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Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

AeroVironment Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

AV selected to deliver Switchblade systems for the U.S. Army’s lethal unmanned systems requirement

ARLINGTON, Va.–AeroVironment (AV) has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement (DR) for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The 5-year contract from Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground is Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a contract ceiling value of $990M. Deliveries of the Switchblade® systems are expected to begin in months.

The LUS Directed Requirement is the Army’s first effort to equip soldiers in infantry battalions with lethal, man-portable loitering munition systems. The combat-proven Switchblade systems will enhance soldiers’ capabilities with precision flight control, greater lethality against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks, and the ability to track and engage moving non-line-of-sight targets. AV was awarded a contract for the LUS Directed Requirement in December 2023 and is currently delivering systems under that contract.

“AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. “This latest contract underscores the unmatched maturity and effectiveness of our system, as well as AV’s strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these cutting-edge solutions to operators in the field.”

Switchblade represents the next generation of extended-range loitering munition systems, providing operators in the field with a multi-mission loitering munition system capable of multi-domain operations. The combat-proven system also features high-precision optics and extended loitering endurance.

“Starting with the LUS Directed Requirement, we are well positioned to meet the Army’s emerging needs, leveraging our robust production capability and supply chain capacity to ensure rapid fielding and enhanced combat overmatch for our soldiers,” continued Hush.

This contract further solidifies AV’s role as a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions. The company remains committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s mission by delivering advanced technology that ensures operational superiority and enhances the safety and effectiveness of our military personnel.

For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

German Bundeswehr Selects Heckler & Koch MR308A6 as G210 Sniper Rifle

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

Heckler & Koch supplies the Bundeswehr with the new semi-automatic sniper rifle G210

CEO Dr.-Ing. Jens Bodo Koch at the contract signing with Arno Trebbin (BaAINBw) and Sales Director Marco Geißinger.

The Bundeswehr has once again opted for a rifle from Heckler & Koch. The traditional handgun manufacturer from Oberndorf am Neckar prevailed in the award procedure for the G210 with the model MR308A6. The G210 is a short-range sniper weapon in the proven caliber 7.62 mm x 51. The delivery of up to 500 copies of the G210 for the special forces of the Bundeswehr is scheduled for the year 2025.

The MR308A6 was developed by Heckler & Koch specifically for this tender and presented to the public at the EnforceTac trade fair in February this year. The weapon also introduces a precision cartridge in caliber 7.62 mm x 51. The semi-automatic gas pressure loader has a weight of around 4.4 kg (without magazine) and offers significantly more operating comfort by moving the loading option to the side of the weapon.

Dr.-Ing. Jens Bodo Koch, CEO of Heckler & Koch, and Sales Director Marco Geißinger were pleased with the order on the sidelines of the signing of the contract: “We at Heckler & Koch are proud to be suppliers of the special forces of the Bundeswehr. The spearhead of the Bundeswehr deserves the best weapons in the world. That’s what Heckler & Koch stands for. After the delivery of the HK437 .300BLK as G39 SD was commissioned only a few months ago, the next product innovation from our company follows with the MR308A6 as G210.”

This is a translation of the German press release.

US Army Selects Sierra Nevada Corporation as Lead System Integrator for its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System

Tuesday, August 27th, 2024

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army selected the Sierra Nevada Corporation as the lead system integrator for its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System today. The initial award on the 12-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract is $93.5 million, with an overall ceiling of $991.3 million. HADES will provide transformational increases in speed, range, payload and endurance for Army aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

“This is a great day for the continuing effort to modernize the Army’s aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection strategy,” said Mr. Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “The thoughtful and disciplined execution of the HADES program strategy will deliver the transformational capabilities we need for the Army’s next-generation aerial ISR aircraft.”

“HADES is the centerpiece of the Army’s long-promised aerial ISR transformation strategy,” said Lt. Gen. Anthony Hale, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2. “HADES allows the Army to fly higher, faster and farther, which directly impacts our ability to see and sense deeper, delivering an organic capability in line with the Secretary of the Army’s number-one operational imperative – deep sensing.”

With higher airspeeds and longer endurance, HADES will facilitate aerial ISR coverage for a much larger geographical area and will facilitate global deployment within days instead of the current transitional period of several weeks. This will adversely affect adversaries’ ability to plan and maneuver.

The Army began shaping the HADES program in 2020 to replace the legacy turboprop aircraft fleet currently comprised of the Guardrail, Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, and Airborne Reconnaissance Low aircraft, which have been in service for more than four decades. HADES prototypes will be the first Army-owned large-cabin business jets utilized for aerial ISR platforms.

“I am very proud of the entire HADES team, along with our intelligence, aviation and contracting enterprise partners, who have worked diligently to ensure that the Army delivers a new aerial ISR collection capability that meets the Army’s 2030 operational imperatives,” said Brig. Gen. David Phillips, Program Executive Officer, PEO Aviation. “HADES will allow our formations to see and sense farther and more persistently, providing an asymmetric advantage over our adversaries in large-scale operations and multidomain operations.”

As the Army transforms to meet an uncertain future, HADES is one of the many modernization capabilities that will help ensure that the Army of 2030 is ready and able to fight and win when the nation calls.

G-FORM Awarded $3M Research & Development Agreement BY U.S. Army Development Command to Advance Warfighter Helmet Protection

Monday, August 26th, 2024

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 26, 2024 — G-Form®, the innovative technology protection brand, is proud to announce an additional Other Transaction Authority Agreement for Prototype (OTAp) with the U.S. Army Development Command – Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC). DEVCOM SC, the Army’s technology leader, ensures the dominance of Army capabilities by creating, integrating, and delivering technology-enabled solutions to our Soldiers. The $3 Million agreement follows the $1.2 Million OTAp awarded in 2023 to develop improved shock-attenuation products for knee, elbow and head protection.

The latest G-Form OTAp is to fund research and development of a prototype that will improve the blunt impact performance of the US Army’s combat helmets, while striving to improve long-duration comfort for soldiers. G-Form will use its proprietary rate-dependent protection technology, SmartFlex®, in combination with three-dimensional (3D) printed lattice structures, to design and develop an advanced helmet impact liner system. This project will create a liner system prototype that will mitigate forces that contribute to traumatic brain injuries and improve comfort, thus enhancing warfighter survivability.

“We are extremely excited about initiating this critically important project to design, develop and field protection systems for combat helmets which deliver next level performance combined with significantly improved comfort for our US Army warfighters,” stated Glen “Gava” Giovanucci, G-Form’s CEO.

For more information about G-Form, visit www.g-form.com.

Indian Army Orders an Additional 73,000 SIG716 Rifles

Monday, August 26th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 26, 2024) – SIG SAUER, Inc., is honored to announce a second procurement contract with the Government of India, Ministry of Defence to supply an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles. When completed, 145,400 SIG716 rifles will be in service with the Indian Army.

“We are proud to be a partner in the modernization effort of the Indian Army, and prouder still that the SIG716 rifle achieves the Ministry of Defence’s modernization goals with the second largest army in the world,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc.

The Government of India, Ministry of Defence first awarded SIG SAUER a contract for the SIG716 in 2019 for 72,400 riles. The successful fielding and overwhelming soldier acceptance led to this follow-on award for an additional 73,000 rifles.

“Since the initial fielding of the SIG716, we have received phenomenal end-user feedback on the performance and reliability of the platform. Throughout this time, we have strengthened and further solidified our partnership with the Indian Ministry of Defence and are honored to earn their continued trust equiping their frontline infantrymen.”

The SIG716 is an enhanced AR platform chambered in 7.62 NATO featuring a 16-inch barrel, M-LOK™ handguard, and a 6-position telescoping stock. SIG SAUER designs and builds the SIG716 rifles for the Indian Army and for all of its customers in the United States.

Air Force Awards $1.9M to Local Aerospace and Defense Group to Advance New Ballistic Conformal Battery Pack

Saturday, August 24th, 2024

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. (CRG) has been awarded a $1.9 million Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract from AFWERX, aimed at advancing the development, testing, and certification of its groundbreaking Ballistic Conformal Battery (BCB).

Engineered as a centralized, wearable power source, the BCB is designed to integrate seamlessly into body armor vests, delivering reliable energy to an array of critical devices, including modern radio systems, mobile devices, visual augmentation systems, sensors, and communication equipment.

Certification of the BCB is a critical milestone, ensuring the battery meets stringent safety, performance, and reliability standards necessary for military use. The process also validates the battery’s ability to operate effectively in demanding environments, providing assurance to military personnel who rely on this technology in the field.

“This TACFI funding will help us start fielding a product that will enhance soldier safety and operational capability,” said Brian Henslee, vice president of power systems at CRG. “We’re excited to get the BCB into the hands—and tactical vests—of those who need it most.”

By integrating advanced battery technology into body armor, the BCB reduces equipment size and weight while enhancing safety. Demonstrations of various BCB models have shown their ability to provide between 100 and 300 watt-hours (Wh) of power, along with customizable threat protection levels.

B

At the core of the BCB are CRG’s state-of-the-art battery cells, meticulously designed and manufactured at the company’s Miamisburg, Ohio headquarters. These cells are lightweight, deliver longer run times, and perform reliably even in extreme low temperatures. CRG’s commitment to a domestic supply chain not only strengthens the U.S. energy storage sector but also aligns with the priorities outlined in the Defense Production Act and National Defense Industrial Strategy.

www.crgrp.com

Electric Micromobility Operations Vehicle from Bunker Supply

Wednesday, August 21st, 2024

Bunker Supply has been awarded a SBIR Phase II for the continued development of the Electric Micromobility Operations Vehicle (E-MOV).

E-MOV is a versatile, decentralized electric micromobility vehicle to optimize base operations and support distributed operating bases by aiding distributed operations at dispersed locations, a key component of the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.

Japan Buys Two SeaGuardians from GA-ASI

Saturday, August 17th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 15 August 2024 – The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has signed a contract for the purchase of two SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), scheduled for delivery in 2025. This follows JCG’s ongoing Company-Owned, Contractor-Operated agreement with GA-ASI for operating SeaGuardian, which began in April 2022.

“Since JCG started operating SeaGuardians, they have been used for various JCG missions including supporting search and rescue and disaster response specifically during the 7.6 magnitude earthquake early this year near the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture and maritime surveillance during the 2023 G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, and the system has performedefficiently and effectively,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.

SeaGuardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance RPA system that can fly for 24 hours or more, depending on the configuration.

GA-ASI has strengthened its Maritime Wide Area Surveillance (MWAS) for Japan with Optix+, which gathers information from the SeaGuardian sensors, as well as other data sources, displaying the full picture of surveillance information for its operator. This functionality makes it easy to task and direct its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) information in real time. GA-ASI’s Optix+ software suite rapidly correlates and exploits collected data into an easily shared common operational picture. Having multi-source correlated data enables automatic detection of anomalous behaviors over waters.