Americas
The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. a $7.7 million contract option modification for the Defense Support Program (DSP) on-orbit satellite and anomaly resolution support. The DSP operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Wing System currently used by the US. The Northrop Grumman-built DSP satellites use infrared detectors that sense the heat from missile plumes against the earth background. The orbiting sentries detect, characterize as well a report ballistic missile launches and see nuclear detonations. Back in September 2018 Northrop Grumman was awarded a $19.2 million modification to the same contract. Work will be completed by September 30, 2019.
The Space and Missile Systems Center, Kirkland Air Force Base, awarded Lockheed Martin with a $52.7 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification for engineering, development and sustainment services supporting the Air Force Multi-Mission Satellite operation Center (MMSOC). The MMSOC is an operations center focused on forging a one-of-a-kind acquisition team to demonstrate and field emerging space missions and satellite C2 technologies in a rapid, decisive manner. It is structured to operate a variety of satellite missions, including satellite initiatives without a program office, satellite missions of small scale, new missions transitioning from concept toward full-scale operations as well as all research, development, test and evaluation satellites with operational utility remaining after test and evaluation are complete. The increase provides for continuous services to operate experimental and demonstration satellites, support space and missile research, development, test and evaluation and initial operational test and evaluation. The contract modification is for work within scope of the contract.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center contracted Coffin Turbo Pump Inc. with a $15.5 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, firm-fixed-priced contract for up to 33 turbine driven main feed pumps for LHD-1 class main propulsion boilers. The Wasp (LHD-1) Class is the US Navy’s large-deck, multipurpose amphibious assault ship. LHD-1 can accommodate the full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, specifically the tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey, the F-35B Lightning II multi-role fighter, conventional landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division requires the production of a non-commercial main feed pump unit that will be driven by steam turbine on a common solid shaft. Work will be executed in New Jersey and is scheduled to be finished by January 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s Elbit Systems won a contract worth $333 million from the Israeli Ministry of Defense for the supply of ammunitions to the Israeli Defense Forces. Work on the five-year contract will begin in 2026 and it will be a continuation of a multi-year contract. In November, Elbit completed its acquisition of state-owned arms manufacturer Israeli Military Industries (IMI) Systems Ltd..
An example of Turkey’s locally developed Hürkus-C successfully completed flight and firing trials, Jane’s reports. Hürkus-C is the armed version of Hürkus-B training aircraft, both of which were designed and upgraded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the country’s pioneering institution in aviation engines. The Hürkus series are being developed to provide close air support to the Turkish Land Forces Command and Gendarmerie General Command in operation areas in addition to meeting the training needs of the Turkish Air Forces. The completion of the trails marks the first flight of the Hürkus-C carrying weaponry and defensive systems to facilitate close air support missions. In 2017 the helicopter conducted its first firing test with a local Roketsan-made Lumtas laser-guided long-range air-to-surface anti-tank missile.
Europe
Boeing is going to upgrade Spain’s fleet of CH-47D Chinook helicopters to the F-model configuration. The CH-47F is an advanced multi-mission helicopter for international defense forces. It includes a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Aviation Architecture Cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft’s mission performance. The CH-47F is primarily used by the US Army and its allied nations to transport troops and large loads. It is capable of operating at speeds faster than 175 miles per hour and over long-range flights. The deal with Spain falls under a $181.3 million contract, which Boeing secured with the uS Defense Department back in July. The contract calls for the US military’s purchase of up to 156 Multi-Year II Block I CH-47F Chinook helicopters.
Asia-Pacific
The Indonesian Ministry of National Defense ordered four additional high-speed KCR-60M attackers from state-owned shipbuilding company PT PAL, Jane’s reports. PT PAL (Penataran Angkatan Laut) manufactures ships for military as well as civilian use. The company builds the Sampari-Class fast attack craft (KCR-60M) operated by the Indonesian Navy. The contract for the four additional vessels is worth $195 million. The first craft will be delivered in 2021. Additional boats will be part of an overall effort to reconstitute the class for lower-speed operations.
Fulcrum IT received $128 million labor-hour contract for intelligence work in South Korea. The five-year contract with the US Defense Intelligence Agency includes all-source analysis and operational support in South Korea. It involves the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Korea, U.S. Forces Korea and six divisions in South Korea. Fulcrum IT is a Virginia-based company that works with the federal government to issue artificial intelligence, cyberinformation, intelligence operations, advanced technology and C5ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cryptology, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance). The contract was a competitive acquisition and Fulcrum’s was one out of seven offers.
Today’s Video
Watch: CH-147F (CH-47) Chinook Helicopter Engine Startup and Takeoff
