14 janvier 2019 | International, Terrestre

Here’s when the Army will pick three companies to build the M16/M4 and SAW replacements for soldiers and Marines

By:

By the end of this summer, the Army plans to pick three vendors to build prototypes of the weapons that will replace the M16/M4 and the Squad Automatic Weapon for both soldiers and Marines, both in a new, common cartridge.

In the coming weeks, officials will release the official “prototype opportunity notice” with detailed expectations of the new weapons family, including not only the new caliber but also what it wants from the weapons' fire control system.

Companies will then have between two and four months to submit their samples for Army officials at Program Executive Office Soldier, Crew Served Weapons to evaluate.

At the same time, submissions for a SAW replacement, which was part of an earlier effort that helped lead to this approach, will undergo test-firings in July. That will then close the previous prototyping.

Once officials select the three vendors in late summer, officials said, they are expected to have 27 months to mature and finalize the weapon.

That means the long-awaited replacement for the basic weapons at the core of Army and Marine squad firepower could be ready for troops by 2021.

That far outpaces what used to be the norm for acquiring new weapons, Lt. Col. Jason Bohannon, head of PEO Soldier, Crew Served Weapons, told Military Times in a recent interview. That was because the program was approved last year for rapid prototyping.

Bohannon said that allowed the program to “jumpstart” weapon and fire control development.

Otherwise, the simple requirements approval portion would have taken at least two years.

The testing on the first initiative from last year, the SAW replacement, allowed for what Bohannon called an “unprecedented dialogue with the small arms industrial base.”

For more than a decade, researchers and industry experts have advocated for an intermediate caliber replacement for the 5.56mm round. Some advocated for simply converting existing 5.56mm rifles to a 6mm caliber with upper receiver swaps.

The Army as a whole received a lot of criticism from experts in those areas for continuing on with the 5.56mm, even with enhanced round versions of the caliber.

But, Bohannon said that the Army had squeezed out advances not only in the round but also in the weapons platform of the M16/M4, which has seen hundreds of modifications since it first hit units more than half a century ago.

For true “leap-ahead” changes, Bohannon said, “You really had to take a systems approach.”

Less than a year ago, the search for a replacement caliber was being kept within the intermediate range, anything from 5.56mm to 7.62mm, the existing calibers used in small units.

Most saw something in the 6mm range as ideal, based on decades of ballistics research and advocacy.

The service narrowed in on the 6.8mm round, but it has kept how that round is delivered up to industry submissions — they're looking for weight savings so polymer, cased telescope, and hybrid materials such as stainless steel, are all on the table.

But while it doesn't get as much attention as the new round, the fire control system is likely as important to the new system.

For that, officials are expecting the submission to have three fire control capabilities built into one device — a laser range finder, ballistic computer and disturbed reticle.

Those are advancements that put basic infantry shooting on par with sniper equipment.

And they're not the end of development.

The fire control will have to be compatible with the upcoming Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular, expected to field near the end of the year and with the Family Weapons Sights-Individual system, which includes thermal capabilities and Rapid Target Acquisition that allows troops to shoot around corners and fire quickly from the hip, if necessary.

Those capabilities are on a longer timeline, as tech evolves, mostly to avoid strapping too many accessories onto the weapon. To that end, they've built an open architecture system requirement into the fire control so that future features and hardware can work together, Bohannon said.

Originally, the Army was looking to start with a SAW replacement and work the rifle/carbine replacement afterward, but that changed with the most recent prototype notice.

Following that notice, Brig. Gen. Anthony Potts, who leads PEO Soldier, told Military Times that the new approach is to develop both along the same path, with the same round, so that designers can find the best fit for ammo in both weapons, much like existing M4s and Squad Automatic Weapons both fire the 5.56mm.

The first prototype, which will see test firings of weapons systems in July, resulted in five companies being selected.

Those companies are:

  • AAI Corporation Textron Systems
  • FN America LLC (two prototypes)
  • General Dynamics-OTS Inc.
  • PCP Tactical, LLC
  • Sig Sauer, Inc.

Though they won the right to participate in that first set of submissions and testing, it doesn't mean any of them has a free pass into this next effort.

According to the draft prototype notice from October, once production begins, companies will be expected to build at least 200 weapons per month. Within six months of the award, they need to pump out 2,000 weapons a month within three years for a potential total order of 250,000 weapons systems, both NGSW-R and NGSAR, over a 10-year period.

That cashes out to $10 million the first year and an estimated $150 million a year for the higher production rate years.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/01/11/heres-when-the-army-will-pick-three-companies-to-build-the-m16m4-and-saw-replacements-for-soldiers-and-marines

Sur le même sujet

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 24, 2020

    27 juillet 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 24, 2020

    DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded an estimated $259,403,817 modification (P00051) exercising the three-year option period of an eight-year base contract (SPE4AX-15-D-9412) with one three-year option period for supplies related to airplane engine platform support. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $892,596,638 from $633,192,821. This is a firm-fixed-price, requirements-type contract. Location of performance is Ohio, with a May 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Air Force, Navy and Foreign Military Sales partner countries. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2023 defense working capital funds and Foreign Military Sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4AX-15-D-9412). EFW Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $11,999,844 firm-fixed-price contract for Bradley Fighting Vehicle controller grip assemblies. 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 three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a July 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-D-0020). Curtiss-Wright Defense Systems, Santa Clarita, California, has been awarded a maximum $7,532,963 firm-fixed-price contract for an advanced mission management system in support of the MQ4-C Triton aircraft program. 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 19-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with a Feb. 28, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 Navy operations, maintenance and procurement funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPRPA1-20-C-K019). NAVY RQ-DPR JV, Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $143,587,704 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of Hurricane Florence Recovery Package 2, Headquarters, located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The contract also contains 45 unexercised planned modifications and 19 unexercised options, which if exercised will increase the cumulative contract value to $178,308,510. Work will be performed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This contract provides replacements for buildings damaged during Hurricane Florence. The construction is divided into eight separate projects encompassing the following areas: Combat Logistics Battalion Headquarters Facilities; 2nd Marine Division Tank Battalion and Company Headquarters and Armory; Regimental Headquarters, 2nd Marine Division; 1/8 Battalion Headquarters; 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Headquarters; 2nd Marine Division Transportation Support Battalion Headquarters; Environmental Management Division; and Marine Corps Advisor Battalion Headquarters. Work is expected to be completed by March 2025. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $120,616,899; and fiscal 2020 military construction (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $22,970,805 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website, and 13 proposals were received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-C-0044). Archer Western Construction, Tampa, Florida, is awarded an $117,995,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of Hurricane Florence Recovery Package 4, Bridges, located in Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Work will be performed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This contract provides replacements for bridges damaged during Hurricane Florence. The construction is divided into two separate projects encompassing a moveable bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway, the White Oak River and Queens Creek Trestles. Work is expected to be completed by March 2025. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $117,995,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website, and six proposals were received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-C-8505). American Petroleum Tankers LLC, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $26,462,500 firm-fixed-price contract with reimbursable elements for the U.S. Flagged, West Coast, Jones Act tanker vessel M/T Empire State. This contract includes one 12-month firm period, three one-year options and one 11-month option period, which if exercised will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $190,364,159. Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed by July 2025. Transportation Working Capital Funds in the amount of $26,462,500 are obligated for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021, and will expire at the end of the fiscal 2021. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, and two offers were received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N32205-20-C-4105). Analysis, Computing & Engineering Solutions Inc., Columbia, Maryland, is awarded a $19,062,904 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems design and development. This contract includes options which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $100,273,144. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. The services to be acquired consist of continuing advanced research and development for scientific, technical and engineering efforts associated with the development and integration of C4ISR systems. Work is expected to be completed by July 2025. Fiscal 2020 Working Capital Funds (Navy) in the amount of $2,395,802; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) in the amount of $150,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and three offers were received via Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps). This contract was a negotiated acquisition under the authority of Title 10 U.S. Code 2304(b)(2), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.203. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00173-20-C-6002). Deloitte Consulting, Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a $13,296,822 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for complete engineering changes to the Order to Payment System (OTPS), also known as NEST. The objective of this contract is to enable effective management of the current Next Generation Enterprise Network contracts, as well as to obtain the full range of systems engineering, software engineering, project management, integration and application sustainment services to assist and support the Navy's Program Executive Office Digital and Enterprise Services to complete OPTS/NEST engineering changes. The three option periods, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $49,158,628. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by January 2024 if all options are exercised. $3,486,500 in fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Navy); and $5,456,500 in fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding will be applied to this contract after contract award. $3,486,500 of the obligated funds would have expired at the end of the current fiscal year if this award had not been made. This contract was not competitively procured because it is a sole source acquisition pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). There is only one responsible source under the Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1. The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-20-C-0011). Oceanetics Inc., doing business as Truston Technologies,* Annapolis, Maryland, is awarded a $11,811,782 firm-fixed-price contract for the detailed design, fabrication and installation of a waterside security barrier (WSB) system at three commercial shipyards located in San Diego Bay: General Dynamics (National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.), BAE Systems Inc. and Huntington-Ingalls Industries. The effort will also include the training of personnel on the maintenance and operation of the WSB system and an initial suite of spares and repair parts. Work will be performed in Welch, West Virginia (75%); San Diego, California, (20%); and Annapolis, Maryland (5%). The new WSB will meet force protection requirements and allow for the cessation of manned security patrols. Work is expected to be completed by February 2022. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $11,811,782 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, and three offers were received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-6303). DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $10,048,979 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-5228 to exercise options for the production of Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) AN/USG-3B equipment sets and installation and checkout replacement components. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida (60%); Johnstown, Pennsylvania (30%); and Menlo Park, California (10%). The CEC is a sensor netting system that significantly improves battle force capability by extracting and distributing sensor-derived information, such as the superset of data that is available to all participating CEC units. The CEC also improves overall situational awareness by enabling longer range, cooperative, multiple, or layered engagement strategies. Work is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy); fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 procurement Marine Corps; and fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,048,979 will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is awarded a $10,000,000 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-4447 to support USS Chosin (CG 65) extended dry-docking selected restricted availability. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington. This modification will provide docking and pier-side services to USS Chosin (CG 65) during the performance of the extended availability at Vigor Shipyard, Seattle, Washington. The contract will include all necessary docking and pier-side services, labor, material and equipment deemed necessary to support the performance of depot level repairs. Work is expected to be completed by October 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,454,170 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $4,545,830 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Washington, is the contracting activity. ARMY Airfield Contracting,* Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $21,456,750 firm-fixed-price contract to repair airfield drainage at Laughlin Air Force Base. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, with an estimated completion date of March 26, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $21,456,750 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-20-C-0026). Government Marketing and Procurement LLC,* Wimberley, Texas, was awarded an $18,000,000 modification (P00005) to contract W912DY-18-D-0024 for Vocera wireless hands-free communications systems and supporting hardware/software infrastructure. Work will be performed in Wimberley, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 1, 2023. Fiscal 2020 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $18,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Kearney & Company P.C., Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded an $11,119,320 firm-fixed-price modification (P00011) to contract FA7014-18-F-1022 for advisory and assistance support. This modification exercises Option Year Two that continues support for Total Force analysis to include capability and capacity analysis of Air Force mission areas; linking results to the strategy, planning, and programming process; performing planning, programming, and budgeting study excursions; analytically supporting Total Force initiatives, strategy review and assessment, and planning support. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and if all options are exercised, work is expected to be completed July 31, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with one offer received. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,399,055 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force District of Washington Contracting Directorate, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2287902/source/GovDelivery/

  • French firm makes moves to fund cybersecurity expansion

    3 juillet 2018 | International, C4ISR

    French firm makes moves to fund cybersecurity expansion

    By: Pierre Tran Communications & Systèmes, a specialist in mission critical systems, launched July 2 a capital increase to raise €10.2 million (U.S. $11.9 million) and finance an announced expansion in European defense and security. The rights issue is intended to raise finance for a mergers and acquisition plan, dubbed Plan Ambition 2021, and follows the approval June 26 by a CS shareholders meeting for the acquisition of Novidy's, a cybersecurity company. “I am rather delighted. This is a step forward,” CS CEO Eric Blanc-Garin told Fifth Domain July 2. “The capital increase will enlarge the shareholder base, bring in more institutional investors and improve the stock liquidity.” The main aim is to fund the company's expansion by mergers and acquisition. “We have targets; we are in active discussion,” he said, when asked if CS has a list of companies in its M&A plan. An issue of new stock is intended to raise €10.2 million, which could rise to €11.5 million if the offer meets demand from the stock market. The new stock will be priced at €5.90 per share, a 22.2 percent discount on the closing price June 28. Current shareholders are offered two new shares for every 25 shares held. A core shareholder, Sopra Steria Group, has committed to subscribe to the stock issue. Sopra Steria holds 10.36 percent of CS and has pledged to inject €1.1 million into the company by exercising its preferential rights. “This capital increase will allow CS to have the means necessary to realize other operations of external growth with priority in Europe in the growth sectors of defense and civil security, space and cybersecurity,” the company said in a statement. Current shareholders will have a preferential right for subscribing to the stock issue. The shareholders meeting approved the capital increase, which had been announced as a second step in the Plan Ambition 2010 and follows the agreed offer for Novidy's. The acquisition of Novidy's boosts CS's annual sales in cybersecurity to €40 million, with the sector accounting for 20 percent of the company's total revenue, the company said in a June 26 statement. “We are delighted that our shareholders have unanimously approved this acquisition, which allows CS to mark a new stage in its development,” Blanc-Garin said in the statement. “This is the first significant step in our strategic plan, Ambition 2021.” https://www.fifthdomain.com/industry/2018/07/02/french-firm-makes-moves-to-fund-cybersecurity-expansion/

  • Lockheed to launch space-based testbed for joint all-domain operations

    2 août 2022 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR

    Lockheed to launch space-based testbed for joint all-domain operations

    The testbed is scheduled to be on orbit in time for next year's Northern Edge exercise hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Toutes les nouvelles