Nouvelles

Par Justine BOQUET La DGA a commandé quatre nacelles de ravitaillement NARANG supplémentaires, qui viendront équiper les Rafale M. La direction générale de l'armement a annoncé le 7 février avoir notifié une commande de quatre nacelles de ravitaillement NARANG à Zodiac Aerotechnics. Cette nacelle de ravitaillement de nouvelle génération viendra équiper les Rafale Marine F3-R, standard qualité le 31 octobre dernier. Comme le rappelle la DGA, l'emploi de nacelle de ravitaillement permet d'accroître le rayon d'action des Rafale du groupe aérien embarqué « en particulier lorsque le porte-avions est déployé en opération loin du territoire national ». Gr'ce à ce dispositif de nacelle « nounou », les Rafale M pourront ravitailler en vol d'autres chasseurs. « Par rapport à la génération précédente, les nouvelles nacelles permettent notamment de réduire le temps de ravitaillement du fait de leur augmentation de débit », rapporte la DGA. Les NARANG disposent également d'une meilleure disponibilité gr'ce à une maintenance simplifiée. La livraison de ces quatre nacelles supplémentaires est attendue entre 2021 et 2022. Quant aux douze NARANG commandées au préalable, elles devraient être réceptionnées entre mi 2019 et fin 2021. http://www.air-cosmos.com/rafale-la-dga-commande-des-nacelles-narang-supplementaires-120263

Bob Weber / The Canadian Press Recent Russian moves in the Arctic have renewed debate over that country's intentions and Canada's own status at the top of the world. The newspaper Izvestia reported late last month that Russia's military will resume fighter patrols to the North Pole for the first time in 30 years. The patrols will be in addition to regular bomber flights up to the edge of U.S. and Canadian airspace. "It's clearly sending strategic messaging," said Whitney Lackenbauer, an Arctic expert and history professor at the University of Waterloo. "This is the next step." Russia has been beefing up both its civilian and military capabilities in its north for a decade. Old Cold-War-era air bases have been rejuvenated. Foreign policy observers have counted four new Arctic brigade combat teams, 14 new operational airfields, 16 deepwater ports and 40 icebreakers with an additional 11 in development. Bomber patrols have been steady. NORAD has reported up to 20 sightings and 19 intercepts a year. Commercial infrastructure has kept pace as well. A vast new gas field has been opened in the Yamal Peninsula on the central Russian coast. Control and development of the Northern Sea Route — Russia's equivalent of the Northwest Passage — has been given to a central government agency. Russian news sources say cargo volume is expected to grow to 40 million tonnes in 2020 from 7.5 million tonnes in 2016. Canada has little to compare. A road has been completed to the Arctic coast at Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories and work for a port at Iqaluit in Nunavut is underway. The first Arctic patrol vessel has been launched, satellite surveillance has been enhanced and a naval refuelling station built on Baffin Island. But most northern infrastructure desires remain unfilled. No all-weather roads exist down the Mackenzie Valley or into the mineral-rich central N.W.T. Modern needs such as high-speed internet are still dreams in most of the North. A new icebreaker has been delayed. Nearing the end of its term, the Liberal government has yet to table an official Arctic policy. Global Affairs Canada spokesman Richard Walker said in an email that the government is "firmly asserting" its presence in the North to protect Canada's sovereign Arctic territory. Walker said Canada cooperates with all Arctic Council members, including Russia, to advance shared interests that include sustainable development, the roles of Indigenous peoples, environmental protection and scientific research. "Given the harsh environment and the high cost of Arctic operations, Canada believes that cooperation amongst Arctic nations is essential," Walker wrote. "While we perceive no immediate military threat in the Arctic region, we remain vigilant in our surveillance of our Northern approaches." Canada needs to keep pace if only because it can't count on the current international order to hold, said John Higginbotham of the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo. "If the globalized system fragments, we're going to get a world of blocs. The blocs will have power to close international shipping channels. "It's a dreadful strategic mistake for Canada to give up our own sea route." Arctic dominance would also give Russia a potent card to play, said Rob Huebert of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. "It gives you presence," he said. "Whenever there's issues that happen to occur elsewhere, we've already seen the behaviour of the Russians — they start doing overflights of other countries to bring pressure." Norway, the Baltics and the United Kingdom have all reported increased airspace violations, Huebert said. Few expect Russian troops to come pouring over the North Pole. The country is sticking with a United Nations process for drawing borders in Arctic waters and is a productive member of the eight-nation Arctic Council. "There's vigorous debate over whether their posture is offensive-oriented," Lackenbauer said. "The Russians insist this is purely defensive. It also offers possibilities for safe and secure shipping in the Northern Sea Route. "They're not doing anything wrong." Canada would be mistaken to ignore the awakening bear, said Ron Wallace of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute in Calgary. "It's important for Canadians to be aware of their Arctic and the circumpolar Arctic and what's going on in the North," he said. Canada is unlikely to take much from Russia's command-and-control style of development, Wallace said, but there are lessons to learn. Combining civilian and military infrastructure is one of them. "That's the kind of thinking I haven't seen here, but that's the thinking the Russians are using," he said. "They see the northern trade route as an excuse to put up military bases at the same time they're working with the Chinese to open up trade routes for the export of their resources." That would also help fulfil federal promises to territorial governments, said Wallace. "Somewhere in the middle there is a better policy for northern Canada." — Follow Bob Weber on Twitter at @row1960 https://www.burnabynow.com/strategic-messaging-russian-fighters-in-arctic-spark-debate-on-canada-s-place-1.23629355

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — The French Air Force chief of staff provided top cover for the future Franco-German fighter at a time when the French defense industry is increasingly concerned that cooperation with Germany could curtail its ability to export the system. “There is a real determination" at the highest levels of government — including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel — to agree on export controls, said Gen. Philippe Lavigne during a Feb. 7 roundtable with reporters. "It's a need for our security, but it's also a need for our industry, and we have to develop this,” he said, adding that Spain has already signed on as an observer to the program and that others are expected to follow. The French government is generally seen as more supportive of arms sales than its partner in the sixth-generation fighter program, called the Future Combat Air System, or FCAS. While enthusiasm for the program remains high, some French defense industry officials are concerned that Germany's involvement could prevent sales to countries that Berlin considers rogue actors. But settling an export policy is just one of the many questions about the FCAS program that are still yet to be answered. So far, France and Germany's concept for FCAS involves a network of swarming UAVs, new weapons and a sixth-generation fighter that can exchange information with each other. FCAS would replace France's Rafale and Germany's Eurofighter around 2040. “We haven't decided what will be the architecture,” Lavigne said. “Will it be this type of aircraft? Will it be this type of [UAV]? Will it be this type of unmanned combat air vehicle? Will it be this type of missiles? But we know that we will share an architecture. “The gamechanger is the connectivity between different platforms.” Earlier this week, the French and German governments awarded €65 million (U.S. $74 million) to Dassault and Airbus for the two-year study that will solidify a path forward for FCAS, and the companies plan to announce demonstrator programs at the Paris Air Show this summer. Lavigne wasn't clear on how the governments would reconcile different requirements, like France's intention to launch FCAS from aircraft carriers, which could drive different design attributes than a fighter that takes off and lands conventionally. “Of course we will have national interests in France with the nuclear deterrence. Germany will have different national interests,” he said. However, he stopped short of saying how much commonality is expected between the two militaries. Until the study is complete, it is “too early to say” whether FCAS will be manned or unmanned. However, Lavigne said a human will continue to be in the loop — especially for nuclear deterrence missions — whether a human is in the cockpit or it is remotely piloted. “We are open to look at the technical solution,” he said. “For me, it's optionally piloted.” FCAS' system-of-systems approach is similar to the U.S. Air Force's vision for Penetrating Counter Air, its future air superiority concept. The Air Force hasn't shared which defense companies are involved in conceptualizing or prototyping future technologies that could be pulled into a PCA program of record, but it requested $504 million in fiscal 2019 to push the effort forward, with investments projected to hit $3 billion in FY22. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/02/08/french-air-force-chief-france-and-germany-working-on-export-controls-for-future-fighter

Les avions de chasse Saab Gripen sont conçus pour «tuer» les redoutables chasseurs russes Sukhoi en combat aérien et ils possèdent une «ceinture noire» dans ce type de combat, a déclaré le commandant de l'armée de l'air suédoise. Le chasseur suédois Gripen est fait pour détruire les Sukhoi russes et sa furtivité n'y est pour rien, a annoncé le commandant de l'armée de l'air suédoise Mats Helgesson. «Le Gripen, en particulier le modèle E, est conçu pour tuer les Sukhoi. Nous avons une ceinture noire», a déclaré Mats Helgesson cité par Business Insider. Selon le média, les avions de chasse russes Sukhoi ont acquis une sorte de statut légendaire en raison de leur capacité à déjouer les avions de combat américains lors de combats aériens et à réaliser des acrobaties dangereuses et agressives, mais le Gripen a peut-être déchiffré son énigme. «Le Gripen ne peut pas porter un plus grand nombre d'armes, n'a pas de furtivité réelle et n'est pas un avion avec un véritable rayon d'action. Il n'est pas le plus rapide ni même le moins cher. Mais il dispose d'une particularité qui en fait un cauchemar pour les avions de combat russes», affirme Business Insider. Justin Bronk, expert au Royal United Services Institute, a déclaré à Business Insider que le Gripen était au-dessus des autres en termes d'efficacité de la lutte électronique et de brouillage de radars. «Il y a plusieurs années, les pilotes du Gripen étaient fatigués de se voir ridiculisés par les pilotes allemands de Typhoon. Ils ont alors mis en marche leurs moyens de guerre électronique et ont fait passer un sacré coup dur aux Allemands», a relaté Justin Bronk. Selon lui, un Gripen aurait «pu apparaître sur l'aile gauche d'un Typhoon sans être détecté en utilisant sa capacité de brouillage». «Pour vaincre les redoutables chasseurs et missiles sol-air russes, les États-Unis se sont largement tournés vers les avions furtifs. La furtivité coûte une fortune et doit être intégrée à la forme de l'avion», signale Business Insider ajoutant que si la Russie déchiffre le code de détection des avions furtifs F-35 américains, le système d'armes le plus cher de l'histoire sera perdu. «Mais Saab a adopté pour ses avions une approche différente et moins chère pour lutter contre les chasseurs et les missiles russes en se concentrant sur l'attaque électronique, ce qui leur confère un avantage sur la furtivité, car ils peuvent faire évoluer le logiciel sans une reconstruction totale», a résumé Justin Bronk. Le chasseur polyvalent Su-57 de cinquième génération, connu auparavant sous le nom de T-50 PAK FA, a effectué son premier vol en 2010. L'appareil est destiné à détruire des objectifs aériens, terrestres et navals. Il est également capable de déjouer les systèmes de défense aérienne existants et en développement. En février 2018, le ministre russe de la Défense Sergueï Choïgou a révélé que deux Su-57 avaient été testés en Syrie. Dans la conception de l'appareil, qui combine les fonctions de chasseur et d'avion d'attaque au sol, des technologies furtives et des matériaux composites sont utilisés. Selon l'annonce du président de la Compagnie aéronautique unifiée, Youri Slioussar, la livraison du premier avion fabriqué en série pour les Forces aérospatiales russes est prévue pour 2019. https://sptnkne.ws/kEHG

ARMY Isometrics Inc.,* Reidsville, North Carolina, was awarded an $82,510,281 firm-fixed-price contract for the Modular Fuel System - Tank Rack Module. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 6, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0048). Goodwin Brothers Construction, St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $33,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract to construct a new water treatment plant for the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Missouri. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Independence, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 22, 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $33,900,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912DQ-19-C-4002). Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $12,884,834 modification (P00006) to contract W91RUS-18-C-0024 for cybersecurity support services. Work will be performed in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 2, 2029. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $12,884,834 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Gilbane Federal JV, Concord, California, was awarded a $10,041,983 firm-fixed-price contract for two-phase design build construction of a blood donor center. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 21, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $10,041,983 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-19-C-3002). NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $52,367,561 for modification P00002 to a previously issued cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N0001918F0472) placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification provides for additional ancillary mission equipment for F-35 Lightning II aircraft in support of the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (non-U.S. DoD), participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2022. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy); fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps); non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funding in the amount of $52,367,561 will be obligated at time of award, $35,913,912 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($20,791,984; 39 percent); Air Force ($11,338,222; 22 percent); Navy ($5,016,648; 10 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants ($12,112,092; 23 percent), and FMS customers ($3,108,615; 6 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics NASSCO-Bremerton, Bremerton, Washington, is awarded a $34,305,282 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-4321 to exercise an option for repair and alteration requirements for USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) fiscal 2019 dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA). The DPIA is the opportunity in the ship's life cycle to conduct repairs and alterations. The option will authorize the fourth major availability of the contract, and entails modification and repair of ship equipment, hull and systems. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington, and is expected to be completed by July 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $34,305,282 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Washington, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Industries Fleet Support Group LLC (formerly AMSEC LLC), Virginia Beach, Virginia (N4523A-19-D-1301); Gryphon (formerly CDI Marine Co. LLC), Norfolk, Virginia (N4523A-19-D-1302); and Tridentis LLC,* Alexandria, Virginia (N4523A-19-D-1303), are awarded a combined not-to-exceed $40,000,000 shared capacity, multiple-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for marine design and engineering services for all current and former U.S. naval vessels, ships, craft and boats in the areas of naval architecture, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronics, industrial and environmental engineering. The work will include planning and estimating, engineering designs and calculations, technical research, troubleshooting and failure mode analysis, assessments and inspections, oversight and technical support of industrial work, training, and detailed reports based on engineering studies and analysis relating to marine vessels and equipment (including, but not limited to cranes, caissons and similar equipment used to support ship repairs, overhaul and dismantling). This requirement also includes computer aided drafting and design drafting and modeling, and technical document preparation, publication and reproduction. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington (60 percent); and throughout the world depending on need (40 percent), and is expected to be complete by February 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,000 will be obligated at time of award through the issuance of three separate task orders ($5,000 for each company) and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Washington, is the contracting activity. Harper Construction Co., Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded $23,958,623 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247319F4285 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-18-D-5853) for bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQ) repairs at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The work to be performed provides for a Design-Build project, consisting of whole barracks renovation and modernization of BEQ Towers D, E, and F. The project also includes repairs for the core building in the complex, which houses administration, utilities, and boilers for the BEQ. Building shell work for Towers D, E and F will repair the roof, provide roof anchors, replace metal panels to match existing building walls, replace all exterior doors, frames, and hardware, replace windows, and repair exterior walls. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $45,234,567. Work will be performed in Lemoore, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $23,958,623 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Six proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Vigor Marine Inc., Portland, Oregon, is awarded a $17,044,892 firm-fixed-price contract for a 75-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7). Work will include clean and gas-free tanks, voids, cofferdams and spaces, propulsion motor and cooler, main generator maintenance and cleaning, high voltage switchboard and emergency switchboard cleaning, five-year main engine flex hose replacement, dry-docking and undocking, propeller shaft and stern tube inspect, freshwater (closed loop) stern tube lubrication, underwater hull cleaning and painting, freeboard cleaning and painting, sea valve replacements, renew flight deck nonskid, and reverse osmosis unit sea-chest installation. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $19,374,570. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, and is expected to be completed by May 15, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,044,892 are obligated at the time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The U. S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C6004). Jacobs Technology Inc., Ridgecrest, California, is awarded $12,328,002 for modification P00060 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost contract (N68936-15-C-0026). This modification provides for the retrofit of existing test equipment, design and development of new testing equipment and test support for Air Launch Testing and Underwater Testing of a conventional prompt strike weapon. Work will be performed in China Lake, California, and is expected to be completed in August 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $270,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is awarded a $10,826,033 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under a previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-4313 for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Planning Yard Services. This modification procures waterjet assembly battle spares for the LCS-5 and follow ships (Freedom Class), from Rolls-Royce Marine North America Inc. Work will be performed in Walpole, Massachusetts (98 percent); and Bath, Maine (2 percent), and is expected to be complete by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $10,826,033 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity. Donjon Marine Co. Inc., Hillside, New Jersey, is awarded a $10,364,915 cost-plus-award-fee delivery order under previously-awarded contract N00024-18-D-4307 to provide pumping assets (equipment and personnel) to Puerto Rico to assist with pumping operations designated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). This contract modification is under Zone A Salvage Services Contract. Action is in response to a salvage services request from ACOE to provide pumping assets given hurricane season commencement and anticipated near-term heavy rainfall. Work will be performed in Puerto Rico and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Non-expiring ACOE funding in the amount of $9,528,240 will be obligated at 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. Homeland Security Solutions Inc., Hampton, Virginia, is awarded a $10,250,351 firm-fixed-price, six-month contract for program management support, training, human resources services and non-guard security support services. This contract includes three one-year option periods, and one six-month option period which, if exercised, could bring the cumulative value of this contract to $35,291,550. Work will be performed in: Camp Lejeune/New River, North Carolina (11 Percent); Camp Pendleton, California (10 percent); Washington, District of Columbia (9 percent); Cherry Point, North Carolina (8 percent); Miramar, California (8 percent); Quantico, Virginia (8 percent); Camp Smith and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (7 percent); Beaufort/Parris Island, South Carolina (6 percent); Yuma, Arizona (5 percent); Barstow, California (5 percent); San Diego, California (5 percent); Albany, Georgia (5 percent); Okinawa, Japan (5 percent); Bridgeport, California (2 percent); Blount Island, Florida (2 percent); New Orleans, Louisiana (2 percent); and Iwakuni, Japan (2 percent). Work is expected to be completed September 2019. If all options are exercised, work will continue through March 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) in the amount of $10,250,351 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Marine Corps Installations National Capitol Region - Regional Contracting Office, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity for M00264-19-C-0007. Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Georgia, is awarded a $9,775,501 cost-plus fixed-fee contract for Low Cost UAS Swarm Technology Distributed Autonomy prototyping, analysis, and support. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the total cumulative value of the contract to $17,441,037. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia, and work is expected to be completed Jan. 31, 2020. If options are exercised, work will continue through Jan. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,061,486 are obligated at the time of award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under N00014-18-S-B001, a long range broad agency announcement (BAA) for science and technology projects for advancement and improvement of Navy and Marine Corps operations, including expeditionary maneuver warfare and combating terrorism. Since proposals will be received throughout the year under the long range BAA, therefore, 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-2023). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, California, is being awarded a $17,416,113 modification (P00359) to a previously awarded F04701-02-C-0009 contract to exercise an option. The value of this contract is increased from $1,898,989,472 to $1,916,405,585. Under this modification, the contractor will provide on-orbit operations and sustainment for the Space Tracking and Surveillance System. The work will be performed at the Missile Defense Space Center at Colorado Springs, Colorado; and at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, California. The performance period is from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,000,000 is being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Textron Aviation Defense, Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $10,362,128 undefinitized contract modification (P0005) to a previously awarded undefinitized contract action FA8617-17-C-6216, increasing the not-to-exceed price to $135,279,753 for 12 T-6C aircraft, maintenance and pilot training, and interim contractor support for maintenance. Contractor will provide supplies and services to provide for the replacement of current training aircraft fleet and the enhancement of the Argentina air force surveillance and border security mission. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2021. This contract is 100 percent Foreign Military Sales to Argentina. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1752961/source/GovDelivery/

By: Hans Binnendijk and Jim Townsend While the German decision last week to remove the Lockheed Martin F-35 from consideration as a replacement for 90 aging Tornado fighters solidifies Franco-German industrial cooperation, it could come at the expense of making Germany's Luftwaffe a less capable air force until at least 2040, when a new advanced Franco-German fighter becomes available. The decision also places German domestic political considerations ahead of Germany's leadership role in NATO. This would be understandable for a nation that does not perceive a significant military threat from Russia, but it is disturbing for those who emphasize the need to maximize NATO's deterrent posture in the East. The decision should be reconsidered. After removing the F-35 (and also the older F-15) from consideration, Germany now has three choices. It can augment its planned 177 Eurofighter Typhoon fleet with up to 90 additional Typhoons adapted for suppression of enemy air defense and electronic warfare missions. That fleet of some 267 Typhoons would simplify servicing and training, but it could also ground the entire German fighter fleet should major structural problems appear in the aircraft. The Typhoon has had considerable readiness problems: Germany would be putting all of its fighter eggs in one basket. Germany could alternatively buy 90 Boeing F-18s (Super Hornets and Growlers), which is still under active German consideration. That decision would provide better air-to-ground and electronic-warfare capabilities for Germany than the additional Typhoons. But it would still leave Germany behind without a fifth-generation fighter as other allies move onto the future of air power. Or Germany could buy some mix of additional Typhoons and F-18s. Today, Germany flies no U.S.-built aircraft, and some observers are betting against the F-18 for that reason. These three remaining alternatives are all second best from the perspective of maximizing Germany's air power and its leadership among NATO air forces. Operationally, the F-35 is by far the best airplane in this mix. It has stealth and battle-management capabilities that are a generation ahead of the Typhoon or F-18. It is a force multiplier that enhances the capabilities of lesser allied aircraft. If the Luftwaffe needs to penetrate heavy air defenses in a future fight, their pilots would be more secure in the F-35. The Luftwaffe without F-35s would be hard-pressed to fight alone in a contested air environment. Currently eight NATO nations have agreed to purchase the F-35. Those nations will have highly interoperable fifth-generation aircraft. They will provide for the elite fighters in future NATO air-superiority and defense-suppression missions. Without the F-35, Germany will be absent from that elite group, and German pilots would probably be given only secondary missions. The F-35 also has advantages to perform Germany's NATO nuclear mission. The ability of the F-35 to penetrate and survive these missions is superior. The F-35 would have been nuclear-certified prior to delivery. Certification for the Typhoon and F-18s would take additional time, money and German political capital. The default position, therefore, might be further life extensions for the old Tornados and further degradation of NATO's nuclear deterrence. It is no wonder that the chief of the German Luftwaffe publicly declared his support for the F-35. He was silenced and retired early. So why did German political leaders make this decision? Money alone is not the answer. While the F-35 is a much better plane, its costs are coming down considerably to the point where they would be about as much as a Typhoon. The Typhoon would, of course, have local labor benefits. Nor is availability the answer. Lockheed has told the Germans that they could have their first F-35 three years after a contract is signed. The answer is more political and industrial. The Merkel government rules by grand coalition, with Social Democrats holding key positions in the Federal Foreign Office and the Finance Ministry. The Social Democrats tend to resist greater defense spending and have a more benign view of Russia's intentions. Many resist Germany's nuclear mission. And no one in the coalition wants to reward U.S. President Donald Trump. More important, France and Germany are drawing closer together on defense policy in the wake of Brexit and President Trump's criticisms of NATO. The recently signed Aachen Treaty committed the two nationsto new levels of cooperation in defense and foreign policy. A center piece of this reinforced Franco-German defense cooperation is an agreement reached last summer to jointly design and produce a next-generation fighter by 2040. Dassault and Airbus plan to leverage their current Rafale and Typhoon aircraft as a bridge to this new joint aircraft. Paris fears that a German purchase of the F-35, especially in large numbers, could undercut the need for the next-gen fighter and harm European capabilities to produce advanced fighters. They have let Berlin know this. A strong Franco-German engine at the heart of European defense is to be encouraged. But it should not come at the expense of optimal NATO air power and deterrence. Nor should it come at the expense of broader NATO solidarity. Germany should reconsider its F-35 decision and purchase at least enough F-35s to retain its leadership position in European air power and its familiarity with fifth-generation aircraft technology. Its European allies, who will also be negatively impacted, should weigh in. Failing this, a purchase of the F-18 would be a second-best option. Hans Binnendijk is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council and formerly served as the U.S. National Security Council's senior director for defense policy. James Townsend is a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and formerly served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/02/08/german-f-35-decision-sacrifices-nato-capability-for-franco-german-industrial-cooperation/

Boeing, qui a pris le contrôle du programme F/A-18 en rachetant McDonnell Douglas, peut-être satisfait : alors que l'US Navy retire ses derniers F/A-18 Hornet des unités de première ligne, son successeur, le Super Hornet, reste bien présent sur le marché des avions de combat où il tient tête (Canada, Finlande, Allemagne...) au F-35 de Lockheed [...](...) https://www.aerocontact.com/actualite-aeronautique-spatiale/57137-la-navy-debarque-le-hornet-alors-que-le-super-hornet-marque-des-points

NAVY BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4419); Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4420); and General Dynamics, National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4421), are each awarded firm-fixed-price modifications to exercise Option Period Three under previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple-award contracts for complex, emergent and continuous maintenance and Chief of Naval Operations availabilities on amphibious ships. Each company will have the opportunity to provide offers for individual delivery orders during Option Period Three, with an estimated cumulative combined value of $406,853,897. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by March 2020. No funding will be obligated at time of award. Funding will be provided as individual delivery orders are issued. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $240,266,448 for modification P00009 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-17-C-0030) for the manufacture and delivery of 12 Lot 16 AH-1Z aircraft for the kingdom of Bahrain under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60 percent); and Amarillo, Texas (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2022. FMS funds in the amount of $240,266,448 are being obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, is awarded a $33,001,816 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity supply contract with cost-reimbursable services for the Digital Video Surveillance System in support of guided-missile destroyer (DDG) modernization. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division is the Navy's agent for the coordination and planning of all the engineering and technical support services for the modernization program. The modernization program provides a full spectrum of technical support encompassing all phases of the alteration installation process. Supplies are to be delivered to various Navy bases, shipyards, repair facilities and contractor facilities in the continental U.S. Work will be performed in Reston, Virginia (85 percent); and at various places below one percent (15 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2024. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,916,500 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 one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. (N64498-19-D-4011) The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $23,108,547 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order N00383-19-F-0AY1 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-18-G-AY01 for the repair of various avionics equipment used on the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Lemoore, California (99 percent); and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed by December 2021. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $23,108,547 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One source was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, and one offer was received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. URS Group Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina, is awarded a $21,000,000 modification on a firm-fixed-price task order under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62470-13-D-6022) for Phase One of Hurricane Michael repairs for stabilization and repairs to multiple buildings at Naval Support Activity Panama City, Florida. The work to be performed provides for removal of carpet, walls, windows and other unsalvageable items due to water penetration, clean-up of roofing materials and tarping of rooftops to mitigate further water intrusion. Repairs include roof replacement, roof decking, and sealing roof penetrations. The repairs also include correction of architectural, structural, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, fire protection, electrical deficiencies and any other incidental related work as found due to damage from the hurricane. After award of this modification, the total task order value will be $42,510,000. Work will be performed in Panama City, Florida, and is expected to be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $21,000,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $18,265,659 for modification P00045 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0004). This modification provides for the maintenance and operation of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL). This effort includes support for all ACURL systems to include consumables for the F-35 aircraft in support of the governments of Australia, Canada and the U.K. Work will be performed in Valparaiso, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2020. Non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $18,265,659 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $16,680,230 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00039-16-C-0050) to exercise options to deliver spare items for the Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT) system and to produce, test and deliver fully integrated NMT. NMT is a multiband capable satellite communications terminal that provides protected and wideband communications. NMT supports Extremely High Frequency (EHF) / Advanced EHF Low Data Rate / Medium Data Rate / Extended Data Rate, Super High Frequency, Military Ka (transmit and receive) and Global Broadcast Service receive-only communications. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida (54 percent); South Deerfield, Massachusetts (25 percent); Stow, Massachusetts (13 percent); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (8 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); Navy working capital funds; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $16,680,230 will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This sole-source contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is awarded a $15,637,609 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification, against previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-4313 for LCS Planning Yard Services. This modification procures waterjet assembly battle spares for the LCS-6 and follow ships (Independence Class). Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (99 percent); and Bath, Maine (1 percent), and is expected to be complete by March 2021. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,637,609 will be obligated at award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity. American Petroleum Tankers LLC, Blue Bay, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $15,111,000 firm-fixed-price option with reimbursable elements under a previously awarded contract (N3220517C3502) to exercise Option One for the vessel the M/V Evergreen State in support of the Department of Defense Logistics Agency Energy. The U.S. flagged vessel provided under the contract is employed in the worldwide transportation of petroleum products. The vessel will primarily be expected to operate in, but not limited to, the U.S. East Coast/Gulf Coast region, in accordance with the terms of this charter. Work for this option is expected to be completed February 2020. Working capital funds in the amount of $9,687,600 are obligated on this award. The cumulative value of this contract, if all options are exercised, is $81,048,250. This procurement was released under full and open competition, with an unlimited number of companies solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Fairfax, Virginia, is awarded a $14,512,050 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-5352 to exercise options for Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 1B3 full-rate production. SEWIP is an evolutionary acquisition and incremental development program to upgrade the existing AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare system. SEWIP provides enhanced shipboard electronic warfare for early detection, analysis, threat warning, and protection from anti-ship missiles. SEWIP Block 1 focuses on obsolescence mitigation and special signal intercept. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (55 percent); Thousand Oaks, California (25 percent); Mountain View, California (15 percent); and Fairfax, Virginia (5 percent), and is expected to be complete by May 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); and fiscal 2019 and 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $14,512,050 will be obligated at 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. Assurance Technology Corp., Carlisle, Massachusetts, is awarded $11,471,334 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00029 to task order N00173-15-F-6201 under previously awarded contract (N00173-15-F-6201). This contract action is for research, development, and integration as it relates to Software Definable/Reconfigurable Systems design. This modification provides additional level of effort to be executed under the task order. The total cumulative face value of this task order is $46,792,500. Work will be performed in Washington, District of Columbia (93 percent); and Carlisle, Massachusetts (7 percent), and work is expected to be completed in July 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,500,000 are obligated at the time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. ARMY The Raytheon Co., Fort Wayne, Indiana, was awarded a $406,280,000 hybrid (cost, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price and fixed-price-incentive) contract for AN/ARC-231 Multiple-Mode Aviation Radio Suite, hardware components, repair services, technical, engineering and logistical support services. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56JSR-19-D-0014). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $107,390,788 fixed-price-incentive contract for recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, Palletized Load System (PLS) trucks, and new PLS trailers. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $107,390,788 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0193). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $55,093,787 fixed-price-incentive contract for recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, Palletized Load System (PLS) trucks, and new PLS trailers. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $55,093,787 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0192). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $40,946,478 fixed-price-incentive contract for recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $40,946,478 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0194). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $29,319,096 fixed-price-incentive contract for recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2017 other procurement Army funds in the amount of $29,319,096 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-F-0195). Record Steel and Construction Inc., Boise, Idaho, was awarded a $25,393,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an E-3G mission and flight simulator training facility at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 21, 2021. Fiscal 2017 military construction funds in the amount of $25,393,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (W912BV-19-C-0002). STANTEC Consulting Services, Raleigh, North Carolina, was awarded a $12,250,000 firm-fixed-price contract for vertical architectural and engineering. Bids were solicited via the internet with 28 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 6, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912PM-19-D-0001). Clark Nexsen Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, was awarded a $12,250,000 firm-fixed-price contract for vertical architectural and engineering. Bids were solicited via the internet with 28 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 6, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912PM-19-D-0002). AECOM Technical Services Inc., Los Angeles, California, was awarded a $12,250,000 firm-fixed-price contract for vertical architectural and engineering. Bids were solicited via the internet with 28 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 6, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912PM-19-D-0003). Whitman, Requardt and Associates LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $12,250,000 firm-fixed-price contract for vertical architectural and engineering. Bids were solicited via the internet with 28 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 6, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W912PM-19-D-0004). AAI Corp. doing business as Textron Systems, Hunt Valley, Maryland, was awarded a $7,050,000 modification (0004 10) to Foreign Military Sales (Australia) contract W58RGZ-17-D-0006 for contractor logistics support of the One System Remote Video Terminal. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of May 7, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance Army; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $7,050,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Parsons, Pasadena, California, has been awarded a $94,359,257 firm-fixed-price contract, for Launch Manifest Systems Integrator (LMSI). This acquisition will allow for necessary integration and manifesting services for the LMSI requirement. Work will be performed in Pasadena and Torrance, California, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 6, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2019 space procurement funds in the amount of $5,898,895 will be obligated at the time of award. The Contracting Division, Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-F-0003). https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1751801/source/GovDelivery/

Gennevilliers, le 6 février 2019. Safran inaugure la nouvelle plateforme de recherche sur les aubes de turbines avancées pour moteurs d'avions et d'hélicoptères en présence de Florence Parly, ministre des Armées, d'Ursula von der Leyen, ministre de la Défense allemande et de Philippe Petitcolin, Directeur Général de Safran. La plateforme de recherche sur les aubes de turbines avancées de Safran Tech, centre de Recherche et Technologie du Groupe, rassemble les compétences d'une trentaine d'ingénieurs et doctorants, dans un b'timent de 3 000 m2 doté d'équipements de haute technologie, pour mener l'ensemble des travaux de développement des futures aubes de turbines à très haute performance. Conception multi-disciplinaire, fonderie mono-cristalline, noyaux céramiques par fabrication additive, barrières thermiques, circuits de refroidissement, digitalisation des procédés, micro-perçage auto-adaptatif, contrôles non destructifs avancés utilisant l'intelligence artificielle sont quelques exemples des domaines d'expertise et d'innovation mis en oeuvre au sein de la plateforme. Les nouvelles aubes de turbines réalisées sur cette plateforme seront intégrées sur les moteurs actuels du Rafale afin d'améliorer la disponibilité opérationnelle des aéronefs et diminuer le coût du maintien en condition opérationnelle ainsi que le coût de production. Les technologies développées par la plateforme intègreront également le futur moteur militaire à haute performance de Safran Aircraft Engines dans la perspective du Système de Combat Aérien du Futur franco-allemand (SCAF). La plateforme développe également des technologies qui seront utilisées sur les moteurs civils et les moteurs d'hélicoptères. A cette occasion, Florence Parly, ministre des Armées et Philippe Petitcolin, Directeur Général de Safran ont signé le renouvellement de la convention de soutien Action PME, en présence de trois PME, Alliance Outillage, Chesneau et MSC Scanning, fournisseurs notamment de la plateforme de recherche. Le site de Gennevilliers, en activité depuis 110 ans, est l'un des sites historiques du Groupe. Situé à une quinzaine de kilomètres au nord-ouest de Paris, il regroupe, sur 15 hectares en bord de Seine, les activités de forge, de fonderie et d'usinage de pièces aéronautiques de Safran Aircraft Engines réparties en trois centres d'excellence industrielle : pour les aubes de turbines, les aubes de compresseurs et les pièces tournantes. https://www.safran-group.com/fr/media/safran-inaugure-sa-plateforme-de-recherche-sur-les-aubes-de-turbines-avancees-gennevilliers-20190206