9 avril 2018 | International, Aérospatial

How stealthy is Boeing’s new Super Hornet?

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WASHINGTON — The Block III Super Hornet is getting a marginal increase in stealth capability, but if you're expecting the invisible aircraft of President Donald Trump's dreams, think again.

Building a “stealthy” Super Hornet has been one of Trump's talking points since he was elected to the presidency. During a March trip to Boeing's plant in St. Louis, he claimed the U.S. military would buy Super Hornets with “the latest and the greatest stealth and a lot of things on that plane that people don't even know about.”

Trump was referring to one of the Super Hornet's Block III upgrades slated to be incorporated on jets rolling off the production line in 2020: the application of radar absorbent materials or RAM, also known as stealth coating.

But far from being “the latest and greatest,” the company has already used the exact same materials on the on the Block II Super Hornet to help decrease the chances of radar detection, said Dan Gillian, who manages Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler programs.

Block III jets will get “a little more” of that coating applied to them, “and in a few different areas to buy a little bit more performance,” Gillian told Defense News in a March interview.

All in all, those improvements will reduce the aircraft's radar cross section by about 10 percent, and with very low risk, he said.

Although the general public tends to think of stealth like the invisibility cloak from Harry Potter or Wonder Woman's invisible plane, stealth is more of a continuum that is enabled and affected by many factors, experts told Defense News.

“It's not a Romulan cloaking device,” said Richard Aboulafia, a Teal Group aviation analyst, referencing a technology from Star Trek that allowed spaceships to be invisible to the naked eye and electro-optical sensors.

“It's about reducing the likelihood that an adversary will see you first. And seconds count, so if it buys a little extra time, then it helps.”

The most important contributors to low observability are the aircraft's shape and the use of LO coatings, with airframe shape commonly seen as twice as important as the coatings, he said.

Stealth fighters from the oddly angled F-117 to the F-22 and F-35, with their rounded edges, were all designed to bounce radar waves away from an aircraft, sometimes at the expense of aerodynamic performance or other attributes, said Brian Laslie, an Air Force historian and author.

That being said, the Super Hornet, with it's external stores and pylons, is not going to replicate the low observability of the joint strike fighter, which was designed from the beginning with stealth in mind.

“But just because it's not a pure LO aircraft doesn't mean that the designers weren't concerned with the radar return,” said Laslie, who added that it's “reasonable” to expect a 10 percent decrease to the aircraft's signature by augmenting Block III jets with additional RAM coating.

Shining a spotlight on the Super Hornet's low observable attributes may have helped sell Trump on future orders, Aboulafia speculated.

“It might be useful in the real world too, but in a much more marginal way,” he said.

One of those benefits, according to Laslie, is that the LO performance upgrade could also enable the Navy to be more flexible in its mission planning. An aircraft can be more or less easily detected by radar depending on how it is positioned or the route used by the plane, so having more radar-absorbing materials on the Super Hornet could give the pilot more options.

“I think what the Navy is doing is trying to maybe reduce enough of the cross section of the F-18 in high intensity combat scenarios,” Laslie said.

“I don't think they're trying to make the F/A-18 a stealth aircraft,” he continued. “But if they can reduce the radar cross section enough that in certain scenarios it is more difficult to pick the Super Hornet up, that would be of benefit to the Navy.”

While the president has done much to focus public attention on the Super Hornet's upcoming LO upgrade, the Block III actually offers a relatively modest increase in stealth compared to earlier concepts floated by Boeing.

In 2013, when the company began evaluating how to attract future sales from the Navy as production slowed, it started promoting an “Advanced Super Hornet” configuration that would have improved the aircraft's signature by 50 percent. That version of the jet included structural enhancements and an enclosed weapons pod, but Boeing ultimately stepped away from that concept.

“Those big compromises you have to make to get the higher levels of stealth like putting your weapons in a bay, we don't think that's a necessary part of the Block III story for the Super Hornet,” Gillian said.

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/navy-league/2018/04/09/how-stealthy-is-boeings-new-super-hornet/

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - September 20, 2018

    21 septembre 2018 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - September 20, 2018

    DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY United Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $2,460,000,000 modification (P00024) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPE4AX-15-D-9436), with one five-year option period for the Defense Logistics Agency to supply the Air Force depot level repairables and consumable parts. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4,930,000,000 from $2,460,000,000. This is a fixed-price prospective redetermination, multiple-year requirements contract. The location of performance is Connecticut, with a Sept. 26, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia. American Purchasing Services LLC, doing business as American Medical Depot, Miramar, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $49,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hospital equipment and accessories. This was a competitive acquisition with 52 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a Sept. 19, 2023, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DH-18-D-0012). Accent Controls Inc.,* Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $7,694,857 modification (P00055) exercising the fourth one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP3300-14-C-5005), with four one-year option periods for warehousing and distribution support services. This is a fixed-price incentive firm, cost-reimbursement contract. This was a small business set-aside acquisition with five offers received. Locations of performance are Missouri and Florida, with a Sept. 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. ARMY Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $143,158,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency facility expansion project. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2022. Fiscal 2018 non-appropriated funds in the amount of $143,158,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0061). Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $57,722,819 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Jordan, Morocco, Afghanistan, Senegal, Tunisia and Pakistan) contract for procurement of up to 10,000 additional M4 and M4A1 5.56mm carbine rifles. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2019. Fiscal 2018 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $57,722,819 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-18-F-0115). J. Kokolakis Contracting Inc., Bohemia, New York, was awarded a $52,494,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of Grant Barracks building. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in West Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $52,494,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-18-C-0015). AECOM Energy & Construction Inc., Greenwood Village, Colorado, was awarded a $40,648,775 modification (P00005) to contract W912P5-17-C-0007 for lock chamber replacement, foundation preparation for both the land wall and river wall, and construction of the upstream river wall. Work will be performed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 1, 2020. Fiscal 2018 inland waterway trust funding and civil works funds in the amount of $40,648,775 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $27,595,202 modification (P00119) to Foreign Military Sales (Australia, Estonia, Lithuania, Turkey, Taiwan and Ukraine) contract W31P4Q-13-C-0129 for Javelin weapons system full-rate production. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $27,595,202 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. R8I Cabrera Remediation and Construction LLC,* Elizabeth, Colorado, was awarded a $25,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for labor, equipment, operators, supervision, supplies, materials and incidentals necessary in providing continued support of environmental remediation program. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912P9-18-D-0023). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $19,884,400 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance pipeline dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July, 7, 2019. Fiscal 2014 and 2018 operations and maintenance Army; and general construction funds in the combined amount of $19,884,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-18-C-0073). Bering Straits Technical Services LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $13,335,173 firm-fixed-price contract for operations, maintenance, and sustainment of training areas. 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 Sept. 19, 2022. 413th Combat Support Battalion, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W912D0-18-D-0008). Cray Inc., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $12,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract to increase the processing capability of the current Cray XC 40 High Performance Supercomputer and purchase of 2083 additional nodes compatible with the existing system architecture. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Vicksburg, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity (W912HZ-18-C-0027). KZF Design Inc.,* Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 23 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-18-D-0009). Messer Construction Co., Dayton, Ohio, was awarded an $8,650,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and replacement of a process cooling tower (Building 18 Complex). Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,650,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-18-C-0032). NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded $58,395,297 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001918F0567 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0004). This delivery order provides for the procurement of 866 interim spare parts necessary to support the repair and maintenance of CH-53K low-rate initial production, Lot 2 configuration aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (26 percent); Longueuil, Quebec, Canada (10 percent); Redmond, Washington (9 percent); Cudahy, Wisconsin (5 percent); various locations within the continental U.S. (42 percent); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $58,395,297 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $40,323,606 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0003) for the procurement of aircraft armament equipment in support of 12 F/A-18E/F and 14 EA-18G Lot 40 and 41 aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Meza, Arizona (26 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (20 percent); Grand Rapids, Michigan (15 percent); El Segundo, California (11 percent); Grove, Oklahoma (6 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (4 percent); Placentia, California (4 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (14 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2022. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $40,323,606 are obligated at time of award, $18,258,354 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Summit Technologies Inc., Winter Park, Florida (N00189-18-D-Z075); Analytic Services Inc., Falls Church, Virginia (N00189-18-D-Z076); The Tauri Group, Alexandria, Virginia (N00189-18-D-Z077); Information International Associates, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (N00189-18-D-Z078); and Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio (N00189-18-D-Z079), are awarded a combined estimated $27,866,679 multiple award of cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts that will include terms and conditions for the placement of both cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task orders to provide professional services in the areas of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense and countering weapons of mass destruction operational and risk analysis. The contracts will run concurrently and will include a 60-month base ordering period. Work will be performed at various contractor locations throughout the U.S. (85 percent) and percentage of work at each of those locations cannot be determined at this time. Work will also be performed at government facilities in Arlington, Virginia (15 percent). The base ordering period of the contract is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,000 will be obligated ($10,000 on each of the five contracts to fund the contracts' minimum amounts), and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts pursuant to the authority set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.504. The requirement was solicited through the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. L-3 Communications EOTech Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, is awarded a $23,637,320 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics close quarter combat sights and clip-on magnifiers in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 procurement (Defense-wide) funding in the amount of $308,570 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured pursuant of 10 U.S. Code 2304(a). This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-18-D-JQ26). TFS-APTIM JV,* Wasilla, Alaska, is awarded a $21,445,996 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a fuel truck offload facility at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The basic project components include the fuel truck offload facility and associated piping and equipment. Additional supporting infrastructure includes a building for a generator and electrical service, petroleum, oil, and lubricants fuel truck parking, and site improvements. Work will be performed in Yigo, Guam, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Defense-wide) contract funds in the amount of $21,445,996 are obligated on this award, of which $3,696,512 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-18-C-1300). Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a not-to-exceed $17,599,557 for modification P00008 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-15-D-0033). This modification exercises an option to procure T56-A-427A engines, power section modules and reduction gearbox modules for the E-2D aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is being awarded a $16,310,246 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for AN/BVY-1 Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS) Technical Insertion 20-24 production and engineering services. The ISIS provides visual and other capabilities for Navy submarines. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $753,086,000. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (66 percent); Chantilly, Virginia (18 percent); Marion, Massachusetts (10 percent); and Newport, Rhode Island (6 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $250,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-18-C-6258). Coffman Specialties Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded $15,845,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247318F5362 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-15-D-2442) for airfield pavement repairs at March Air Reserve Base. The work to be performed provides for repairs to the portland concrete cement on Runway 14/32 Keel, Taxiway A and Taxiway C. The airfield areas must be repaired to facilitate use by currently assigned KC-135, C-17 and other transient aircraft. Adjacent asphalt concrete and airfield lighting may be impacted. Work will be performed in Moreno Valley, California, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Air Force Reserve) contract funds in the amount of $15,845,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded $12,880,531 for modification P00027 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00030-16-C-0005), for sustainment of the U.S. and United Kingdom (UK) SSBN Fire Control System, the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, including training and support equipment. Also included is the Missile Fire Control for the U.S. Columbia-class and UK Dreadnought-class Common Missile Compartment program development, through first unit UK production, and Strategic Weapon Interface Simulator. Work will be performed in Pittsfield Massachusetts (90.5 percent); Bremerton, Washington (3.6 percent); Kings Bay, Georgia (2.7 percent); Dahlgren, Virginia (1 percent); Cape Canaveral, Florida (0.9 percent); Portsmouth, Virginia (0.9 percent); and the United Kingdom (0.4 percent), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,944,140; United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,015,493; and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $498,006 are being obligated on this award. Funds in the amount of $498,006 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subject to the availability of funding, fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,192,842; and United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,230,050 will be obligated. Funds in the amount of $7,192,842 will expire at the end of fiscal 2019. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. FlightFab Inc.,* Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $12,620,604 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of solid waste processing equipment for naval ships. This contract provides production, testing and delivery of solid waste processing equipment in the form of plastic shredders, metal glass shredders, large pulpers, small pulpers and control valves for small and large pulpers. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland. This action will contain a five-year ordering period and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $423,825 will be obligated immediately after contract award via the first delivery order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-18-D-4010). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Northridge, California, is awarded a $12,072,734 ceiling-priced indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 60 Common Munitions Built-In Test Reprogramming Equipment test sets; up to 22 ADU-891(V)1/E adaptor units; up to one lot of spares; and up to two ADU-891(V)3/E adaptor units in support of the Navy, Air Force, and the governments of Morocco, Belgium, Australia, Japan, and Oman. Work will be performed in Northridge, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Air Force); fiscal 2016 missile procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 operation and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2016 weapons procurement (Navy), as well as foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,021,938, will be obligated at time of award, $2,600,972 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N6893618D0037). APTIM Federal Services Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded a $12,022,779 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N62473-17-D-0006) to increase the maximum dollar value of a firm-fixed-price contract task order for the Parcel G Radiological Characterization at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The work to be performed provides new data to replace suspect radiological removal action data used to support a radiological unrestricted release recommendation for the sanitary sewer and storm drain lines, and impacted former building sites in Parcel G. After award of this modification, the total cumulative task order value will be $18,395,960. Work will be performed in San Francisco, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2018 base realignment and closure environmental, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $12,022,779 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Huntron Inc.,* Mill Creek, Washington, is awarded an $11,956,849 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for Model 32 test instruments, accessory kits and transit cases. Work will be performed in Mill Creek, Washington, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funding; fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Homeland Security/Coast Guard); and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $137,228 will be obligated at time of award, of which Navy working capital funding in the amount of $29,097 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-18-D-H800). Pacific Commercial Services LLC,* Kapolei, Hawaii, is awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for all services necessary for the final treatment/disposal of hazardous waste in accordance with all local, state, and Federal regulations, to include Department of Defense (DOD) component directives within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for services that shall include all necessary personnel, including applicable subcontractors, transportation, packaging and equipment to remove and properly dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The contractor is required to meet all Department of Transportation requirements to include packaging of the wastes. The contractor must also comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration and DOD safety regulations and procedures, including State of Hawaii regulations and procedures. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Pacific AOR, including, but not limited to Hawaii (75 percent); Guam (15 percent); and other DOD locations within the NAVFAC Pacific AOR (10 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-18-D-1801). Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is awarded a not-to-exceed $8,127,897 for a ceiling-priced, undefinitized contract action delivery order N00383-18-F-HA04 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-15-G-003H) for the repair of 193 units across weapon repairable assemblies used in support of the F-18 active electronically scanned array radar system. Work will be performed in Forest, Mississippi, and will be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2018 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $6,095,923 will be obligated at time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Pacific Defense Solutions LLC, Kihei, Hawaii, has been awarded a $39,894,065 cost-reimbursement type contract for spacecraft object tracking and characterization capabilities. This contract award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $ 3,601,646 will be obligated at the time of award. Work will be performed in Kihei, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed December 2023. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9451-18-C-0035). The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $23,848,171 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee completion task order. The contractor will provide the technical and program support of Tactical Space and small satellite portfolio's core competencies and mission lifecycle to include support of the mission phases from concept through design, implementation, operations, and transition of space assets. Work will be performed in Laurel, Maryland, and is expected to be completed Sept. 29, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $500,000 are being obligated at time of award. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and one offer was received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-18-D-0018 TASK ORDER FA9453-18-F-0007). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $15,186,972 modification (P00042) to contract FA8634-16-C-2653 for APG-82 Radar Modernization Program test requirements document. This contract provides for test requirements documents that lay the foundation for organic depot repair. Work will be performed in St. Louis, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $15,186,972 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,363,368,877. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 17, 2018) International Business Machines Corp., San Jose, California, has been awarded a $14,863,208 cost-reimbursable contract for NorthPole software/hardware. This contract provides for the study, design, development, implementation, test, integration, document and delivery of the software and hardware specification for NorthPole, the next generation neural inference machine. Work will be performed in San Jose, California, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2019. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and two offers were received. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $893,208; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $13,970,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-18-C-0015). Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,080,902 firm-fixed-price contract for Jet Fuel Starter repair components for the RC-135 aircraft. This contract provides the remaining stock of Jet Fuel Starter components necessary to sustain the RC-135 fleet through the year 2040. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,080,902 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-18-C-4004). DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY EMR Inc., Niceville, Florida, is awarded $15,990,000 for a firm-fixed-price contract for an addition/alteration to an existing commissary at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The contract is for a 539 calendar day period based on the issuance of the notice to proceed which is expected in November 2018. Offers were solicited via full and open competition, and three offers were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Enterprise Acquisition Division, Construction Design Branch, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas (HDEC03-18-C-0003). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY L.C. Wright Inc.,* McLean, Virginia, is being awarded an $8,497,407 competitive firm-fixed-price contract with a two-year base value of $3,384,136 for Protocol Support. Protocol professionals provide support for the director and general officer/Senior Executive Service members that are geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The work will be performed in the National Capital Region; Dahlgren, Virginia; Huntsville, Alabama; Fort Greely, Alaska; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and other locations as directed, with an estimated completion date of October 2023. This contract was competitively procured via publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website with three proposals received. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $223,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-18-R-0007). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Hardwire LLC, Pocomoke City, Maryland, has been awarded an estimated $8,000,000 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (H92403-18-D-0007) for the purchase of Special Operations Forces personal equipment advanced requirements (SPEAR) soft body armor ballistic inserts in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) procurement division. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $100,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The majority of work will be performed in Pocomoke City, and work is expected to be completed by September 2023. This contract was awarded through full and open competition with six proposals received. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, Dulles, Virginia, has been awarded a $7,542,049 modification #17 to previously awarded contract HDTRA1-11-D-0007, Task Order 12 Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation Prevention Program on the Jordan Border Security Project. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $58,317,910.57 from $50,775,861.57. Work will be performed in Jordan, with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. This contract involves fiscal 2018 Cooperative Threat Reduction funds in the amount of $2,675,182 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES DirectViz Solutions LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, is being awarded a $7,429,544 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract will to provide Joint Service Provider with technical, analytical, management, and professional support services for Identity Protection Management Services. Work will be performed at the Pentagon, Mark Center, and Crystal City, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Sept. 29, 2022. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,429,544 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured, with three proposals received. The Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-17-C-0093). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1641072/source/GovDelivery/

  • Estonian robotics company makes inroads with European armies

    9 novembre 2020 | International, Terrestre

    Estonian robotics company makes inroads with European armies

    By: Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany — Italy has become the latest country to show interest in Estonian robotics firm Milrem's THeMIS ground vehicle, as nations across Europe continue to actively pursue the unmanned systems. A photo distributed by Milrem shows the vehicle at an Italian Army base near Rome last month with its cargo hold folded wide open and the contents — a small surveillance drone made by Estonia's Threod Systems — hovering above. The THeMIS vehicle, which is short for Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System, is configurable for logistics, combat, reconnaissance or explosive ordnance disposal. In its basic version, it looks something like a cabriolet tank, roughly waist-high and piano-wide. The various combat setups include weaponry such as guns, anti-tank missiles or launchers for suicide drones mounted on top, according to Milrem's website. The company doesn't make its own arms, a spokesman told Defense News, but rather integrates weapons from other manufacturers. “Pulling the trigger is always done by the human,” the spokesman said when asked about the vehicle's level of autonomy, adding that all weapon add-ons by third-party vendors are expected to abide by that rule. The demonstration in Italy follows a string of recent announcements by armed forces in Europe and elsewhere using the THeMIS platform for testing or operations. This spring, the Estonian Defence Forces, or EDF, completed a yearlong deployment with the vehicle during the French-led Barkhane counterterrorism mission in Mali. The vehicle accompanied soldiers on patrol and ferried supplies around the base. “We collected a lot of valuable data and feedback during the deployment and although EDF's experience with the THeMIS was positive, there is always room for improvement,” Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem, was quoted as saying in a statement. “However, after this experience in Mali, we are confident that the THeMIS is more than capable of supporting operations in extremely hot climates." The company previously said it was preparing to support another deployment with the country's forces at the end of 2020. In September, the Netherlands signed a joined procurement agreement with the Estonian government to buy seven THeMIS vehicles from Milrem — four for the Royal Netherlands Army and three for Estonian forces. For the Dutch, the purchase brings its inventory of the ground robots to six, with the two bought in 2019. “So far, the THeMIS has successfully been used for research and experiments by operational units of the 13 Light Brigade in Scotland, Germany, The Netherlands and during a live fire exercise in Austria,” Lt. Col. Martijn Hadicke of the Royal Netherlands Army was quoted as saying in a company statement. “The addition of four extra THeMIS vehicles with a Remote Controlled Weapon System that is operated by a soldier provides us the opportunity to continue to develop concepts to enhance the combat power and decrease the risk for our soldiers.” Along with the most recent outreach to Italian forces, Milrem rolled out what it dubs the Intelligent Systems Implementation Analysis and Assessment program, a three-step process designed to offer governments new capability ideas for their military robotic needs. The program “provides armed forces support from initial planning to full implementation and post implementation analyses of intelligent and robotic systems with (NATO standard) concept development and experimentation methodologies,” according to Juri Pajuste, a retired Estonian military officer who now leads Milrem's defense research and development efforts. The company is already sitting pretty when it comes to charting a course for robotic ground vehicles under the auspices of the European Union. Milrem has positioned its THeMIS vehicle as the reference platform in a multinational program aimed at developing a common design architecture underpinning future developments in the growth market. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/11/06/estonian-robotics-company-makes-inroads-with-european-armies

  • Robust cryptographic policies will help save military software systems

    14 novembre 2022 | International, C4ISR

    Robust cryptographic policies will help save military software systems

    How can we build resilient software systems out of unreliable parts?

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