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Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

AeroVironment Awarded $10 Million Contract by NASA/JPL to Co-Design and Develop Two Helicopters for Mars Sample Return Mission

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

The success of Ingenuity Mars helicopter, co-designed and co-developed by AeroVironment and NASA/JPL, lays the foundation for the development of the Sample Recovery Helicopters

Early Concept for the Sample Recovery Helicopter Based on Ingenuity. (Credit: NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech)

ARLINGTON, Va., May 2, 2023 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has been awarded a $10 million contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to co-design and co-develop conceptual designs and engineering development units of Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter flight systems. Future efforts could include detailed design, build, and test of qualification and flight hardware. The helicopters build upon the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter design heritage and feature upgraded robotics to supplement aerial mobility.

AeroVironment engineers from the MacCready Works team previously worked with NASA JPL to co-design and develop the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which has completed 52 successful flights to date on Mars and survived 781 sols on the surface, far outperforming its design objectives.

“Accomplishing the impossible has been AeroVironment’s mission for more than 50 years and we are excited to be working with the NASA JPL team again to conquer the next challenge,” said Scott Newbern, AeroVironment’s vice president and chief technology officer. “Ingenuity’s flights on Mars are a giant leap for robotic technology. Now we’re advancing this science further by helping to build helicopters that not only will continue flight on Mars, but also will include apparatus to collect samples to bring back to Earth for this historic mission.”

The two planned Sample Recovery Helicopters would be a secondary method of sample retrieval for the NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign. NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has already been collecting a diverse set of scientifically selected samples for potential safe return to Earth, is currently planned as the primary method of delivering samples to the Sample Retrieval Lander.

The Sample Recovery Helicopters would expand on Ingenuity’s design, adding wheels and gripping capabilities, to provide a secondary method to pick up cached sample tubes left on the surface by Perseverance and transport them to the Sample Retrieval Lander. Once the sample cache is launched off the red planet, another spacecraft would capture it in Mars orbit, and then bring it back to Earth safely and securely in the early to mid-2030s. After the samples are on Earth, scientists around the world would examine them using sophisticated instruments too large and complex to send to Mars. The samples would remain available for future generations to study with increasingly advanced technologies. Scientists believe the samples could shed light on whether life has ever existed on Mars.

Another Major Order Worth Over €200 million Net: Rheinmetall Supplying European Country with Ammunition for Main Battle Tanks

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

A European customer has awarded Rheinmetall a contract to supply tank ammunition. Worth over €200 million net, the ammunition will be delivered between 2023 to 2025. Following the major contract for infantry fighting vehicle ammunition reported in April, this is another significant order resulting from the current surge in demand for ammunition.

Rheinmetall is the sole single source supplier of newly made 20mm-35mm ammunition for medium-calibre automatic and antiaircraft cannon of the Marder, Gepard, Puma and similar systems; of 105mm ammunition for the Leopard 1 and 120mm ammunition for the Leopard 2; as well as 155mm artillery shells. Moreover, the Group has the capacity to make large-scale deliveries at short notice.  

The Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise is one of the world’s top makers of weapon and ammunition systems. Its product portfolio ranges from medium-calibre ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and air defence systems right through to aircraft cannon and high-energy laser applications. Rheinmetall is currently building an additional production line for medium-calibre ammunition at its plant in Unterlüß, which will enable it to meet heightened demand for air defence munitions starting this summer.  

GigXR Awarded Air Force SBIR Phase II Contract to Develop Extended Reality (XR) Simulation Training for Department of the Air Force

Friday, April 28th, 2023

Provides mixed-reality hologram patients to enhance realism in preparing students for treating combat casualties in safe-to-fail environments

Los Angeles, CA – April 26, 2023 – GigXR, Inc., a global provider of holographic healthcare training, announced today that it has received a second Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to develop holographic simulation training for the 354th Medical Group United States Air Force (USAF) based out of Eielsen, Alaska. The contract will be used to create immersive learning that uses hyper-realistic holographic patients that trains future medics to move through a critical checklist to correctly treat severe combat injuries.

To be built as a new module in GigXR’s HoloScenarios – a mixed reality application that allows learners to practice interventions using holographic equipment with hyper-realistic holographic patients that can present customizable, lifelike complications – this Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training will provide learners unlimited, on-demand access to holographic patients with combat injuries. They can practice key skills as often as needed while working in safe-to-fail environments. 

 

GigXR will create high-stress, safe-to-fail situations that incorporate sounds, such as gunshots, explosions and helicopters overhead, to better mimic the experience of combat care. The module will also include realistic visualizations of injuries such as blast wounds, broken legs, shrapnel inflictions and more. Learners will be able to encounter these immersive experiences in a lab, classroom, remotely in an at-home study space, or outdoors.

“We are always extremely proud whenever we get to build something for the U.S. Military,” said Jared Mermey, CEO at GigXR. “The mixed reality healthcare training that GigXR delivers is built to better prepare for what might be seen in the field. The immersive experiences provide far more advantages to the analog alternatives in terms of realism, cost to deliver, and operational burden, especially when  deploying this critical content at scale.”

GigXR has partnered with the University of Cambridge and Cambridge / University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation, University of Michigan and Morlen Health, a subsidiary of Northwest  Permanente, P.C., to co-create modules centered around Respiratory diseases, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Neurology scenarios. By partnering with  3D interactive medical experts,  such as 3D4Medical from Elsevier and ANIMA RES, GigXR’s customers can centralize access and management of 3D anatomy content which are also complementary to GigXR’s mixed reality applications.  

GigXR’s growing partnership ecosystem continues to power a rapidly-expanding immersive learning library delivered by the Gig Immersive Learning Platform. The company is trusted by academic institutions across four continents, including nursing and medical schools and teaching hospitals, including: Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, Miami Dade College, Ursuline College, Leeds University, The University of Queensland,  Otago Polytechnic and more. 

“Realism can be difficult to achieve in medical training. For instructors, it’s not just a question of allowing learners  to perform procedures or diagnostics, but immersing them in the scenario that empowers team collaboration, critical thinking and knowledge retention to more effectively apply skills in the future,” said David King Lassman, GigXR’s Founder. “It’s hard, for example, to show continued bleeding on a manikin, but learners need to be prepared for patients bleeding through a tourniquet or chest seal. GigXR’s technology delivers visual and procedural realism that can be especially important in combat training.”

GigXR’s second Phase II SBIR contract underscores the company’s growth trajectory as mixed reality heads toward mainstream adoption. According to a report by Markets and Markets, the sector could be worth $114.5 billion by 2027. GigXR’s software-led immersive learning creates the digital infrastructure to ensure equal access to the highest-quality training across geographically distributed educational programs. For the  military, whose medical training takes place in locations from Alaska to Texas, the flexibility of mixed reality is key to providing each unit with the tools for success. 

“Because of the Phase II SBIR award, any Federal Government Customer that is interested in holographic training can purchase this hyper-realistic training solution at scale from GigXR using a non-competitive Phase III contract,” said Mark Longe, Chief Operating Officer of C5 Business Development Innovations (C5BDI), a strategic planning, management and business development (BD) consulting firm that focuses on Federal acquisition.

For more information on GigXR visit www.gigxr.com. For more information on the United States Air Force SBIR program visit www.afwerx.com/afventures-overview.

Major Order Worth Over €200 Million: Rheinmetall Supplying European Country with Ammunition for Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Friday, April 28th, 2023

Rheinmetall has booked an important order for ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles. The Group is supplying a European country with medium-calibre ammunition, with order volume exceeding €200 million net. Shipment is due to take place in 2023-2025.

Rheinmetall is the sole single source supplier of newly made 20mm-35mm ammunition for medium-calibre automatic and antiaircraft cannon of the Marder, Gepard, Puma and similar systems; of 105mm ammunition for the Leopard 1 and 120mm ammunition for the Leopard 2; as well as 155mm artillery shells. Moreover, the Group has the capacity to make large-scale deliveries at short notice.  

The Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise is one of the world’s top makers of weapon and ammunition systems. Its product portfolio ranges from medium-calibre ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and air defence systems right through to aircraft cannon and high-energy laser applications. Rheinmetall is currently building an additional production line for medium-calibre ammunition at its plant in Unterlüß, which will enable it to meet heightened demand for air defence munitions starting this summer.  

Germany Buys 227 Additional BAE Systems BvS10s Through Framework Agreement

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — April 24, 2023 – Germany is investing in an additional 227 ultra- mobile, protected, all-terrain BvS10 vehicles from BAE Systems. The German contract, worth around $400 million, follows the joint procurement by Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom in support of Arctic operations for the Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program, with Sweden as the lead nation. This will extend the deliveries from the framework agreement, which are to begin in 2024, out to 2030.

“This framework agreement streamlines the process by allowing prospective and existing customers to acquire vehicles at previously negotiated terms, while also benefiting from the joint development,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds, which manufactures the vehicles in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. “This will secure Germany’s access to these highly capable vehicles for decades to come, and demonstrates the strong relationship between BAE Systems and our customer.”

BAE Systems’ military all-terrain vehicles are designed for operations in the harshest and most remote environments, and this agreement signals the company’s position as the defense industry’s leader in these capabilities. The new contract is for additional troop transport vehicles and armored personnel carriers (APCs), as well as three new German BvS10 versions; Command and Control (C2), and two logistics variants that will add combat support to the German Armed Forces.

The BvS10 (and Beowulf) are world-leading all-terrain solutions. Their articulated mobility systems provide optimal maneuverability across varying terrains including snow, ice, rock, sand, mud, swamps, and steep mountain environments. The vehicles’ amphibious feature also allows them to swim in flooded areas or coastal waters. The vehicles can deliver personnel and supplies to sustain strategic, tactical, and operational mobility.

BvS10’s unprecedented mobility is based on terrain accessible North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards. Its modular design allows it to be reconfigured for varying missions and can be delivered in multiple variants that include carrying personnel, command and control, ambulance, vehicle repair and recovery, logistics support, situational awareness, and a weapons carrier with additional mortar capability.

The vehicle is currently operated by Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. BAE Systems’ Beowulf, the unarmored variant of the BvS10, won the U.S.

Army’s competition for its Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program in August. The U.S. Army will receive 110 vehicles over a five-year period.

Aeronautics Will Supply the Greek Ministry of Defense with Dozens of Advanced Orbiter 3 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems as Part of the Spike Missile Deal

Thursday, April 20th, 2023

The agreement is part of the significant G2G contract between the Israeli and Greek Ministries of Defense for the procurement of Rafael’s Spike missiles

17 April 2023, Aeronautics Ltd. – a world leader in designing, developing and manufacturing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for global defense and HLS markets – announces a contract to supply dozens of its Orbiter 3 systems to the Greek Ministry of Defense. The agreement is part of the large contract between the Israeli and Greek Ministry of Defense, worth approximately 370 million euros, for the procurement of Rafael’s Spike missiles.

As part of the contract, Rafael will provide an advanced solution enabling significant operational advantage to the modern battlefield; While the Orbiter 3 systems detect, recognize and identify (DRI) the target, the Spike missiles, launched from the air, sea, or land can rapidly close the sensor-to-shooter loop, using the “Fire Weaver” C4I system. The rapid Sensor to Shooter process implementing advanced technologies, enables  mission success.

The Orbiter 3 is a small tactical unmanned aerial system and considered to be one of the leading systems in its class worldwide providing superior performance for both defense and HLS applications. Highlights of the Orbiter 3 operational performance includes advanced ISTAR capabilities, runway-independent, long endurance, the capability of carrying various types of payloads, advanced image processing, a small logistical footprint, navigation including in a GPS-denied environment and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Dan Slasky, CEO of Aeronautics Group: “We are proud to be a part of this significant cooperation with Rafael in the G2G agreement with the Greek MOD. This collaboration demonstrates the technological synergy, and the close business integration between the two companies. We also thank the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which has invested significant efforts to facilitate the agreement, and to the Greek Ministry of Defense for expressing it’s confidence in the Aeronautics’ solution.”

aeronautics-sys.com

Bundeswehr Orders Upgrade of 143 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, an order to retrofit a further 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles. In doing so, the German government is exercising two options contained in the contract for retrofitting original Puma infantry fighting vehicles to the new S1 design status. This contract was signed in June 2021. 

The order volume is in the region of €770 million. By 2029, the key capabilities of firepower and command and control of all 143 Puma systems will be brought up to date. Exercising these options assures that every Puma in the Bundeswehr inventory will conform to the uniform S1 design status. Among other things, the retrofit includes integration of high-resolution day- and night-capable camera systems, the MELLS multirole-capable lightweight guided missile system, and digital radio equipment.

DroneShield Successfully Delivers $11 Million Order

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) is pleased to advise it has successfully completed delivery of the all-time record purchase order of approximately $11 million for a Government agency customer announced on 21 December 2022. The delivery timing was in line with the original delivery timetable. 

A substantial deposit for this order has been received in January and reflected in the 1Q23 cash receipts, with the balance payable 30 days after this recently completed delivery, to be reflected in the 2Q23 receipts. 

DroneShield CEO, Oleg Vornik, commented: “On-time delivery of this order demonstrates DroneShield’s ability to rapidly scale its operations. With the recent $40 million record capital raise and the resulting proceeds into both inventory and further strengthening of operations and engineering side of the business, we are well placed to deliver on rapidly rising demand for counterdrone systems.”


Image: DroneGun Mk3 and RfPatrol Mk2