Nouvelles

Moorestown, N.J., Dec. 5, 2019 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently signed a contract with Navantia to equip five new F-110 multimission frigates and their land-based test site (Centro de Integración de Sistemas en Tierra or CIST) – with Lockheed Martin's first naval installation of its solid state S-band radar. The new F-110 frigates will be built by Spain's national shipbuilder, Navantia. Recently designated by the U.S. Government as AN/SPY-7(V)1, this technology is derived from current radar programs and significant Lockheed Martin investment. Variants of the SPY-7 radar will also be utilized on programs with Japan's Aegis Ashore, the Royal Canadian Navy for the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the U.S. Government. Why Does It Matter? Providing Spain's homeland with a defense for evolving threats, the F-110 program will further protect the country and its citizens. Equipped with the latest digital, solid-state radar technology, this crucial program: Ensures Spain's warfighters have the most capable combat system to perform new missions. Strengthens Spain's economy through industrial participation. Advances Spain's competitiveness in the global market by providing an opportunity for joint technology development. Paves the way for interoperability with navies across the world, thanks to Aegis' open architecture. What's the Technology? The F-110 will host the first-ever naval solid state S-band radar for the Spanish Navy. To foster the growth of Spain's defense and technology industries, Lockheed Martin and Spanish company, Indra, will jointly provide the radar. It will go to sea as part of the Aegis Weapon System, which will be integrated with the ship's combat management system SCOMBA, when the first frigate deploys in 2026. The Aegis Weapon System is the most deployed combat system in the world, and its flexible system enables it to fulfill a variety of missions. Due in part to its unique open architecture design, the Aegis family continues to grow internationally as more nations around the world partner with Lockheed Martin. What's the History? Lockheed Martin and its Spanish partners have over 20 years of experience in development, production and integration of tactical naval radar systems. Spain's defense industry growth and expansion of their maritime defense portfolio is a mission Lockheed Martin continues to support. In the exciting future that lies ahead, Lockheed Martin will continue to work with Spanish industry to explore new areas of industrial cooperation in radar and combat system technologies. This will help pave the way for future international sales of the F-110 frigate and new technologies, including the new S-band radar. For more information about Lockheed Martin radars, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/radar-sensors.html About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. View source version on Lockheed Martin: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2019-12-05-Lockheed-Martin-Continues-Partnership-with-Spain-for-Future-Frigates

ARMY Tidewater Inc.,* Elkridge, Maryland, was awarded a $230,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for environmental services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 25 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-20-D-0012). Woodward Inc., Loves Park, Illinois, was awarded a $54,054,836 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance and overhaul of the common hydro-mechanical unit. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-D-0011). Merrick & Co., Greenwood Village, Colorado, was awarded a $28,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for facilities and infrastructure studies, engineering, design and construction projects. Bids were solicited via the internet with 13 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 4, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-20-D-0003). NAVY General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is awarded a $145,754,568 cost-plus-award-fee modification, against a previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-4452 to exercise an option for Destroyer Designated Guided or Guided Missile Destroyer Planning Yard Services. This modification exercise is for the continuation of integrated planning yard services for Arleigh Burke-class ships. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be complete by January 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding for $2,139,971 will be obligated at time of award and expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity. CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colorado (N62470-13-D-6019); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (N62470-13-D-6020); Kellogg, Brown, & Root Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N62470-13-D-6021); and URS Group Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina (N62470-13-D-6022) are awarded a $92,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for global contingency construction projects worldwide. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $1,242,000,000. The work to be performed provides for the Navy, the Navy on behalf of the Department of Defense, and the Navy on behalf of other federal agencies when authorized, an immediate response for construction services. The construction and related engineering services would respond to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, conflict or projects with similar characteristics. Work will be predominately construction. The contractor, in support of the construction effort, may be required to provide initial base operating support services, which will be incidental to construction efforts. The term of the contract is not to exceed 71 months with a completion date of May 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on subsequent modifications for work on existing individual task orders. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. General Dynamic Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $47,285,685 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-4321 to exercise options for the New England Maintenance Manpower Initiative for non-nuclear maintenance on submarines based at Naval Submarine Support Facility, New London. This option exercise will allow Electric Boat to continue non-nuclear repair services required to support submarine overhauls, maintenance, repair and modernization upgrades; ship alterations, temporary modifications and field changes; supplies and/or ancillary services, and corrective and preventative maintenance. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be complete by December 2022. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds for $2,500,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Far Western Anthropological Research Group Inc.,* Davis, California (N62473-20-D-0009); PaleoWest LLC doing business as Paleo West Archaeology,* Phoenix, Arizona (N62473-20-D-0010); Statistical Research Inc.,* Tucson, Arizona (N62473-20-D-0011); and UltraSystems Environmental Inc.,* Irvine, California (N62473-20-D-0012), are each being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for cultural resource services located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years, for all four contracts combined is $30,000,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. The work to be performed provides for contractors to perform cultural resources services at various locations within NAVFAC Southwest's AOR. The contractors shall furnish all labor, management, supervision, tools, materials, travel, lodging/subsistence, equipment and transportation to provide cultural resources related studies, investigation, preparation of historic and archaeological documents, and implementation of plans in accordance with Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. All work on this contract will be performed in California (95%); Arizona (1%); Colorado (1%); Nevada (1%); New Mexico (1%); and Utah (1%). On occasion, work may also be performed in other locations for the Navy or Marine Corps. 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 $20,000 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 and O&M, Marine Corps. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities websites with nine proposals received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. CACI National Security Solutions Inc. (CACI), Reston, Virginia, is awarded a modification to a previously awarded (N65236-16-D-8011) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee performance based contract. This single award contract (SAC) is currently in its fourth year with a contract expiration date of Sept. 14, 2020. This modification increases the basic contract estimated ceiling by $21,678,272 and changes the cumulative estimated value of the contract from $104,541,625 to $126,219,897. This SAC is for Special Operations Communications Systems Satellite Communications and Network Support Services in support of U.S. Special Operations Command and other joint warfighting commands. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. This SAC was previously procured competitively by full and open competition via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command e-commerce Central website and the Federal Business Opportunities website. This sole source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1). Naval Information Warfare Center, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity. Boston Ship Repair LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, is awarded a $13,379,140 firm-fixed-price contract (N32205-20-C-4015) for an 87-calendar day shipyard availability for the mid-term availability of the USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195). The $13,379,140 consists of the amounts listed in the following areas: Category “A” work item cost, additional government requirement, other direct costs and the general and administrative costs. Work will include furnishing general services, port side shell repair, starboard main engine overhaul, port main engine overhaul, ship service diesel generator turbocharger overhaul, new life boat installation, tank deck overhead preservation and underway replenishment station eight deck and steel replacement. The contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $15,142,310. Funds will be obligated Dec. 5, 2019. Contract completion will be May 20, 2020. Work will be performed in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to begin Feb. 24, 2020, and is expected to be completed by May 20, 2020. Contract funds for $13,379,140 excluding options, are obligated for fiscal 2020 using (Navy) working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website and two offers were received. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Alliant Techsystems Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $37,788,519 firm-fixed-price modification (P00052) to previously awarded contract FA8106-16-C-0004 for contractor logistic support for the Iraqi Air Force's Cessna 208 and 172 fleet. Work will be performed in Iraq and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to Iraq. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. The dollars obligated is $169,153,380. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $235,000,000. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $19,429,623.80 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co. Space and Airborne Systems, McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a $13,121,979 modification (P00002) to previously awarded agreement FA8650-19-9-9326 for High Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS). This modification provides for the purchase of one additional HELWS being produced under the basic agreement, including outside continental U.S. (OCONUS) field assessment for purposes of experimentation. Experimentation includes, but is not limited to, six months of in-field operation by Air Force personnel against unmanned aerial systems threats. In addition, experimentation includes, but is not limited to, full mission capable, partial mission capable and non-mission capable operator training in theater maintenance of systems while collecting availability; reliability, maintainability and supportability data; and system operation against real-world or simulated hostile vignettes without disrupting other necessary installation operations. Work will be performed at OCONUS locations and is expected to be completed by Nov. 1, 2020. The total cumulative face value of the agreement is $36,939,636. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $13,121,979 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The $988,832,126 definitization modification (PZ0010) announced on Dec. 2, 2019, to previously awarded contract FA8681-18-C-0021 (Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida), was actually awarded today, Dec. 5, 2019. All other information in the Dec. 2 announcement is correct. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $8,870,921 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated tank gauging, independent alarm system and overfill protection equipment Pacific 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 21-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are Alaska, Hawaii, South Korea, Okinawa, Wake Island, Marshall Islands, Guam, Diego Garcia and Japan, with a Sept. 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers 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-0003). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2033316/source/GovDelivery/

ByChristen McCurdy Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Hungtington Ingalls of Newport News, Va., was awarded an $11.5 million contract for further repairs on the troubled USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier. The contract, announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense, funds the advance planning, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, ship checks, fabrication and preliminary shipyard work on the first-in-class carrier. Work will be performed at Huntington Ingalls Newport News, Va., site and is expected to be completed by September 2020. The Pentagon has obligated $1 million at the time of the award that will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Ford, intended to replace Nimitz-class carriers, has been plagued by cost overruns and delays, including problems with its 11 electromagnetic elevators -- just seven of which were operational at the end of October. In recent months, the vessel completed a training evolution and sea trials, as well as an independent steaming exercise that included sailing more than 7,000 nautical miles, completing more than 1,000 cycles of the advanced weapons elevators and performed more than 200 advanced arresting gear simulations. The carrier is expected to start compatibility testing early next year, and is now expected to be ready for deployment sometime before 2024. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/12/04/HII-awarded-115M-for-further-repairs-on-USS-Gerald-R-Ford/4431575418593

ARMY Sevenson Environmental Services Inc.,* Niagara Falls, New York, was awarded a $230,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for environmental remediation. Bids were solicited via the internet with 25 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 3, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-20-D-0008). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Nov. 25, 2019, for Navistar Defense LLC, Lisle, Illinois (W56HZV-20-D-0016), for two commercial Medium Tactical Vehicle Variants and spare parts contained an incorrect award amount. The correct amount is $24,529,450. NAVY L3 Technologies Inc., Insight Technology Division, Londonderry, New Hampshire, is awarded a $37,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for precision aiming lasers (PAL). This is a first-time buy for PAL. The PAL combines a range finder with a ballistics and environmental sensor/processor to provide the operator with a ballistic solution for increased likelihood of first-round hit. This procurement is in support of U.S. Special Operations Command, Visual Augmentation Systems Weapons Accessories Program. Work will be performed in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by November 2024. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $902,451 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 Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-20-D-JQ56). SciTech Services Inc.,* Havre de Grace, Maryland, is awarded a $33,952,020 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract will provide engineering and project management support to Navy science and technology management organizations and small business innovation research/small business technology transfer program offices. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (70%); Washington, District of Columbia (15%); Arlington, Virginia (10%); San Diego, California (2.5%); and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (2.5%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was a small business set-aside competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-20-D-0006). Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee $28,881,512 contract modification to a previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5407 to exercise a one-year option exercise for fiscal 2020 Standard Missile-2 and Standard Missile-6 repairs and maintenance and support material. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (90%); and the government of the Kingdom of Spain (10%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. This contract will provide for engineering and technical support, depot and intermediate level repair, maintenance and recertification of standard missiles, sections, assemblies, subassemblies, components for fiscal 2020. Work will be performed in Camden, Arkansas (68%); Tucson, Arizona (18%); Anaheim, California (11%); and San Diego, California (3%), and is expected to be complete by December 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding for $3,111,499 (90%); and FMS Spain funding for $360,000 (10%) will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds for $3,111,499 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2032038/source/GovDelivery/

by Chris Thatcher As Members of Parliament return to the House of Commons this week, aerospace eyes will be on the cabinet ministers and MPs most likely to support a new vision for the industry. With the return of Marc Garneau to Transport Canada, Navdeep Bains to Innovation, Science and Industry, Harjit Sajjan to National Defence and Mary Ng to Small Business and Export Promotion, and the introduction of Anita Anand to Public Services and Procurement and Carla Qualtrough to Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the government's front benches include ministers well acquainted with key issues that need to be addressed if Canada is to retain its position as a leading global aerospace nation. Last fall, the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) asked Jean Charest, a former premier of Quebec and deputy prime minister of Canada, to lead a cross-country discussion on the sector's future and a possible course forward. His ensuing report, “Vision 2025,” delivered at the Paris Air Show in June, offered recommendations centred on six core themes: expanding the skilled workforce; growing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); promoting innovation; investing in Transport Canada's aircraft certification and regulation capacity; sustaining Canadian leadership in space; and better leveraging defence procurement to drive industry growth. The recommendations were drawn from five months of meetings with industry executives, provincial premiers and their economic development ministers, federal ministers, opposition parties, academia and the general public. “Our goal was to re-start the discussion between the industry and its partners in government, education, research and the business community,” Patrick Mann, president of Patlon Aircraft & Industries and the former chair of AIAC, reminded the sector during the recent Canadian Aerospace Summit in Ottawa. “It has been a truly pan-Canadian event that has reached all through the industry . . . [and] into every level of government.” If Charest's report provides a guide for how to address some of the challenges generated by a multitude of countries and technology companies now seeking to gain a larger footprint in aerospace, the task of implementing it rests in part with Keith Donaldson. Donaldson assumed the chair of AIAC during the summit and acknowledged the report will drive much of the association's activities over the next 12 months. “I'm all in on Vision 2025,” he told Skies. “This is the time to re-engage as an industry, to recognize that [aerospace] is a jewel we have in Canada. It's R-and-D intensive, it's pan-Canadian, it has the highest input for STEM (science, technology, math and engineering)-type jobs, men and women – let's grow this. We need the support and partnership of the federal government. That is how we combat [other entrants].” A chartered accountant by training who previously worked with KPMG, Donaldson is vice-president of APEX Industries, a machining, components, subassembly and structures manufacturer in Moncton, N.B. Over his 15 years with the company, he served as president of the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defense Association and co-founded the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association. He's also been a fixture on AIAC's technical committees, from audit and finance, to small business, defence procurement and supply chain access. That experience could be crucial, as much of the heavy lifting to make the report's recommendations reality will come from the technical committees. Under Mann's leadership, AIAC spent part of the past year restructuring the committees to align with the direction of Vision 2025. “We spent a lot of time . . . making sure their mandates were going to match the recommendations,” said Donaldson. “We wanted to make sure the chairs were well aligned. [They] are some of the heavy hitters in the industry, from Bombardier, UTC, Cascade, Collins Aerospace . . . [They have] industry interest, company interest and personal interest for the success of these recommendations.” Winning the skills battle Because of ministerial familiarity with the report's recommendations, AIAC will be hoping it can move quickly to implement some of them. The appointment of Qualtrough, who has spoken at previous AIAC conferences, to a portfolio that will focus on the sector's top priority of skills development is seen as “an early win,” Donaldson noted. “When AIAC did the industry engagement, it was very evident that to maintain and grow, we have to win the skills battle,” he said. “A lot of the other recommendations are going to move forward, but we have to solve the skills one. Failure is not an option here.” Other sectors are going to be competing for the same STEM talent, but the Vision 2025 blueprint might give aerospace a leg up with government, he suggested. That means offering ideas not only to retain and retrain the current workforce where necessary, but also to recruit and support more women in the sector, attract First Nations, and collaborate with immigration initiatives. “It is not going to be a one size fits all. We are going to have to work on each one of those areas,” said Donaldson. For APEX, a medium-sized business of about 250 people, 70 of whom work specifically in aerospace, finding and retaining talent is the issue that keeps most senior managers awake at night, he added. The association will also be looking for quick progress on some of the recommendations aimed at strengthening the capacity of Transport Canada. “They are already a world class organization. We are not starting from zero on that one,” noted Donaldson. However, much of the early effort will go to growing SMEs, which account for over 95 per cent of the aerospace sector. It's terrain Donaldson knows well and believes can be improved through initiatives to build on government programs that are already in place. “We are going to be taking what's already working and say, we want to expand some of these programs. That is going to give us some early wins,” he said. One possible tool could be the expansion of Quebec's MACH program, which has provided mentorship from OEMs and Tier 1s to SMEs to help improve business processes and make the transition to digital systems. “From an SME perspective, that program is one of the ways to go because it involves a larger company, the SME, the province, and support nationally,” observed Donaldson. Support and mentoring from larger businesses for digitization and best cyber practices are a critical need for smaller companies, he added, noting that many capture “thousands of pieces of data every day” and don't make as much use of the information as they should. “The new protocol for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification in the U.S. is going to be applied to every single company in aerospace and defence, no matter where you are,” he said. “[These are areas] where a MACH-type program could hugely benefit SMEs across the country.” He cautioned, though, that while the emphasis must be on growing SMEs, those small companies often rely on strong OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and Tier 1 suppliers for their export opportunities. In APEX's case, that's about 50 per cent of the business. “We need to keep the OEMs and large Tier 1s healthy in Canada,” he said. “The MACH [programs] of the world are only going to work well if Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier, Bell, IMP, Magellan, if they grow and invest in Canada. That goes back to a part of the overall Vision 2025.” During separate addresses to the aerospace summit, both Donaldson and Mann appealed to fellow executives to get involved in the process. Committees are the “place where our company can impact and shape the issues that are important to our business,” observed Mann. “There is a lot to making Vision 2025 a reality . . . and we need everyone's help to do that, to make sure aerospace is a key part of our new government's new strategy.” AIAC will continue to lobby the federal and provincial governments on the Vision 2025 recommendations, especially the 48 MPs whose ridings including substantial aerospace activity, and will serve as secretariat to a newly re-created all-party aerospace caucus in Ottawa. Speed is of the essence said Donaldson, noting the pace with which other jurisdictions are growing their aerospace capabilities. “We do not have the luxury [of time],” he said. “It's not like we have Vision 2025 and then there's a whole other plan. Vision 2025 is going to drive the industry. Period.” https://www.skiesmag.com/news/incoming-aiac-chair-discusses-aerospace-vision

By Marc Montgomery Most alliances historically don't last more than a couple of decades, but the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance is 70 this year, and has grown over that time to its now 29 members. Originally formed as a protection against the Soviets, new and much different types of threats lurk, and there are divisions in the organisation. Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat and a Vice President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. discusses the issues. U.S. President Donald Trump has been forcefully scolding many members of the Alliance for not living up to defence spending. In 2018, the Alliance widened the rules as to what counts as defence spending. Canada is among several members, including France and Germany, not living up to the commitment to spend at least two per cent of GDP on defence. This now includes for example, pensions paid to former soldiers. The Liberal government has been meticulously searching for any expense that might be counted as defence spending including RCMP expenses for members involved in peacekeeping, costs for Canada's spy agency-the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and even death benefits for veteran's survivors. Canada now spends about 1.27 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on defence. Robertson notes that the Alliance is burdened with disagreements, but that this is not unusual in NATO's history. It now faces new and much different threats from the more simpler Cold War period, such as new state actor threats, social but somewhat fluid and unorganised threats like piracy and mass migration, and non-state actors like Al Queda and DAESH, and a move by Russia and China to militarise space. While it has its hurdles to overcome, Robertson feels the Alliance will remain strong coming out of this week's meetings. https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2019/12/03/nato-at-70-leaders-meet-in-london-today/

The General Dynamics subsidiary Electric Boat has been awarded a 10-year contract for design and construction of the vessels. By Christen McCurdy Dec. 3 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. has been awarded a $22.2 billion contract modification to build nine Virginia-class submarines for the U.S. Navy. The deal covers the nine vessels of Block 5, eight of which contain the Virginia Payload Module, to be designed and built over the next decade, the Department of Defense announced on Monday. The contract also includes an option for spare materials and an additional submarine to include the VPM, which, if exercised, would push the total value of the deal over $24 billion. Virginia-class submarines are built to conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface-ship warfare, strike warfare and special operations support as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. To date, the Navy has 18 Virginia-class submarines, with James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, calling the VPM and other Block 5 design changes "a generational leap in submarine capability for the Navy." "This team developed a Block V multi-year contract which provides significant increases in lethality and performance for the fleet to support the National Defense Strategy while also ensuring we are maximizing the use of taxpayer dollars," Geurts said in a press release. "The multi-year contract also provides the stability needed in this critical industrial base to ensure we can continue to maintain our competitive advantage in undersea warfare while also providing a solid foundation for the Columbia program to build upon." This contract continues a teaming arrangement between Gorton, Conn.-based GDEB and Huntington Ingalls in Newport News. Under the modification, Block V submarines will incorporate improved acoustic design changes and increase Tomahawk strike capacity from 12 to 40 missiles per boat. "Our submarine force is fundamental to the power and reach of our integrated naval force," said acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly. "Today's announcement affirms our commitment to the future strength of our nation, undersea and around the world." The first Block 5 Virginia-class submarine is expected for delivery to the Navy in fiscal year 202 https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/12/03/Navy-awards-222B-contract-for-nine-Virginia-class-submarines/3281575400735/

ARMY Oakland Consulting Group Inc., Lanham, Maryland, was awarded a $16,617,465 modification (BA02 31) to contract W91QUZ-11-D-0018 to develop and deliver critical auditability and compliance requirements for the Logistics Modernization Program. Work will be performed at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2020 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $7,898,333 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. The Dutra Group, San Rafael, California, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 2, 2021. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W91278-20-D-0001). NAVY Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded an $11,544,415 cost-plus-fixed-fee level of effort delivery order to previously awarded contract N00024-19-D-4306 to accomplish 12 months of execution planning for the repair and alteration requirements for USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78 – aircraft carrier/nuclear propulsion) planned incremental availability. The contracted requirements include the advance planning, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, ship checks, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding for $1,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, U.S. Navy, Newport News, Virginia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Kampi Components, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania (SPE7MX-20-D-0011, $10,911,917); and Optex Systems, Richardson, Texas (SPE7MX-20-D-0012, $11,024,488), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE7MX-19-R-0102 for armored V periscopes. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. They are three-year base contracts with two one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Pennsylvania and Texas, with a Dec. 3, 2022, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. Labatt Food Service, San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $9,028,137 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full line, food distribution for customers in Texas and New Mexico. This contract was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 172-day contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Texas and New Mexico, with a May 16, 2020, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-20-D-3253). (Awarded Nov. 27, 2019) Heart and Core LLC, Minnetonka, Minnesota, has been awarded a maximum $7,920,000 modification (P00014) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-17-D-1018) with four one-year option periods for moisture wicking t-shirts. This is an indefinite-delivery contract. Locations of performance are California and Minnesota, with a Dec. 15, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Chenega Infinity LLC,* Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded an $8,620,544 modification (P00005) to previously awarded contract HR0011-18-C-0151 for physical security support services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $16,869,621 from $8,249,076. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of December 2020. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $6,735,856 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2030883/source/GovDelivery/

By: Jeffrey A. Stacey After the successful 2011 Libya operation, it appeared the U.S. and European allies were on the cusp of a new era of working together on international crises, only to stall out thanks to economic austerity and populist elections. Now that the refugee crisis in Europe is subsiding and allied troops and equipment have deployed to Poland and the Baltics, the window of opportunity has once again opened for deepening relations between the European Union and NATO. By setting up an EU-NATO informal track, regularizing operational transitions and embarking on expanded coordination in out-of-area operations — all of which are more crucial, given a potential Brexit and the 2020 U.S. election — these two crucial, overlapping alliances can step into a new era. There are two logical diplomatic tracks to be pursued: a formal track centered on implementation of EU and NATO ministerials/summits, as well as an informal track centered on working through difficult issues and preparing them for decision-makers. Senior officials from both organizations have commented recently that the informal track would be particularly useful for the kind of deep-dive, “peer around the corner” strategizing that busy officials are rarely afforded an opportunity to engage in. The EU is a global leader in what it calls “crisis management,” and what NATO refers to as “stabilization and reconstruction.” Joint planning ahead of such operations, aligning civil/military planning in advance, will allow for improved outcomes in theater. In general, NATO would gain a new capability to act in the immediate aftermath of its military operations when a crisis occurs, and the EU would gain the opportunity to spearhead joint Western crisis management as a matter of course. Taking a cue from the so-called changing of berets in the 2004 NATO mission in Bosnia — when European soldiers involved in the terminating NATO mission simply changed their uniforms out for EU uniforms and remained in place to take part in the EU follow-on mission — there is a strong likelihood that a similar arrangement can be made for deployed civilians. The EU and NATO have ample reasons to agree to regularize operational leadership transitions in moving from the military phase of a conflict to the post-conflict stabilization phase. Here's how it could work: The EU would be designated to spearhead the stabilization phase, having jointly planned this phase of the operation with NATO civilian planners at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. NATO would commit to always selecting a European as the head of the NATO temporary civilian operation, and would call up a modest number of civilian experts from the nations, who would deploy to theater and engage in a delimited number of core stabilization tasks with the plan for a larger EU-led civilian deployment to absorb the NATO operation. NATO civilian operators would focus on a discrete set of core stabilization tasks awaiting the follow-on EU mission to become more comprehensive. Once a decision to deploy a civilian mission occurs in Brussels, the NATO stabilization mission would devolve to the EU. Most of the civilian experts will already be from EU countries, with the mission head also European. The rest of the NATO civilians can be seconded to the civilian operation mission via framework agreements such as the extant one between the U.S. and the EU that already has seconded Americans to EU missions in Africa. This operational compromise would prevent either alliance from playing second fiddle, ushering in a new era of co-planning and cooperating for both. Why can't both sides “just do it,” i.e., simply enact a leadership transition in theater whenever the need arises? Pragmatism can work in the moment, but it doesn't set precedents, as proven by the fact this is not already happening; past “impromptu” experiences of working together on the ground have not led to any pattern or even expectation of repeat or improved cooperating since. This proposal is firmly in the EU's interests, as it will put it fully in the driver's seat of crisis management and bring the EU the recognition it deserves for its existing capabilities and substantial operational experience. This proposal is also firmly in NATO's interests, for the alliance that almost split over its ongoing Afghanistan operation has no interest in further prolonged field deployments. There is also an additional strategic opportunity for both, as closer EU-NATO cooperation would be an important means for keeping the U.K. connected with its EU partners in the security and defense field following Brexit. But with crises around the world proliferating, in more pressing terms these two critical overlapping alliances among Western allies need to jointly become more operationally ready. Despite the political challenges in numerous Western countries, an agreement to overcome the EU-NATO operational impasse is on the cards. Prior to the negative impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival, NATO-EU relations had been at their pinnacle. With an EU-NATO informal track and a means for overcoming the operational hurdle in hand, substantial progress can still be made prior to the next U.S. administration. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/12/03/how-to-take-eu-nato-relations-from-words-to-action/