11 décembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval

Naval Air Systems Command Exercises Option for an Additional $38.7 Million for Full Rate Production (Lot 2) of the BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target System

San Diego, December 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider and industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, announced today that Kratos has received an additional $38,691,360 from the U.S. Navy for Lot 2 of its recently-awarded Full Rate Production (FRP) contract for an additional 48 BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Targets (SSAT) and associated technical data.

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “The SSAT is an incredibly high-performance threat representation system consistently providing performance levels previously unachievable. The exercise of the FRP Lot 2 option secures the uninterrupted production of our SSAT system well into the Government's Fiscal Year (GFY) 2023.

Concurrently, we have been part of the Navy's site activation plan and I couldn't be prouder of the part we played in supporting the first flight at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii last month. Under Captain Molly Boron's leadership, the NAVAIR-Kratos team is already halfway to its goal of achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) in GFY21.

Even under normal circumstances, achievement of FOC would be very challenging but to be making the progress we have during this pandemic is a testament both to the Navy's leadership and the commitment and perseverance of the Kratos team during these challenging times.”

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training, combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information, please visit www.KratosDefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 29, 2019, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct

Investor Information:
877-934-4687
investor@kratosdefense.com

View source version on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.: https://ir.kratosdefense.com/news-releases/news-release-details/naval-air-systems-command-exercises-option-additional-387

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  • U.S. Army Opens 5-Year Search For Stinger Missile Replacement

    12 novembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial

    U.S. Army Opens 5-Year Search For Stinger Missile Replacement

    Steve Trimble The U.S. Army has started a long-term search for a replacement for the Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger short-range air defense surface-to-air missile system, with a contract award for up to 8,000 missiles planned by fiscal 2026. Any replacement for the Stinger must be compatible with the Initial Mobile-Short-Range Air Defense (IM-SHORAD), which uses the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher, according to a market survey released on Nov. 10 by the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. “The Army is conducting a SHORAD study which will inform efforts to modernize and to address emerging threats, which may increase the demand for MANPADS capable missiles,” said the sources sought notice. The new missile must also be able to defeat fixed-wing ground attack aircraft, rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a size class that ranges between the Boeing Insitu Scan Eagle and the Textron AAI RQ-7, which are examples of Group 2 and Group 3 UAS. The Army is extending the service life of the Stinger Block 1, but the original version of the Stinger with a reprogrammable microprocessor will become obsolete in fiscal 2023, the notice said. The sources sought notice asked interested companies to supply a wide range of information, such as a rough order of magnitude estimate for the cost and schedule of developing and delivering up 8,000 missiles. The Stinger defined the role of a man-portable air defense system quickly after the Army launched development in 1972. Though designed for ground-launch by a human, the missile has also been integrated on fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and large UAS. The all-up round includes the 1.52 m-long FIM-92 Stinger missile, a launch tube and a fire control and aiming system. The missile itself is guided by an infrared/ultraviolet seeker, and controlled with four small rectangular fins. https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/air-dominance/us-army-opens-5-year-search-stinger-missile-replacement

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 17, 2020

    18 décembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 17, 2020

    ARMY Honeywell International, Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a $1,105,100,580 modification (P00002) to contract W56HZV-20-D-0062 for the Automotive Gas Turbine 1500 engine program. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2025. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $40,717,442 modification (P00054) to contract W58RGZ-16-C-0023 for a Longbow Crew Trainer and spares. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2010 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $40,717,442 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. L3 Technologies Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded a $29,197,837 firm-fixed-price contract for the manned/unmanned teaming hardware, as well as technical and engineering support, for the Apache helicopter. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Army) funds; and 2022 Foreign Military Sales (Morocco, Netherlands, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom) funds in the amount of $29,197,837 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-21-F-0144). CORRECTION: The $837,591,519 multiple award contract announced on Dec. 16, 2020, to Central Lake Armor Express,* Central Lake, Michigan (W91CRB-21-D-0004); Bethel Industries Inc.,* Jersey City, New Jersey (W91CRB-21-D-0005); Carter Enterprises LLC,* Brooklyn, New York (W91CRB-21-D-0006); Point Blank Enterprises Inc., Pompano Beach, Florida (W91CRB-21-D-0007); and Slate Solutions Inc.,* Sunrise, Florida (W91CRB-21-D-0008), for the Soldier Protection System was actually awarded today, Dec. 17, 2020. NAVY Perspecta Enterprise Solutions LLC, Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $797,344,313 modification to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00039-13-D-0013 for the existing Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN). The total cumulative value of this contract is an estimated $6,661,441,247. The contract modification is for services provided under NGEN support for approximately 400,000 seats representing more than 650,000 Navy and Marine Corps users at more than 2,500 locations. NGEN provides net centric data and information technology services for comprehensive, end-to-end information services through a common computing and communication environment to Navy and Marine Corps military, civilian and contractor users. The services provided under NGEN are enterprise services; network services; voice, video and data services; information security services; support services; and testing services. Work will be performed throughout the U.S. with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2021. No additional funding will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of modification award. Contract funds will be obligated on individual task orders and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract modification will add four option periods under the base NGEN contract with a potential period of performance of nine months if all options are exercised. This contract modification was not competitively procured because it is a sole-source acquisition pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), one source or limited sources (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems Inc., Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $186,411,242 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the AN/SLQ-25E ‘NIXIE' electro-acoustic towed torpedo countermeasure system. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $268,514,278. Work will be performed in Braintree, Massachusetts (58%); Manchester, New Hampshire (25%); Lititz, Pennsylvania (13%); and Huntington Beach, California (4%), and is expected to be completed by December 2026. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) $2,200,000 funding 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 two offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Keyport, Washington, is the contracting activity (N00253-20-D-0002). Blue Rock Structures Inc.,* Pollocksville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6300); Daniels & Daniels Construction Co., Inc.,* Goldsboro, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6301); Joyce & Associates Construction Inc.,* Newport, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6302); Military & Federal Construction Co., Inc.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6303); Quadrant Construction Inc.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6304); and TE Davis Construction Co.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-16-D-6305), are awarded a $90,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contracts for general construction services within the Marine Corps Installations East area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for general construction services including new construction, demolition, repair, total/partial interior/exterior alteration/renovation of buildings, systems and infrastructure and may include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, communication systems, installation of new or extensions to existing high voltage electrical distribution systems, extensions to the existing high pressure steam distribution systems, extensions to the potable water distribution systems, extensions to the sanitary sewer systems, additional storm water control systems, painting, removal of asbestos materials and lead paint, and incidental related work. After award of this modification, the total maximum dollar value for all six contracts combined will be $429,000,000. Work will be performed at Navy and Marine Corps installations at various locations including, but not limited to, North Carolina (90%); Georgia (3%); South Carolina (3%); Virginia (3%); and other areas of the U.S. (1%), and is expected to be completed by September 2021. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Marine Corps); and military construction funds. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N62473-21-F-4212 at $53,611,262 under a multiple award construction contract for design and construction of a mess hall and consolidated warehouse at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP), California. Work will be performed in MCBCP, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2025. The work to be performed provides for constructing a dining facility and a consolidated regimental supply warehouse and the project includes cybersecurity features, paving and site improvements including parking areas, roadways, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, landscaping, trash enclosures and signs. Demolition includes the removal of nine buildings. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $53,611,262 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-18-D-5858). BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair LLC, Jacksonville, Florida, is awarded a $24,681,208 cost-plus-award-fee modification to exercise an option on previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-2320 for the accomplishment of post shakedown availability (PSA). The PSA is for one Freedom variant Littoral Combat Ship. Work will be performed in Mayport, Florida, and is expected to be completed by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) ($942,895; 57%); and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) ($711,306; 43%) funding 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. CACI Inc.-Federal, Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded a $20,317,601 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract action in support of acquisition and integrated logistics for the Program Executive Office (PEO), Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS), Front Office (FO). Tasking includes support to the broad areas of acquisition and integrated logistics for the current and future programs and their variants assigned to PEO IWS. Support includes the development and management of cross-program and cross-organization policies and practices for the full range of acquisition and integrated logistics support (ILS). The tasking is integral to the execution of legacy, current and future integrated combat systems, above water sensors, surface ship weapons, air and missile defense systems, undersea warfare systems, command and control systems, unmanned vehicles, navigation systems and human systems integration, as well as training, open architecture, interoperability and joint and coalition initiatives. Tasking includes professional support to PEO IWS FO and IWS directorates for acquisition support and ILS. Work will be performed at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Work is expected to be completed on April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,003,490 (33%); fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,036,21 (34%); fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,045,541 (12%); fiscal 2020 research development test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,556,168 (17%); and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $378,842 (4%) will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the 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 Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-21-C-B002). Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N62478-21-F-4021 at $12,849,000 under a multiple award construction contract for constructing an annex and renovating Building 4100H at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The annex work to be performed provides for constructing a two-story annex to Building 4100H and the work includes foundations, concrete beams, slabs, walls and footings; metal decking and roofing; and mechanical, electrical and communications management systems. The renovation work includes reconfiguring the interior and includes renovation of restroom spaces, replacing all interior finishes throughout the building to include new flooring, ceiling systems and painting interior walls and upgrading the electrical systems. The task order also contains two line items, which, if awarded, would increase cumulative task order value to $13,870,618. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by July 2022. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Air Force Reserve) contracts funds in the amount of $8,552,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Air Force Reserve) contract funds in the amount of $4,297,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-20-D-4003). Viasat Inc., Duluth, Georgia, is awarded a $10,882,119 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides technical support, non-warranty hardware repair or replacement, obsolescence management, on-site maintenance, preventative maintenance, spare parts and replacement pedestals in support of the pedestal improvement project for the Atlantic Test Range Aircraft Signature and Avionics Measurement branch. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in December 2025. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-21-D-0012). Alan Shintani Inc.,* Waipahu, Hawaii, is awarded firm-fixed-price task order N62478-21-F-4042 at $8,964,485 under a multiple award construction contract for a Navigation, Seamanship and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) at Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for the construction of an NSST and its supporting complement of rooms within an existing hangar building and includes electrical, mechanical, architectural, control system and fire protection work. The task order also contains one line item, which if awarded, would increase the cumulative task order value to $9,040,255. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by February 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,964,485 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-18-D-4028). AIR FORCE Raytheon Co., Largo, Florida, has been awarded a ceiling of $611,500,000, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable-no-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for command and control switching systems (CCSS). This contract provides electronic digital telecommunications system developed for military command and control. The CCSS is the key component of the Defense Red Switch Network, enabling secure and non-secure voice and data telecommunications at multiple levels, large scale voice conferencing capabilities and is inter-operable with other secure devices. CCSS switches are accredited by the Defense Intelligence Agency for top secret/sensitive compartmentalized information multi-level security. The life-cycle logistics support for operational CCSS provide program management, product configuration management, data management, quality control and assurance, contractor logistics support, spare parts replenishment and management, hardware and software support and engineering and technical services. Work will be performed at multiple government facilities and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2032. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of at least $452,034 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8218-20-D-0001). The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $300,000,000 bilateral modification (P00006) to contract FA8819-18-D-0009 for additional engineering support services, systems engineering for complex systems, specialized research and development and other support functions. This modification increases the ceiling of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the previously awarded amount of $186,000,000 to $486,000,000. Work will be performed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed May 10, 2025. The total ceiling of the contract is $486,000,000. Fiscals 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California, is the contracting activity. Shenandoah Fleet Maintenance and Management LLC, Warrenton, Virginia, has been awarded a $9,384,408 cost-reimbursable definitive contract for Logistics Readiness Squadron/Logistics Readiness Vehicles. This contract provides 866 fleet management and analysis services and scheduled/unscheduled maintenance for approximately 639 vehicles assigned to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and perform roadside services within the permissible operating distance of 100 miles. Work will be performed at Robins AFB, Georgia, is expected to be completed Jan. 31, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 12 offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,283,488 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins AFB, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8501-21-C-0004). (Awarded Dec. 14, 2020) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Terma North America Inc., Warner Robins, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $306,480,755 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production, repair and engineering support of various types of aircraft electronic countermeasure systems. 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 ten-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Georgia, with a Dec. 17, 2030, ordering period end date. Using customers are Air Force and various foreign customers. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2031 defense working capital funds and Foreign Military Sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Warner Robins, Georgia (SPRWA1-21-D-0003). Oro Manufacturing Co., Monroe, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $10,608,476 indefinite-quantity, long-term contract for aircraft seat aviation life support equipment. 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 five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Nov. 29, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A7-21-D-0037). (Awarded Dec. 4, 2020) DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE Ernst & Young LLP, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a labor-hour contract option with a maximum value of $33,128,772 for audit services of the Department of the Air Force General Fund and Working Capital Fund financial statements and examination. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., with an expected completion date of Dec 31, 2021. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which one quote was received. The contract had a 16-month base period plus three individual one-year option periods with a maximum value of $135,006,112. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $125,830,971. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $33,128,772 are being obligated at the time of this option award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-17-F-0148). KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a fixed-price contract option with a maximum value of $12,097,714 for audit services of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works (CW) and Sub-allotted Funds financial statements. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which three quotes were received. The contract had a 12-month base period plus four individual one-year option periods, with a maximum value of $57,693,820. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $45,358,627. Fiscal 2021 USACE CW revolving funds in the amount of $12,097,714 are being obligated at the time of this option award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-18-F-0039). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2450931/source/GovDelivery/

  • Army Invites Air Force ABMS To Big Network Test: Project Convergence

    29 mai 2020 | International, Aérospatial

    Army Invites Air Force ABMS To Big Network Test: Project Convergence

    This fall's experiment will study how the Army's own weapons can share target data, Gen. Murray said, but in 2021 he wants to add the Air Force's ABMS network. By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR.on May 28, 2020 at 5:06 PM WASHINGTON: Damn the pandemic, full speed ahead. The four-star chief of Army Futures Command plans to hold a high-tech field test in the southwest desert this fall, COVID-19 or no. Called Project Convergence, the exercise will test sharing of targeting data amongst the Army's newest weapons, including aerial scouts, long-range missile launchers and armored vehicles. The Army also wants to plug in its new anti-aircraft and missile defense systems, AFC head Gen. Mike Murray told reporters, but those technologies are at a critical juncture in their own individual test programs – some of which was delayed by COVID – and they may not be ready on time for this fall. “I'm going to try to drag them all into this,” Murray said. The experiment, set to begin in late August or early September, will definitely include the Army's Artificial Intelligence Task Force, as well as four of its eight modernization Cross Functional Teams. That's Long-Range Precision Fires (i.e. artillery), Future Vertical Lift aircraft (including drones), and the tactical network, he said, plus the Next Generation Combat Vehicle team in “a supporting role.” What about the Air & Missile Defense team? “We'll see,” Murray said. “Right now... I'm very cautious, because of the two major tests they've got going on this fall in terms of IBCS and IMSHORAD.” IBCS is the Army's new command network for air and missile defense units, which had to delay a major field test due to COVID. IMSHORAD is an 8×8 Stryker armored vehicle fitted with anti-aircraft missiles and guns, which Murray said is now delayed “a few months” by software problems. Meanwhile, the Air Force – with some input from the other services – will be testing its own nascent data-sharing network. That's the ambitious Advanced Battle Management System, the leading candidate to be the backbone of a future Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) network-of-networks linking all the armed services. The Air Force's ABMS experiment will be separate from the Army's Project Convergence exercise happening at roughly the same time this fall, Murray said. But he wants to hold a Convergence test each year from now on, he told reporters, and he wants to bring in ABMS in 2021. “In '20, we're parallel, not interconnected,” he said. “Our desire is to bring them closer and closer together, beginning in '21.” Sensor To Shooter Murray spoke via phone to the Defense Writers Group, along with the Army's civilian chief of acquisition, Bruce Jette. While the two men's roles and organizations are kept distinct by law, they've been joined at the hip on modernization, and Jette – a scientist, engineer, and inventor — is clearly enthused about the experiment. “We are looking at the potential integration of all of our fires into a fires network,” Jette told the listening reporters. Currently, he explained, the Army has one network, AFATDS, to pass data about ground targets to its offensive artillery units – howitzers, rocket launchers, surface-to-surface missiles. Meanwhile, it's developing a different network, IBCS, to share data on flying targets – incoming enemy rockets, missiles, and aircraft – amongst its air and missile defense units. The two networks and the sensors that feed them must meet very different technical demands, since shooting down a missile requires split-second precision that bombarding a tank battalion does not. But there's also great potential for the two to share data and work together. For example, the defensive side can figure out where enemy missiles are launching from, then tell the offensive side so it can blow up the enemy launchers before they fire again. “If I can bring the two of them together,” Jette said, you can use a sensor the Army already developed, bought and fielded to spot targets for one weapon – say, the Q-53 artillery radar – to feed targeting data into a totally different type of weapon – say, a Patriot battery. Artificial intelligence could pull together data from multiple sensors, each seeing the same target in different wavelengths or from a different angle, to build a composite picture more precise than its parts. “We're moving past just simple concepts of sensors and shooters,” Jette said. “How do we get multiple sensors and shooters [integrated] such that we get more out of them than an individual item could provide?” Looking across the Army's 34 top modernization programs, Murray said, “an individual capability is interesting, but the effect is greater than the sum of the parts. There have to be connections between these [programs]. And that's really the secret sauce I'm not going to explain in detail, ever.” Testing, Testing What Murray would share, however, was that the Army got to test a slightly less ambitious sensor-to-shooter link in Europe earlier this year, as part of NATO's Defender 2020 wargames. The field experiment fed data from a wide range of sources – in space, in the air, and on the ground – to an Army howitzer unit, he said. However, the Army had also wanted to experiment with new headquarters and organizations to command and control ultra-long-range artillery, Murray said, and those aspects of the massive exercise had to be cancelled due to COVID. The service is looking at alternative venues, such as its Combat Training Centers, but “it's just hard to replicate what Defender 2020 offered us,” he said. “What we lost was the largest exercise we've done and the largest deployment of forces in a very, very long time.” That makes the stakes even higher for Project Convergence. “You can call it an experiment, you can call it a demonstration,” Murray said. “Right now, the plan is we're going to do this every year... every fall as we continue to mature... this architecture that brings the sensors to the right shooter and through the right headquarters.” While this year's Convergence exercise will focus on the Army, Murray is already working with the Air Force to meld the two next year. “We have been in discussion with the Air Force for the better part of the year on how we integrate with the effort they have going on,” he said. “I was actually out at Nellis the last time they had a live meeting on JADC2 [Joint All-Domain Command & Control] with all of the architects of ABMS.” Those discussions made very clear to both the Army and the Air Force participants that “it all comes down to data and it all comes down to the architectures you build,” Murray said. “As Bruce [Jette] talked about, it's not a specific sensor to a specific shooter,” he said. “On a future battlefield... just about everything is going to be a sensor. So how you do you store that data and how do you enable a smart distribution of data to the right shooter? Because we can't build architectures that are relying upon huge pipes and just massive bandwidth to make it work.” https://breakingdefense.com/2020/05/army-invites-air-force-abms-to-big-network-test-project-convergence

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