Defense Industry Daily

Americas Austal USA, Mobile won a $47 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, and cost-only modification for Littoral Combat Ships class design support, and integrated data and product model environment support. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama  and Pittsfield, Massachusetts and is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will deliver over 1,500 Zetros logistics trucks to the Canadian Armed Forces. The delivery includes 1,000 light Zetros (two-axle vehicles with all-wheel drive, 4×4) and approximately 500 heavy Zetros (four-axle vehicles with all-wheel drive, 8×8). The vehicles will be used for off-road transportation of goods and personnel.  “This contract reflects the level of confidence one of the largest NATO countries has in our partner network – in our experience, reliability and technical competence,” Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Franziska Cusumano said. Middle East & Africa According to Defense News, Virginia-based defense contractor Artis is forming a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates’ company Bin Hilal Enterprises to offer its system overseas. Artis and BHE signed a memorandum of understanding the Eurosatory international […]

Austal Team Trimaran LCS Design (click to enlarge) Exploit simplicity, numbers, the pace of technology development in electronics and robotics, and fast reconfiguration. That was the US Navy’s idea for the low-end backbone of its future surface combatant fleet. Inspired by successful experiments like Denmark’s Standard Flex ships, the US Navy’s $35+ billion “Littoral Combat Ship” program was intended to create a new generation of affordable surface combatants that could operate in dangerous shallow and near-shore environments, while remaining affordable and capable throughout their lifetimes. It hasn’t worked that way. In practice, the Navy hasn’t been able to reconcile what they wanted with the capabilities needed to perform primary naval missions, or with what could be delivered for the sums available. The LCS program has changed its fundamental acquisition plan 4 times since 2005, and canceled contracts with both competing teams during this period, without escaping any of its fundamental issues. Now, the program looks set to end early. This public-access FOCUS article offer a wealth of research material, alongside looks at the LCS program’s designs, industry teams procurement plans, military controversies, budgets and contracts. LCS: Concept & Needs LCS-I missions (click to view full) Ultimately, the US Navy is […]

Americas The US Coast Guard has taken delivery of its 57th Sentinel-class fast response cutter from Bollinger Shipyards in Key West, Florida. The USCGC Florence Finch (WPC-1157) is part of a US Department of Defense effort begun in 2008 to replace the service’s Island class commissioned in the 1980s. WPC-1157 will sail as the second of three Sentinel ships to be homeported in Sector Columbia River, a coast guard division responsible for security, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and rescue along the Oregon Coast.   Top Aces Inc., a leading provider of advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training, has successfully completed its first training mission in Canada utilizing the newly introduced A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF). This milestone marks the official commencement of AAF service delivery under an amendment to Top Aces’ Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) contract with the Canadian government, announced in December 2023. Middle East & Africa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the country needs ammunition from the United States in “the war for its existence,” directly addressing the White House after it criticized him for complaining about arms deliveries related to the Gaza war. “I am prepared to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives the […]

Americas Lockheed Martin has achieved a significant milestone in tactical airlift with the delivery of the 2,700th C-130 Hercules aircraft. This landmark aircraft, a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker variant, joins the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Notably, this delivery coincides with the C-130’s 70th anniversary of first flight this year, further highlighting the enduring legacy of this versatile military transport aircraft. The C-130 Hercules, first introduced in 1954, has become a ubiquitous workhorse in military aviation circles. Renowned for its unmatched versatility and rugged performance, the C-130 operates in over 70 countries, supporting a diverse array of missions ranging from troop transport and cargo delivery to aerial assault and medical evacuation. The US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is asking industry partners to provide a kinetic defeat solution for medium-sized hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).  According to a solicitation published earlier this week, the expected counter-UAS solution should integrate with various naval platforms to support expeditious deployment. It should also be compatible with existing sensors and combat systems onboard US Navy vessels. Middle East & Africa The White House has convinced two key Democrats on Capitol Hill to […]

Americas Progeny Systems won an $11.9 million modification to exercise options to provide engineering and technical support including modernizing Virginia Class Block I/II submarines to include the common weapon launcher. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2026. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have introduced the product of their year-long collaboration: the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS). Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, the highly-mobile missile artillery system leverages Rheinmetall’s renowned HX 8×8 truck and Lockheed’s two-pod multiple rocket launcher. It can fire a variety of combat-proven weapons, such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of munitions, the long-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Middle East & Africa Missiles launched by Hezbollah hit an Israeli defense factory last week, according to the Lebanon-based militant group. The Plasan firm makes vehicle-protection products and components, and it also operates factories in France and the United States. The company reports that a large majority of its wares are exported to the US military. Middle East & Africa The Kingdom of Belgium has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to […]

Americas Raytheon won a $8,8 million deal for the procurement of 11 receiver mainframe assemblies in support of the E2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The contract does not include options. All work will be performed in El Segundo, California. Work is expected to be completed by April 2027. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, […]

(click to view full) Northrop Grumman’s E-2C Hawkeye is a carrier-capable “mini-AWACS” aircraft, designed to give long-range warning of incoming aerial threats. Secondary roles include strike command and control, land and maritime surveillance, search and rescue, communications relay, and even civil air traffic control during emergencies. E-2C Hawkeyes began replacing previous Hawkeye versions in 1973. […]

Americas Northrop Grumman won a $9 million modification to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target), cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract. This modification increases the contract ceiling to procure the necessary hardware and associated technical engineering, management and logistics support for fabrication, assembly, test, and delivery of eight AN/APR-39 D(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver/Electronic Warfare Management Systems, and […]

AEGIS-BMD: CG-70 launches SM-3 (click to view full) The AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System for missiles, the SM-3 Standard missile, and the ship’s command and control system, in order to give ships the ability to defend against enemy ballistic missiles. Like its less-capable AEGIS […]

Americas Raytheon Missiles & Defense won a $212.5 million for an option exercise of combat system engineering, miscellaneous material, and travel supporting combat system installation, integration, development, testing, correction, maintenance, and modernization of ZUMWALT class mission systems and mission system equipment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (40%); Tewksbury, Massachusetts (33%); San Diego, […]

67% of the fleet (click to view full) DID’s FOCUS Article for the DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class “destroyer” program covers the new ships’ capabilities and technologies, key controversies, associated contracts and costs, and related background resources. The ship’s prime missions are to provide naval gunfire support, and next-generation air defense, in near-shore areas where other large […]

G/ATOR diorama (click to view full) The US military’s long run of unquestioned air superiority has led to shortcuts in mobile land-based air defenses, and the US Marines are no exception. A December 2005 release from Sen. Schumer’s office [D-NY] said that: “Current radar performance does not meet operational forces requirements… consequences could potentially allow […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won an $88.3 million Captains of Industry contract for the overhaul of B-2 digital receiver and legacy defense message system. This contract provides for overhaul, management, and material lay-in. Work will be performed at Owego, New York, and is expected to be completed by April 16, 2034. This contract was a sole […]

All together now… (click to view full) Britain’s practice of “contracting for availability” for key equipment, rather than paying for spare parts and maintenance hours, may be its most significant defense procurement reform. In a world where older air, sea, and ground vehicle fleets are growing maintenance demands beyond countries’ available budgets, it’s an approach […]

Americas The US Navy marks a new chapter in multi-engine pilot training with the arrival of its first two T-54A trainer aircraft at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi on Apr. 18th. The T-54A, a modified Beechcraft King Air 260 designated for the Navy, replaces the T-44C Pegasus, which has served faithfully since 1977. The […]

Americas D-J Engineering Inc. won a $30 million deal for machine shop requirements for supplies related to EA-18G and P-8A aircraft components and related platforms/requirements for Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane. Each awardee will be awarded $10,000 obligated at time of award. These contracts include options which, if exercised, would bring the total value to […]

Americas Thales Defense & Security Inc. won a $16 million deal for the repair of three items that are part of the H-1 Optimized Top Owl system. All work will be performed in Valbonne, France, and work is expected to be completed by October 2024. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $11,933,292 […]

UH-1Y and AH-1Z by Neville Dawson The US Marines’ helicopter force is aging at all levels, from banana-shaped CH-46 Sea Knight transports that are far older than their pilots, to the 1980s-era UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters that make up the Corps’ helicopter assault force. While the tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey program has staggered […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $46 million order by the US Navy, which provides non-recurring engineering for the development, integration, testing, and deployment of the MH-60 aircraft product line system configuration 26 fleet release for all MH-60 air platform variants, to include baseline management integrated management planning, integrated development environment support, support equipment baseline management, […]

MH-60Rs fire Hellfire (click to view full) Australia’s AIR 9000, Phase 8 project aimed to buy 24 modern naval helicopters to 16 existing S-70B-2 Seahawks, along with the disastrous A$1.1 billion, 11-helicopter SH-2G “Super Seasprite” acquisition attempt. With a total sales and support value of over A$ 3 billion, it was a highly coveted award. […]