Nouvelles

By: Aaron Mehta , Valerie Insinna , Jen Judson , David B. Larter , and Joe Gould WASHINGTON — Like everyone else in America, the defense industry is still reeling from how quickly the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, went from a potential issue to a city-shuttering pandemic. But as major economic hubs like San Francisco and New York City struggle with curfews and restrictions on public gatherings, companies — and the Defense Department — still appear to be sorting out if any shutdowns related to work are imminent. The fluid nature of the situation is reflected in a series of industry statements, captured below by Defense News reporters. In many cases, when contacted by reporters and asked directly if any production lines were being slowed or halted by the attempt to reduce the rate of infection, spokespeople responded with general comments about challenges with the disease. That's not a huge surprise to Byron Callan, an analyst with Capital Alpha Partners, who noted that there are many moving parts for companies to work through. “Maybe it's too soon for a lot of these guys,” Callan said. “When you think about it, we're into the second week of this [as a national emergency]. By the time they do earning calls in April, they should definitely have a better grip on what's happened in the last few weeks and what might they be looking at.” That could potentially include anything from supply chain issues to delays in delivery of defense articles to a massive bailout of the commercial aerospace industry and issues with pension requirements, Callan warned. “It's like a giant rock you drop in a lake. It's got all these waves. The people who work in restaurants or hotels are the ones feeling it immediately, but it's going to wash up and ripple through all these sectors, and we just don't know how or when the impact will be,” Callan said. “You're pilling up unknowns and unknowns here.” Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the design of modern production spaces shouldn't preclude people being able to work there, noting that for “a lot of those manufacturing jobs, they're set up, and the way a lot of people are doing work, they have adequate social distancing anyway." “If you've been in these facilities, they're not like sweatshops where people are in crowded, unventilated areas. It's pretty spread out, and a lot of the jobs in defense manufacturing are basically operating machinery,” he said. “I think what would be more affected would be the engineering and design functions, where the engineers tend to operate in more cubicle-like spaces — and you probably don't want to be doing that right now.” The Pentagon is also early in the process of getting a handle on what those impacts may look like. The department's top acquisitions official, Ellen Lord, has instituted a daily phone call with the Aerospace Industries Association, National Defense Industrial Association, Professional Services Council, National Association of Manufacturers, and Chamber of Commerce to “ensure the security, reliability and resilience of our defense-industrial base” and “and get feedback on COVID-19 impacts on industry,” according to a department spokesman. The first call, which happened Tuesday, was chaired by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy Jennifer Santos and included representatives from the Industrial Policy office, the Defense Contracting Management Agency, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Defense Pricing and Contracting office. One potentially vulnerable part of the defense-industrial base is the ongoing modernization of America's nuclear arsenal, which the head of U.S. Strategic Command said last month is approaching a “point of no return” should there be even small delays in the upgrade effort. On Tuesday, Capt. Bill Clinton, STRATCOM's chief of public affairs, said the combatant command is “confident the services, along with industry partners, are able to keep production related to modernization of our nuclear forces on track, while taking appropriate precautions to keep their workforces safe and healthy. ... While our nation is working diligently to solve this acute public health crisis, I am confident we can continue modernizing our nuclear forces on time as planned.” Over the past few days, Defense News reached out to a number of key defense players whose production lines could be impacted by the virus. Here is a collection of their responses: BAE Systems spokeswoman Kelly Golden: BAE Systems has robust business continuity plans which have been implemented and are under constant review as the situation evolves. We continue to ensure we are providing a safe work environment for our employees, customers and suppliers while minimizing impact to our operations. We have also asked our suppliers and contractors to implement measures that are consistent with those we have put in place to protect our employees. Boeing spokesman Larry Chambers: Boeing has issued updated guidance directing all employees who are able to perform their work from home effectively to telecommute until further notice. Some Boeing sites were already partially or fully operating under these guidelines in accordance with local or national government mandates. Production continues at this time, and the company has enhanced cleaning procedures in work spaces, common areas and on high-touch surfaces. We're assessing the safety of all of our sites and their alignment with local, state and national government guidance as we continuously monitor this evolving situation. Leadership at each of our sites is working closely with their employees to implement the guidance, and will make all decisions necessary to follow evolving government direction and to ensure the health and wellbeing of their teams and communities. Electric Boat spokeswoman Liz Power: Electric Boat remains open for business. Our ongoing mission is to provide our Navy with the high-quality submarines they require to complete their missions. We have initiated all government-recommended measures to mitigate spread of the disease and continue to work closely with our employees, customers, suppliers, stakeholders and our community to keep them informed. Fincantieri spokesman Eric Dent: Fincantieri Marine Group has customers with important missions — naval and commercial — and together we're dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and working to prevent or reduce its impact to our mission and our people. So far, we have experienced no production delays. Obviously like other businesses and shipyards, we have to balance force health protection and production as we work through this. We've taken several mitigating actions, such as extensive cleanings of common areas, scrutinizing the self-reported health of every guest or visitor in the yard, eliminating all but critical travel outside the local area. In some circumstances, we are encouraging employees to work from home if possible. Through this all, we continue to reinforce the need for stringent personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, as well as eliminating large gatherings. We continue communicating with our employees so they understand the importance of their health is to us and their families, and if they exhibit symptoms or are caring for someone with flu-like symptoms, they should not risk the potential spread of it and stay home in accordance with our personnel policies. We suspended all international travel Mar. 4, and all non-critical domestic travel on Mar. 9. We suspended intracompany travel Mar. 13, to reduce the chance of exposure across multiple Fincantieri shipyards in Wisconsin. General Dynamics Land Systems: We are open for business. Our ongoing mission is to provide our Soldiers with the critical platforms and capabilities that they require to complete their mission. We have initiated all government-recommended measures to mitigate spread of the disease and continue to work closely with our employees, customers, suppliers, stakeholders and our community to keep them informed. Huntington Ingalls Industries spokeswoman Beci Brenton: At HII we are taking actions that are designed with the health and safety of our employees at the forefront of our decision making, and this extends across the enterprise. We are having multiple meetings 24/7 with leadership and diligently monitoring the ever changing situation, as well as following CDC's guidelines. This is rapidly evolving and some measures are division specific while others are universal. [HII has put a video statement from its CEO online addressing several issues.] Lockheed Martin spokesman Trent Perrotto As we monitor global developments we continue to use best practices to mitigate risks related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and well-being of our employees and partners is our top priority. Across Lockheed Martin, employees with potential exposure are instructed to work remotely and self-quarantine. We have provided guidance to employees and their managers to accommodate flexible work schedules and alternative arrangements where possible. We continue to follow travel guidance from the U.S. government and other countries where we do business, and are limiting all other international and domestic travel unless necessary for business. We also pre-screen visitors to company locations and limit guests to ensure visits are necessary for business. When the circumstances warrant, we deep clean work areas and common spaces in any facility with elevated exposure to COVID-19 and regularly share exposure-prevention protocols to reinforce healthy behaviors. Additionally, we are mitigating any potential impacts to customers and implementing business continuity plans as required, including secure telework for our customer support teams. There are no specific impacts to our operations or supply chain at this time. We will continue to monitor and coordinate with customers should issues arise. Northrop Grumman spokesman Tim Paynter: We continue to closely monitor this rapidly evolving situation so we can quickly address concerns and impacts to our employees, operations and customers, and we are ready with contingency plans as the situation continues to develop. The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority and we are continuing to provide our employees as much information as possible. We are taking additional steps to protect the well-being of our employees, including halting travel, limiting non-essential visitors to work environments, reducing density and increasing separation distance where possible, providing personal hand sanitizers and cleaning our workplaces on a daily basis and disinfecting as needed. Oshkosh Defense spokeswoman Alexandra Hittle: Oshkosh Defense is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and is closely following the Center of Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines and recommendations. The safety and wellbeing of our team members and our customers is of the utmost importance, therefore we have taken critical steps to ensure we are taking care of our people while maintaining continuity of operations. Raytheon spokesman John Patterson: We are actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and have taken a variety of immediate steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees. This includes domestic and international travel restrictions, restrictions on face to face meetings, and new work-from-home and social distancing protocols in all our facilities. https://www.defensenews.com/coronavirus/2020/03/18/we-asked-defense-companies-how-theyre-impacted-by-the-coronavirus-heres-what-they-said

Dates de fermeture prolongées En raison de l'apparition du coronavirus (COVID-19), nous avons prolongé les dates de fermeture des défis suivants. AI Software for Photonics Semiconductor Fabrication New closing date: April 2, 2020 Logiciel d'intelligence artificielle pour la fabrication de semi-conducteurs photoniques Nouvelle date de fermeture 2 avril, 2020 Nanocomposite Fabrics Production System New closing date: April 7, 2020 Système pour la fabrication de toiles de nanocomposites Nouvelle date de fermeture 7 avril, 2020 Secure and confidential rule matching New closing date: April 16, 2020 Correspondance de règles sécurisée et confidentielle Nouvelle date de fermeture 16 avril, 2020 Low-cost sensor system for patient monitoring New closing date: April 2, 2020 Système de capteurs peu coûteux pour surveiller l'état des patients Nouvelle date de fermeture 2 avril, 2020 Surveying objects across an air-water interface New closing date: April 7, 2020 Topométrie d'objets sur une interface air-eau Nouvelle date de fermeture 7 avril, 2020

Haifa, Israel, March 15, 2020 – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today further to the Company's announcement dated March 27, 2019, that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC, was awarded a $200 million contract as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems program. The contract will be performed over a 12-year period. About Elbit Systems Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land, and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links, communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems. For additional information, visit: https://elbitsystems.com/ , follow us on Twitter or visit our official Facebook, Youtube and LinkedIn Channels. Contacts: Company Contact: Joseph Gaspar, Executive VP & CFO Tel: +972-4-8316663 j.gaspar@elbitsystems.com Rami Myerson, Director, Investor Relations Tel: +972-77-2946403 rami.myerson@elbitsystems.com David Vaaknin, VP, Brand & Communications Tel: +972-77-2946691 david.vaaknin@elbitsystems.com IR Contact: Ehud Helft Gavriel Frohwein GK Investor Relations Tel: 1-646-688-3559 elbitsystems@gkir.com View source version on Elbit Systems Ltd: https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-u-s-subsidiary-awarded-200-million-contract-to-provide-artillery-systems/

ARMY Phoenix Logistics Inc.,* Gilbert, Arizona, was awarded a $516,000,000 cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price contract to provide capabilities to the Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability across the range of warfighting functions. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 16, 2030. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-20-D-0010). Rock Island Integrated Services, Rock Island, Illinois, was awarded a $7,463,098 modification (P00024) to contract W52P1-J-19-C-5003 for base operations support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Rock Island, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of March 14, 2021. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity. NAVY DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $104,085,696 modification (P00050) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost reimbursable contract (N00421-17-C-0033). This modification exercises an option to provide maintenance and logistics support on all aircraft and support equipment for which the Naval Test Wing Atlantic has maintenance responsibility. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be complete by March 2021. Fiscal 2020 working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $47,233,324; fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,038,915; and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $921,844 will be obligated at the time of award, $13,038,915 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. Honeywell International Inc., Defense & Space, Tempe, Arizona, is awarded $72,817,953 for an indefinite-delivery, performance-based logistics requirements contract for the repair, replacement and program support for auxiliary power units used on combat jets, maritime surveillance and cargo aircraft models (the F/A-18, A-G, P-3 and C-2). Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (50%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (39%); and various contractor facilities (11%). Work is expected to be complete by March 2022. The work performed also provides coverage for the main fuel controls and electronic control unit used on the F/A-18 and the P-3 engine driven compressor. This contract includes a two-year base period with no options. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $36,555,518 will be obligated for delivery order (N00383-20-F-0WP0) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-20-D-WP01). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $65,815,333 cost-plus-incentive, fixed-price-incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5225 for the production and engineering services of the Navy's Undersea Warfare Systems (model AN/SQQ-89A(V)15) for surface ships. Work will be performed in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania (54%); Clearwater, Florida (22%); Syracuse, New York (7%); Manassas, Virginia (6%); Hauppauge, New York (5%); Oswego, New York (5%); and Tewksbury, Massachusetts (1%), and is expected to be complete by May 2022. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount $65,815,333 will be obligated at the time of award, and $50,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. The Haskell Co., Jacksonville, Florida, is awarded a $9,498,353 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the P680 CH-53K cargo loading tower at the Marine Corps Air Station in New River, North Carolina. Work will be performed in New River, North Carolina, and is expected to be complete by April 2022. The work to be performed will provide a high-bay facility that will house an operations trainer to support CH-53K helicopter pilot and crew chief training program. Construction includes a deep pile foundation, grade beams and reinforced concrete slabs to provide the building's base while reinforced concrete masonry unit exterior walls and a standing seam metal roof provide the building enclosure. This facility will provide a covered, all-weather training environment for the ground operations aircrew trainer, a fuselage trainer device, pallet storage, retrieval and build-out packages associated with troop deployment and mobility. The facility includes high-bay roll-up doors and concrete drive aprons to accommodate moving the aircraft frame in and out of the building. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,498,353 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-20-C-0066). AIR FORCE InDyne Inc., Sterling, Virginia, has been awarded a $51,386,233 modification (P00042) to previously awarded contract FA2517-18-C-8000 for Solid State Phased Array Radar Systems (SSPARS). This modification provides for the exercise Option Year Two for the management, operation, maintenance, and logistical support of SSPARS. Work will be performed at Beale Air Force Base, California; Cape Cod Air Force Station, Massachusetts; Clear Air Force Station, Alaska; Thule Air Base, Greenland; and Royal Air Force Fylingdales, United Kingdom, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $143,875,078. The 21st Contracting Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado, is the contracting activity. The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for the Quicksilver Device prototype. This contract provides for the design, build, and test of an operational Quicksilver Device prototype. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Reston, Virginia, and is expected to be completed March 18, 2027. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition, and fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $7,491,567 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8684-20-D-4000). (Awarded March 16, 2020) Data Computer Corp. of America, Ellicott City, Maryland, has been awarded a $7,201,113 fixed-price incentive-firm target modification (P00025) to contract FA880-6-16-F-0002 for the Western Range Modernization Network operations, maintenance and sustainment. This modification supports an increase in operational requirements. Work will be performed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 and space procurement funds are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson AFB, Colorado, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Capps Shoe Co.,* Lynchburg, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $15,396,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for men's poromeric shoes. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year base year contract with two one-year option periods. Location of performance is Virginia, with a March 17, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-1246). The Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $9,312,000 undefinitized, firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-20-F-CB04) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-19-G-CB01) for electronic modules for the H-53 aircraft. 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 two-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Texas, with a March 7, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. CORRECTION: The contract announced on March 12, 2020, for American Autoclave Co., Jasper, Georgia (SPE4A8-20-C-0001), was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is March 17, 2020. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2115416/source/GovDelivery/

NAVY United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $319,792,357 modification (P00018) to a previously awarded, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N00019-18-C-1021). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of 20 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Navy, six F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force, and six F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the government of Japan. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (67%); Indianapolis, Indiana (26.5%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5%), and is expected to be complete by December 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $193,331,533; fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $73,835,550; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $52,625,274 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. Manson Construction Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded $46,100,000 for the second increment of the firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction replacement of Pier 8, Naval Base San Diego, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by October 2021. The work to be performed will provide for the design and construction of a new single-deck pile, and a supported and reinforced concrete pier to replace the existing Pier 8. Utilities include potable water, sanitary sewer, compressed air, oily waste and compensating ballast water collection systems. Electrical utilities include underground distribution lines from shore side to pier including switching station, primary and secondary distribution systems, telephone, fire alarm systems, coaxial and fiber optic communications, supervisory control and data acquisitions systems for energy monitoring and control. The pier includes primary and secondary fenders, and new load out ramp cradles on the quay wall on each side. Fiscal 2020 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $46,100,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-C-1208). Patriot Contract Services LLC, Concord, California, is awarded a $33,411,234 modification for the fixed price portion of a previously awarded contract (N00033-14-C-3210) to fund the operation and maintenance of eight government-owned, contractor operated Watson-class large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships. Work will be performed at sea worldwide beginning April 2020 and is expected to be complete by September 2020. This modification awards a bridge that includes a six-month base period, and one six-month option period. The ships will continue to support Military Sealift Command's worldwide prepositioning requirements. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $33,411,234 are obligated for fiscal 2020, covering the six-month base period's daily operating hire and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This bridge was not competitively procured and was prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code § 2304(c)(1). The Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00033-14-C-3210). Naval Systems Inc.,* Lexington Park, Maryland, is awarded a $28,181,538 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides program management, lifecycle logistics, business process improvement, functional assessment, data and gap analysis, engineering requirements as well as management and requirements analysis in support of the Aviation Logistics Environment. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia (70%); Patuxent River, Maryland (28%); and San Diego, California (2%), and is expected to be complete by March 2025. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was a small business set-aside, competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal. Three offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-20-D-0019). Raytheon Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded $18,189,730 for a ceiling-priced delivery order (N00383-20-F-N700) under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-18-G-N701 for the repair of the APG 65/73 radar systems in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be complete by March 2022. Fiscal 2020 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $8,912,968 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this sole-source requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. West Point-Granite JV LLC,* Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $14,990,280 firm-fixed-price task order (N62473-20-F-4216) under a multiple award construction contract for the design and construction of water treatment plant repairs to Basins 343-348 and 352-353 Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, El Centro, California. Work will be performed in El Centro, California, and is expected to be complete by September 2021. The contract amount provides for all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, supervision and incidental related work. Work to be performed provides for the construction, procurement and installation services for replacement of six existing damaged and degraded million-gallon, reinforced concrete sedimentation basins; two existing damaged and degraded 200,000-gallon decant basins; and their associated piping and infrastructure replacement within the existing water treatment plant at NAF El Centro. Work includes demolition and replacement with a new million-gallon reinforced concrete sedimentation basin to be constructed in its original size, footprint and volume. Structural repairs include replacement of structural slabs, reinforced concrete grade beams and helical anchorage of the reinforced concrete basins to address buoyancy. The existing source water intake channel will be replaced with a new intake system, including a screening vault, a flow metering vault, a mixing vault and distribution pipes. Cross-basin transfer piping will be replaced with new pipes, overflow weirs and slide gates to maintain existing basin operations. A chemical storage building will be included to replace the existing chemical storage shed. Mechanical repairs include the replacement of valves and pumps, replacement of waste water piping and replacement of the existing eye-wash station for code compliance. Electrical repairs include replacing electrical panels, service for mechanical pumps and providing site lighting for code compliance. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $14,990,280 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-1206). Mustang Technology Group LP, doing business as L3 Mustang Technology, Plano, Texas, is awarded a $14,849,324 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5313 for 808 rounds of 57mm MK 332 high explosive-4 bolt guided (HE-4G) cartridge ammunition. Work will be performed in Plano, Texas (78%); and Cincinnati, Ohio (22%); and is expected to be complete by March 2021. This contract action is for the delivery of 808 rounds of 57mm MK 332 HE-4G cartridge ammunition leveraging the long lead materials procured at time of award. The HE-4G cartridge is a 57mm electrically-primed cartridge which is designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 GM and is intended for combating surface and air targets. Fiscal 2019 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $14,849,324 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. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Archbald, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $14,686,324 modification (P00009) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0022). This modification provides for the procurement of 4,001 laser guided training rounds BDU-59B/B. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pennsylvania (45%); Marlton, New Jersey (10%); Vaudreuil-dorion, Canada (6.5%); Rochester, New York (5.5%); Westford, Massachusetts (3%); Plainville, Connecticut (2.75%); Joplin, Missouri (2.75%); Hauppage, New York (1.5%); Quakertown, Pennsylvania (1.5%); San Jose, California (1.5%); Laconia, New Hampshire (1.5%); Dunedin, Florida (1%); Clifton, New Jersey (1%); Londonderry, New Hampshire (1%); Canton, Pennsylvania (1%); Honesdale, Pennsylvania (1%); Mount Laurel, New Jersey (1%); Medford, New Jersey (1%); Irvine, California (0.5%) and various locations within the continental U.S. (11%). Work is expected to be complete by July 2021. Fiscal 2020 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $14,686,324 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, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $13,107,282 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-2120 for additional fiscal 2020 development studies and design efforts for Virginia Class Submarines. Work will be performed in McLeansville, North Carolina, and is expected to be complete by September 2020. This contract modification provides additional development studies and design efforts related to Virginia class submarine improvements. The contractor will continue development studies and design efforts required to fully evaluate new technologies for Virginia class submarines. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,500,000 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. AIR FORCE Blaine Warren Advertising LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, has been awarded a $20,057,674 modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA6643‐17‐D‐0001 for Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Recruiting Service advertising. This modification exercises Option III under a requirements contract for all necessary management, supervision, labor, material and equipment required to plan, create, design, produce, place, evaluate and measure the effectiveness of advertising and special events in support of AFRC national, regional, and local recruiting marketing. Work will be performed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2021. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $78,339,534. Headquarters AFRC, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. L3 Technologies Inc., Link Training and Simulation Division, Arlington, Texas, has been awarded a $10,863,740 firm-fixed-price modification (P00029) to previously awarded task order FA8621-19-F-6251 for F-16 aircraft simulator training program services. This modification will provide contractor logistics support to manage, maintain, and support the F-16 Simulators Training Program to include all training devices, software, firmware, spares and the Training System Support Center. Work will be performed in various locations within the continental U.S. and outside continental U.S. locations. Work is expected to be complete by March 31, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance; and research, test, development and evaluation funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $51,180,238. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8621-19-F-6251). ARMY Maersk Line Ltd., Norfolk, Virginia, was awarded a $13,419,452 modification (000182) to contract W52P1J-14-G-0023 for logistics support services for the Enhanced Army Global Logistics Enterprise (EAGLE) program. Work will be performed in Yokohama, Japan, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 16, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, defense funds in the amount of $13,419,452 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Rae Management Services LLC,* North Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded a $10,100,516 firm-fixed price contract for laundry services supporting organizational linens, sleeping systems and blankets for 60 military locations. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 11, 2025. The 419th Combat Support Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W9124-C-20-D0001). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2113905/source/GovDelivery/

The reboot of the Bradley replacement reminded many on the Hill of past procurement disasters like the Future Combat System. Can the Army exorcise the specter of FCS? By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR. CAPITOL HILL: “This is the Army's third attempt at replacing the Bradley,” the grim-faced chairman of defense appropriations, Rep. Pete Visclosky, warned Army officials last week. “We've been told, time and again, that this time it is different.... but the first large acquisition program that has come out of the Army Futures Command has fallen flat. You do need to convince this committee today that our continued support of modernization will eventually be a good investment.” At three hearings in the last two weeks, members of the House bombarded Army leaders with questions about the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, the semi-robotic replacement for the Reagan-era M2 Bradley. The Army cancelled its original competition after every vendor either dropped out or failed to meet requirements, then rebooted OMFV on a new, less rushed schedule that began with humbly seeking industry's input on what was actually possible. “We learned early on this program [that] there was confusion over the requirements,” the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. James McConville, told appropriators. With the new approach of listening assiduously to industry, he said, “we think we can save time up front and get the vehicle we need...and have requirements that we know industry can meet.” That was met with some skepticism. “That sounds great, general, but I wonder why we didn't start this process, you know, a long time ago,” replied the panel's ranking Republican, Rep. Ken Calvert. “What happened?” “I think what happened, Congressman, is we have learned,” said McConville, not quite answering the question. “We are learning with industry. We're learning with our acquisition folks who are used to doing it the old way, where we spent [10-14 years] developing requirements [and] a system, and then investing a lot of money in it, and finding out at the end we didn't get what we wanted. So, we are stopping early and we are redefining the way we do the process to encourage innovation.” So what's the new schedule? That's the question Rep. Paul Mitchell asked, without getting a clear answer, in two different House Armed Services Committee hearings, on March 3rd and March 5th. https://breakingdefense.com/2020/03/can-the-army-convince-congress-its-learned-from-fcs

Important Notice about CAF Outlooks 2020 As a membership organization, CADSI always puts the health and safety of our community first. As event organizers, we are closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and adjusting to its impact hourly. On Sunday, March 15, Ottawa's Medical Officer of Health recommended the immediate suspension of events of all sizes. We are following this recommendation and as such, CADSI will no longer have a face-to-face aspect of the 2020 CAF Outlooks, which had been planned for the Shaw Centre on April 7-9. We are currently exploring all options with our government partners on ways forward to deliver an alternative program. CADSI will provide updated information on this program on April 1. Cancellations and refunds will be accepted until April 6, 2020. In the meantime, we thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging and unprecedented time. We will share updates via email, our website, and CADSI's twitter account (@CADSICanada). Posted 2020-03-16 Last Modified 2020-03-16 16:58 https://www.defenceandsecurity.ca/media/article&id=361&t=c

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 awarded a $171,876,527 firm-fixed-price modification to exercise Option Period Four to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contracts for complex, emergent and continuous maintenance and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) availabilities on amphibious ships (landing platform/dock, landing ship dock, landing helicopter assault and landing helicopter dock) homeported in San Diego, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, at contractor facilities or Naval Base San Diego and is expected to be completed by March 2021. The exercising of these options ensures continued facilities and human resources capable of completing complex, emergent and continuous maintenance, repair, modernization and CNO availabilities on amphibious ships assigned to or visiting the port. Awards under Option Period Four have an estimated cumulative value of $171,876,527. No funding is obligated at the time of award. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Manson/Connolly Seal Beach JV, Seattle, Washington, is awarded $66,530,000 which provides for exercise of Options One, Two and Three under a firm-fixed-price contract for the construction and building operations of Ammunition Pier, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, the reconstruction of Anaheim Bay Road, and the construction of the Smoke Shack Building. Work will be performed in Seal Beach, California, and the performance period will be extended for an additional 600 calendar days. The work includes labor, supervision, management, tools, materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, incidental engineering and other items necessary to provide dredging, constructing and several building operations. After award of these options, the total cumulative contract value will be $154,677,000. Fiscal 2020 military construction funds in the amount of $66,530,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-C-2450). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, New York, is awarded a $49,143,009 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-6311) for engineering services to support the Littoral Combat Ship Mission Modules Program. Work will be performed Bethpage, New York (32%); Mayport, Florida (18%); San Diego, California (18%); Port Hueneme, California (18%); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (8%); Panama City, Florida (1%); Washington, District of Columbia (1%); and various other locations less than one percent (4%). Engineering services will be provided to support the existing efforts of the Littoral Combat Ships Mission Modules Program. Incidental other direct cost items are also provided in support of said engineering services. Work is expected to be complete by March 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2018 and 2020 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $21,857,006 will be obligated at time of award. Funding in the amount of $18,825,998 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. L-3 Harris, Northampton, Massachusetts, is awarded a $14,181,070 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously-awarded contract (N00024-16-C-5366) to exercise options for Mk 20 Mod (automatic grenade launcher) 1 Electro-Optical Sensor Systems, radar cross-section kits, shock ring kits and spares for both the Navy and Coast Guard (USCG). Work will be performed in Northampton, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by March 2022. This option exercise is for additional Mk 20 Mod 1 Electro-Optical Sensor Systems, radar cross-section kits, shock ring kits and spares to support the Mk 34 gun weapon systems in support of anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare. The Mk 20 EOSS is a major component of the gun weapon systems employed by the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG 51 class); Ticonderoga-class cruiser (CG 47 class); and the USCG's offshore patrol cutters. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2020 other procurement (USCG) funding in the amount of $14,181,070 will be obligated at time of the 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. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Marine Systems, Sunnyvale, California, is awarded a $11,244,675 cost-plus incentive-fee, contract modification (P00003) to a previously awarded contract (N00030-19-C-0015) for technical engineering services, design and development engineering, component and full scale test and evaluation engineering, and tactical underwater launcher hardware production to support the development and production of the Common Missile Compartment. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (55%); Ridgecrest, California (20%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (10%); Bangor, Washington (5%); Kings Bay, Georgia (5%); Barrow-In-Furness, England (2%); New London, Connecticut (1%); Quonset Point, Rhode Island (1%); and Arlington, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by March 2024. Fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion Navy funding in the amount of $9,097,994 will be obligated on this award. Fiscal 2020 United Kingdom Common funding in the amount of $2,146,681 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Cabrillo Enterprises,* doing business as R.W. Little,* National City, California (N55236-16-D-0005); South Bay Sand Blasting and Tank Cleaning Inc.,* San Diego, California (N55236-16-D-0006); and Surface Technologies Corp.,* Atlantic Beach, Florida (N55236-16-D-0007), is awarded $10,000,000 for a combined overall ceiling increase due to modifications under previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contracts to exercise Option Year Four in support of deck covering removal and non-skid installation services onboard Navy ships. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and may include Oceanside, California. Each contractor shall provide all management, administrative services, materials, tools, equipment, labor, rigging, scaffolding, utilities (i.e. air, water and electricity, etc.) and required services and support to accomplish deck covering removal and non-skid installation onboard Navy ships within a 50-mile radius of San Diego. Work is expected to be complete by April 2021. Actual funding will be identified per individual task order. No funding is obligated at the time of award. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Engility Corp., Andover, Massachusetts, is awarded an $8,782,647 modification (P00012) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, firm-fixed-price delivery order (N68936-19-F-0307) against a General Services Administration One Acquisition Solution for integrated services multiple award contract. Work will be performed in Point Mugu, California (90%); Patuxent River, Maryland (1.79%); Whidbey Island, Washington (1.79%); Edwards Air Force base, California (1.79%); Huntsville, Alabama (1.79%); China Lake, California (1.07%); Dayton, Ohio (1.07%); El Segundo, California (0.70%); and is expected to be completed in March 2021. This modification exercises an option for engineering, technical and programmatic support services for the development of electronic attack and electronic warfare products within the Airborne Electronic Attack Integrated Program. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $75,000; and fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $156,000 will be obligated at the time of award, $156,000 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu, California, is the contracting activity. Penn State University Applied Research Lab, University Park, Pennsylvania, is awarded an $8,404,271 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Advanced Broadband Navigation Sonar System Future Naval Capabilities Program. This contract provides for the development and demonstration of technologies associated with continuous subsea autonomous navigation by developing and demonstrating improvements to navigational sonar systems. Improved estimation of positon and velocity afforded by advanced sonar processing will provide naval platforms with increased navigational performance for undersea platforms. Work will be performed in University Park, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be complete by March 2023. The total cumulative value of this contract is $8,404,271. The base period is $8,404,271, and no options are to be exercised. The action will be incrementally funded with an initial obligation of $1,925,613 utilizing fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under the “Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science & Technology” (N00014-18-S-B001) via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00014-20-C-1061). ARMY Brantley Construction Co. LLC,* Charleston, South Carolina (W912HN-20-D-4004); Howard W. Pence Inc.,* Elizabethtown, Kentucky (W912HN-20-D-4004); Military & Federal Construction Co. Inc.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (W912HN-20-D-4004); and Windamir Development Inc.,* McDonough, Georgia (W912HN-20-D-4004), will compete for each order of the $75,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for new construction, design, renovation, upgrades, improvement and maintenance or repair of government facilities. 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 March 12, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Sierra Four Industries,* Fort Collins, Colorado (W15QKN-20-D-0013); Culmen International,* Alexandria, Virginia (W15QKN-20-D-0014); Multinational Defense Services,* McLean, Virginia (W15QKN-20-D-0015); Ultra Defense Corp.,* Tampa, Florida (W15QKN-20-D-0016); Global Ordnance LLC,* Sarasota, Florida (W15QKN-20-D-0017); Blane International, Cumming, Georgia (W15QKN-20-D-0018); and Greystone LLC, Pace, Florida (W15QKN-20-D-0019), will compete for each order of the $350,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of weapons, parts, optics, accessories, tools and manuals for various commercial, foreign, non-standard and U.S. obsolete weapon systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 12, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. The Dutra Group, San Rafael, California, was awarded a $21,550,000 firm-fixed-price contract for West Coast Hopper Maintenance Dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Hammond, Oregon; and Samoa, California, with an estimated completion date of March 15, 2021. Fiscal 2020 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $21,550,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity (W9127N-20-C-0009). Mission Essential LLC, New Albany, Ohio, was awarded a $12,406,907 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for linguist, translation, interpretation and transcription services in support of U.S. Army Africa Command. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in New Albany, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 14, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $12,406,907 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W50NH9-20-C-0008). DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia (HDTRA1-16-C-0012), is issued a contract modification (P00036) to exercise Option Period Four line items with a ceiling value of $37,892,180, with an effective date of May 27, 2020. This does not include the value of the unexercised options. This contract is for advisory and assistance services in support of the Program Integration Division of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Performance of this contract will take place at Lorton, Virginia; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and at various locations throughout the world. The anticipated completion date of this option period is May 26, 2021. The contract was a competitive acquisition; the government received one offer. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., Garland, Texas, has been awarded a $26,464,692 firm-fixed-price contract for warhead assemblies. This contract provides for the additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering Change Proposal warhead assemblies. Work will be performed in Garland, Texas, and is expected to complete by June 2021. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-19-C-0015). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, doing business as Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, Rocket Center, West Virginia, has been awarded a $24,695,129 firm-fixed-price contract for warhead assemblies. This contract provides for the additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering Change Proposal warhead assemblies. Work will be performed in Rocket Center, West Virginia, and is expected to complete by June 2021. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-19-C-0016). Major Tool and Machine Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a $22,796,400 firm-fixed-price contract for warhead assemblies. This contract provides for the additional procurement of BLU 111 Engineering Change Proposal warhead assemblies. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to complete by June 2021. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-19-C-0013). U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND UPDATE: A contract announced on Nov. 8, 2019, with an estimated program value of $5,700,000,000, has added Canadian Commercial Corp., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (HTC711120DR008), as one of 18 awardees to provide worldwide Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135 airlift services utilizing fixed and/or rotary wing aircraft to transport Department of Defense and other federal agency personnel and cargo. (Awarded March 12, 2020) *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2111974/source/GovDelivery/

Routine operations and patrols within Canada will continue The Canadian military has banned all foreign travel and ordered non-essential personnel to stay home — part of its sweeping response to the global outbreak of COVID-19. A formal order — known as a CANFORGEN — was issued Friday after a preliminary warning order was issued to units across the country the day before. In an interview, the country's top military commander also said a handful of troops who recently returned from an overseas operation have voluntarily gone into self-isolation at the military airbase in Bagotville, Que., but they are not considered "presumptive cases." Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance confirmed that only one member of the military — a naval reservist — is in hospital in Spain after being formally diagnosed with the illness. 'Miltary operations will continue' He said those returning from deployment and leave outside of Canada will be ordered to self-isolate. "We're trying, at this point in time, to pause all things, but necessary military operations will continue," Vance said. The new travel ban will mean that the few thousand troops now serving on deployments, exercises and exchange positions will not be allowed to leave the countries where they are operating. Reservists, who serve part-time, are being encouraged to abstain from personal travel outside of Canada. Bases will be closed to visitors, including foreign delegations. Military training schools will restrict new entrants and those already on course will be confined to base. "While at home, or on leave, in Canada, I'm asking members to adopt an approach that protects themselves and their family from the virus," Vance said. "I expect our command and control headquarters to continue operations, albeit at reduced levels, and some units will be able to stand down to essential administration and command functions only." 'Ships will still sail and planes will still fly' Routine operations and patrols within Canada will continue, as normal. "Ships will still sail and planes will still fly," said Lt.-Col. Dave Devenney, a spokesman for the defence chief. "Our job is to stay healthy, preserve the force and be prepared to fight." Dave Perry, a defence analyst at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said the orders are meant not only to halt the spread of the virus but to give the military flexibility to respond if the civilian health care system or vital infrastructure becomes overwhelmed. "The military is pre-positioning if they are called out to help the government in any significant way," he said. Troops could be deployed with transport and communications to help frontline health workers, such as the people doing virus screening. "People at the frontline of the pandemic could require a host of supports," Perry said. An order for federal government workers to stay home also could put a strain on some parts of the country's telecommunications grid. "The military has independent communications that can work around that securely," Perry added. The order follows on a series of measures the military has taken in response to the unfolding pandemic crisis. Travel to China was banned shortly after the novel coronavirus became a major issue in Asia. THE LATEST Coronavirus: Here's what's happening in Canada and around the world on March 13 Government warns against all international travel, limits inbound flights to stop spread of COVID-19 A week ago, Vance said the military had started "pre-pandemic planning" by issuing orders that gave base commanders the authority to cancel large public gatherings, restrict all non-essential travel and enforce higher standards of personal hygiene. At that time, Vance said federal officials, under a worst-case scenario, were prepared for an absentee rate among government workers of 25 per cent and that the military is looking at a similar number. He added that the best defence is to not get sick at all. The biggest issue the Department of National Defence has faced thus far has been the civilian travel restrictions, which have hampered the movement of personnel. It also has prevented the full resumption of the military training mission in Iraq, a senior commander told a parliamentary committee this week. There is concern for the forces operating in war zones like Iraq, where the health care system lies in ruins. As of Thursday, Iraq reported 74 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and eight fatalities. Approximately one-quarter of the country's cases are known to be in the northern Kurdistan region, where Canadian special forces troops have been conducting an advise-and-assist mission to help root out the remaining extremist holdouts after the fall of the Islamic State. The country's second-largest city, Mosul, was largely destroyed by the fighting. The Canadian measures differ from those being imposed by the Pentagon, which as of today is barring all troops, family members and defence civilian employees from traveling to afflicted countries, including Italy, South Korea, and China, for the next 60 days. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/military-travel-halted-covid-19-1.5496537