How industry can partner with NATO on disruptive technologies

Sur le même sujet

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  17 août 2020 | International, Aérospatial

  Amid The Financial Wreckage Of A&D, Space Rises Above

  Michael Bruno As public companies reported their latest quarterly results amid the recent financial carnage in the aerospace and defense sector, it was hard to find genuine optimism. With COVID-19 gutting the commercial aerospace manufacturing sector and maintenance, repair and overhaul segment, and expectations hardening around flat or worse defense spending, most corporate managers provided slimmed-down outlooks for the foreseeable future. But one segment stood out for its near-universal positivity: space. It may have almost taken an implosion of the airliner business and historic federal deficit spending against a pandemic to get there, but suddenly outer space looks like the best place to be in business. “Space continues to be an opportunity for companies to drive growth in a flat-to-down environment,” Jefferies analysts wrote in an Aug. 10 report. As the recent earnings season showed, numerous companies are being lifted by space business. “The primes are having such strong growth there,” Credit Suisse analyst Rob Spingarn noted in a July 31 teleconference. For instance, L3Harris Technologies sees space—both space-based and ground support—as its fastest-growing opportunity, with a combined $10 billion pipeline of long-term opportunities and several bid proposals awaiting responses that total around $1 billion in the near term. “We feel very encouraged by the space business as a whole,” said L3Harris Chairman and CEO Bill Brown. Several others below the marquee prime government contractor level are also benefiting, according to Jefferies analysts Sheila Kahyaoglu and Greg Konrad. “Kratos Defense and Security is benefiting from the need for low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites in real-time data processing, and Mercury Systems is getting pulled in, given an increased need for data processing power at the edge.” What is more, both Booz Allen Hamilton and Parsons indicate that space is even a target area for mergers and acquisitions. President Donald Trump's administration's spending and focus on space, from the new U.S. Space Force to a NASA mission to return Americans to the Moon in the coming years, certainly helps set the tone. Significantly, there is a commercial sector race to establish LEO-based communication and Earth observation services—albeit one driven by billionaires and their personal passions for a space legacy. A more subtle shift, though no less significant, is occurring down the value chain, where there is an emerging middle market for space services. Companies such as Parsons, Virgin Galactic and KBR have reengineered their companies and are making money by providing support services for the space effort—in ways that are not as sexy as SpaceX's NASA crew transport mission but just as real when it comes to making a profit. “We had nice year-on-year growth in the space business, just under double-digit growth there,” KBR CEO and President Stuart Bradie said Aug. 6. The former Halliburton business, once publicly associated with military logistics support during the George W. Bush administration, now is the world's only government-licensed provider training astronauts for commercial space missions. “Investors often overlook that KBR has transformed its portfolio since 2015 and still perceive the firm as an engineering and construction play, given its heritage as a unit of Halliburton,” Cowen analyst Gautum Khanna noted in June. But acquisitions of Wyle Labs, Honeywell Technology Solutions and Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies in 2016-18 “put KBR on the map as a noteworthy government services competitor.” Government services, especially space, now are responsible for 70% of the company's annual revenue. Interestingly, the space market is expanding so fast that KBR itself may have competition for astronaut training. In June, NASA signed a Space Act Agreement with Virgin Galactic to develop a private orbital astronaut readiness program for space tourists. “As part of this, we will offer our existing space training infrastructure at Spaceport America and customized future Astronaut Readiness Program . . . allowing these private astronauts to become familiar with the environment in and en route to space such as G forces and zero G,” Virgin Chief Space Officer George Whitesides said Aug. 3. “This initiative has been largely driven by the considerable demand among our existing customer base to participate in orbital space flights.” There have also been plenty of space company setbacks in recent months, with OneWeb's bankruptcy heading the list. But it should come as no surprise that business success in space is hard. Maybe what is surprising is that space is already proving lucrative for public investors, and the market looks set to grow. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/space/amid-financial-wreckage-ad-space-rises-above

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  28 septembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense

  Curtiss-Wright acquiring PacStar for $400 million

  Andrew Eversden WASHINGTON — North Carolina-based defense technology company Curtiss-Wright announced Sept. 24 that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Pacific Star, a major tactical communications vendor for the U.S. Army. Curtiss-Wright, based in North Carolina, bought PacStar for $400 million in an effort to boost its network communications business. According to a press release from Curtiss-Wright, PacStar's business will operate within the Curtiss-Wright defense business and is expected to generate $120 million in sales in 2020. “The acquisition of PacStar establishes Curtiss-Wright as a critical supplier of advanced tactical and enterprise network communications solutions supporting a broad spectrum of high-priority U.S. military force modernization programs,” said David C. Adams, chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, in a statement. “The combination of Curtiss-Wright's mission-critical mobile and secure COTS-based processing, data management and communications technologies with PacStar's highly complementary hardware and software solutions will enable us to deliver best-in-class platform network integration and tactical data link network management to the warfighter.” Curtiss-Wright ranked No. 72 in Defense News' Top 100 annual report on the world's largest defense companies. PacStar is an important vendor for the Army's tactical network modernization effort, where it provides products to improve tactical expeditionary communications. Back in July, PacStar was awarded work to support the fielding of satellite baseband communications to three Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced (ESB-E) units by Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical. PacStar also provides networking and communications capabilities for the Marine Corps' Networking On-The-Move (NOTM) program. “PacStar, which represents the largest transaction in Curtiss-Wright's recent history, is well-positioned to benefit from the military's continued investment in robust, secure and integrated battlefield network management and is expected to yield significant opportunities for revenue growth," Adams said. "Further, this acquisition supports Curtiss-Wright's financial objectives for long-term profitable growth and strong free cash flow generation within our disciplined and balanced capital allocation strategy.” https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2020/09/25/curtiss-wright-acquiring-pacstar-for-400-million/

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

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

  NAVY Viasat Inc., Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $998,828,164 maximum potential value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production, retrofits, development and sustainment of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals. Currently, there are three variants of MIDS JTRS terminals: the Concurrent Multi-Netting-4, the Tactical Targeting Network Technology and the F-22 variant. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, California, and these terminals will continue to be procured, sustained and updated for future growth, including JTRS advanced networking waveforms such as: multifunction advanced data link, intra-flight data link and other advanced networking waveforms. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a line-of-sight radio system for collecting and transmitting broadband, jam-resistant, secure data and voice across a variety of air, sea and ground platforms. Work is expected to be complete by May 2025. Funds in the amount of $48,280,914 will be placed on contract and obligated on the first delivery order concurrent with contract award, which will meet the minimum order requirement. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,223,208; and other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,532,559 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,135,592; other procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $1,645,504; and research development test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $205,688 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 defense-wide procurement in the amount of $1,234,128; and defense National Guard and reserve equipment in the amount of $2,673,944 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Non-appropriated funds for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in the amount of $15,015,224; and foreign cooperative programs in the amount of $617,064 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force) in the amount of $3,702,384; and other procurement (Navy) in the amount of $1,295,619 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy, Air Force and MIDS Program Office, as well as purchases for NATO and all NATO nations under the FMS program. This contract was competitively procured, and two proposals were received. The Naval Information Warfare System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting authority and awarded the contract on behalf of the MIDS Program Office (PMA/PMW-101) (N00039-20-D-0058). Data Link Solutions LLC, comprised of BAE, Wayne, New Jersey; and Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $998,828,164 maximum potential value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the production, retrofits, development and sustainment of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (50%); and Wayne, New Jersey (50%). Currently, there are three variants of MIDS JTRS terminals: the Concurrent Multi-Netting-4, the Tactical Targeting Network Technology and the F-22 variant. These terminals will continue to be procured, sustained and updated for future growth, including JTRS advanced networking waveforms such as: multifunction advanced data link, intra-flight data link and other advanced networking waveforms. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a line-of-sight radio system for collecting and transmitting broadband, jam-resistant, secure data and voice across a variety of air, sea and ground platforms. The ordering period for this IDIQ contract is through May 2025. Funds in the amount of $64,137,404 will be placed on contract and obligated on the first delivery order concurrent with contract award, which will meet the minimum order requirement. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,970,335; other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,802,447; and ship construction procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $195,965 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $16,461,060; other procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $1,959,650; and research development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $1,175,790 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 defense-wide procurement in the amount of $1,567,720; and defense National Guard and reserve equipment in the amount of $3,331,405 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Non-appropriated funding for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in the amount of $20,598,117; and foreign cooperative programs in the amount of $979,825 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force) in the amount of $5,095,090 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy, Air Force and MIDS Program Office, as well as purchases for NATO and all NATO nations under the FMS program. This contract was competitively procured, and two proposals were received. The Naval Information Warfare System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting authority and awarded the contract on behalf of the MIDS Program Office (PMA/PMW-101) (N00039-20-D-0057). Intercontinental Construction Contracting Inc.,* Passaic, New Jersey (N40080-20-D-0011); FBGC JV LLC,* Hampton, Virginia (N40080-20-D-0012); Pontiac Drywall Systems Inc.,* Pontiac, Michigan (N40080-20-D-0013); Maclean-Ocean JV LLC,* Bethesda, Maryland (N40080-20-D-0014); RAND Enterprises Inc.,* Newport News, Virginia (N40080-20-D-0015); and Aimcon Design Build LLC,* Harvey, Louisiana (N40080-20-D-0016), are awarded $99,000,000 for an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award design-build/design-bid build construction contract for construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington area of responsibility (AOR). All work on this contract will be performed primarily within the NAVFAC Washington AOR to include District of Columbia (40%); Virginia (40%); and Maryland (20%). Intercontinental Construction Contracting Inc. is awarded initial task order at $169,821 for the construction of seven above-ground storage tanks and two pump houses at Chesapeake Beach Detachment, Maryland. The work to be performed provides repairs, new construction and alterations to shore facilities and utilities. Additionally, work may also include but are not limited to, engaging in installing and serving mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, building's equipment and other specialized trades. Work for this task order is expected to be complete by June 2021. The term of the contract is not to exceed 24 months, with an expected completion date of May 2022. Fiscal 2020 Navy working capital funds (NWCF); and fiscal 2020 supervision, inspection and overhead contract funds in the amount of $194,821 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The maximum dollar value including the base period and one option year for all six contracts combined is $99,000,000. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy); and NWCF. This contract was competitively procured via the Beta Sam website, and 23 proposals were received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Applied Systems Engineering Inc., Niceville, Florida, is awarded a $10,600,000 modification on an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order N001781-70-D-2053 for additional quantities of Advanced Tactical Navigation units as well as various upgrades, repairs and associated support. Work will be performed in Niceville, Florida, and is expected to be complete by April 2022. This modification raises the contract ceiling to $22,259,073. This modification is being awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency (see 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(2)). No funds are being obligated at the time of award, and will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity. W. F. Magann Corp., Portsmouth, Virginia, is awarded a $10,234,262 firm-fixed-price modification for replacement of the Dry Dock 4 north side duct bank at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Virginia, and includes, but is not limited to, demolition of the existing terracotta duct banks and installation of structural, concrete encased duct banks for the electrical systems, shore power, industrial power, capstan power and telecommunications systems. Work is expected to be complete by July 2022. After award of this modification, the cumulative contract value will be $174,551,064. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,234,262 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-19-C-9014). AIR FORCE Ventech Inc., Largo, Maryland, has been awarded a $99,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for performance of the Base Level Software Support V contract. This contract provides for purchasing of commercial software, software maintenance and bundled maintenance, filing purchases and license information database operations and maintenance, report generation and general support to address software, documentation and licensing issues. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed May 30, 2030. The period of performance for this services contract is for a five year base period with one five year option. This award is the result of competitive acquisition and 18 offers were received. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $106,723 will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Testing Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2486-20-D-0009). Survice Engineering Co. LLC, Belcamp, Maryland, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $89,489,901 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). This contract provides for the acquisition, storage, retrieval, synthesis, analysis and dissemination of 22 technical focus areas and scientific technical information for the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center mission. Work will be performed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2026. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,600 will be obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (FA8075-20-D-0001). Sea Box Inc., East Riverton, New Jersey, has been awarded a $77,454,898 requirements order for basic expeditionary airfield resources expandable bicon shelter hygiene systems for the Support Equipment and Vehicles division at Robins Air Force Base. The order provides for the production of 43 initial quantities and best estimated quantities (BEQ) of five each under the basic period, BEQ of 26 for Option Period One, BEQ of 44 each for Option Period Two, BEQ of 30 each for Option Period Three, and BEQ of 30 each for Option Period Four. Work will be performed in East Riverton, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed May 18, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 other procurement funds in the amount of $15,422,303; and fiscal 2020 other procurement funds in the amount of $2,500,914 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8534-20-F-0026). ManTech SRS Technologies Inc., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $20,916,894 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price modification (P00056) to contract FA8811-10-C-0002 for systems engineering and integration services. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California; Vandenberg AFB, California; and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 22, 2020. Fiscal 2020 procurement funds in the amount of $17,673,379; fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,503,797; and fiscal 2020 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $729,723 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract modification and option is $20,916,894. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. ARMY Vigil America Inc., Deland, Florida, was awarded a $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Electronic Automatic Activation Device. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-20-D-0015). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES UPDATE: The contract announced yesterday, May 18, 2020, to Chenega Healthcare Services LLC, San Antonio, Texas (HQ0034-20-D-0008), to provide COVID-19 contact tracing for Pentagon support services, was actually awarded today. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2192036/source/GovDelivery/