Nouvelles

Bell [TXT] on Thursday announced its full team of suppliers for its 360 Invictus helicopter, its offering for the Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. Partners building the Invictus prototype aircraft include L3Harris Technologies [LHX]... https://www.defensedaily.com/bell-announces-full-team-partners-building-invictus-prototype-armys-fara-program/army/

Navy officials told the Government Accountability Office (GAO) the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial tanker developmental schedule might be delayed by three years and increase program costs if the Navy misses windows to install the aircraft on aircraft carriers. https://www.defensedaily.com/gao-mq-25-schedule-costs-may-increase-navy-misses-install-windows/navy-usmc/

Recently, Equinor confirmed extensions for both its Tampen/Oseberg and Heidrun contracts with CHC for one year, effective from September 2020 to August 2021. This is for three Sikorsky S-92 search and rescue aircraft and three super puma A332L/L1. The aircraft are located at the Johan Sverdrup, Oseberg, Statfjord B and Heidrun rigs, and cover the area expanding from the Northern North Sea into the Norwegian Sea. The contracts offer the opportunity for further extensions. “We are delighted that we continue to enjoy Equinor's confidence in our ability to not only execute their service safely but also with outstanding efficiency and levels of customer service,” said Per Andre Rykhus, general operations manager, CHC Helikopter Services Norway. “We will continue to evolve our services and embrace the latest technology to best meet customer needs, building on our decades of experience in Norwegian oil and gas activity.” https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/equinor-extends-chc-helicopter-contracts-in-norway/

By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — China could stand to lose almost all of its ballistic and cruise missiles if it were to sign a new strategic arms control treaty, according to a new regional security assessment. The analysis, titled “The End of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty: Implications for Asia,” is one of the chapters of the annual Asia-Pacific regional security assessment published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. IISS' report was released June 5 and covered regional security topics such as Sino-U.S. relations, North Korea and Japanese policy. China could lose 95 percent of its ballistic and cruise missile stockpile if it signs a treaty similar to the 1980s Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, according to the chapter's co-authors Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow focused on military air power; Michael Elleman, the director of the Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Program; and Meia Nouwens, a research fellow focused on Chinese defense policy and military modernization. The treaty, signed between by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987, banned all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles systems with ranges between 310 and 3,420 miles (500-5,500 kilometres). The U.S. withdrew from the INF Treaty in August 2019, citing Russian violations of the agreement with its development and fielding of the 9M279 missile, although Russia denies that the missile violated range restrictions. However, the IISS report suggested the U.S. withdrawal was done with an eye toward China's missile arsenal, which has grown to what is believed to be the world's largest inventory of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. IISS' own figures estimate China possesses more than 2,200 missiles that fall under the INF Treaty's restrictions. These short- and medium-range missiles are important assets in exerting pressure on Taiwan, which China sees as a rogue province and has vowed to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary, although it continues to describe its fielding of ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles as solely for defensive purposes. Given these missiles provide China with what Barrie described as a “comparative advantage” in the region, it's unlikely the country would willingly sign a potential arms control treaty like the INF Treaty. The U.S, for its part, has already started testing missiles previously prohibited by the treaty, and there have been suggestions that the country might deploy such missiles to the Asia-Pacific region to address an imbalance in such weapons between itself and its rivals without solely relying on air- and sea-launched cruise missiles. (Those cruise missiles existed under the INF Treaty, as they did not violate the pact.) The report cautioned there is a two-fold risk in deploying such weapons to the Asia-Pacific. Chief among those: exacerbating Chinese concerns that the missiles will be positioned for use against it, increasing the potential for a response from China that could lead to an “action-reaction cycle of weapons development and deployment” and continued regional instability. The U.S. is also faced with the quandary of basing any potential INF-busting systems, with regional allies and partners unlikely to accede to locating such missiles on their territory, partly because of the diplomatic and economic reprisals Beijing could inflict on them. And there's precedent here: China targeted South Korea's economy in response to and expressed its distaste at the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system on South Korean soil in 2017. As for the U.S. territory of Guam, basing missiles there would limit their utility due to the distances involved. The IISS report also raised questions about whether U.S. moves to develop and deploy weapons previously prohibited by the INF Treaty will bring China to the arms control negotiating table. However, the think tank conceded that not deploying such weapons is also unlikely to persuade China, noting that that Beijing has shown little appetite for participating in any form of strategic and regional arms control. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/06/05/china-could-lose-95-of-ballistic-cruise-missiles-under-strategic-arms-control-pact-says-new-analysis/

By: Nick Perry, The Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand's military said Friday it will buy five Super Hercules transport planes from Lockheed Martin for $1 billion. The planes will replace the military's existing fleet of Hercules, all of which are more than 50 years old and have been involved in a series of embarrassing breakdowns over recent years. Defence Minister Ron Mark said the new planes will be used for operations in New Zealand, the South Pacific and Antarctica. “Generations of New Zealanders have grown up and grown old with the Hercules, and they know these aircraft are an essential first line of response," Mark said in a statement. He said the new planes will be able to carry a bigger payload as well as travel farther and faster than the current fleet. Three of the nation's current C-130 Hercules planes date back to 1965 and the other two to 1969. They have been upgraded over the years, but frequent breakdowns have hampered some high-profile missions. At one point last year, the entire fleet was temporarily grounded. New Zealand will take delivery of the first of the new C-130J-30 aircraft in 2024 with the full fleet operating by 2025. The price tag of 1.5 billion New Zealand dollars (nearly U.S. $1 billion) includes a flight simulator and supporting infrastructure. Lockheed Martin is based in the U.S. state of Maryland. https://www.defensenews.com/2020/06/05/new-zealand-military-buys-5-lockheed-hercules-planes-for-1-billion/

Andrew Eversden and Nathan Strout Special Operations Command has formally created a new program executive office that is dedicated to software June 1. The command's head of acquisitions said the organization is reorganizing as it shifts its focus to software-defined systems and artificial intelligence. “I have made the decision to reorganize SOF (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) slightly in respect to the National Defense Strategy,” said James Smith, the command's acquisition executive. “The first thing we did was decide to stand up a PEO for SOF Digital Applications.” Smith acknowledged the decision was made in response to shortcomings when it comes to developing artificial intelligence and machine learning for Special Forces applications. “The idea that the SOF acquisition force sucks when it comes to artificial intelligence and machine learning--okay, guilty ... this is our major effort to get better, to build competency,” said Smith. “I am looking to this PEO to start to lead us and lead the Department of Defense in excellence in acquisition of software to include artificial intelligence and machine learning.” The new PEO represents a shift for the command as it looks to embrace a more software-forward approach. “Everything I've asked you for over the last decade has been hardware defined and then software enabled,” Smith told members of industry. “We really need to move to a relationship where I'm asking you for things that are software defined and hardware enabled.” Army Col. Paul Weizer, who was originally brought in to lead PEO Rotary Wing, was tapped to lead the new office, and he said he's looking for all the help from industry he can get. “Right now, my structure is in Jell-O,” Weizer said at the virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference. “If you've always had some burning issue or nagging concern about how the organization is structured and how you're able to interact, what you're able to do to interact and there's always been something you wanted, this is the time. Contact me and my office. I have an opportunity to change and shape and form this organization." The new office aspires to become the “one-stop shop” for software intensive digital applications for special operations forces and industry to share what capabilities they can provide. To achieve that, SOF offices that are “software intensive” will be folded into the new approach, Weizer said. These programs include the Distributed Common Ground System-SOF; Mission Command/Current Operating Picture; Tactical Assault Kit-Core; Special Operations Mission Planning and Execution; SOF Planning, Rehearsal, and Execution Preparation; and the SOF Digital Ecosystem. Weizer said he expects SDA to reach initial operating capability in 60 to 90 days. Following that milestone, SDA will hold industry days. The office will continue to operate in Tampa, Fla., with satellite offices in Fort Belvoir, Va. and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Weizer also said that he does not expect the technical workforce to be made up primarily of active-duty military. Instead, he said that SDA will serve as program managers and contract out development to industry. In the meantime, his biggest challenge will be finding talent well-versed in software procurement to join the ranks of SDA. In his senior ranks, he's looking for people who want to help out. “I'm looking for the individual who's already made too much money and has been successful in software and really wants to help out the SOF community," Weizer said. “If you're that individual that's ready to take one for the team, come give me a call.” He is also keen to meet with contractors that do not typically work in the defense industry but might have innovative ideas for the new office. “[If] you have some ... great banking algorithm and now you also think it might help find terrorists, I'd like to know that. I'd like to see that,” Weizer said. https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2020/06/05/special-operations-command-is-reorganizing-to-focus-on-software-and-ai/

Le Pentagone veut faire du F-35 le prochain avion spécialisé dans les missions de destruction des défenses anti-aériennes. Logique ! Un programme lancé par le Pentagone va se traduire par l'ajout de modifications structurelles sur les F-35 plus récents pour leur permettre de remplir plus efficacement les missions SEAD et DEAD (Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses). Ces modifications s'appliqueront à tous les modèles de F-35, aux Etats-Unis et auprès des autres pays clients. Jusqu'à présent, l'appareil pouvait remplir la mission SEAD de manière empirique, en utilisant sa capacité de bombardement et ses équipements de guerre électronique adossés à sa faible signature radar. L'exigence d'une modification structurelle semble indiquer que l'avion de Lockheed Martín pourra désormais faire plus et mieux, avec par la capacité d'emporter de nouveaux capteurs et de nouveaux armements. F.L. https://www.aerobuzz.fr/breves-defense/le-f-35-adoube-pour-la-lutte-anti-radar/

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — It has been eight years since the U.S. Air Force canceled its effort to field a successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, but it appears the service might take another swing at developing a new combat drone. On June 3, the Air Force issued a request for information on a next-generation unmanned aircraft with strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, with the intent to accept delivery of the first systems in 2030 and field them in 2031. The solicitation was first reported on by Aviation Week. “With the MQ-9 platform planning for end of service life, a need to identify a solution that continues to provide for this demand is imperative,” the RFI stated. “The purpose of this RFI is to research potential solutions for the Next Generation UAS ISR/Strike platform, the Next Generation Medium Altitude UAS and potential follow-on program to the MQ-9 weapon system.” The Air Force is looking to collect market research on existing technologies as well as systems that are currently under development, with a focus on drones that incorporate advanced technologies such as autonomy, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital engineering and open-mission systems. In addition, the service is open to attritable technologies — meaning systems that are not cheap enough to be considered expendable, but some losses are still expected in combat. “The Air Force is also interested in researching alternative ways to support future lower-end, lower-cost ISR missions which may include initiatives to modernize, augment, and/or replace existing systems,” the RFI stated. “This RFI inquires about unique and innovative practices that can deliver relevant capability efficiently, timely and at a reduced life-cycle cost.” Although the Air Force has not solidified an acquisition strategy, it intends to hold multiple competitions for the air vehicle itself, as well as its ground control systems and the suite of sensors and data exploitation technology it will use to collect and dissect information. Each technology area will be built to open-architecture standards. Responses to the RFI are due July 20. This latest effort would mark the second time the Air Force has tried to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, currently being manufactured by General Atomics. In its first attempt, known as MQ-X, the service sought to procure a more survivable combat drone that could operate in contested spaces where a Reaper cannot fly. The program was canceled in 2012. Over the years, the Air Force remained mostly quiet about what an MQ-9 replacement could look like. But in 2019, Kenneth Bray, acting associate deputy chief of staff for ISR, said the service has done a fair amount of behind-the-scenes thinking on the topic over the past three to four years. But instead of starting with requirements for the aircraft itself, Bray said the service focused on the data the system would collect and how to optimize the drone's design to to gather and use that information. “We're starting to think not from the sensor or from the platform, we're starting to think from the data and decide: Is it even collecting the right size data, or do I need to have different sensors on those platforms?” he told Defense News. “Are those platforms even relevant anymore, or do I need a different platform because what I need is this type of data, and only this type of platform can get me that type of data? That is how we're going to change our thinking.” In March, Will Roper, the Air Force's top acquisition official, said the service is working on a study that will inform the fiscal 2022 budget and lay out a path for replacing the MQ-9 Reaper. Finding a single replacement to fill the MQ-9′s strike and surveillance mission is unlikely, Roper said, as the service wants to be able to operate in all environments without solely relying on exquisite, pricey systems. The service may need a family of systems that includes high-end, military-specific drones as well as cheaper UAVs that could be sourced from the commercial unmanned systems market, he said. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/06/04/the-air-force-is-looking-for-a-next-gen-replacement-to-the-mq-9-reaper-drone/

NAVY General Electric Co. GE Aviation, Lynn, Massachusetts, is awarded a $180,599,648 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract procures commercial depot level services for the repair and overhaul of T700-GE-401/401C turbo shaft engines, cold section modules and power turbine modules for the Navy H-60 Seahawk helicopter as well as the Marine Corps H-1 Cobra and Bell UH-1 Huey aircraft. Work will be performed in Wingsfield, Kansas, and is expected to be complete by June 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 (N00421-20-D-0115). Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is awarded a $56,450,644 firm-fixed-price contract for a 210-calendar day split shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of the hospital ship U.S. Naval Ship Mercy (T-AH 19). Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, and is expected to be complete by August 2021. This contract includes one base period and 17 options and, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value to $61,201,329. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 working capital funds (Navy) are obligated in the amount of $56,450,644 and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. Proposals were solicited via the Government Point of Entry website, and one offer was received. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N32205). Systems Engineering Associates Corp. (SEA CORP),* Middletown, Rhode Island, is awarded a $26,643,618 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only contract for services to develop, upgrade and apply the Extensible Markup Language Test Data Analysis Tool (XTDAS). Work will be performed in Middletown, Rhode Island (55%); Newport, Rhode Island (25%); Port Canaveral, Florida (5%); Andros Island, Bahamas (5%); other contractor labs and facilities (5%); and on-board platforms and ranges (5%), and is expected to be complete by June 2025. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(b)(2) because the Systems Engineering Associates Corp. developed the XTDAS under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program and its continued performance constitutes an SBIR Phase III contract. Per the Small Business Administration SBIR policy directive, to the greatest extent practicable, agencies shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole-source awards, to the SBIR awardee (in this instance SEA CORP) that developed the technology. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $314,977 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-20-D-L000). Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, is awarded a $12,355,663 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract M67400-18-F-0065 to exercise Option Year Two for analytics support for III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC). Work will be performed in Okinawa, Japan, and is expected to be complete by July 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $12,355,663 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The MCIPAC Regional Contracting Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Apopka, Florida, is awarded a $7,289,968 modification to firm-fixed-price, supply job order N00164-17-F-J272 under basic ordering agreement N00164-17-G-JQ08 for the procurement of 56 single-color diode-pumped laser designators. Work will be performed in Apopka, Florida. This procurement of 56 laser designators will support the Common Sensor Payload Program's Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) Family of Electro-optic Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors. Work is expected be complete by June 2022. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funding in the amount of $7,289,968 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this job order was not competitively procured; only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The laser designators are in support of the MTS EO/IR sensor, which has been deployed on Army Gray Eagle aircraft to facilitate and enable the delivery of laser-guided munitions. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Janz Corp.,* Reynoldsburg, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for surgical lasers, tables and their related accessories. This was a competitive acquisition with 105 responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Ohio, with a June 4, 2025, ordering period end 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 (SPE2D1-20-D-0010). Outdoor Venture Corp.,* Stearns, Kentucky, has been awarded a maximum $9,696,612 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for military standard Temper tents. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year base contract with four, one-year option periods. Location of performance is Kentucky, with a June 2, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-1249). Blind Industries and Services of Maryland,** Baltimore, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $8,750,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for face covers. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. This was a sole-source acquisition using authority granted by the expanded AbilityOne procurement list, make-to-order notice dated April 9, 2020. Location of performance is Maryland, with a June 4, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-B089). AIR FORCE Trident Systems Inc.,* Fairfax, Virginia, has been awarded a $35,000,000 maximum ordering amount, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price orders for Secure Collaborative Technology (SCTECH) software and hardware. This contract provides for the research, adaptation, enhancement and transition of critical Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) technologies to provide new capabilities which are secure and provide access between multiple levels of security domains and bridge between different chat protocols. This effort will result in the delivery of several software releases to the SCTECH user community, to include computer software, technical documentation, hardware, installation and maintenance of the current systems located at existing customer sites. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Virginia; and Morrisville, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed June 5, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition under the SBIR program. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-20-D-0600). Work Services Corp., Wichita Falls, Texas, has been awarded a $20,537,296 firm-fixed-price modification (P00010) to contract FA3020-18-C-0013 for food services. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,104,410 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $57,366,955. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3020-18-C-0013). General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a $20,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00053) to contract FA8626-16-2138 for COVID-19 industrial base support. The contract modification is for the execution of an out-of-scope modification with a new statement of work and justification and approval to issue an undefinitized contract action, which is being used to preserve an at risk industrial base impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed Jan. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Defense Production Act Title III funds in the amount of $15,868,844 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,449,920,786. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Clearfield, Utah, has awarded a ceiling $11,345,659 firm-fixed-price modification (P00022) to contract SPE4AX-19-D-9404 for left-hand and right-hand wing tips for the T-38 weapon system. Work will be performed in Stockton, California, and is expected to be completed July 2027. Fiscal 2020 working capital funds in the amount of $2,624,384 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. ARMY Novavax Inc.,* Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded a $21,952,384 cost-no-fee contract for the development and production of the Novavax nanoparticle vaccine against COVID-19. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of June 3, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Defense Health Agency Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds in the amount of $21,952,384 were obligated at the time of award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-20-C-0077). (Awarded June 4, 2020) Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $21,703,157 modification (P00063) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0014 for logistics support services for government-owned fixed wing fleet performing special electronic mission aircraft missions. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $21,703,157 were obligated at the time of award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $10,693,344 modification (000182) to contract W31P4Q-18-A-0011 for converged infrastructure engineering support; technical modeling support, containerized weapon system mission data analysis and engineering support; implementation support; and precision fires manager engineering and analysis. Work will be performed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, with an estimated completion date of June 4, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $10,693,344 were obligated at the time of award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Ocean Construction Services Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia, was awarded a $9,492,405 firm-fixed-price contract for road repairs at Arlington National Cemetery. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 5, 2021. Fiscal 2020 cemeterial expenses (Army) funds in the amount of $9,492,405 were obligated at the time of award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91236-20-C-0019). *Small Business **Mandatory Source https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2210304/source/GovDelivery/