€328 million order in Romania: Rheinmetall to modernize NATO partner's air defence systems

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  1 décembre 2020 | International, Naval

  Asia-Pacific militaries bet on unmanned systems to meet regional challenges

  By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — Asia-Pacific nations are embracing the use of unmanned solutions for maritime missions, with several nations bordering the Pacific Ocean and with extensive littorals either operating or planning to acquire unmanned systems for use in the domain. The countries' reasons for doing so vary, from a desire to monitor the activities of China's increasingly powerful and assertive Navy to watching for pirates or transnational criminals. And the platforms chosen range from Australia's Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton ― a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV ― to the more modest Insitu ScanEagle, which the U.S. government has donated to a number of Southeast Asian nations. Taiwan watches China In early November the Trump administration approved four separate arms sales requests from Taiwan, including one for four General Atomics MQ-9B “weapons-ready” unmanned aircraft, for an estimated value of $600 million. The package also includes the Raytheon SeaVue maritime multirole patrol radars, suggesting Taiwan will acquire the SeaGuardian variant of the MQ-9B. The package also includes two mobile ground control stations, 14 embedded inertial navigation/global positioning systems, and Wescam MX-20 multispectral targeting systems. No weapons were included in the package, although the SeaGuardian can carry laser-guided bombs and Hellfire air-to-ground missiles. The drone's manufacturer, General Atomics, has displayed artwork showing the aircraft carrying sonobuoy dispensers and lightweight torpedoes. The U.S. Defense Security and Cooperation Agency, in announcing the potential deal, said the “proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by providing timely Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition, and counter-land, counter-sea, and anti-submarine strike capabilities for its security and defense.” (DSCA announcements do not represent final sales. If there is no congressional objection, the customer can begin negotiating over price and quantities, which often change by the time a final sale is completed.) The SeaGuardian would certainly improve Taiwan's information-sharing capabilities with American forces, a critical consideration in the event of a potential invasion by China, which sees the self-governing island as a rogue province and has vowed to reincorporate it with the mainland, by force if necessary. Japan's Coast Guard operations U.S. ally Japan, which has warily eyed China's increasingly powerful military and paramilitary forces, has also shown interest in the SeaGuardian. General Atomics has been marketing the drone to Japan's Coast Guard, which is seeking an unmanned aerial system for the persistent monitoring of foreign vessels operating within Japan's vast exclusive economic zone, or EEZ. These foreign vessels include fishing boats suspected as being part of China's Maritime Militia or Coast Guard. These forces have frequently entered the contiguous zone of the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands that China also claims as its own. The SeaGuardian recently participated in a demonstration for the Japanese Coast Guard, which is the country's primary agency in charge of maritime safety during peacetime in its territorial waters and EEZ. When these bodies of water are combined, the area makes up the sixth largest of its kind in the world. According to the Coast Guard, the SeaGuardian flew a total of 150 hours over 13 flights during the demonstration, which showcased its various capabilities. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is also likely to seek a similar UAV to complement its manned aircraft and helicopters. The American footprint Meanwhile, in southeast Asia, several countries are receiving Insitu ScanEagle drones under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The region faces challenges ranging from the ongoing dispute between six neighbors — including China — over the ownership of the potentially resource-rich Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, to longstanding issues over piracy. A Pentagon contract announced in 2019 saw almost $48 million awarded to Boeing subsidiary Insitu for 34 ScanEagles destined for the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, which will take delivery of 12, eight, eight and six ScanEagles respectively by 2022. Deliveries have already started, with Malaysia receiving its first ScanEagle in May this year. It is unclear whether the funds for this contract came from the Pentagon's partner capacity-building program or the department's maritime security initiative for regional countries, announced in 2015. One potential application for unmanned aircraft in the maritime environment is search and rescue. Another U.S. Indo-Pacific ally, Australia, is developing artificial intelligence to assist in such missions. The algorithm is expected to help recognize life rafts and other vessels in the water. The Royal Australian Air Force has already run several test flights to trial its system, which is equipped with a sensor and processor built from commercial off-the-shelf components, such as GoPro cameras, that can potentially be fitted onto any manned and unmanned aircraft. During the trials, it was found the AI system performed better than humans in sighting and identifying objects in the water, such as life rafts. It was also able to recognize a black, upturned life raft 70 percent of the time — a notable outcome given the AI was trained to recognize the orange color of an upright life raft. https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2020/11/30/asia-pacific-militaries-bet-on-unmanned-systems-to-meet-regional-challenges/

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  1 mars 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 25, 2019

  NAVY DZSP 21 LLC, Marlton, New Jersey, is awarded a $106,378,427 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for base operations support services at Joint Region Marianas, Guam. The work to be performed provides for facility and base operating support for the following services: management and administration, port operations, ordnance, material management, facility management, sustainment, restoration and modernization, electrical, wastewater, steam, hot water and demineralized water, potable water, transportation, and environmental. Work will be performed at various locations on the island of Guam and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 working capital funds (Navy and Defense); fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation Air Force working capital funds; fiscal 2019 and 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force, Defense); fiscal 2019 family housing operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps, Army, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard); fiscal 2019 health program funds (Defense); and fiscal 2019 commissary agency (Defense) contract funds in the amount of $106,378,427, of which $96,495,650 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and $9,882,777 are subject to the availability of funds. This contract was issued as a sole-source procurement under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-19-C-1175). Micro Systems Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is awarded a $22,986,171 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production, repairs services and associated ancillary equipment for the systems for Naval Target Control Block II and III in support of Navy aerial targets. Work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,219,199 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001919D0020). L-3 KEO, Northampton, Massachusetts, is awarded a $19,299,276 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-6252 to exercise options for the production of the Universal Modular Mast. The Universal Modular Mast serves as a lifting mechanism for Virginia class mast payloads. Work will be performed in Bologna, Italy (74 percent); and Northampton, Massachusetts (26 percent), and is expected to be complete by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $19,299,276 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. Leidos Corp., Reston, Virginia, is awarded an $11,560,339 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure non-recurring engineering efforts to analyze, define and document system and subsystem requirements for capability enhancements to integrate the adaptive radar countermeasures program on the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (50 percent); Clifton, New Jersey (25 percent); Goleta, California (10 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (10 percent); Raleigh, North Carolina (3 percent); and Huntsville, Alabama (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,560,339 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0051). Clark Nexsen-CH2m Hill JV Norfolk, Englewood, Colorado, is awarded a $9,500,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineering services design projects located throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) area of responsibility worldwide (AOR). The primary tasks anticipated under this contract include DD Form 1391 documentation, design-build request for proposals, plans, specifications, cost estimates, related studies, field investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, program management, conceptual designs, soil borings, hazardous materials identification, energy computation, life safety code studies, interior space comprehensive planning/design, conceptual designs, value engineering, other associated engineering services, shop drawing review, as-built drawing preparation, operation and maintenance support information, commissioning, and construction inspection and engineering consultation services during construction. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $24,500,000. Critical projects are planned to be performed in the NAVFAC AOR worldwide, including but not limited to, Djibouti (53 percent); Italy (30 percent); Spain (12 percent); and Greece (5 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of November 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-17-D-5004). DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded $8,893,970 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0002419F5617 under previously-awarded contract N00024-15-D-5201 for 18 Technology Insertion 16 air-cooled Common Processing System cabinets and two remote access servers. The Common Processing System provides the computer processing and memory, data storage and extraction and input/output interfaces to support host software applications of Navy combat systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,893,970 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. Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded an $8,892,173 firm-fixed-price modification under previously-awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-17-D-0016 to exercise an option for development, product improvement and prototyping support of various aircrew escape systems managed under the Joint Program Office for Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Device Tri-Service Charter. This requirement is for engineering, technical, administrative and programmatic management support for total life cycle management of the various aircrew escape systems. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by January 2020. No additional funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,968,022 modification (P00031) to previously awarded contract HR0011-16-F-0005 for Enterprise Support Services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $95,553,943 from $70,585,921. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of May 2020. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $24,632,633 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a $19,459,236 firm-fixed-price delivery order (FA8504-19-F-0008-P00001) to previously awarded contract FA8504-17-D-0002 for C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. This delivery order provides for funding Option II flying hours. Work will be performed primarily at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and also at various locations that support C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. Work is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award, and this order brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $90,165,776. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins AFB, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Textron Defense Systems, Wilmington, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $15,956,064 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to previously awarded contract FA8204-14-D-0001 for the MK12A Mod 5 F Midsection remanufacturing program. This modification extends the ordering period of the original requirements contract by five years. Work is being performed at Wilmington, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by March 5, 2025. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. LoadPath, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded a $14,899,737 ceiling cost-reimbursement contract for Advanced Spacecraft Systems with Integrated Structural Thermal Technologies (ASSISTT). This contract provides for the advancement of the technology and scientific knowledge in the areas of deployable structures, thermal systems, RF antenna structures, integrated structural sensing, and advanced manufacturing. Work will be performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2024. This contract was the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $440,670 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-19-C-0002). Engineered Arresting Systems Corp., doing business as Zodiac Arresting Systems America, Aston, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $9,679,711 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the Textile Aircraft Arresting Systems (TAAS) This contract provides for the production of the TAAS, a onetime emergency use overrun aircraft arresting system designed for use with tail hook equipped fighter aircraft, or non-hook equipped aircraft when couples with a net barrier engaging system. Work will be performed in Merpins, France, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 28, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition, and no funds were obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8533-17-D-0001). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2017) ARMY Next-CEI JV LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0002); R&I Construction Inc.,* Aiea, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0003); D&D Construction Inc.,* Waipahu, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0004); and Amethyst Builders LLC,* Ewa Beach, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0005), will compete for each order of the $16,800,000 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration and modernization. Thirty bids were solicited with 19 bids received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. U.S. Army 413th Combat Support Battalion, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Silver Oak Leaf, Inc.,** Alpharetta, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $16,074,375 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for blouses and trousers for the Type III, Navy Working Uniform. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is an 18-month base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Puerto Rico and Georgia, with a Feb. 24, 2021, estimated performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1135). * Small Business **Service-disabled veteran-owned small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1766751/

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  2 mars 2023 | International, Aérospatial

  Another Air Force fleet grounded over fears plane tails may fall off

  E-3 Sentry aerial target tracking planes are the latest to undergo inspection for subpar tail pins.