Nouvelles

By: Gerard O'Dwyer HELSINKI – Finland's HX-FP multirole fighter replacement program has advanced to the next stage as five aircraft manufacturers have tendered their proposals to the Finnish Defence Forces' (FDF) Logistics Command office. The proposals include preliminary quotations on cost. The air force plans to retire its fleet of F/A-18 C/D Hornet jets between 2025 and 2029. The HX-FP carries an estimated price tag of €11.4 billion, a cost that includes life cycle service and maintenance overheads on a fleet of 64 multirole aircraft. The government received proposals from four countries, including the United States, Sweden, France and Britain. The aircraft types covered in the proposals are Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin's F-35, France's Dassault Rafale, the British-made Eurofighter and the Swedish Saab Gripen. The Saab proposal includes both the single-seat Gripen E and the dual-seat Gripen F versions. Request for Quotation (RFQ) documents were dispatched by the Logistics Command to the governments of France, the United States, Britain and Sweden in April 2018. The petitions were then forwarded to the five participating manufacturers. The deadline for acceptance of responses was Jan. 31, 2019. The proposals received by the Logistics Command include information pertaining to technical systems requirements for operating a fleet of 64 aircraft, as well as support documentation dealing with training systems, essential maintenance tools, testing equipment, spare parts, weapons systems and sensors. The next stage in the HX-FP program will be an analysis of the various proposals. This is expected to be completed during the first half of 2019. At that point, the procurement program will enter the first phase of a negotiations process during which a more forensic examination of the quotations tendered will be conducted in consultation with the five bidding manufacturers. The Logistics Command will forward a more detailed RFQ to manufacturers during the second half of 2019. This will precede the second phase of negotiations. Participating manufacturers will be required to submit final tender documents to the government during the second stage process which is slated to end in 2020. The Finnish government plans to bring its final decision to the national parliament for approval in 2021. The proposal presented by Saab sets out the basis for a broad, long-term industrial cooperation between Finland and Sweden framed around any deal. The proposal covers the production of military aircraft in Finland. It also includes the transfer of maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities to local industry in Finland. Moreover, Saab is proposing to establish a Gripen sustainment and development center in Finland. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/02/01/industry-bids-are-in-for-finlands-13-billion-fighter-race

ARMY General Electric Aviation, Lynn, Massachusetts, was awarded a $517,375,800 cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract for the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Improved Turbine Engine Program. Two bids were solicited via the internet with two bids received. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 1, 2024. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $130,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-C-0003). Ravenswood Solutions Inc., Fremont, California, was awarded a $39,906,590 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of hardware components making up two FlexTrain multi-mission instrumentation systems, along with Orion software licenses. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Fremont, California, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 13, 2019. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $39,906,590 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-19-C-0018). Lockheed Martin Corp. Missile and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, was awarded a $24,969,700 cost-plus-incentive-fee Foreign Military Sales (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Germany and Republic of Korea) contract for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target, Advanced Capability-3 and Missile Segment Enhancement. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2010 Foreign Military Sales; and other procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $24,969,700 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-F-0196). Raytheon Co., Andover, Massachusetts, was awarded a $19,471,861 modification (P00026) to Foreign Military Sales (Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, Romania and Sweden) contract W31P4Q-17-C-0042 for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target missile support center, missile assessments, testing, recertification, and repair activities. One bid was solicited via with one bid received. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Foreign Military Sales; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $19,471,861 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $9,020,518 modification (P00183) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle trailers, kits, systems engineering and program management. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2019 procurement, Marine Corps; and other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $9,020,518 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. NAVY Andromeda Systems Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia, is awarded a $41,977,403 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide engineering support services and associated engineering technical services in support of the Fleet Readiness Center South East's In-Service Support Center. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida (90 percent); Seattle, Washington (2 percent); Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2 percent); NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia (1.5 percent); NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida (1.5 percent); Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina (1.5 percent); NAS Corpus Christi, Texas (1.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2024. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $5,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent small business set-aside; seven offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (N6134019D0006). DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $21,537,760 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5395 to exercise options for production of the AN/SPQ-9B radar systems and associated equipment. This modification is for the production of five AN/SPQ-9B radar systems; five combat interface kits; three digital signal processor upgrade kits; and three periscope detection and discrimination upgrade kits. The AN/SPQ-9B provides Navy ships the capability to detect and track low-flying, high-speed, small Radar Cross Section anti-ship missile targets in heavy clutter environments. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be complete by April 2021. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $21,537,760 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 Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin – Rotary and Mission Systems, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is awarded $10,939,237 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N00019-18-F-2684 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0057). This delivery order provides for the management, sustainment, and upgrade of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System software product baseline and the required system and software documentation for the Navy and the government of the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (98 percent); and Patuxent River, Maryland (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,939,237 will be obligated at time of award, $1,361,805 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($8,687,257; 79.4 percent); and the government of the United Kingdom ($2,251,980; 20.6 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, was awarded a maximum $39,038,317 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (PZ0003) for an existing cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (H92241-18-F-0022) for finalization of four new-build MH-47G rotary wing aircraft. This action is required to satisfy an urgent need to sustain U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) heavy assault, rotary wing aircraft in light of increased SOF operational demands. Fiscal 2018 procurement, defense-wide funds in the amount of $15,817,890; and fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $23,220,427 shall be obligated at time of modification award. The funds are multiyear. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. The delivery order number is W91215-16-G-0001. U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Aurora Industries LLC,* Camuy, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $30,507,300 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for jackets, extreme cold/wet weather, GEN III. This is an 18-month base contract with one one-year option period. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with an Aug. 1, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1133). Coachys & Associates LLC,** Roswell, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $28,390,500 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for jackets, extreme cold/wet weather, GEN III. This is an 18-month base contract with one one-year option period. This was a competitive acquisition with five responses received. Locations of performance are Georgia and Tennessee with an Aug. 1, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1134). Ohio Ordnance Works Inc.,* Chardon, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $26,141,125 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for receiver cartridge's. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. Location of performance is Ohio, with a Feb. 1, 2024, 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 Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-D-0050). Saft America, Valdosta, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $7,920,163 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for storage batteries. This is three-year base contract with two one-year option periods. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses. Location of performance is Georgia, with a Jan. 31, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-19-D-0082). JLG Industries Inc., McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $7,572,265 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for atlas rough terrain forklift transmissions and diesel engines. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c) (1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Wisconsin, with a Feb. 1, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-D-0020). AIR FORCE Valdez International Corp., Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $26,262,042 firm-fixed-price modification (P00010) to contract FA8773-17-C-0002 to exercise Option II for Air Force Information Network support services. Work will be performed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and is expected to be completed Feb. 2, 2020. This modification is the result of a competitive acquisition and 11 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $26,262,042 are being obligated at the time of award. The 38th Contracting Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Scientific Research Corp., Atlanta, Georgia, has been awarded a $10,000,000 modification (P0009) to increase the ceiling on contract FA7037-15-D-0001 for the Digital Integration Combat Engagement program. The contractor will perform systems engineering and analysis supporting the research, development, security and accreditation, integration and evaluation of new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensor, data link and tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination. Location of performance will be determined on individual task orders is expected to be completed by Feb. 29, 2020. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Acquisition Management and Integration Center-Detachment 2, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. (BAH), McLean, Virginia, was awarded a hybrid firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to exercise Option Year 4. The face value of this action is $10,621,332.98 and incrementally funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,655,333; and fiscal 2019 research, testing, development and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,283,307. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $49,940,116. Performance will be at Defense Information Systems Agency and contractor facilities. Proposals were solicited via the General Services Administration (GSA) Alliant Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), and only one proposal from BAH, the incumbent contractor, was received from all GSA Alliant GWAC contract holders proposals solicited (approximately 58). The current action, modification P00056, is to exercise the last option year for the period of performance of Feb. 4, 2019, to Feb. 3, 2020. Award will be made on Feb. 1, 2019, with performance to begin on Feb. 4, 2019. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1047-15-F-0005 P00056). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Tecolote Research Inc., Goleta, California, has been awarded a $7,718,193 firm-fixed-priced contract. The contract is to procure services for management of the Department of Defense's cost data collection repository, the Cost Assessment Data Enterprise (CADE), used by analysts to develop cost estimates for major acquisition programs. Work performance will take place primarily in Arlington, Virgina ; Goleta, California; and Tacoma, Washington. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,564,914; fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,216,061; fiscal 2019 Defense Acquisition Workforce Development funds in the amount of $680,218; and fiscal 2019 Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration funds in the amount of $257,000 are being obligated on this award. The expected completion date is Feb. 2, 2020. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (GS-00F-052CA). *Small Business **Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1746786/source/GovDelivery/

NAVY Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia, is awarded the detail design and construction (DD&C) efforts for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers Enterprise (CVN 80) and unnamed CVN 81 under the following contract actions: (1) A $14,917,738,145 fixed-price-incentive-firm target modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2116 for DD&C efforts for the future USS Enterprise (CVN 80) and unnamed CVN 81. The current contract for advance procurement funded efforts has been in place since 2016. (2) A $263,096,868 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2116 for associated research and development efforts. (3) A $31,097,671 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification for additional level-of-effort in support of maintenance of the CVN 78 class specification, design efforts, feasibility and tradeoff studies, and scoping and estimating. Work under this contract will be performed in Newport News, Virginia (62 percent); Sunnyvale, California (5 percent); Coatesville, Pennsylvania (3 percent); Wellsville, New York (1 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (1 percent); Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1 percent); and various locations below one percent (27 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2032. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $889,830,279 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AECOM Construction Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N40085-19-D-9066); Archer Western Federal JV, Chicago, Illinois (N40085-19-D-9067); Hourigan Construction Co., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N40085-19-D-9068); RQ Construction LLC, Carlsbad, California (N40085-19-D-9069); The Whiting Turner Contracting Co., Greenbelt, Maryland (N40085-19-D-9070); and W.M. Jordan Co. Inc., Newport News, Virginia (N40085-19-D-9089), are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award design-build/design-bid-build construction contract for construction projects, located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Hampton Roads area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value for all six contracts combined is $249,000,000. The work to be performed provides for but is not limited to, new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition, and repair work for industrial, warehouses, airfield, aircraft hangar, aircraft traffic control, infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory, recruit barracks, mess facilities, assembly facilities, medical facilities and community support facilities. AECOM Construction Inc. is awarded the initial task order at $27,640,890 for the design and construction of a new bachelor enlisted quarters at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia. The task order also contains three planned modifications, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $29,272,575. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by May 2021. All work on this contract will be performed in the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Hampton Roads AOR, Virginia. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion of January 2024. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $27,640,890 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy); and military construction (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 18 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $95,257,528 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2106 to exercise an option for naval nuclear propulsion components. Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (94 percent); and Schenectady, New York (6 percent), and is expected to be complete by September 2028. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $95,257,528 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. No additional information is provided on Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program contracts. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Kay and Associates Inc., Buffalo Grove, Illinois, is awarded $63,016,210 for modification P00007 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0042117C0044) to exercise an option for maintenance and support services for F/A-18 C/D and associated equipment in support of the government of Kuwait. Work will be performed at various locations in Kuwait including Almed Al-Jaber Air Base (98.38 percent); Kuwaiti Air Force Headquarters (6.04 percent); Air Institute/Air Defense Base (1.89 percent); and Subhan/Air Defense Base (1.13 percent). Work is expected to be completed in January 2020. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $63,016,210 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $41,967,720 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-17-C-0081 for the procurement of 20 production Marine Turbine (MT7) engines for the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 100 Class craft in support of the Ship to Shore Connector program. Each LCAC 100 craft consists of four MT7 engines. Work to be performed includes production of the MT7 engines and delivery to Textron Marine Systems for the assembly of the LCAC 100 Class craft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be complete by December 2020. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $41,967,720 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. Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is awarded a $27,705,545 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract in support of engineering services and on-site support services to explore and resolve issues associated with various submarine air revitalization, monitoring, oxygen generation and ventilation systems on U.S. naval ships. Work will be performed at various locations including New London, Connecticut; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Norfolk, Virginia; Kings Bay, Georgia; San Diego, California; Bremerton, Washington; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Norway, and is expected to be completed by January 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $29,081 will be obligated at time of award on the initial task order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-18-D-4000). L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, is awarded $18,721,174 for modification P00037 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, labor hour, cost-reimbursement indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007). This modification extends the period of performance and increases the ceiling of the contract to provide TH-57 contractor logistics support. This modification provides all logistics services and materials for organizational and depot level repairs required to support and maintain the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed in Milton, Florida, and is expected to be completed in March 2019. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $17,774,920 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6327 to exercise options for the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment One Block One Systems full-rate production in support of the Expeditionary Warfare Program Office. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by November 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2018 Overseas Contingency Operations other procurement (Navy); and 2018 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,967,278 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is awarded a $15,850,000 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-10-C-5126 for a provisioned items order of DDG 1000 class mission systems equipment interim spares in support of the Zumwalt Class combat systems program office. The DDG 1000 ship class is a multi-mission surface combatant designed to fulfill volume firepower and precision strike requirements. DDG 1000 combat systems provide offensive, distributed and precision firepower and long ranges in support of forces ashore, while incorporating signature reduction, active and passive self-defense systems and enhanced survivability features. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (40 percent); Largo, Florida (35 percent); Tewksbury, Massachusetts (10 percent); Nashua, New Hampshire (10 percent); and Marlboro, Massachusetts (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by July 2021. Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,850,000 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. Progeny Systems Corp.,* Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $14,750,184 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to deliver the Integrated Shipboard/Shore-based Maintenance Management Decision Tool and related engineering and technical services via the Nosis software infrastructure and build process. This effort will produce, deliver and support continuously updated Nosis functionality in a common software build to Virginia, Columbia, Los Angeles, Ohio, and Seawolf submarines, as well as aircraft carrier propulsion plants. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $85,654,305. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (30 percent); Groton, Connecticut (25 percent); Bremerton, Washington (15 percent); Las Vegas, Nevada (10 percent); Cleveland, Ohio (10 percent); Chesapeake, Virginia (4 percent); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (2 percent); San Diego, California (2 percent); and Kings Bay, Georgia (2 percent), and is expected to be complete by January 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; fiscal 2014 and 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,318,371 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 (N00024-19-C-6204). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $11,278,884 for cost-plus-fixed-fee order N0001919F2667 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026). This order provides for aerial refueling envelope expansion and objective tanker qualification testing in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (75 percent); and Melbourne, Florida (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,000,000 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. Bilbro Construction Co., Inc.,* Escondido, California, is awarded $11,220,661 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247319F4265 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-17-D-4630) for removal of two existing absorption chillers and replace with two steam turbine driven centrifugal in Building 7 at Naval Medical Center, San Diego. The work to be performed provides for the removal of two non-functioning steam absorption chillers and replacement of two steam driven centrifugal chillers. Work also includes equipment pads to support chillers, piping and fittings to connect from chillers to existing infrastructure, and electrical wiring for connection of chillers. The project also provides controls for chillers and integration with existing control system, conducting performance verification and testing of chillers and installation of refrigerant monitoring system. The task order contains base items 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004, and 0005. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2020. Fiscal 2019 Defense Working Capital (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $11,220,661 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Treadwell Corp., Thomaston, Connecticut, is awarded a $9,381,592 cost-reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract in support of engineering and in-service engineering services for submarine air revitalization, air monitoring, oxygen generation and ventilation on U.S. naval ships. Work will be performed at various locations worldwide including New London, Connecticut; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; Bremerton, Washington; Guam; Diego Garcia; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by January 2022. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $35,503 will be obligated on the first task order placed at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-18-D-4003). AIR FORCE Engility Corp., Andover, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $655,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement contract for services supporting the Space and Missile Systems Center Advanced Systems and Development Directorate, Ground Systems and Space Operations Division at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. This contract provides engineering, development, integration, and sustainment services supporting the current Ground System Enterprise throughout its evolution, including the transition to and buildout of Enterprise Ground Services. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. For the first task order award (FA8818-19-F-0007), fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,500,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA8818-19-D-0003). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $100,690,961 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00002) to contract FA8682-18-C-0009 which provides for design, development, integration and testing of subsystem design changes for the wings/chines to the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range baseline missile. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2023. This award is the result of sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds will provide funding for the contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a $70,706,540 firm-fixed-price delivery order (FA8504-19-F-0008) to contract FA8504-17-D-0002 for C-130J propulsion long term sustainment. This order provides for funding of Option II. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and other locations, and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $70,706,540. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, Thousand Oaks, California, has been awarded a $16,448,132 modification (P00005) to contract FA9453-17-C-0037 for Fortress program to establish thrust to pursue medium wavelength infrared and long wavelength infrared HgCdTe based detector technologies with a higher performance than conventional HgCdTe photodiodes. The contract modification intends to pursue these novel HgCdTe detector technologies in parallel with conventional HgCdTe and III-V based unipolar barrier infrared detectors but grown on larger substrates. Work will be performed in Thousand Oaks, California, and is expected to be completed by March 12, 2022. Fiscal 2018 and research, development, test and evaluation; and Title III funds in the amount of $6,750,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $22,381,868. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. Copper River ES, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded an $8,549,387 definitive, firm-fixed-price contract for production support services. This contract provides for direct labor for support services and depot avionics technical repairs operations at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The contractor shall supply labor and management to provide technical and administrative production support services for the 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and is expected to be completed Jan. 27, 2020. This award is the result of a direct-award acquisition. Fiscal 2019, working capital funds in the amount of $6,438,290 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8571-19-C-A006). AKIMA Logistics Services LLC, Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $7,798,197 firm-fixed-price option indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for full contractor logistics support of 58 U.S. Air Force Academy aircraft. Work will be performed at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; and the U.S. Air Force Academy auxiliary airfield, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2020. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8106-19-F-8001). ARMY General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $402,163,806 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Stryker system technical support services. 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 Jan. 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0046). Bauer Foundation Corp., Odessa, Florida (W912EP-19-D-0012); Bencor Global Inc., Frisco, Texas (W912EP-19-D-0013); and Treviicos South Inc., Charlestown, Massachusetts (W912EP-19-D-0014), will compete for each order of the $387,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation dam modification cutoff wall. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Knox County Association for Remarkable Citizens Inc., Vincennes, Indiana, was awarded a $49,323,199 firm-fixed-price contract for wood pallets. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-0014). J&J Maintenance Inc., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $42,601,783 firm-fixed-price contract for healthcare environmental 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 Jan. 31, 2020. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-19-D-0011). DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $74,864,274 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for rapid development, production, deployment, and support of the Mobile-Low Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; operations and maintenance, Army; and other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $36,683,495 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-C-0006). NIC4 Inc., Tampa, Florida, was awarded a $28,812,143 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for capabilities to operate, sustain, support and expand Iraq's Very Small Aperture Terminal network. 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 Jan. 31, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-19-D-5000). Vectrus Systems Corp., Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a $26,735,291 modification (P00026) to contract W91RUS-17-C-0010 for non-personal operations and maintenance supply services. Work will be performed in Germany and Italy with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $1 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. B.L. Harbert International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a $26,644,688 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a consolidated Nuclear Air Operations and Support Facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work will be performed in Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 military construction funds in the amount of $26,644,688 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912DQ-19-C-4001). Raytheon Co., Andover, Massachusetts, was awarded a $16,350,543 modification (P00017) to contract W31P4Q-17-C-0003 for depot level diagnosis, clean up, repair and maintenance. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army; and operations and maintenance, Army overseas contingency operations funds in the amount of $16,350,543 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Marton Technologies Inc.,* Newport News, Virginia, was awarded a $15,962,505 modification (0001 73) to contract W52P1J-14-G-0021 for logistics support services. Work will be performed in Fort Riley, Kansas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $13,483,212 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. United Support Solutions - LMT Inc.,* Cedar Grove, New Jersey (W25G1V-19-D-0001); Finch Manufacturing & Technology LLC,* West Pittston, Pennsylvania (W25G1V-19-D-0002); and Central Metal Fabricators Inc.,* Farmingdale, New Jersey (W25G1V-19-D-0003), will compete for each order of the $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to fabricate mechanical components and assemblies. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $7,969,810 modification (P00072) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0067 for Abrams systems technical support. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2020. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,989,810 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Loch Harbour Group Inc.,* Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded a $7,247,076 modification (P00010) to contract W9124L-17-F-0003 for training instructors. Work will be performed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $7,247,076 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES NetCentrics Corp., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $268,464,985 firm-fixed-price contract to provide Information Technology (IT) Support Services - Service Delivery. The specific tasks of this service delivery requirement will consist of satisfying Joint Service Provider (JSP) user needs for secure, accessible, and stable IT support. Service delivery services requires an understanding of the current operating environment of the JSP and the ability to leverage mature capabilities and industry best practices to improve efficiency and reduce complexity in order to enhance JSP's IT support services. Through the Service delivery requirement, the JSP seeks to deliver responsive IT services and support to its users in the most efficient manner as possible. Work performance will take place primarily in the National Capital Region, including the Pentagon, Mark Center, and Crystal City, Virginia. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $268,464,985 are being obligated on this award. The expected completion date is Feb. 27, 2023. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-19-F-0093). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Base Utilities Inc.,* Grand Forks, North Dakota, has been awarded a $41,055,519 modification (P00001) to a 50-year utilities privatization contract (SP0600-18-C-8322) with no option periods for additional utility services for two water and two wastewater systems. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is North Dakota, with a Jan. 31, 2069, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2069 Air Force operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Timken Aerospace Drive Systems LLC, Manchester, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $9,072,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRRA1-19-F-0132) against a three-year basic ordering agreement (SPRRA1-17-D-0014) for rotor link pin assemblies. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a three-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Connecticut, with a July 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY ARTEL LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a contract modification (P00005) with an effective date of Feb. 2, 2019, to exercise Option Period One on task order GS-35F-5151H / HC101318F0016 for commercial satellite communications service. The face value of this action is $12,253,244 funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds. The total cumulative face value of the task order is $77,474,994. Performance directly supports the Air Force's Central Command network architecture within the Southwest Asia area of responsibility. Quotations were solicited via the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedule, Information Technology Schedule 70, and one quotation was received from 29 offerors solicited. The period of performance for Option Period One is Feb. 2, 2019, through Feb. 1, 2020, and there are three remaining unexercised option periods for this task order. The Defense Information Technology Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. * Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1745521/source/GovDelivery/

By: Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany ― Germany's Ministry of Defence has officially ruled out the F-35 joint strike fighter as a choice to replace its aging Tornado fleet, Defense News has learned. An official from the ministry confirmed that the F-35 is not a finalist in the competition, which seeks a replacement for the 90-jet fleet. The news was first reported by German site AugenGeradeaus. The move is not altogether surprising. Berlin for some time has officially favored an upgraded version of the fourth-generation Eurofighter Typhoon, built by a consortium of Airbus, Leonardo and BAE Systems, as the Tornado replacement. The main argument is to keep European companies involved in building combat aircraft and, perhaps even more importantly, staying clear of disturbing Franco-German momentum in armaments cooperation. However, the decision leaves open the question of certification for nuclear weapons. The Typhoon is not certified to carry the American-made nuclear bombs that Germany, as part of its strategic posture, is supposed to be able to carry on its jets. Competing against the Typhoon is Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Before the German MoD confirmed that the F-35 was officially out of the running, Reuters on Thursday reported that the ministry was considering splitting the buy between the Typhoon and either the F-35 or Super Hornet. Ordering both the Typhoon and an American aircraft would make it easier to continue carrying out the NATO nuclear mission, while also lending support to the European industrial base. However, it could complicate logistics, adding more expense and forcing the German air force to maintain two supply chains. It is worth noting that despite complaints about the cost of keeping the ageing Tornados flying, keeping around a certain number of them always has been considered a painful, but not impossible, proposition among some defense experts. That is especially the case for the nuclear mission. “There does not have to be a nuclear Tornado replacement,” Karl-Heinz Kamp, president of the Federal Academy for Security Policy, a government think tank, told Defense News last August. He noted that any German government is acutely averse to the publicity surrounding Berlin's would-be atomic bombers. “That's why they will keep flying the Tornados, despite the price tag and despite having asked about a Eurofighter nuclear certification in Washington,” Kamp predicted at the time. German defense officials on Thursday evening stressed that no decisions had been made besides reducing the playing field to the FA-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Defense Ministry will request additional information from the respective manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, on the issues of operations, economic viability and timing, these officials said. Germany's decision appears to have come at the surprise of F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which was not told by the ministry of the imminent announcement. “We have not been officially notified of a decision on Germany's future fighter,” Lockheed spokesman Mike Friedman said in an emailed response to a query. “The F-35 delivers unmatched value as the most capable and lowest life-cycle cost aircraft, while delivering the strongest long-term industrial and economic opportunities compared to any fighter on the market. As the foundation of NATO's next generation of air power, the F-35 is the most advanced aircraft in the world today, and includes Electronic Attack capabilities well beyond any specialized fourth generation aircraft.” Valerie Insinna in Washington contributed to this report. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/01/31/germany-officially-knocks-f-35-out-of-competition-to-replace-tornado/

OTTAWA — Canada is being forced to shoulder a bigger share of the costs of developing F-35 fighter jets even though it has not decided whether it will actually buy any. Canada is one of nine partner countries in the F-35 project, each of which is required to cover a portion of the stealth fighter's multibillion-dollar development costs to stay at the table. Each country pays based on the number of F-35s it's expecting to buy. Canada has pitched in more than half-a-billion dollars over the last 20 years, including $54 million last year. But that amount was based on the Stephen Harper government's plan to buy 65 new fighter jets to replace Canada's aging CF-18s, which the Trudeau government has since officially increased to 88. Even though Canada has not committed that those 88 jets will be F-35s, the Department of National Defence says that change means it will have to pay more to remain a partner — including about $72 million this year. “Canada's costs under the F-35 (partnership agreement) are based on an intended fleet size,” Defence Department spokeswoman Ashley Lemire said in an email. “Canada changed its fleet size within the F-35 (agreement) from 65 to 88 aircraft to align with government decisions on the size of the intended permanent fighter fleet to be acquired through competition and the payment increased accordingly.” The F-35's development costs have been a constant source of criticism over the life of the stealth-fighter program, which Canada first joined under the Chretien government in 1997. The entire program is believed to have already cost more than US$1 trillion. The Trudeau government says it plans to keep Canada in the F-35 development effort until a replacement for the CF-18s is chosen — partners in the development work can buy the planes at a lower price and compete for work associated with their production and long-term maintenance. Canadian companies have so far won more than $1.2 billion in contracts related to the F-35, according to the government. The F-35 is one of four planes slated to participate in the $19-billion competition that the government plans to launch this spring, the others being Boeing's Super Hornet, Eurofighter's Typhoon and Saab's Gripen. The competition isn't scheduled to select a winner until 2021 or 2022, meaning Canada will be on the hook for several more payments. The first new aircraft is expected in 2025 and the last in 2031, when the CF-18s will be phased out. F-35 maker Lockheed Martin says more than 350 of the stealth fighters have been delivered to different countries, while Israel became the first country to use the plane in combat last year when two of the jets struck targets in neighbouring Syria. Acting U.S. defence secretary Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, nonetheless criticized the program on Monday, saying it “has room for a lot more performance.” “I am biased toward performance,” he was quoted as saying when asked if he is biased toward Boeing. “I am biased toward giving the taxpayer their money's worth. And the F-35, unequivocally, I can say, has a lot of opportunity for more performance.” https://ottawacitizen.com/news/world/plan-to-buy-more-fighter-jets-puts-canada-on-hook-for-bigger-share-of-f-35-costs/wcm/efec8576-c36f-40cf-922a-2bb324352388

Par Emmanuel Huberdeau La Suède et Saab ont déposé une offre pour le programme HX finlandais pour le remplacement du F/A-18 Hornet. Saab a annoncé, le 30 janvier 2019, avoir déposé une offre auprès de l'agence finlandaise en charge des programmes d'armement. L'industriel suédois propose la vente de 64 chasseurs Gripen E et F (Version biplaces) en réponse à l'appel d'offre publié en avril 2018. 62 F/A-18C/D Hornet sont actuellement en service au sein de la force aérienne finlandaise. Livrés entre 1995 et 2000, ces appareils ont été modernisés afin d'être dotés de capacités d'attaque au sol dont ils étaient dépourvus à l'origine. Helsinki prévoit de choisir le remplaçant de ses F/A-18 en 2021, ces derniers devant être retirés du service à partir de 2025. L'appel d'offre mentionnait en plus du Gripen, le F/A-18E/F Super Hornet de Boeing, le Rafale de Dassault, l'Eurofighter Typhoon, le F-35 de Lockheed Martin. Les offres seront évaluées selon les capacités des appareils dans cinq domaines : la défense aérienne, l'attaque au sol, l'aéromaritime, la reconnaissance (ISR). http://www.air-cosmos.com/saab-propose-officiellement-le-gripen-e-a-la-finlande-119867

Acquisition Expands FLIR's Unmanned Systems Solutions with Advanced Airframes, Sensors, and Flight Management Software for Government and Defense Customers WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2019-- FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today that it has acquired Aeryon Labs Inc., a leading developer of high-performance unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the global military, public safety, and critical infrastructure markets for $200 million. Aeryon's vertical takeoff and landing quad-copter airframes integrate multiple sensors, including FLIR thermal technology, to provide users with immediate high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. Based in Waterloo, Canada, and with offices in Denverand Salt Lake City, Aeryon Labs was founded in 2007 and is a leading designer and manufacturer of mission-focused Group 1 UAS solutions built around aircraft under 20 pounds. Aeryon's family of UAS are deployed by 20 militaries in over 30 countries around the world, including the United States Department of Defense. Aeryon develops UAS solutions that includes hardware, embedded software, ground control stations, sensors, software for flight operations, as well as supporting services for its global customers. “The acquisition of Aeryon Labs reinforces our long-term strategy to move beyond providing sensors to the development of complete solutions that save lives and livelihoods,” said Jim Cannon, President and CEO of FLIR Systems. “This acquisition, coupled with our acquisition of Prox Dynamics in 2016, greatly increases our unmanned systems solutions capabilities, expanding beyond nano-UAS into Group 1 UAS solutions for military. We intend to continue to invest and build this area of our business and broaden our capabilities as we view unmanned and autonomous solutions to be a significant opportunity for organic growth in the coming years.” Rugged, reliable, and field-proven, Aeryon's SkyRanger UAS are rucksack portable and can be deployed in minutes by a single operator. SkyRanger UAS are renowned for operating in demanding environments and inclement weather, including at high altitudes, gusting winds, and rain and snow. The latest additions to the SkyRanger family of aircraft establish a new benchmark for small UAS performance and reliability. Now with a modular and open architecture, end users and third party developers can create tightly integrated payloads and software systems for the SkyRanger platform, enabling rapid solution development, onboard artificial intelligence, and autonomous operations. “We're thrilled to join the FLIR family and to have a large, growth-oriented technology company as our new home,” said Dave Kroetsch, Co-founder and CTO of Aeryon Labs. “As drone technology and its markets evolve, customers are seeking UAS as just one component of a broader solution. While Aeryon has been evolving in that direction for the past few years, being part of FLIR Systems brings a path to include our hardware and software technologies in much bigger solutions than would have ever been possible on our own.” Aeryon Labs is now part of the FLIR Government and Defense Business Unit's Unmanned Systems and Integrated Solutions division. The transaction is expected to be $0.02 dilutive to FLIR Systems' 2019 earnings due to anticipated product development investments, and accretive thereafter. FLIR Systems' management will discuss this strategic acquisition during its 2018 Q4 earnings call scheduled for February 13 at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. About FLIR Systems Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, FLIR Systems is a world-leading maker of sensor systems that enhance perception and heighten awareness, helping to save lives, improve productivity, and protect the environment. Through its nearly 3,700 employees, FLIR Systems' vision is to be “The World's Sixth Sense” by leveraging thermal imaging and adjacent technologies to provide innovative, intelligent solutions for security and surveillance, environmental and condition monitoring, outdoor recreation, machine vision, navigation, and advanced threat detection. For more information, please visit www.flir.comand follow @flir. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” and “believes” and similar words and expressions and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections based, in part, on potentially inaccurate assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and FLIR Systems does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005367/en/ Source: FLIR Systems, Inc. http://investors.flir.com/index.php/news-releases/news-release-details/flir-systems-acquires-aeryon-labs-200m

Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press OTTAWA -- Canada is being forced to shoulder a bigger share of the costs of developing F-35 fighter jets even though it has not decided whether it will actually buy any. Canada is one of nine partner countries in the F-35 project, each of which is required to cover a portion of the stealth fighter's multibillion-dollar development costs to stay at the table. Each country pays based on the number of F-35s it's expecting to buy. Canada has pitched in more than half-a-billion dollars over the last 20 years, including $54 million last year. But that amount was based on the Stephen Harper government's plan to buy 65 new fighter jets to replace Canada's aging CF-18s, which the Trudeau government has since officially increased to 88. Even though Canada has not committed that those 88 jets will be F-35s, the Department of National Defence says that change means it will have to pay more to remain a partner -- including about $72 million this year. "Canada's costs under the F-35 (partnership agreement) are based on an intended fleet size," Defence Department spokeswoman Ashley Lemire said in an email. "Canada changed its fleet size within the F-35 (agreement) from 65 to 88 aircraft to align with government decisions on the size of the intended permanent fighter fleet to be acquired through competition and the payment increased accordingly." As each partner contribution is determined annually, based on the overall cost of the F-35 development program for that specific year, Lemire said she could not provide details how much more Canada will have to pay. The F-35's development costs have been a constant source of criticism over the life of the stealth-fighter program, which Canada first joined under the Chretien government in 1997. The entire program is believed to have already cost more than US$1 trillion. The Trudeau government says it plans to keep Canada in the F-35 development effort until a replacement for the CF-18s is chosen -- partners in the development work can buy the planes at a lower price and compete for work associated with their production and long-term maintenance. Canadian companies have so far won more than $1.2 billion in contracts related to the F-35, according to the government. The F-35 is one of four planes slated to participate in the $19-billion competition that the government plans to launch this spring, the others being Boeing's Super Hornet, Eurofighter's Typhoon and Saab's Gripen. The competition isn't scheduled to select a winner until 2021 or 2022, meaning Canada will be on the hook for several more payments. The first new aircraft is expected in 2025 and the last in 2031, when the CF-18s will be phased out. F-35 maker Lockheed Martin says more than 350 of the stealth fighters have been delivered to different countries, while Israel became the first country to use the plane in combat last year when two of the jets struck targets in neighbouring Syria. Acting U.S. defence secretary Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, nonetheless criticized the program on Monday, saying it "has room for a lot more performance." "I am biased toward performance," he was quoted as saying when asked if he is biased toward Boeing. "I am biased toward giving the taxpayer their money's worth. And the F-35, unequivocally, I can say, has a lot of opportunity for more performance." https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/plan-to-buy-more-fighter-jets-puts-canada-on-hook-for-bigger-share-of-f-35-costs-1.4275372

BRIAN EVERSTINE ​The Royal Netherlands Air Force on Wednesday rolled out its first operational F-35A during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas, facility that at times resembled a rave rather than a corporate ceremony. The RNAF expects to acquire 37 F-35As, and it already received two operational test aircraft in 2013 that are now flying at Edwards AFB, Calif. The jet that rolled out Wednesday will ferry to Luke AFB, Ariz., for F-35A pilot training. It will then move to Leeuwarden AB, Netherlands, which will be a “huge driver for change for our air force and will have tremendous impact on the relevance of our Air Force as part of the coalition,” RNLAF Commander Lt. Gen. Dennis Luyt said at the ceremony. So far, Lockheed has delivered more than 360 F-35s, which are flown by 10 nations and at 16 bases worldwide, according to the company. Five services have declared initial operating capability, while two nations—the US and Israel—have used the jet in combat. The Lockheed facility hosted two Dutch DJs, along with massive screens and laser lights for a crowd of US and Dutch VIPs in military service dress and business attire, some with Dutch orange cowboy hats. http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/January%202019/Royal-Netherlands-Air-Force-Rolls-Out-First-Operational-F-35A.aspx