Awarded by the US Defense Information Systems Agency, the agreement covers the continuance of operational and sustainment services for the Pentagon and the National Capital Region’s digital connectivity.

Work for the network, used by over 55,000 users, will be accompanied by the optimization of related IT environments to enhance the “speed, security, and reliability” of the infrastructure.

Associated tasks will be performed for a one-year base period and two six-month options.

“Enhancing the Pentagon’s network infrastructure will further advance technological superiority for our warfighters,” GDIT Defense Senior Vice President Brian Sheridan stated.

“We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with [Defense Information Systems Agency] and reimagining new ways to provide a modern, secure and reliable network.”

GDIT’s Latest DoD Projects

GDIT’s renewal contract followed the firm’s acquisition of a cyber firm based in Florida to improve its ongoing support for the US Special Operations Command and international allies.

In May 2024, the company received a $185-million award to provide digital security services for the US Air Force’s civil engineering division in Texas.

This followed another $922-million project two months earlier to apply a widescale update for the US Central Command’s IT infrastructure.

Alongside technical support, GDIT has also partnered with the Department of Defense to assist in training courses for over 200,000 combatants under the US Army’s III Armored Corps.

The post Pentagon Renews General Dynamics Network Infrastructure Support Contract appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal supports the UK government’s objective to replenish its land-based military platforms after some of the stocks were donated to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion.

The consortium will work on the latest order starting in 2025 at Babcock’s Devonport and Supacat’s Dunkeswell facilities.

Once operational, the HMT fleet will be used for off-road patrol, force protection, communication, and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance or ISTAR missions.

“This contract cements the success of the Jackal programme and delivers a critical boost to the British Army’s fleet with a vehicle that is the most capable and versatile in its class,” Babcock Land Sector CEO Tom Newman stated.

“Babcock teams play a broad and critical role supporting capabilities across the UK’s armed forces; the production of 53 new Jackal 3 Extendas is an excellent example of this and at the same time securing 100 jobs in the South West region.”

More Than 200 Jackals Expected

London placed the initial order for 70 Jackal 3s in February 2023. One year later, Babcock and Supacat began the development of the vehicles, which at the time was revealed to be completed by the summer of 2024.

The consortium noted that the British Army has the option to procure up to 240 of the armored systems depending on its future requirements.

”Firstly, we are enormously proud that Supacat’s Jackal 3 ‘extenda’ is now adding to the Army’s Land Fleet which will help support [Chief of the General Staff’s] intent of increasing lethality with a modular high mobility platform,” Supacat Director Phil Applegarth commented on the latest contract.

“We have demonstrated the modularity and the ease of integrating specific mission winning systems and we look forward with continuing our collaboration with the UK MoD and our industry partners in the near future.”

“Secondly, we are enormously pleased that our partnership with Babcock and Devonport continues to produce Jackal 3 and now the Jackal 3 ‘extenda’, exemplifying The British Army’s Land Industrial strategy and the huge benefits to both the UK and local economies through social value.”

The post British Army Orders Additional Jackal 3 Transporters From Babcock, Supacat appeared first on The Defense Post.

The 600-million-euro ($669.7-million) deal includes management, spare parts supply and repairs, and accompanying technical support services to the fleet.

KNDS will also support the construction of a sustainment facility in the country to bolster future overhaul projects for the vehicles.

Canada’s procurement authority is partnering with KNDS segments in Munich and Ottawa to complete the effort.

Work for the agreement will be facilitated from September 2024 through March 2031, with an option for five additional years.

“As a system house and manufacturer of the LEOPARD 2, we have felt a strong connection with Canada and the Canadian Army for almost 20 years,” KNDS Deutschland Service Head Markus Schmidt stated.

“For KNDS, the contract for long-term support of the systems is an honor. We are aware of the responsibility of ensuring the operational readiness of 74 LEOPARD 2 battle tanks and 29 family vehicles.”

The Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank

The Leopard 2 measures 10 meters (33 feet) and is protected with armor composed of steel, tungsten, plastic, and ceramic parts.

It is equipped with a smooth-bore gun, medium machine guns, multi-barrel grenade launchers, and explosives.

The tank is powered by a NATO-standard V12 diesel engine for a top speed of 68 kilometers (42 miles) per hour and a range of 340 kilometers (211 miles).

Canada first adopted the vehicle in 2007 to replace its older main battle tank fleet, operational since the 1970s.

Currently, five variants of the Leopard 2 are in service under Ottawa’s military.

The post KNDS Wins Sustainment Contract for Canadian Army’s Leopard 2 Fleet appeared first on The Defense Post.

The platforms will be added to the 2,677 FMTV A2s delivered to the service since the initial order under the program.

The latest deal serves as the army’s fourth order for the vehicles this year, including a tranche worth $108.9 million last May for the service and its foreign military sales partners.

“The FMTV A2 demonstrates Oshkosh’s engineering innovation and manufacturing expertise to design vehicles that adapt to dynamic mission demands and surpass performance requirements,” Oshkosh Defense Chief Programs Officer Pat Williams stated.

“We are honored to contribute to the Army’s modernization efforts and deliver the most advanced tactical vehicles to support evolving missions while enhancing the safety and effectiveness of our Soldiers.”

Oshkosh FMTV A2

The FMTV A2 is offered in 12 truck, 4 chassis, and 3 trailer options to support different user requirements.

Its main variants include a 4×4 cargo, 6×6 cargo, and dump truck that can be integrated with different mission components.

Depending on its configuration, the FMTV A2 can transport payloads weighing from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds (2,268 to 9,072 kilograms).

In 2023, the US Army tapped Oshkosh to provide 16 variants worth $201 million. This contract followed a $141-million.contract for approximately 400 FMTVs.

The post US Army Orders More FMTV Vehicles From Oshkosh appeared first on The Defense Post.

The investment is part of the government’s “Secure Enclave” strategy, which seeks a secure, reliable supply of microelectronic hardware for defense applications.

Funding for the initiative was sourced through Washington’s CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan legislation signed in 2022 to improve production, supply chains, corresponding research and development, and the workforce associated with the semiconductors used for national security purposes.

“Intel is proud of our ongoing collaboration with the US Department of Defense to help strengthen America’s defense and national security systems,” Intel Federal General Manager and President Chris George stated.

“Today’s announcement highlights our joint commitment with the US government to fortify the domestic semiconductor supply chain and to ensure the United States maintains its leadership in advanced manufacturing, microelectronics systems, and process technology.”

Intel’s award follows another $8.5-billion CHIPS and Science Act award received by the company in March 2024 to develop critical semiconductor infrastructure at multiple US locations.

The project sites will be built in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon and will incorporate manufacturing and experimentation facilities.

“With this agreement, we are helping to incentivize over $100 billion in investments from Intel – marking one of the largest investments ever in US semiconductor manufacturing, which will create over 30,000 good-paying jobs and ignite the next generation of innovation,” US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said during the previous award.

“This announcement is the culmination of years of work by President Biden and bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure that the leading-edge chips we need to secure our economic and national security are made in the US.”

The post Intel Bags $3B for Military-Grade Microchip Production in US appeared first on The Defense Post.

The agreement will provide the five-bladed variant of the aircraft to the state-owned aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), which will lead the distribution to the service.

The local firm will manage reassembly of the mission equipment and other specialized configurations at its center in Bandung prior to the commissioning.

Upon deployment, the fleet will be used for light search and rescue missions as well as training programs.

“We are honoured by Indonesia’s selection of the country’s first Airbus H145 for its new training fleet,” Airbus Helicopters Asia-Pacific Head Vincent Dubrule stated.

“We are fully confident that the highly versatile H145 will make a positive impact in enhancing its military pilot training and at the same time be a critical enabler for its search-and-rescue operations.”

Continuing Partnership

The latest contract continues Airbus’ approximately five decades of partnership with PTDI and the Indonesian government.

After Jakarta’s first helicopter procurement from the French company in the 1970s, Airbus eventually became a “key supplier” of rotorcraft fuselages and airframes for the country.

Airbus inaugurated its local full production operations in Indonesia in 2011 and expanded its manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul support for the nation’s specific helicopter fleets six years later.

“This collaboration not only strengthens the long-standing partnership between PTDI and Airbus, but also showcases our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for national operational needs,” PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan commented on the latest deal.

“Through this close partnership, PTDI will not only support the delivery of the H145 helicopters but will also enhance our capabilities in terms of integration and assembly at our facilities.”

“We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for the development of the national aerospace industry and further sustain the long-term relationship between PTDI and Airbus, which we continue to strengthen for a more advanced future.”

The Airbus H145

The H145 has an overall length of 43 feet (13 meters) and a wingspan of 36 feet (11 meters).

It can carry up to 10 personnel and cargo weighing up to 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms).

The aircraft is equipped with a twin Turbomeca Arriel 2E engine and has a fuel capacity of up to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms) for a top speed of 143 knots (265 kilometers/165 miles per hour) and altitudes up to 12,550 feet (3,825 meters).

Through Airbus’ proprietary HForce weapon suite, users can equip the helicopter with helmet-mounted sight and display solutions, an electro-optical target tracking and firing system, cannons, rockets, machine guns, as well as laser-guided, air-to-ground, and air-to-air missiles.

The post Airbus to Deliver H145 Helicopters to Indonesian Air Force appeared first on The Defense Post.

The devices will include eight operational prototypes of the Next-Generation Jammer – Low Band (NGJ-LB) modular and open-system electronic warfare solution.

They will be adopted by the US Naval Air Systems Command for fleet evaluations, airworthiness, and associated design verification review.

Once approved, the NGJ-LB pods will replace the Growler’s AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, which has been operational since the early 1970s.

“Our Next Generation Jammer – Low Band solution provides the US Navy with the latest digital, software-based technologies to address advanced and emerging threats from peer adversaries,” L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher Kubasik stated.

“L3Harris is proud to support the Navy’s efforts to extend US air superiority and operate seamlessly with coalition forces.”

Modernization Partnership With Australia

The US Navy noted that the NGJ-LB order supports a cooperative strategy with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to employ an advanced airborne electronic capability for its respective fleets.

Announced in 2020, the original contract for this initiative was met with “multiple protests,” causing the Pentagon to issue an amended proposal request in 2023.

The design, manufacturing, and operational capability of the final prototype pods under this program are expected by 2029.

“The contract award is a major step for our fleet as well as the RAAF,” US Navy Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Manager Capt. David Rueter said.

“Our partnership with Australia to develop the newest AEA jamming capability exhibits our joint commitment to ensure continued superiority over the electromagnetic spectrum.”

Tactical Aircraft Program Executive Officer Rear Adm. John Lemmon added that the “NGJ-LB will meet current and emerging electronic warfare threats and increase the lethality of 4th and 5th generation platforms and strike weapons.”

Upgrading Advanced Hawkeyes

Earlier in September, the US Navy invested in a similar modernization program for its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.

This involved a contract award worth $16 million to a California-based company to manufacture new routers for the early warning and control planes, boosting the platform’s network resiliency in contested, long-range scenarios.

The post L3Harris to Supply New Jamming Pods for US Navy Growler Aircraft appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the deal, the company will build eight John Lewis-class ships in addition to the nine already ordered in 2016, 2022, and 2023.

The so-called auxiliary vessels will provide fuel to other ships, allowing them to remain at sea and combat-ready for extended periods.

Each oiler has a full load displacement of 49,850 tons and the capacity to carry 162,000 barrels of oil.

Most of the work for the contract will be performed in California, with an estimated completion date of January 2035.

The navy is expected to award a contract for three more replenishment ships to complete a fleet of 20.

General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the first ship in the class in July 2022 and is currently constructing two more.

‘Block Buy’ Method

According to a Pentagon announcement, the multibillion-dollar deal follows the “block buy” method, which is intended to save costs and streamline the procurement process.

The US Navy anticipates saving up to $491 million with the bulk order compared to awarding annual contracts.

The contract also includes a shipbuilding capability preservation agreement, which encourages shipbuilders to seek commercial work and helps reduce the navy’s expenses.

“We are pleased to continue building these ships, with seventeen of the Navy’s twenty-ship program of record now on contract,” General Dynamics NASSCO President Dave Carver said.

“The NASSCO team is honored to continue working with our Navy customer and thankful for their unwavering support.”

The post General Dynamics to Build More US Navy Replenishment Ships in $6.7B Deal appeared first on The Defense Post.

The package includes an unspecified number of the company’s Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) A1 and 635NL trailers for the service.

The systems will be shipped to Rabat by Wisconsin-based tactical systems distribution partner Optimum Vehicle Logistics.

The supply is expected to begin in the summer of 2025.

Supporting Moroccan Main Battle Tank Fleet

Oshkosh noted that the order will support Morocco’s effort to enhance its main battle tank capabilities.

In 2015, the North African country announced the procurement of 222 M1 Abrams from the US, 150 of which were sourced in refurbished condition.

Three years later, the US State Department approved a $1.2-billion foreign military sale of 162 additional Abrams in its latest M1A2 variant to Rabat.

The Moroccan government began receiving the first and second batches of its Abrams tanks in 2016 and 2023, respectively.

“We are pleased to work with Optimum Vehicle Logistics, our exclusive distributor in the Kingdom of Morocco, to supply the Kingdom with additional heavy tactical wheeled vehicles in support of its M1 Abrams modernization efforts,” Oshkosh Defense Chief Programs Officer Pat Williams stated.

“This award reinforces our dedication to partnering with our international partners to strengthen their capabilities and improve interoperability.”

The Heavy Equipment Transport A1

HET A1 is designed for rapid haul of heavy-type platforms such as tanks, armored vehicles, and recovery vehicles.

It has a six-person air-conditioned cab and is powered by an Allison 4800SP transmission as well as a 700-horsepower Caterpillar C18 engine.

The post Oshkosh to Supply Tractors for Moroccan Military appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the agreement, the company will leverage machine learning technology to produce simulation models of existing electronic warfare solutions, sensors, and weapons in “dynamic” and operational environments.

The approach will cover related physics of aerial maneuvers and systems to finalize processes for rapid design, testing, and delivery of future software products for the program.

BAE’s autonomy segment FAST Labs will lead works for the contract in Arlington, Virginia, and Burlington, Massachusetts.

“Generating reliable, consistent air combat performance requires a vast amount of data and rapid, robust testing cycles,” FAST Labs Principal Investigator Michael Planer explained.

“Using machine learning, we will train the models used to make dynamic decisions – ensuring that the Artificial Intelligence pilot is tested and trusted by human pilots.”

Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements Program

The latest deal will be facilitated as part of DARPA’s Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) Phase 1 initiative.

The effort will address and enhance the US military’s autonomy requirements to match the “fast-paced and uncertain environment” inherent to modern aerial combat.

Resulting AIR solutions will be demonstrated on F-16 Fighting Falcon testbeds and applied for beyond-visual range tactical missions on unmanned aerial systems.

Partnership With Lockheed Martin

In July 2024, DARPA awarded Lockheed Martin $4.6 million to develop AIR tools for 18 months.

Similar to BAE, the firm will apply machine learning techniques to create proxy models of aircraft sensors and electronic warfare capabilities for testing in virtual environments.

Lockheed will also provide its proprietary ARISE family of integrated toolkits to engineer “digital twins” of planned program components.

The post BAE Systems to Support DARPA AI Airborne Combat Program appeared first on The Defense Post.