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US Marine Corps Intends To Sole Source Knights Armament Co NT-4 Suppressor

Tuesday, July 14th, 2020

Marine Corps Systems Command has published their intent to solicit and negotiate with only one source, specifically Knights Armament Co to purchase 5.56mm Small Arms Suppressors to be used on the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR), M4 Carbine and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle Weapon. The Marines plan to field the KAC NT-4 to satisfy their requirement for close combat forces.

During last year’s NDIA Armaments Symposium, the Corps listed suppressors as a priority for their Squad Small Arms Capabilities.

In 2016 and 2017 the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions conducted experimentation utilizing an unspecified number of KAC suppressors from Joint Operational formerly issued to SOF. In 2017, the Marines issued a Sources Sought Notice to Industry for commercially available suppressors.

This planned purchase will supplement those already on hand to fulfill their fielding plan. However, this isn’t exactly the latest in suppressor technology.

On the plus side, it’s got an NSN: 1005-01-437-0324 which was issued by US Special Operations Command. Despite being around since 1998, it’s a workhorse, currently in use with loads of federal and local law enforcement agencies. Plus, it has already been fielded on the M38 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle which is an M27 IAR fitted with a Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T optic.

All of that sounds great right? Here’s where they lose me. The crux of their argument for sole sourcing the NT-4 isn’t that it has an NSN, not that they already have some. Instead, they push its compatibility with Bayonets, Collimators, Boresights and Blank Firing Adapters.

The KAC Small Arms Suppressor will enable the USMC to continue to use their existing bayonets, as well as their existing Small Arms Collimators (SAC), Laser Boresights (LBS), and Blank Firing Adapters (BFA), all of which are critical to accuracy and lethality in both training and combat. These items are interoperable with the current Small Arms Suppressor.

Since this a notice of intent, other companies can still submit (see SAMS for details) if they believe they meet these requirements.

Posted in Contracts, Suppressors, USMC | 16 Comments »

TenCate Advanced Armor USA Inc Awarded US Navy Maritime Buoyant Plate Body Armor Contract

Monday, July 13th, 2020

TenCate Advanced Armor is pleased to announce the award of a four-year contract framework for the delivery of the U.S. Navy Maritime Buoyant Plate body armor. Valued in excess of $15M, TenCate Advanced Armor will provide a new generation of body armor to U.S. Navy developed to comply with a demanding specification for performance. The Maritime Buoyant Plate will be manufactured at TenCate Advanced Armor’s facilities in Hebron, OH.

On June 24, 2020, the Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) awarded TenCate contract N61331-20-D-0011, as an ID/IQ (Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity) to provide Maritime Buoyant Body Armor (MBP), both in torso and side configurations. This award complements other recently awarded body armor contracts by Army Contracting Command (ACC) for high performance, lightweight body armor, such as SPS-VTP side and torso plates.

This is a similar plate to the one selected.

The TenCate Technical Center USA (TTC-US) developed the design for the MBP by leveraging prior Internally funded Research and Development (IR&D) efforts, which optimized the construction of high performance raw materials, and, through specialized consolidation and manufacture, met all the requirements of NQ/PQ 16-04, entitled Body Armor, Maritime Buoyant Plate (MBP), such as weight, thickness, and ballistic performance requirements.

The President of TenCate Advanced Armor USA, Col. (ret.) Andy Mills, stated: “I am extremely satisfied with the confident and effective response by TenCate Advanced Armor to the U.S. Navy’s strict requirements for a new generation of body armor. The contract underlines TenCate Advanced Armor’s position as a key partner in high-performance personal protection equipment for the U.S. Department of Defense and for allied nations.”

The maximum contract value is $15,335,930.81, with First Article Test (FAT) plates due within 120 days of the award.

TenCate Advanced Armor USA, Inc. is a major provider of personal protection solutions for police departments, federal agencies, and large multi-year government programs. With years of experience in body armor development and manufacturing, TenCate Advanced Armor USA, Inc. provides a diverse portfolio of stand-alone (SA) and in-conjunction (IC) plates with special capabilities to meet the needs of US and allied warfighters and law enforcement officers.

www.tencateadvancedarmour.com

Posted in Armor, Contracts, Maritime, Press Release | Comments Off on TenCate Advanced Armor USA Inc Awarded US Navy Maritime Buoyant Plate Body Armor Contract

Schiebel Camcopter S-100 to Perform Coast Guard Services for European Maritime Safety Agency in Finland

Saturday, July 11th, 2020

Vienna, 6 July 2020 – The Finnish Border Guard will operate the CAMCOPTER® S-100 for maritime surveillance purposes. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) service is offered by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and will also extend to Estonia and Sweden.

The CAMCOPTER® S-100 will support the Finnish authorities in carrying out Coast Guard functions, such as search and rescue, monitoring and surveillance, ship and port security, vessel traffic, environmental protection and response, ship casualty assistance, as well as accident and disaster response. The S-100 will execute these tasks equipped with an L3 Wescam Electro-Optical / Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera gimbal, an Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch, a Becker Avionics BD406 Emergency Beacon Locator and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.

EMSA awarded the multi-year maritime surveillance contract for a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) RPAS to Schiebel in November 2018. In execution of this contract, Schiebel provides simultaneous maritime surveillance services to several EU member states and EU bodies. Currently, the CAMCOPTER® S-100 is also operational in the Republic of Croatia supporting the Maritime Safety Directorate of the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia.

Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said: “The S-100 has extensive experience in the maritime domain. It is the UAS of choice when it comes to sophisticated maritime surveillance. We’re proud to be EMSA’s chosen RPAS providing vital surveillance services to its member states.”

About Schiebel:

Founded in 1951, the Vienna-based Schiebel Group focuses on the development, testing and production of state-of-the-art mine detection equipment and the revolutionary CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). Certified to meet AS/EN 9100 standards, Schiebel has built an international reputation for producing quality defense and humanitarian products, which are backed by exceptional after-sales service and support. With headquarters in Vienna (Austria), Schiebel now maintains production facilities in Wiener Neustadt (Austria) and Abu Dhabi (UAE), as well as offices in Washington, DC (USA) and Shoalhaven (Australia).

About the CAMCOPTER® S-100:

Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) is an operationally proven capability for military and civilian applications. The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS requires no prepared area or supporting equipment to enable launch and recovery. It operates by day and by night, under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability out to 200 km / 108 nm, over land and sea. Its carbon fiber and titanium fuselage provides capacity for a wide range of payload/endurance combinations up to a service ceiling of 5,500 m / 18,000 ft. In a typical configuration, the CAMCOPTER® S-100 carries a 34-kg / 75-lbs payload up to 10 hours and is powered with AVGas or JP-5 heavy fuel. High-definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real time. In addition to its standard GPS waypoint or manual navigation, the S-100 can successfully operate in environments where GPS is not available, with missions planned and controlled via a simple point-and- click graphical user interface. The high-tech unmanned helicopter is backed by Schiebel’s excellent customer support and training services.

www.schiebel.net

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Schiebel Camcopter S-100 to Perform Coast Guard Services for European Maritime Safety Agency in Finland

AeroVironment Receives $21 Million Initial Contract Option for Raven Radio Frequency Modifications Under Previously Awarded US Army Contract with Potential $55 Million Total Value

Thursday, July 9th, 2020

• Contract option for Army Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Flight Control Systems (FCS) domain includes avionics and data link upgrades to modify radio frequency

• Raven tactical unmanned aircraft system is designed for rapid deployment, delivering real-time tactical situational awareness to warfighters

U.S. Army Soldier hand-launches Raven tactical unmanned aircraft system during a platoon live fire exercise at Fort Campbell, KY. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Justin Wright)

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., July 8, 2020 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), today announced the United States Army exercised the first of three options under the sole source Flight Control Systems (FCS) domain of the Army’s multi-year small UAS contract on April 28, 2020. The value of the initial contract option is $21,058,643 and includes avionics and data link upgrade packages to modify radio frequencies employed by the Army’s existing fleet of Raven® tactical UAS, the largest fleet of Raven systems in the world. Delivery will take place over a two-year period.

The Army exercised the option under the FCS domain awarded to AeroVironment by the Army in June 2019. FCS is one of six domains comprising the Army’s existing five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) SUAS contract, and has a potential value of up to $55 million.

“AeroVironment is committed to providing continuous support to the Army’s ongoing, multi-year programs of record for tactical UAS, such as the Raven, with quick and efficient field upgrades to help operators around the world perform their missions more effectively,” said Rick Pedigo, Vice President, Business Development and Sales for AeroVironment.

AeroVironment’s Raven system is designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for operations requiring low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. With a wingspan of 4.5 feet and weighing just 4.2 pounds (1.9 kilograms), the hand-launched Raven provides situational awareness, day or night, with an operational range of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). The Raven’s Mantis i23 EO/IR gimbaled payload delivers real-time video or infrared imagery to ground control and remote viewing stations.

AeroVironment’s family of tactical UAS comprises the majority of all unmanned aircraft in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) inventory, and its rapidly growing international customer base of 50 allied governments. To learn more, visit www.avinc.com.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on AeroVironment Receives $21 Million Initial Contract Option for Raven Radio Frequency Modifications Under Previously Awarded US Army Contract with Potential $55 Million Total Value

Air Force Awards Contract for Improved Female Body Armor

Thursday, July 9th, 2020

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFNS) —

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Female Fitment Program Office has awarded a contract to begin production and development for body armor designed to better protect female Airmen during combat and contingency operations.

Finding uniform items and gear optimized for female Airmen is an Air Force Chief of Staff initiative. The Female Fitment Program Office was created in response to identify problems and find solutions quickly. The office partnered with the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio to find a “sufficient armored plate carrier system that addresses appropriate form, fit and function while providing adequate protection for female Airmen.”

“This is a perfect example of Air Force Materiel Command getting feedback from the field and delivering the Air Force we need to the warfighter,” said Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., AFMC commander. “I’m proud of the team pulling together to do what is right for our Airmen. They deserve gear that offers the protection they need while allowing them to complete their mission.”

AFLCMC’s Human Systems Division is the lead organization to assess, evaluate and acquire new body armor for Security Forces Defenders and other female Airmen whose jobs require them to operate in dangerous environments. The new body armor will be specifically fitted to the female body preventing exposure to risks.

“Our female Airmen had gaps due to poor fitment issues,” said Maj. Saily Rodriguez, Female Fitment Program manager. “The new gear fits properly which improves protection and offers better comfort for gear that has to be worn in difficult environments and conditions.”

The program office conducted an evaluation that included laboratory and field assessments. The contract was awarded to TSSi of Harrisonburg, Virginia for the Aspetto “Mach V” system that was deemed the best solution in terms of price, effectiveness and fitment.

“The feedback during our field assessment was overwhelmingly positive. This is something our Airmen want because it offers a great benefit to their health and safety,” Rodriguez said.

The first product deliveries are expected in Fall 2020.

Posted in Air Force, Armor, Contracts, For the Ladies | 1 Comment »

US Army and DoD Select SMART SHOOTER’s Counter-sUAS Technology Solution

Monday, July 6th, 2020

With a “One Shot – One Hit” capability, SMART SHOOTER’s Fire Control Solutions allow the operator to quickly and effectively neutralize any manned or unmanned threat

29 June 2020: SMART SHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms, is honored to announce that the company has been selected by the U.S. Army and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as one of a handful of approved Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) solution providers.

The designation of SMART SHOOTER as one of only three DoD-approved dismounted/ handheld systems by the Army – the DoD’s Executive Agent for the C-UAS mission area — follows an extended Army-led assessment of more than three dozen competing C-UAS systems. The Army notes that this assessment identified current systems for future investment based on criteria such as effectiveness, usability, sustainment, and integration.

SMART SHOOTER’s SMASH family of Fire Control solutions – capable of leveraging targeting data from a wide range of EO, RF and radar sensors — can be integrated onto any assault rifle, as well as combined with other C-UAS systems, to provide an effective multi-layer defense solution suitable for the modern battlefield.

Bringing precision-missile targeting algorithms and advanced electro-optical processing capabilities into standard infantry, SMASH enables the creation of a micro-tactical network between deployed SMASH units, allowing the entire platoon to be smart, precise, and connected.

With a unique “One Shot – One Hit” capability, SMART SHOOTER’s Fire Control technology allows the operator to quickly and effectively neutralize any ground or airborne, manned or unmanned threat through automatic detection, tracking, and effective engagement.

Michal Mor, SMART SHOOTER CEO noted: “In recent years, drones and UAS have become a persistent threat over the battlefield, enabling opposing forces to gather critical tactical intelligence and even make direct attacks. The SMASH family of Fire Control Solutions offers precise, swift, and simple hard-kill elimination of this threat. We are thrilled that the DoD has down-selected and designated SMART SHOOTER’s exclusive technology for C-UAS application across the U.S. Armed Forces, and see it as validation of the operational value that our solutions provide. The selection is a result of SMART SHOOTER’s ongoing work with the Countering Terrorism Tactical Support Office (CTTSO), during which our technology was integrated with radar solutions to provide the warfighter with an unrivaled detection and hit system.”

For more information, please visit www.SMART-SHOOTER.com

Posted in Contracts, UAS | Comments Off on US Army and DoD Select SMART SHOOTER’s Counter-sUAS Technology Solution

Britannica Knowledge Systems Announces the Award of a $70 Million Contract to Supply its Fox Training Management System to the U.S. Army

Friday, July 3rd, 2020

The FOX system was selected as the enterprise information technology platform for the U.S. Army education and training programs, to increase its training efficiency and to support force readinessJune 29, 2020, Israel – Britannica Knowledge Systems, a leading global provider of comprehensive integrated training and readiness management solutions, announces the award of a $70 million contract to supply its Fox Training Management System to the U.S. Army, as part of the ATIS (Army Training Information System) program.

Fox will replace over 30 separate systems the Army is currently using and will unify Training Management, Training Scheduling, Resource Management, Training Development and Learning Management capabilities into one comprehensive integrated environment.

The solution will be the enterprise training management platform for institutional training, operational training and individual self-development, and will provide the Army with a real-time situational awareness of combat readiness with reduced training operations costs and complexity.

In addition, Fox, which has been tested over the course of a year, will provide a common operating picture, will be the authoritative data source for Army training, and will be a single-entry point for all army training operations.

The contract, transacted via the American firm Perspecta, will be implemented over a four-year period.

Asher Dagan, CEO of Britannica Knowledge Systems, said, “Britannica brings a unique combination of advanced technology, comprehensive capabilities, and a deep understanding of the needs and objectives of training in the area of defense. One of the requirements of the U.S. Army was a commercial off-the-shelf system configured for the army’s specific needs and for managing the extensive training of Army units and individuals. We are proud that we were able to meet those demands and are looking forward to a successful project.”

www.britannica-ks.com

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, Training | 3 Comments »

Epirus Wins Contract to Develop Counter Convoy Capability for Department of Defense

Thursday, July 2nd, 2020

ADVANCING DIRECTED ENERGY INTO THE DIGITAL AGE

Los Angeles, June 30th, Epirus Inc. received a Small Business Innovation Research Phase Two contract to develop a directed energy prototype for the US Navy. The system will support efforts to deploy non-kinetic capabilities for stopping nefarious vehicles or vessels. This increases stand-off ranges for US service members performing security missions, and minimizes collateral damage caused by other methods such as lasers or small arms.

“This win helps validate Epirus’ approach and advances directed energy technology into the digital age. Challenging the status quo of directed energy has been an uphill battle, but I’m glad to see the work of our engineering teams pay off by providing new data and demonstrated capability,” said Bo Marr, Chief Technology Officer at Epirus.

“Whether it’s checkpoint activities or performing a vehicle interdiction, things can get real dangerous real quick in close quarters with potentially hostile motorists. Increasing stand-off ranges is always a plus for operators on the ground,” commented Aaron Barruga, Epirus team member and Special Forces combat veteran.

Epirus’ approach to electromagnetic pulse utilizes commercial semiconductor technology to deliver unprecedented reduction in size and weight. Their flagship product—Leonidas—delivers a counter drone capability and is also in development for the Department of Defense.

Posted in Contracts, Disruptive Tech, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Epirus Wins Contract to Develop Counter Convoy Capability for Department of Defense