4 Plus Assembly units. 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 one-year contract with one one-year option period being exercised at the time of award. Location of performance is North Carolina, with an April 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-C-0014). KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $9,690,076 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for hydrant fueling automation maintenance. 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 17-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are all 50 states, Japan, Wake Island, South Korea, Guam, Diego Garcia, Portugal, Crete, Spain, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the United Kingdom, with a May 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0006). KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $7,936,316 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated tank gauging, independent alarm system, and overfill protection equipment maintenance. 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 21-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are Belgium, Djibouti, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom with a Sept. 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0005). U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Marine Terminals Corp., San Pedro, California, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract, HTC711-20-D-R003, in the amount of $34,025,191. The contract provides stevedoring and terminal services at Port Naval Base Ventura County-Port Hueneme and the Port of San Diego. Work will be performed at Port Naval Base, Ventura County-Port Hueneme and the Port of San Diego, California. The contract base period of performance is from Feb. 7, 2020, to Feb. 6, 2025. Fiscal 2020 transportation working capital funds were obligated at award. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2038047/source/GovDelivery/
25 mai 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval
Face aux retards pris dans le programme de drone MALE européen, General Atomics pousse un concept de location, avec ou sans équipages. Du drone MALE en location Dans la famille General Atomics, on trouvait le Predator, le Reaper, le Sky Gardian et voici maintenant... le MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) disponible à la location ! La firme californienne a déjà démontré la viabilité d'un Reaper prêt à surveiller pour l'US Marine Corps : plus de 7 000 heures de vol ont ainsi été réalisés par des équipages de la société pour le compte des « Leathernecks », et en zone opérationnelle (Afghanistan) de surcroît. Cette démonstration sans la moindre anicroche pourrait bien faire école. Car dans l'éternelle et nécessaire progression capacitaire, les Etats butent souvent sur deux écueils : d'une part, trouver les ressources budgétaires pour acheter l'engin et le mettre en vol dans la durée. D'autre part, identifier puis former la ressource humaine, hautement qualifiée, qui doit assurer le vol lui-même, dont le coeur figure dans l'équipage à quatre personnels. Toujours pas de drone européen General Atomics croit donc à son concept de location, avec ou sans équipage, y compris en Europe, pour venir compléter les flottes exploitées par les Etats eux-mêmes. Des formules de ce type sont déjà employées pour d'autres vecteurs à peine moins sensibles, les avions ISR, notamment par la... France, grande consommatrice depuis une dizaine d'années. Le Reaper est servi par un coût d'exploitation relativement bas, à 2700 dollars l'heure de vol, un coût imbattable lié à son unique turbine PT-6, l'aérodynamique du Reaper fait le reste. Alors que les Européens de l'Ouest sont toujours à t'tonner pour savoir comment résoudre leurs problèmes de MALE, avec un drone européen toujours sans accord Français, au moins. La ministre des Armées estime que le concept d'Airbus, essentiellement tourné vers les besoins Allemands, coûte bien trop cher (deux fois plus cher qu'un Sky Guardian adapté aux besoins européens, l'Euro-Guardian) et ne répond pas aux besoins Français. La Marine veut aussi du MALE Dopée par les résultats de son Reaper Block 1 (déjà ancien mais toujours vaillant), l'Armée de l'Air ne peut que constater que l'appareil désormais armé a déjà raflé 40 % des frappes depuis le début de l'année au Sahel. Elle a aussi constaté que le programme européen a déjà au moins trois ans de retard et n'arrivera donc pas, au mieux, avant 2028. Sans préjuger du destin du programme de MALE Européen... ou de la rejointe sur un programme d'Euro-Guardian, qui pourrait faire la place aux sociétés européennes, les besoins en locations seront, de toute façon, patents. D'autant plus que la Marine nationale a aussi clairement exprimé son besoin pour un MALE, et n'a pas exclu d'en loger dans son programme AVSIMAR (avion de surveillance et d'intervention maritime). https://air-cosmos.com/article/dfense-general-atomics-pousse-son-drone-male-23102