Tactical Tailor

Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

G-Form Awarded $1.2M Research and Development Contract by US Army Development Command to Advance Next Level Warfighter Protection

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI, May 30, 2023 – G-Form®, the innovative technology protection brand, is proud to announce its first contract with the U.S. Army Development Command (DEVCOM). DEVCOM, the Army’s technology leader, ensures the dominance of Army capabilities by creating, integrating, and delivering technology-enabled solutions to our Soldiers.

The G-Form contract is for Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation to create cutting edge soldier protection by utilizing its proprietary SmartFlex technology and its newly developed RE ZRO technology, which is 100% recyclable and fully biodegradable.  G-Form will apply its material science expertise to develop improved shock-attenuation products that provide the most advanced knee, elbow, and head protection available to the warfighter. 

“Innovation is essential in how we develop and build advanced protection products and we are excited to redefine the future of impact protection solutions for our warfighters, together with our partners at DEVCOM,” stated Glen “Gava” Giovanucci, G-Form’s CEO.  “This work directly supports our American manufacturing capabilities and helps to ensure that the domestic industrial base remains fully capable of supporting the needs of the Armed Services.”  

“I am committed to helping local companies compete and do business with the U.S. Department of Defense.  The men and women of G-Form produce a range of advanced protection products for our troops in the field and contribute to national defense.  I am proud to see them recognized with this contract.  It will keep more Rhode Islanders employed making cutting-edge protection gear for our troops,” said Senator Reed, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

www.g-form.com

Ministry of Defense (MoD) of Ukraine Orders Additional 300 Vector Drones from Quantum Systems

Friday, June 2nd, 2023

Germany, Munich,  May 31st, 2023  – Quantum-Systems GmbH, the dual-use aerial intelligence company that provides multi-sensor data collection drones to government agencies and commercial customers, today announced an order of 300 additional mid-range reconnaissance drones type Vector™ in military support of Ukraine’s armed forces, funded by the German Government.

Founded in 2015, Quantum Systems is at the forefront of unmanned aerial system (UAS) development. Its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) systems boast industry-leading endurance, ease of operation, and reliability, exceeding the performance of conventional UAS platforms. Quantum Systems’ drones bring together the most robust and field-proven systems and commercial speed in development and innovation.

Aerial intelligence when it matters

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has placed a third order of 300 Vector™ systems, following two earlier orders of 105 Vector systems in January 2023, and 33 Vector systems in August 2022.

Since August 2022, Vector demonstrated its unprecedented performance under the most challenging conditions. Vector has been extensively used and intensively tested on the Ukrainian battlefield, where it has proven to be an asset for military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The Vector offers unparalleled agility and rapid deployment capabilities. Ready to use in two minutes, it ensures continuous enemy target detection regardless of weather conditions, it achieves speeds of up to 72 km/h and sustains long flight times. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, the Vector empowers Ukrainian forces to swiftly gather critical intelligence and gain a strategic advantage.

The Ukrainian MoD’s third Vector order is a testament to Quantum Systems’ commitment to support the Ukrainian MoD in the defense of their country and signifies a crucial milestone in advancing defense capabilities and fostering innovation in UAS technology. The Vector system’s integration into the Ukrainian Armed Forces equips military personnel with advanced aerial intelligence and situational awareness, enabling enhanced decision-making and heightened operational effectiveness.

Quantum Systems proudly stands in solidarity with Ukraine, as highlighted by representatives of the Chief Intelligence Department of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in a recent statement. Quantum Systems is pleased to reaffirm its strong partnership and unwavering support for Ukraine by delivering cutting-edge Vector drones, as per Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense contract.

Advancing Vector through battle-tested insights

The direct and immediate feedback received from the operators in the Ukrainian battlefield, as well as Quantum Systems’ commitment to enhance security capabilities through technological advancements accelerated the system’s development processes.

With on-board Artificial Intelligence, Vector provides live aerial intelligence in an efficient and user-friendly manner. The system eases the operator from constant video monitoring. Built-in algorithms allow it to automatically identify objects and immediately transmit key intelligence information to the ground. The AI Board – an NVIDIA Jetson Orin – supports and enables GNSS-denied navigation, a feature that was developed with direct feedback from the battlefield.

The self-heating Smart Battery Pack manages the power supply during operation and will extend Vector’s endurance from 120 to 180 minutes. The Battery Management System transmits the battery status and warning messages to the operator, to prevent downtime and support uninterrupted detection of enemy targets.

Vector’s unique open systems architecture encompassing both the autopilot’s hardware and software modules, allows for seamless integration of new capabilities on an ongoing basis.

Supporting Ukraine “whatever it takes”

To further support the Ukrainian forces in their defense, Quantum Systems recently opened a Service-Training-Support and Logistics (SSTLC) Facility in Ukraine. This facility provides training for operators on the use and maintenance of the Vector™ system and is the local hub for procuring spare parts and repair services.

“Quantum Systems stands firmly in support of Ukraine and their democracy, and we are dedicated to assisting them in defending their country, whatever it takes. The trust of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in our systems holds immense significance for us. We consider it a privilege to contribute to Ukraine’s defense, and we remain committed to delivering superior systems to their armed forces. Our unwavering belief in democratic values, coupled with the daily challenges faced by Ukrainian soldiers, fuels our motivation, and accelerates our development processes.”

Florian Seibel, CEO Quantum Systems

For more information about Quantum-Systems, visit www.quantum-systems.com.

Bundeswehr Orders Another 57 Heavy Tractor Units – Contract Worth Over €50 Million

Thursday, June 1st, 2023

Rheinmetall has received an order from the German Bundeswehr to supply a further 57 heavy tractor units in the 70-tonne payload class. Known as the “SaZgM 70t mil” in German military parlance, the unprotected heavy-duty trucks are scheduled for delivery in 2023 and 2024. The total value of the order is worth just over €50 million, including value added tax. The German armed forces use the trucks primarily for transporting heavy armoured vehicles like the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.

Just booked, the current order is the last call-off from a framework contract signed in 2018 for the delivery of up to 137 SaZgM 70t mil trucks. Under the framework agreement, which had a 7-year lifetime, eighty tractor units have already been ordered and delivered to the Bundeswehr.

Rheinmetall’s HX81 tractor units are powered by an eight-cylinder 680 hp diesel engine. This gives the high-mobility all-wheel-drive truck a top speed of 89 km/h and the ability to climb gradients of 60 percent. The Gross Train Weight of the system is 130 tonnes. The HX81 tractor unit has the same driver’s cab as Rheinmetall’s UTF family of vehicles. If necessary, the cab can be exchanged for a protected version. It comes with a Rotzler double action winch system, with a combined maximum tractive force of 40 tonnes, enabling the all-terrain tractor unit to tow vehicles onto the trailer. 

Important contribution to reinforcing the Bundeswehr’s logistic capabilities

Logistic vehicles play a crucial role in assuring the operational effectiveness of combat units, enabling a rapid response and subsequent sustainment in the field. Being able to transport heavy combat vehicles is a key capability in national and alliance defence. The HX81 complements the Bundeswehr’s SLT heavy transport vehicle. Besides the unprotected HX81, Rheinmetall also supplies the Mammut protected heavy transport vehicle, along with the UTF unprotected transport vehicle and the WLS hook loading system.

Since 2018, Rheinmetall has supplied the Bundeswehr with over 4,000 military trucks. Together with the UTF and WLS, the SaZgM 70t tractor unit forms the logistic backbone of the Bundeswehr.

Saab Receives Order for Carl-Gustaf Ammunition to Sweden

Tuesday, May 30th, 2023

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for deliveries of ammunition for the recoilless Carl-Gustaf® rifle. The order value is approximately SEK 3 billion and deliveries will take place during 2026-2030.

The order is placed within a framework agreement between Saab and FMV which allows purchases of Saab’s Ground Combat weapons Carl-Gustaf, AT4 and NLAW, including ammunition and equipment.  

“We are proud to continue to deliver our world-leading solutions to Sweden and contribute to the Swedish defence capability. This order secures the Swedish Armed Forces supply of Carl-Gustaf ammunition and is a result of the weapon’s capacity and robustness,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

The multipurpose Carl-Gustaf weapon has been in use by the Swedish Armed Forces since 1948. During year 2018, FMV signed a contract for deliveries of the latest iteration of the weapon; Carl-Gustaf M4. The wide range of ammunition available for Carl-Gustav further strengthens the system’s tactical flexibility, enabling faster engagement, increased hit probability and greater effectiveness for the soldiers. 

Rheinmetall Wins Second Contract for Regenerating More Parts of the Bundeswehr’s Modular Medical Facilities

Thursday, May 25th, 2023

At the end of January 2023, Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) selected Rheinmetall to remodel additional parts of its modular medical facilities. The special modular medical facility containers ordered here by the Bundeswehr will be used, for example, as food safety laboratories. The order is worth a figure in the higher-single-digit million-euro range. Work is to be complete by December 2023.

Known by their German initials as MSE containers, they constitute a family of modular medical facilities. Fabricated since the 1990s, multiple variants of these units have been procured and are now undergoing comprehensive regeneration.

The MSEs consist of rescue facilities and field hospitals used in Bundeswehr areas of operation. Here, individual systems perform specialized tasks, serving in this case as a food safety laboratory, or LCM. The technical and medical equipment in the LCM help to assure food safety in the field during deployed operations. These stackable container systems are CSC-classified, meaning that they can be transported on container ships. The systems and their equipment are customized in terms of scope and functionality.

Dr Deniz Akitürk, managing director of Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH, is particularly proud of the latest project: “This is the second time that we’ve won a contract of this kind. Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH can look now forward to more orders in this segment.”

Responsible for mobile deployable mission solutions, Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH has bundled the Group’s resources and capabilities for mission support ever since 2019. It provides customers with long-term mission support through specific services. Rheinmetall AG created the company specifically to handle services and projects for mission support.

Elbit Systems UK to Deliver Ground-Based Surveillance Radar to British Armed Forces

Thursday, May 25th, 2023

London, 23 May 2023 – Elbit Systems UK has been awarded a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide a series of Ground-Based Surveillance Radar (GBSR) systems, manufactured and developed in the UK and Europe, to the British Armed Forces to support front line threat detection for a range of end-users.

Elbit Systems UK will deliver 90 GBSR systems throughout 2023 and 2024, with a follow-on option of an additional 40 systems. The GBSR system is easily portable and uses Digital Signal Processing to detect, track and classify targets moving on or close to the ground.

The systems being delivered have been customised by Elbit Systems UK to meet the specialist capability requirements of a joint end-user community. These adaptations include an optimised stabilisation unit and open architecture software upgrades to facilitate integration both with existing and future MOD systems.

The system also incorporates capture software that allows operator performance to be analysed. This will support extensive, data-driven training for the user.

Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK, said:

“Elbit Systems UK has a deep understanding of the threat environment in which our servicemen and women operate. By offering a portable solution for medium and short range target detection, Elbit Systems UK is continuing to support the UK Ministry of Defence in providing leading situational awareness for those on the front line, using some of the best technology available.”

UK MOD Extends NP Aerospace Vehicle Contract

Thursday, May 25th, 2023

The UK Ministry of Defence has extended its Protected Mobility Engineering and Technical Support vehicle contact (PMETS) with NP Aerospace to March 2026.

The £63m contract covering more than 2,000 vehicles was awarded to NP Aerospace, global armour manufacturer and vehicle integrator via a competitive tender in March 2019. Since then, as Engineering Authority for the fleet, and in partnership with vehicle OEMs and industry partners, NP Aerospace has worked on over 140 individual tasks that maintain, sustain and upgrade the vehicle fleet for use on operations.

According to David Petheram, Managing Director & Senior Vice President, NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services & Spares, PMETS tasks range in scale and complexity from lighting systems, software enhancements and communication system upgrades, through to full scale re-engineering programmes. He said: “Through PMETS we have introduced significant innovations into the fleet such as the Mastiff and Ridgback XC offroad platforms and hybrid demonstrator projects – both of which improve overall capabilities and operational vehicle performance. Working closely with industry partners, NP Aerospace is able to maximise through life capability and introduce new innovations that benefit the Armed Forces.”

NP Aerospace has worked on MOD vehicles for over 20 years, leading complex integrations. The platforms covered under the PMETS contract include Mastiff, Wolfhound, Ridgback, Buffalo, Choker, Foxhound, Jackal, Coyote and RODET. Key partners include Atkins, HORIBA-Mira and ITS, vehicle OEMs General Dynamics and Supacat, and a variety of technology partners. The prime contracting model with NP Aerospace as engineering authority is fully scalable and can be applied to other platform types and global markets.

The PMETS contract is estimated to have generated in excess of 200 jobs in the UK supply chain, with the team at NP Aerospace providing oversight of all deliverables and managing all activities on the contracts, utilising highly experienced staff in a unique way across the variety of vehicles in the fleet.

Booz Allen Awarded $919M Contract to Support Warfighter Capabilities

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

With an enterprise approach, Booz Allen seeks to enhance the Soldier as a System

MCLEAN, Va., May 23, 2023–Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH), announced today it was awarded a performance-based task order, EDITS (Engineering, Development, Integration, and Technology-based Solutions), a research and development contract valued at $919 million. EDITS is designed to enable the Soldier as a System concept and continuously enhance the warfighter’s ability in all climatic conditions and combat situations, ensuring protection and survivability across multiple Department of Defense (DOD) agencies. The task order supports the following mission partners: U.S. Army Program Executive Offices (PEO) to include Soldier, elements of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), U.S. Army Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center and the DOD’s Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA). This contract will enable Booz Allen to offer cutting-edge, technology-based solutions across services to meet emerging threats and ensure a versatile, expeditionary, agile, sustainable, and interoperable military capable of meeting and overcoming any challenge.

“Supporting warfighters requires concerted coordination that informs technology development and integration in order to empower the nation’s forces to operate jointly. Booz Allen will work to support orchestration across mission partners at the strategic level and adaptive tech integration at the tactical level for warfighters,” said Judi Dotson, Booz Allen’s Global Defense sector president. “The EDITS contract represents a cultural shift intended to foster collaboration early in technology development, as we will help facilitate open communication across service boundaries and posture for the integration of future technologies through system-level architectures.”

The flexibility of the EDITS program will allow the mission partners to rapidly identify new technologies, develop prototypes, and then test and evaluate the effectiveness of these technologies. In addition, the project allows for support to global operations, including foreign military sales, contingency logistics, and host nation training. Booz Allen and its teammates are postured to support the Department of Defense in addressing emerging threats with new technologies and integrated systems.

“By integrating new technologies into warfighter systems across service boundaries, EDITS will absolutely help drive synergies and efficiencies in modernizing and equipping the military’s tactical units,” said Joel Dillon, a senior vice president in Booz Allen’s Global Defense business. “The ultimate goal of the work is to enable the tactical unit as a fully integrated combat platform by supporting warfighters—at home and abroad—and providing solutions that increase lethality, survivability, and situational awareness that enhance the Soldier as a System.”

DOD and U.S. government program offices will leverage the EDITS contract to collaborate across organizations to minimize duplication of effort and allow for cost-effective solutions. With this program, Booz Allen will improve interoperability through technology identification, maturation, and transition of solutions seamlessly across organizational boundaries within the EDITS enterprise.