10 novembre 2021 | International, Aérospatial
Airbus unveils jet trainer with eyes on Spain
The Spanish Air Force is interested in replacing its Northrop F-5M and CASA C-101 Aviojet aircraft.
26 avril 2018 | International, Aérospatial
No stealth? No problem ― Eurofighter makes its pitch against F-35 in Berlin
BERLIN ― Eurofighter officials are downplaying the F-35 fighter′s stealth capability at the Berlin Air Show, positing that the consortium's non-stealthy Typhoon still beats out the American competition in the race to replace Germany's Tornado fleet.
“Stealth is only 10 percent of the capability mix,” Eurofighter marketing chief Raffael Klaschke told Defense News on Wednesday. “We're still better at the other 90 percent,” he argued, referring to the aircraft's combat capabilities.
While the company could rest easy with the German Defence Ministry's recent proclamation that the Eurofighter is the preferred path for the upcoming multibillion-dollar Tornado-replacement program, Lockheed Martin's massive showing at the air show may have some officials nervous.
Eurofighter CEO Volker Paltzo doubled down on the argument that the Typhoon would guarantee continued vibrancy in the European military aircraft market. “I want to underscore that every euro spent on Eurofighter within Europe stays in Europe,” he told reporters.
Executives also stressed that the European aircraft would come free of any “black boxes,” a reference to the expectation that all technological and operational details would be owned by Europeans, which may not be the case with the F-35.
F-35 advocates have touted the fifth-generation aircraft's stealth and other advanced capabilities for deep-strike and standoff combat, and there are some in Germany, especially in the Air Force, who believe that European technology simply cannot compare.
At the same time, whatever follow-on aircraft Berlin chooses for its 90-strong Tornado fleet is only expected to be a bridge toward a brand-new development, raising the question of whether a costly acquisition of the U.S. planes would be a worthwhile investment.
Klaschke described stealth as a “niche capability,” adding with a nod to the F-35′s competition: “We're not scared.”
Officials were less willing to discuss the expected nuclear-weapons capability of the Eurofighter, which it would pick up from the Tornado. Paltzo pointed to “confidentiality” in discussing the topic, referring to the Defence Ministry for information.
What is clear, however, is that the Eurofighter will be able to carry forward Germany's pledge to deploy U.S. atomic arms at the behest of NATO, according to Paltzo.
And while the U.S. Defense Department must certify the aircraft-weapon pairing, the CEO said he does not expect America to influence the fighter decision toward its own industry's product.
“This is a subject where we would not expect leverage by the U.S. over the Eurofighter,” Paltzo said.
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11 décembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - December 10, 2019
DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a competitive single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $6,520,000,000 that includes a mix of fixed price and cost contract type pricing arrangements for Global Solutions Management – Operations (GSM-O) II, which provides support services for the operation, defense, and sustainment of the Department of Defense Information Network/Defense Information System Network. The place of performance is predominantly within the continental U.S. (CONUS); however, support services are also required at multiple locations outside CONUS. Proposals were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov), now known as beta.SAM.gov website. The solicitation (HC1028-18-R-0024) was issued as a full and open competitive action. Three proposals were received. The period of performance includes a base period of five years (Jan. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2025), with two two-year option periods, and one one-year option period, for a total period of 10 years (Jan. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2030). The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1028-20-D-0001). AIR FORCE Computers Sites Inc., Denver, Colorado (P00008, FA8217-16-D-0002); Eaton, Raleigh, North Carolina (P0006, FA8217-16-D-0003); and AllCom Global, Lake St. Louis, Missouri (P00008, FA8217-16-D-0004), have been awarded an estimated maximum increase modification of $197,000,000 for power converting and continuation interfacing equipment. This modification provides for the installation of uninterruptable power supply systems across every major command. Work will be performed at Air Force bases throughout all major commands and is expected to be completed by Dec. 10, 2021. The estimated maximum value for each contract is being increased from $99,990,500 to $197,984,500, for fiscal years 2016-2021. Other procurement funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $21,260,075 modification (P00036) to previously awarded contract FA8819-15-C-0007 to exercise Option 5 for Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 sustainment. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for the sustainment and required development necessary for Air Force operations and maintenance of the Space Based Space Surveillance System and Red Local Area Network. This effort includes systems engineering, operations, operations support, and contractor logistics support. Work will be performed at El Segundo, California; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2022. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $129,825,811. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Special Programs Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Aurora, Colorado, has been awarded a $13,543,046, bilaterally negotiated contract modification (P00310) to previously awarded contract FA8807-10-C-0001 to modify the technical baseline to fulfill the requirements of four requests for changes (RFC). The contract modification is for implementation of four RFCs (312, 343, 345, and 393) to the technical baseline. Work will be performed at Aurora, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2021. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $3,308,389,602. No additional funds are being obligated at the time of award as the contract is incrementally funded. The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. ARMY Accenture Federal Services, Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $75,820,763 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for unified enterprise resource planning capability support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 9, 2025. Fiscal 2020 Army working capital funds in the amount of $4,858,861 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-20-C-0005). Rigid Constructors LLC,* Opelousas, Louisiana, was awarded a $9,986,105 firm-fixed-price contract for excavation, placement of material for the construction of earthen retention dikes, installation of settlement plates, surveying, clearing, grubbing, steel culvert installation, painting and metalwork fabrication. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Calcasieu, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2020. Fiscal 2020 civil construction funds in the amount of $9,986,105 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-20-C-0006). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a maximum $45,085,238 firm-fixed-priced delivery order (SPRPA1-20-F-C301) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-17-G-C301) for APG-79 Radar System spare parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with a Dec. 30, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2022 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $19,483,754 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated tank gauging, independent alarm system and overfill protection equipment maintenance. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S .Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 19-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are the 48 contiguous states, with a July 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0004). National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $12,063,451 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for multiple sizes of innerspring mattresses. This is a mandatory procurement contract. This is a one-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Locations of performance are North Carolina and Virginia, with a Nov. 4, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-B074). Atlantic Diving Supply Inc., doing business as ADS Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $7,426,101 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical/surgical supplies. This was a competitive acquisition with 16 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Virginia, with a Dec. 9, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-20-D-0009). NAVY Moonlite Construction,* Corona, California, is awarded a maximum $20,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for painting and wall coverings construction alterations, renovations and repair projects at Naval Bases Coronado, Point Loma and San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of December 2024. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M, N) 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 O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-20-D-0001). Windamir Development Inc., McDonough, Georgia, is awarded a $10,082,338 firm-fixed-price task order which provides for exercise of the first and second options for pier refurbishment of Pier XRay North and XRay South at Joint Base Charleston. After award of these options, the total cumulative contract value will be $17,048,056. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, and the option period is from December 2019 to July 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $10,082,338 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-19-F-0875). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $9,475,825 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00019-20-F-0283) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This order provides Harpoon/SLAM-ER missile system and Harpoon launch systems follow-on integrated logistics and engineering services support for the Navy and various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri (91.89%); St. Louis, Missouri (5.47%); and Yorktown, Virginia (2.64%), and is expected to be completed in February 2022. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); and FMS funds in the amount of $9,475,825 will be obligated at time of award, $2,464,306 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($2,464,306; 26%); and FMS customers ($7,011,519; 74%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2037058/source/GovDelivery/
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7 décembre 2018 | International, C4ISR
The Air Force is reorganizing its primary IT shop
By: Mark Pomerleau Air Force leaders are reorganizing the service's primary IT office. As part of the change, leaders are dividing job responsibilities from the chief information officer to a new combined intelligence/IT shop and a deputy CIO. In addition, the Air Force's top IT position — the chief information officer — will become an undersecretary for the service. It's not immediately clear why Air Force leaders want to make the changes, which will take place at the beginning of 2019. Bill Marion, the Air Force's deputy CIO, said during a Dec. 4 event hosted by AFCEA that the service will move the offensive, defensive and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance elements of the staff into a new office. “Think offense, defense and ISR, think 24th [Air Force], 25th [Air Force], think bringing those two communities together in a total full-spectrum [information operations]/[information warfare] fight,” Marion said. The other side of the reorganization will be a pure IT play. Marion, in his role as the deputy CIO, will focus on the IT and associated workforce development components for the Air Force. As part of the changes, Brig. Gen. Kevin Kennedy will serve in a dual-hatted role spanning both aspects of the reorganization, Marion said, serving as a bridge during the transition. https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2018/12/04/the-air-force-is-reorganizing-its-primary-it-shop