How the Air Force averted a major flaw in its drone wingmen approach

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  8 juillet 2019 | International, Naval

  Rolls-Royce wins Royal Navy’s Type-23 frigate engine contract

  Rolls-Royce has received a contract to perform maintenance on the British Royal Navy's Type-23 frigate fleet engines. Under the £85m contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), Rolls-Royce will deliver a comprehensive support package to Spey gas turbines. The contract includes the overhaul of engines, provision of spares, as well as engineering and safety support. Rolls-Royce will overhaul 30 Type-23 engines from the UK and Nato member states, including Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. The MoD stated that overhaul of the turbines is a key initiative as they boost propulsion in the Type-23 frigates and serve as a vital component for anti-submarine warfare. UK Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said: “This £85m contract demonstrates the UK's commitment to modernisation through the maintenance of our formidable Type-23s. “This work continues the British tradition of supporting our closest allies and solidifying our global position as world-leaders in advanced maritime technology and development.” The Type-23 frigates can be used to perform a range of operations such as securing the UK's maritime trade routes east of the Suez Canal, and safeguarding British interests in the South Atlantic. Rolls-Royce will be responsible for project management of the support contract. Scotland-based RWG will undertake the main overhaul and repair work. Rolls-Royce naval fleet services director Matt Nadin said: “This vital support contract builds upon our Rolls-Royce target to achieve and sustain increased Spey engine availability to the Royal Navy and their Nato partners, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal.” The contract is expected to allow the navy to cut costs and time related to overhauls. Rolls-Royce will continue its focus on improving repair schemes, minimising unnecessary work and procuring spares cheaper. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/rolls-royce-wins-royal-navys-type-23-frigate-engine-contract/

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  15 janvier 2019 | International, C4ISR

  Microsoft's big win: Pentagon signs massive $1.76bn contract

  By Liam Tung Microsoft wins a five-year services deal with Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and intelligence community. Microsoft has scored a major win with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to supply services to the value of $1.76bn over five years. The Pentagon on Friday announced the deal, which will see Microsoft provide enterprise services to the DoD, Coast Guard, and intelligence community. In a statement announcing the deal, the Pentagon explains that support includes, "Microsoft product engineering services for software developers and product teams to leverage a range of proprietary resources and source code, and Microsoft premier support for tools, knowledge database, problem resolution assistance, and custom changes to Microsoft source code when applicable." The five-year 'indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity' (IDIQ) contract has a completion date of January 10, 2024. This contract allows Microsoft to provide an indefinite quantity of services during the period. The contract allows DoD to pay Microsoft on individual task orders using primarily operations and maintenance funds. Microsoft's win comes as the DoD assesses proposals for its $10bn, 10-year cloud contract known as JEDI or Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure. The Pentagon is expected to announce a single winner of the JEDI deal in the first quarter. Full article: https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsofts-big-win-pentagon-signs-massive-1-76bn-contract

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  11 novembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial

  Laser weapon tracks and destroys drones in demo with airmen

  By: Jaleah Dortch WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has used a laser weapon system to engage and shoot down multiple fixed-wing and rotary drones in a demonstration for the U.S. Air Force at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the company announced Thursday. The Advanced Test High Energy Asset, or ATHENA, operated in a netted environment with a government command-and-control system and radar sensor. Lockheed said airmen operated ATHENA during the demos, where the laser weapon system acquired and tracked drones, using its high-energy laser to destroy the targets. The company developed ATHENA to provide a cost-effective anti-drone capability that complements the systems already used by the military. “We've watched in recent news this type of laser weapon solution is essential for deterring unmanned vehicle type threats, so it's an exciting time for us to watch airmen compete Lockheed Martin's critical technology,” said Sarah Reeves, vice president of missile defense programs at Lockheed. https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2019/11/08/laser-weapon-tracks-and-destroys-drones-in-demo-with-airmen/