Nouvelles

MASSY, 10 septembre 2019 - ThalesRaytheonSystems et Leonardo renforcent leur coopération sur l'ensemble du périmètre ACCS. Cette coopération portera sur le soutien du système sur site, le déploiement de l'ACCS sur de nouveaux sites et les rétrofits de sites actuels. Elle permettra aussi de faire bénéficier l'ACCS de plusieurs innovations développées par Leonardo dans le domaine des C2, des communications, des traitements radar et de la défense antimissile balistique. Via cet accord, ThalesRaytheonSystems, Leonardo et leurs partenaires proposeront à l'OTAN et aux opérateurs des Nations membres le meilleur des technologies disponibles sur le marché. Ces nouvelles coopérations vont permettre de gérer de façon plus dynamique et innovante les évolutions d'ACCS. L'ACCS est opérationnel en Italie depuis mars 2015 et le système est en cours de transition dans 10 pays de l'OTAN. La composante anti-missile est opérationnelle depuis 2012 et la composante déployable de l'OTAN est utilisée depuis 2015 dans un certain nombre de pays de l'Alliance. Le système de contrôle et commandement aérien aide les nations membres des pays de l'Alliance à renforcer la souveraineté de leurs territoires, la protection de leurs populations et de leurs forces armées contre toute menace aérienne, y compris les missiles balistiques. Pour les aider à assurer cette mission, ThalesRaytheonSystems développe ACCS, un système unique de commandement et de contrôle aérien unifié et interopérable qui permettra aux pays membres de gérer tous types d'opérations aériennes, tant au-dessus du territoire des pays européens de l'OTAN que lors de déploiements extérieurs. Une fois pleinement déployé, l'ACCS de l'OTAN couvrira 10 millions de km² d'espace aérien. Depuis le début du programme ACCS, plus de 40 entreprises de 15 Nations de l'OTAN ont participé au projet. Leonardo est un partenaire historique fournissant le composant essentiel de fusion des données de plus de 50 types de radars appartenant aux pays membres de l'OTAN. « ThalesRaytheonSystems souhaite renforcer les apports technologiques sur l'ACCS afin de proposer à l'OTAN les dernières innovations de ses partenaires industriels. » Thierry Weulersse, Président-directeur général de ThalesRaytheonSystems « Avant l'ACCS, chaque pays disposait de son propre système. Les membres de l'Alliance bénéficieront bientôt de capacités unifiées qui constituent une véritable révolution en matière d'opérations aériennes. ThalesRaytheonSystems continue d'investir avec ses partenaires pour soutenir l'OTAN dans ses actions et sa transformation. » Thomas Got, Directeur général des activités opérations aériennes et systèmes d'armes de Thales. « L'évolution prévue par ce protocole d'accord est une nouvelle reconnaissance des capacités que Leonardo peut offrir à l'OTAN dans le cadre de l'évolution de l'ACCS vers la défense antimissile aérienne intégrée », a déclaré Manlio Cuccaro, Directeur général adjoint de l'électronique de défense terrestre et navale Italie chez Leonardo. « Leonardo a joué un rôle clé au cours des deux dernières décennies dans la définition et le développement du projet ACCS et nous sommes impatients de renforcer de plus en plus cette relation avec TRS ». https://www.thalesgroup.com/fr/group/press-release/thalesraytheonsystems-et-leonardo-renforcent-leur-cooperation-activites-du

NAVY Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $310,509,144 modification (P00009) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-18-D-0004). This modification exercises an option for the procurement of AN/ARC-210(v) radios for installation in over 400 strategic and tactical airborne, seaborne and land based (mobile and fixed) platforms for the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, other government agencies and foreign military sales customers. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with deliveries expected to be completed in September 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. ViaSat Inc., of Carlsbad, California, is awarded a $100,465,034 modification to its current indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00039-15-D-0008) to increase the ceiling of the existing production contract line item number (CLIN), and the systems engineering and integration CLIN of the referenced contract. This ceiling increase will implement the capabilities identified in the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) memorandum dated Aug. 20, 2018, wherein the JROC endorsed the advanced capabilities of Concurrent Mutli-Netting-4 (CMN-4), Concurrent Contention Receive and Enhanced Throughput as the Department of Defense baseline for all future upgrades to any platform requiring Link-16 tactical data links. In response to the JROC memorandum, current Link-16 platform users identified the need for the procurement and/or retrofit of 3,370 additional Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) CMN-4, F-22 Raptor, Tactical Targeting Network Technology terminals. This increase in scope will be in addition to the current scope in the original Class Justification and Approval (CJ&A) No. 17,226 approved April 25, 2014, for the MIDS JTRS, the amended CJ&A No. 18,012 approved Jan. 18, 2017, for the addition of the MIDS JTRS TTNT development effort, CJ&A No. 18,415 approved Sept. 11, 2018, for the addition of MIDS Modernization Increment 2, retrofits, and additional MIDS JTRS terminals, not including F-22s, and the initial CJ&A 19,415 approved July 2, 2019, to implement the JROC memorandum as described above. The modification will increase the contract value to $889,465,034. This contract combines purchases for the Navy, Air Force and MIDS Program Office, as well as to the governments of Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This contract also includes purchases to NATO and all NATO nations under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, California, and is expected to be completed May 2020. No additional funding will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of modification award. Existing contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. This contract modification was not competitively procured because it is a follow on, sole source, multiple award procurement pursuant to the authority of Title 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1): only one or a limited number of responsible sources (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)). Non-competitive procedures were approved for this modification under CJ&A 19,415. Naval Information Warfare System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Siemens Government Technologies Inc., Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a firm-fixed-price modification of $46,677,053 to increase the maximum dollar value of a task order (N39430-18-F-9924) for energy improvements at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Naval Station Rota and Naval Support Activity Naples. The total cumulative value of the contract is $218,220,667. Work will be performed in Naples, Italy (50%); Sigonella, Italy (30%); and Rota, Spain (20%), and is expected to be completed October 2041. The work provides for design and installation of the following energy conservation measures: boiler plants, chiller systems, motors, water and lighting improvements. The work also provides for performance period services consisting of measurement and verification, operations and maintenance, and repair and replacement services. No funds will be obligated with this award, as private financing obtained by the contractor will be used for the construction phase. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity. Data Link Solutions LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $30,000,000 modification to its current indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00039-15-D-0007) to increase the ceiling of the existing systems engineering and integration contract line item number (CLIN) of the referenced contract. This ceiling increase will implement the capabilities identified in the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) memorandum dated Aug. 20, 2018, wherein the JROC endorsed the advanced capabilities of Concurrent Mutli-Netting-4 (CMN-4), Concurrent Contention Receive and Enhanced Throughput as the Department of Defense baseline for all future upgrades to any platform requiring Link-16 tactical data links. In response to the JROC memorandum, current Link-16 platform users identified the need for the procurement and/or retrofit of 3,370 additional Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) CMN-4, F-22 Falcon, Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) terminals. This increase in scope will be in addition to the current scope in the original Class Justification and Approval (CJ&A) No. 17,226 approved April 25, 2014, for the MIDS JTRS, the amended CJ&A No. 18,012 approved Jan. 18, 2017, for the addition of the MIDS JTRS TTNT development effort, CJ&A No. 18,415 approved Sept. 11, 2018, for the addition of MIDS Modernization Increment 2, retrofits and additional MIDS JTRS terminals, not including F-22s, and the initial CJ&A 19,415 approved July 2, 2019, to implement the JROC memorandum as described above. The contract covers the production, development and sustainment of the MIDS JTRS terminals. The modification will increase the contract value to $1,254,529,670. This contract combines purchases for the Navy, Air Force and MIDS Program Office, as well as to the governments of Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This contract also includes purchases to NATO and all NATO nations under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (50%); and Wayne, New Jersey (50%), and is expected to be completed June 2020. No additional funding will be placed on contract or obligated at the time of modification award. Existing contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future contract actions will be issued, and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. This contract modification was not competitively procured because it is a follow-on sole-source, multiple-award procurement pursuant to the authority of Title 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1): only one or a limited number of responsible sources (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1(a)(2)). Non-competitive procedures were approved for this modification under CJ&A 19,415. Naval Information Warfare System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. ' Simmonds Precision Products, Vergennes, Vermont, is awarded a $12,986,404 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the "Low Cost Air-Drop Munition Weapon System Development Program." Work will be performed in Simmonds Precision Products, Vergennes, Vermont (58%); Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., Rancho Cordova, California (19%); Developmental & Demonstration Testing Facilities (to be determined) (11%); Systima Technologies Inc., Kirkland, Washington (6%); Moog Inc., Elma, New York (5%); and National Technical Systems Boxborough, Boxborough, Massachusetts (1%), and is expected to be completed February 2021. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds for $8,208,343 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-19-S-B001, long range broad agency announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology. Since proposals will be received throughout the year under the long range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014-19-C-1062). Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, is awarded an $11,765,526 time and material modification to exercise Option Period One under a previously awarded contract N00189-18-F-Z362. The work provides financial improvement and audit readiness support services to the Deputy Commandant, Programs and Resources, to address OMB A-123 governance, audit response coordination and audit coaching. After award, this contract was transferred to the Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, and was assigned a new contract number M95494-19-F-0032. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (75%); and Quantico, Virginia (25%), and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds for $1,527,843 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. VSE Corp., Alexandria, Virginia, is awarded a $10,082,812 firm-fixed-price contract for the delivery of counterterrorism and intelligence equipment, and in-country training in support of the Azerbaijan Maritime Security Program for the Caspian Sea under the Foreign Military Sales Building Partner Capacity program. This contract is for the government of Azerbaijan under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia (88%); and Azerbaijan (12%), and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2019 FMS funding for $10,082,812 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-4155). KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, is being awarded an $8,577,162 time and material modification to exercise Option Period One under a previously awarded contract N00189-18-F-Z425. The work to be performed provides financial improvement and audit readiness support services to the Deputy Commandant, Installation and Logistics, for audit remediation activities for property, plant and equipment and inventory related property and process reform within Marine Corps Installation and Logistics and its supporting establishments associated with the Acquire to Retire, Plan to Stock, Procure to Pay and Order to Cash business mission areas. After award, this contract was transferred to the Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, and was assigned a new contract number M95494-19-F-0045. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (75%); Oceanside, California (20%); Lejeune, North Carolina (2%); Okinawa, Japan (2%); and Oxford, Tennessee (1%), and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds for $3,004,275 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, is awarded a $7,971,673 time and material modification to exercise option period one under a previously awarded contract N00189-18-F-Z424. The work to be performed provides financial improvement and audit readiness support services to the Deputy Commandant, Installation and Logistics, for audit deficiencies within Marine Corps Installation Command and Marine Corps Systems Command in the Acquire to Retire, Plan to Stock, Procure to Pay and Order to Cash business mission areas. After award, this contract was transferred to the Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, and was assigned a new contract number M95494-19-F-0044. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (75%); and Quantico, Virginia (25%), and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds for $5,256 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, is awarded a $7,903,948 time and material modification to exercise option period one under a previously awarded contract N00189-18-F-Z426. The work to be performed provides financial improvement and audit readiness support services to the Deputy Commandant, Installation and Logistics, for remediation of current audit deficiencies and establishment of corrective action plans within Marine Corps Logistics Command for property, plant and equipment and wall-to-wall inventory. After award, this contract was transferred to the Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, and was assigned a new contract number M95494-19-F-0046. Work will be performed in Albany, Georgia (100%), and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds for $5,256 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $7,466,598 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N69316-19-F-4001) against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-15-G-2304) to accomplish the post shakedown availability (PSA) for the Littoral Combat Ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20). This effort encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish the USS Cincinnati PSA. The work to be performed will include correction of government responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA, and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise the building yard's responsibility under the ship construction contract. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed November 2020. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding for $7,466,598 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, is awarded a $7,265,347 time and material modification to exercise Option Period One under a previously awarded contract N00189-18-F-Z428. The work to be performed provides financial improvement and audit readiness support services to the Deputy Commandant, Installation and Logistics, for remediation of audit deficiencies within Marine Corps Logistics Command in the Acquire to Retire, Plan to Stock, Procure to Pay and Order to Cash business mission areas. After award, this contract was transferred to the Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, and was assigned a new contract number M95494-19-F-0048. Work will be performed in Albany, Georgia (100%), and is expected to be completed September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds for $5,256 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters, Contracting Office, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. ARMY American Ordnance LLC, Middletown, Iowa (W15QKN-19-D-0109); and General Dynamics-OTS (Niceville), Niceville, Florida (W15QKN-19-D-0110), will compete for each order of the $133,212,119 firm-fixed-price contract for the Modular Artillery Charge System Load, Assemble and Pack M231/M232 type for the 155mm propelling charges. 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 Sept. 9, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. DonJon Marine Co. Inc., Hillside, New Jersey, was awarded a $43,409,975 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging of Newark Bay. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Newark, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2020. Fiscal 2019 civil construction funds in the amount of $43,409,975 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-19-C-0021). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando Florida, was awarded a $40,614,330 modification (P00001) to contract W52P1J-17-D-0043 for Modernized Turret kits for the Apache attack helicopter. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Tetra Tech Inc., Germantown, Maryland, was awarded a $39,774,838 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract to provide operational readiness; closure and transition support; real property support; Department of Army Base Realignment and Closure support; environmental planning; operational readiness support and technical support, igloo closure compliance support; environmental support and real property support. 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 Sept. 9, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911SR-19-D-0010). The Robins & Morton Group, Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a $32,994,842 firm-fixed-price contract for a single phase design bid-build training support facility at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 29, 2021. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $32,994,842 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W91278-19-C-0024). M.C. Dean Inc., Tysons, Virginia, was awarded a $15,334,437 modification (P00004) to contract W912DR-18-C-0006 for additional load centers, uninterruptible power source systems and computer room air conditioner units, at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. Work will be performed in Aurora, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 8, 2021. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $15,334,437 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Ology Bioservices Inc.,* Alachua, Florida, was awarded a $10,870,944 modification (P00054) to contract W911QY-13-C-0010 to establish, commission and support an agile and flexible advanced development and manufacturing capability. Work will be performed in Alachua, Florida, with an estimated completion date of March 19, 2023. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,845,964 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co., Oak Brook, Illinois, was awarded a $7,561,500 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Cape May, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 civil construction funds in the amount of $7,561,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-19-C-0041). AIR FORCE GE Aviation, doing business as Dowty Propellers Inc., Sterling, Virginia, has been awarded a $20,889,724 firm-fixed-price delivery order. This delivery order provides for Option I quantities of R391 propellers and spares to support the C-130J aircraft, in conjunction with the commercial Rolls Royce AE2100D3 engine managed by Warner Robins, Air Logistics Center, Tactical Airlift Division. Work will be performed in Sterling, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by May 29, 2023. The delivery order is the result of a sole-source commercial acquisition. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 aircraft funds in the amount of $20,889,724 are being obligated at the time of delivery order award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8504-19-F-0028). A&P Technology Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for $8,904,957 for the Design for Manufacture of Attritable Aircraft Primary Structure program. This contract provides for an alternative design and manufacture of an aircraft structure relative to a baseline aircraft structure that is more unitized and uses fabrication processes that may be automated leading to greatly reduced costs associated with manufacturing. Work will be performed at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2021. This work is the result of a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III Acquisition. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $8,904,957 are being obligated at the time of Award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-C-2200). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1956513/source/GovDelivery/

The Pentagon is considering purchasing new fourth-gen Boeing [BA] F-15EXs in addition to fifth-gen Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35s to more quickly replace the Air Force's aging fighter fleet. Where did this scenario come from, and what's the rationale behind it? On this episode of THE BUSINESS END, John is joined by Congressional and Air Force reporter Vivienne Machi to explore the fighter modernization strategy and what the procurement of F-15EXs would mean for the F-35 program. The conversation also features Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, and retired four-star General Mike Loh, former Commander of Air Combatant Command. Take a listen to this episode below, or click here to download the show from iTunes. (Spotify here, and Google Play here.) If you like the show, make sure to SUBSCRIBE so you get new episodes as soon as they're released! Got feedback on the show, or want to get in touch? Please get in touch! We look forward to hearing your thoughts. This episode of THE BUSINESS END is sponsored by Boeing. Sponsors have no input on editorial direction or coverage. https://www.defensedaily.com/podcast-pentagons-plan-mix-fourth-fifth-gen-fighters/air-force/

By: David B. Larter LONDON — The U.S. Navy has achieved a major milestone in its efforts to autonomously combat one of the most persistent threats it faces, the service's deputy head of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations' mine warfare office said Monday. The Navy successfully demonstrated what's known as single-sortie mine hunting, which sends out an autonomous boat to sweep for mines with a sonar system, detect a mine-like object, classify it and then deploy another system that destroys the mine, according to Stephen Olson. It's a significant achievement in the yearslong effort to “get the man out of the minefield” by deploying robots to perform a job traditionally performed by manned minesweepers and highly trained divers. Beyond the safety benefits, it also quickens the process. The successful test opens up the possibility of having a small cadre of human operators who can oversee whole packs of robots as they sweep minefields on their own. “That single-sortied, detect-to-engage was a great example of something that would represent supervisory [control of unmanned systems],” Olson said. “It was a small group [of people] who oversaw the entire effort: Multiple systems were in operation together, working together and cueing each other.” When reached for comment on the successful test, the Navy would not divulge further details. “Currently the Navy cannot disclose any further details of the test beyond what Mr. Olson described,” Navy spokeswoman Lt. Brittany Stephens said. The systems under development in the pursuit of single-sortie mine hunting are Textron's Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle, or CUSV, about the size of a bass boat, which deploys Raytheon's AQS-20 sonar system to detect the mines. After an operator authorizes an engagement, the Barracuda Expendable Mine Neutralizer is deployed to autonomously reacquire and destroy the mine. “If you are familiar with mine warfare, it's painfully slow,” Olson said to an audience at the DSEI conference in London. “When leadership says, ‘We need to clear a minefield,' and you say, ‘How long do I have?,' they look at their watch when they should pull out a calendar. I'm going to tell them it is going to take weeks, and they're going to say: ‘I need it done now.' " In May, a Raytheon executive told Defense News that the company was closing in on demonstrating the capability. “All three of these pieces are maturing right around the same time,” Randy Brandenburg, a Raytheon business development executive with its Seapower Capability Systems division, said at the time. “We're working hard to put this together and we'll be demonstrating some of this ... this summer.” ‘Huge vulnerability' The Navy is also moving in on the ability to deliver an effective counter-mine mission package to the littoral combat ship, albeit more than a decade late. The mine-hunting mission package for LCS was supposed to achieve its initial operational capability declaration in 2008. But perhaps more importantly, the service may finally have an effective solution to combating a threat that has bedeviled it for years: cheap mines. “In the past it has been mostly divers — we'd sent [explosive ordnance disposal teams] out to go neutralize mines by putting some kind of charge on it,” said Bryan Clark, a retired submarine officer and analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. “It's a hugely complicated, multistage operation with a lot of people involved. So going to single-sortie mine hunting, you are really saving a lot of time, certainly by at least a third the time it takes to clear an area that has mines in it. “You can now transition to a purely unmanned mine-clearance operation where I have a ship that has the AQS-20 getting towed behind the CUSV, searches for [a] mine and the CUSV can send out a mine-neutralization torpedo.” The breakthrough with single-sortie will mean the Navy is only limited by how many robots it can buy to do the job. “It's big not just because it gets people out of the minefield but because it's scalable now,” Clark said. “Once you take the people out the minefield, now you can search as big a minefield as I have unmanned vehicles, whereas in the past you were limited by how many minesweepers I have and how many humans I have to operate them. Scalability was constrained.” Ultimately, getting this mission right will prove that autonomous systems can have an impact on war fighting, Clark added. “This is the mission that the Navy absolutely had to get autonomous systems to go do,” he said. “It's crazy to have humans go out and remove mines. It's dangerous, it's not scalable, it takes forever — it's just a huge vulnerability that the Navy [has] that could be exploited by even the most primitive opponents. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/dsei/2019/09/10/the-us-navy-just-had-a-major-breakthrough-with-autonomous-weapons/

By: Sebastian Sprenger PARIS — Underway in Europe are two high-profile sixth-generation aircraft efforts: the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System, and Britain's Tempest fighter. But will they converge? Defense News asked the chief executive of the European Defence Agency, Jorge Domecq, for his take on the future of these programs. It's quite possible the FCAS program by Spain, Germany and France and the British Tempest program will lead to a situation of two fighters. What's your assessment? We'll have to see, but FCAS is not going to be just one platform. It's going to be a system of systems. It will be a very complex program; it will take many years. It will be very important for it to be sustainable, that it has the economies of scale that are necessary. And at the same time, as we have these three initial member states signing up, I do not exclude this would bring on other member states as we go long. What will happen with the Tempest project, I cannot say. But as the person that oversees FCAS, you would like to see some convergence, right? Europe would probably have to see convergence toward having a single system of systems, but as I underlined, it's not an issue of platform. As always, thinking of the competitiveness of the European defense industry, we have to think of program sustainability. Is the next generation of combat aircraft sustainable with several systems of systems in Europe? I have my doubts. Speaking of consolidation, there have been calls to consolidate the defense industry. What is the level of urgency for that? I think the urgency is there. In the next five to 10 years, the defense industry is going to know a real evolution of technology; disruptive technologies are going to change how we do business in defense. That is going to have an impact on the defense industry. The only way forward for defense in general is cooperation. Cooperation is the only way Europe will remain a credible partner in operational terms but also in technology-related industrial terms. That requires we pull together to do as many defense cooperation projects in the future. And the consolidation of the industry will happen around those cooperative endeavors. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/dsei/2019/09/08/3-questions-with-the-eu-defense-chief-on-europes-future-fighters/

By: Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper intends to implement changes from his review of Defense Department organizations on a rolling basis, rather than waiting until the review process is completely finished, according to the department's top spokesman. Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, said Monday that there's “no interest” from Esper to wait until the review is fully done or the start of the next fiscal year to start implementing program changes, including potential cuts. “It's going to be an ongoing process. If he makes a decision, it's not going to be ‘I have to look through everything and then make some decisions.' If he sees a program that needs to end or be moved, he'll make that decision as quickly as he can,” Hoffman told reporters. “He's going to make changes as we move forward. If he identifies changes that would save money, there's no interest in waiting until next year to start saving money.” An Aug. 2 memo kicked off a departmentwide review of programs ahead of the development for the fiscal 2021 budget request. The goal is to find savings and drive a “longer-term focus on structural reform, ensuring all [defensewide] activities are aligned to the National Defense Strategy while evaluating the division of functions between defense-wide organizations and the military departments," per the document. The so-called fourth estate of the department includes 27 agencies, such as the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Missile Defense Agency. A September 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office estimated those agencies collectively have an annual budget of at least $106 billion. Esper has acknowledged the review sounds a lot like the “night court” process the Army used to find roughly $25 billion in savings that could then be reinvested into new capabilities. But he has so far declined to offer a target dollar figure for savings. "It's a long road. I'm spending two hours a week, 90 minutes to two hours a week on this in formal session, so we're just going to work our way through it week after week after week,” the secretary said Aug 27. “I'm looking for programs that don't have as much value relative to another critical war-fighting capability, absolutely.” Hoffman described the process as starting with internal reviews inside the various offices, looking at what projects are ongoing. Those are cross-checked with assessments from others in the department that are looking to find cost-sharing or cost-saving options. Those are collectively provided up to the deputy secretary of defense before being presented at regular meetings with Esper. Esper then “holds a review with all the parties that may have equities and go through it. I sat through one of these last week. He really digs into what are the appropriate roles, what are the appropriate missions, is there someone better or capable to hold this than the equity that has it now, is there better cost savings,” Hoffman said. Some have questioned whether Esper's plans will run into roadblocks in Congress. On Monday, Hoffman stressed that the department has been keeping Congress in the loop. “The secretary has been very adamant he wants to make sure Congress is fully informed,” he said. https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2019/09/09/program-cuts-from-espers-pentagon-wide-review-could-come-sooner-than-expected/

AIR FORCE Solid State Scientific Corp., Hollis, New Hampshire, has been awarded a $59,000,000 firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee hybrid contract for Air Force Weather Enterprise (AFW) Product-as-a-Service/Infrastructure-as-a-Service. This contract provides the migration to the cloud for the Air Force Weather Branch and is to design and build an Air Force Weather Virtual Private Cloud. It is required to expand to support the cloud migration and operations for all AFW applications. Work will be performed at and is expected to be completed by May 9, 2020, with two one-year options. This sole source award is a result of a Small Business Innovative Research Phase III follow-on. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $777,351 are being obligated at the time of award. The Aerospace Management Systems Division, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-19-C-0041). BlackHorse Solutions Inc.,* Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $48,843,831 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for CDI2E software/hardware prototypes. This contract will advance global vigilance, global reach, and global power in the information environment through the application, research, development, and transition of emerging technologies and next-gen solutions. This includes rapid tool development, development of electronic warfare/cyber network attack software and hardware systems, analytical processing, cyber threat avoidance and cyber threat defense, test and evaluation, and to manage the development to ensure projects move forward at a rapid pace, that technical and process innovations incorporated into successive rounds of development. Work will be performed at Herndon, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 9, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $300,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity. (FA8750-19-C-1528). ECSC LLC, Columbus, Mississippi, has been awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Columbus Air Force Base paving and civil works. This contract provides for repair and construction of asphalt and concrete pavements including sub-base and base course, installation of associated utilities, drainage structures, sidewalks, curb and gutters, rubber removal and painting of runways, taxiways, and aprons, and turf. Work will be performed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi and Auxiliary Field, Shuqualak, Mississippi, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 31, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $621,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The 14th Contracting Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the contracting activity (FA302219-D-A002). ajc architects, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A003); Architectural Nexus, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A005); CRSA, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A008); Design West Architects, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A010); GSBS, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A012); HDR, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A011); Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Taylorsville, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A009); Michael Baker International Inc., Midvale, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A007); Stanley Consultants Inc., Murray, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A006); and Stantec Consulting Services Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8201-19-D-A004) have been awarded a not-to-exceed $36,000,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architectural and engineering services to support the 75th Civil Engineering Group mission. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, or other geographically separated areas under their jurisdiction to include Little Mountain Test Annex, Utah Test and Training Range, and Boulder Seismic Station, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 8, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive, multiple award acquisition and 15 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $500 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a $19,429,512 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F138 sustaining engineering, program management, and field service representative support. This contract provides the Air Force with the expertise required to support trending, diagnosis, analysis, and warranty administration for the F138 engine. Work will be performed at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Travis Air Force Base, California; Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; and Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 5, 2024. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,831,638 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. (FA8124-19-D-0005). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $14,958,516 task order against contract FA8533-18-D-0002 for the execution of a baseline change request/engineering change proposal which upgrades 99 common organizational level testers and accessory kits to the new baseline removing obsolescence issues. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 8, 2022. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $14,958,516 will be obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8533-19-F-0091). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY TEK Precision Co. Ltd.,* Deer Park, New York, has been awarded a maximum $17,638,194 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aviation servo coupling assemblies. This was a competitive acquisition with one offer received. This is a five year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a June 24, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-19-D-0124). York Precision Machining and Hydraulics LLC,* York, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $13,681,333 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for sliding and fixed cones for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system. 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 base contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Pennsylvania, with a Sept. 5, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Hill Air Force Base, Utah (SPRHA2-19-D-0001). ARMY Alberici Constructors Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $14,610,600 firm-fixed-price contract for Miter Gate installation at Marseilles and Starved Rock Locks on the Illinois River Basin. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Ottawa, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 civil construction funds in the amount of $14,610,600 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W912EK-19-C-0035). Winkler-NNAC JV,* Newman Lake, Washington, was awarded an $8,555,103 firm-fixed-price contract to repair drainage failures. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Fort Hood, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 7, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $8,555,103 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-19-C-0035). NAVY DONJON Marine Co. Inc., Hillside, New Jersey, is being awarded a $12,499,201 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00024-18-D-4307 deliver order N00024-19-F4D02 for continuation of emergency floodwater pumping operations in Puerto Rico under Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) mission assignment. Work will be performed in Puerto Rico and is expected to be complete by June 2020. Non-expiring ACOE funding in the amount of $11,440,916 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, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Virginia, was awarded an $11,945,242 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-18-C-4403 for additional growth requirements, including actions taken during Hurricane Florence, identified during the execution of the USS Tortuga (LSD 46) Fiscal 2018 Modernization Period (MODPRD) Chief of Naval Operations availability. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by November 2019. Upward obligation of expired fiscal 2018 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $11,945,242 was used to fund this action in accordance with fiscal law. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 5, 2019) The University of California, Berkeley, California, is being awarded a $9,477,951 cooperative research agreement to study learning mechanisms to create computational models and enhance artificial intelligence approaches to learning, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning. All work will be performed at the University of California, Berkeley, California. This four-year agreement has no option periods. The period of performance is from Sept. 9, 2019, through Sept. 8, 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) in the amount of $1,477,559 will be obligated at the time of award. This research agreement was competitively procured via broad agency announcement (HR001119S0005) and publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Forty-two offers were received and nine were selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-19-2-4034). DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY CORRECTION: The Sept. 6, 2019, announcement of a contract award to Trace Systems Inc., Vienna, Virginia (HC1047-19-D-4002), in support of providing the full range of Mission Partner Environment (MPE)-compatible support services and associated equipment to design, implement and operate the MPE enterprise, included the incorrect ceiling value. The award's actual ceiling value is $998,000,000. All other information in the announcement is correct. CORRECTION: The contract announced on Sept. 6, 2019, to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, LLC (JHU/APL), Laurel, Maryland (HC1047-19-D-0001), for essential engineering, research, and/or development capabilities, in line with the core competencies established by the assistant secretary of defense for research and engineering, has not yet been awarded. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1955489/source/GovDelivery/

WOOD DALE, Ill., Sept. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial airlines and governments worldwide, has secured a new $118.6 million contract with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to deliver two 737 aircraft and associated support equipment to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). The firm-fixed price contract, estimated to last two years, entails the acquisition, modification, acceptance and delivery of two 737-700 Increased Gross Weight (IGW) series commercial aircraft. The aircraft will meet USMC C-9B replacement medium lift requirements and be designated as C-40A aircraft when delivered. AAR leveraged expertise across its Government Programs, Parts Supply and MRO activities within the Aviation Services segment to deliver this innovative solution to NAVAIR. "We are honored to be selected by NAVAIR to manage the procurement, upgrade modification and delivery of these aircraft," said John Holmes, AAR President and CEO. "This integrated solution delivers an outstanding product focused on cost efficiency that directly aligns with the Secretary of the Navy's recently announced initiative to achieve greater output and faster turnaround times for their dollars spent. AAR is excited to promote this innovative partnership to all areas of government to highlight the benefits of utilizing commercial aftermarket solutions to meet military requirements." The aircraft will be certified in accordance with the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 25 (airworthiness standards) in three aircraft configurations, all-passenger, all-cargo and a combined-passenger-cargo configuration. "Our engineered approach seamlessly delivers a comprehensive solution from across AAR's businesses that combines best practices from our industry-leading repair, engineering services and supply chain solutions," said Nick Gross, AAR Senior Vice President of Government Solutions. "We are eager to see these aircraft delivered for service in support of the Navy and Marine Corps." AAR will manage the program and provide parts distribution from the company's headquarters in Wood Dale, Illinois, perform engineering out of the Indianapolis MRO facility, and provide maintenance and modification services at the Oklahoma City MRO and Miami Landing Gear Services facilities. For further detail on the contract award, please view the U.S. Navy's public announcement here. About AAR AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation Services include Parts Supply; OEM Solutions; Integrated Solutions; maintenance, repair, overhaul; and engineering. AAR's Expeditionary Services include Mobility Systems and Composite Manufacturing operations. Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aar-secures-118m-c-40-aircraft-procurement-and-modification-contract-with-naval-air-systems-command-in-support-of-us-marine-corps-300913204.html

ROCKET CENTER, W.Va. – Sept. 5, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received its first production order from the U.S. Navy to manufacture the FMU-139D/B, a new all-electronic bomb fuze suitable for many general purpose bombs used by the U.S. Department of Defense and its allied nations. With the U.S. Navy's decision this January to authorize full rate production, the improved FMU-139D/B bomb fuze creates a uniform solution for general purpose bombs that increases performance and reliability, while decreasing cost. The FMU-139D/B replaces three legacy bomb fuzes – FMU-139C/B, FMU-152 and most FMU-143s – which were manufactured with technology that relied on mechanical mechanisms to safe and arm each fuze. In contrast, the FMU-139D/B relies on electronics to safe and arm the device, greatly improving its reliability as 100 percent of the fuze's electronic functionality can be tested before the fuze is delivered to the customer. “Increased flexibility and agility will enable the warfighter to cover a broader set of missions,” said Pat Nolan, vice president, missile products, Northrop Grumman. “The FMU-139D/B's all-electronic nature improves affordability. It is easier to manufacture, assemble and test than other legacy fuzes.” Under Northrop Grumman's contract with the U.S. Navy, the FMU-139D/B production orders have the potential to exceed $400 million over the next four years. FMU-139D/B will be used by both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force, and the Navy Program Office will manage the requirements. The FMU-139D/B will be produced at Northrop Grumman's Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) facility in Rocket Center, West Virginia. The FMU-139D/B is designed to be a multi-purpose fuze equipped with general purpose characteristics and also serves as a highly survivable fuze for penetrator weapons. This flexibility offers the U.S. Department of Defense and its allied nations a multi-purpose fuze solution. Learn more about the benefits of the FMU-139D/B, Northrop Grumman's new all-electronic fuze, in this video. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information. https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-to-manufacture-new-all-electronic-bomb-fuze