Defence`s Feeds

For $12k Shipped, A 60% Scale Model of Canada’s Legendary Interceptor is Up for Grabs. The legend of the Avro CF-105 Arrow advanced interceptor, its fascinating development and bizarre cancellation, is well known in aviation [...]

The post Check Out This Massive Avro CF-105 Arrow Stage Prop That You Could Own! appeared first on The Aviationist.

Experts say pursuing a Minuteman III life-extension until 2050 would cost significantly less than its replacement. The Pentagon’s continuation of the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM (Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile) program, after it triggered the Nunn-McCurdy breach, marks [...]

The post Comparing The Options Of Maintaining Minuteman III And Developing The $140 Billion Sentinel ICBM appeared first on The Aviationist.

In two years, the U.S. will begin episodic deployments of the long-range fires capabilities of its MDTF in Germany. By 2026, the U.S. Army will deploy its new, long-range surface-to-surface missiles to Germany as per a [...]

The post U.S. To Deploy Precision Strike, Hypersonic Missiles, SM-6 And Tomahawks In Germany By 2026 appeared first on The Aviationist.

Under the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI), the Agency is organizing the first EU Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation Campaign, which is set to take place in the summer of 2025 in Italy. As part of the Hub’s Uptake of Innovation service, this initiative aims to accelerate and streamline the integration of emerging technologies into military capabilities through immersive operational and technical field testing in a collaborative and agile environment.

The first edition will focus on Autonomous Systems for Cross-domain Logistics. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) have demonstrated their potential as key technologies. Their role in modern military tasks is increasingly integral, particularly for cross-domain operations and logistical support, significantly enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in challenging environments.

This initiative's collaborative engagement with a diverse range of technological service providers - from defence, dual-use, and civilian background – will drive future technological advancements and offers significant benefits to participants. These include extensive operational experimentation in an EU advanced military test site, interactions with key expert from EU Member States, exposure to emerging scenarios and innovative use cases, and an active role shaping potential future collaborations, positioning participants at the forefront of EU Defence Innovation and future opportunities.

The Call for Tenders seeks service providers to offer UAS and UGS solutions for Lots 1-6 and support Operational Experimentation in Lot 7. This open call for tenders is open to economic operators from the Member States and subcontractors from non-EU countries. Single Framework Contracts (FWC) will be awarded as per below:

Lot 1: Low Cost Attritable Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Field testing of innovative UAS Class I MICRO and/or MINI solutions for delivering small payloads (under 10 kg) using low-cost, attritable platforms. The lot envisions using multiple platforms to overcome the limitations of transporting smaller payloads through distributed logistical supply concepts for mass delivery. At least three complete UAS must be submitted (TRL>5).

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 200,000 Lot 2: Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Systems)

Field testing of innovative UAS Class I MINI and/or SMALL solutions for transporting payloads up to 50 kg using Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) platforms with a reduced logistical footprint. At least two complete UAS must be submitted (TRL>5).

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 300,000 Lot 3: Heavy Lift Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Field testing of innovative UAS Class II and/or Class III solutions for transporting heavy payloads above 50 kg using Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). This includes, if possible, the ability to perform CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation) scenarios. At least one complete UAS and a spare / Almost-Ready-To-Fly (ARTF) must be submitted (TRL>5).

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 500,000 Lot 4: Low cost Attritable Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) – EUR 100,000

Field testing of innovative UGS SMALL solutions for delivering small payloads (under 100 kg) using low-cost, attritable platforms. The lot envisions using multiple platforms to overcome the limitations of transporting smaller payloads through distributed logistical supply concepts for mass delivery. The locomotion types of the platforms can be either biomimetic, wheeled or tracked. At least three complete UGS must be submitted (TRL>5).

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 200,000 Lot 5: Medium Wheeled Logistical Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) – EUR 250,000

Field testing of innovative UGS MEDIUM WHEELED solutions for transporting heavy payloads between 100 and 1000 kg. This includes, if possible, the ability to perform CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation) scenarios. At least three complete UGS must be submitted (TRL>5).

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 500,000 Lot 6: Medium Tracked Logistical Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) – EUR 250,000

Field testing of innovative UGS MEDIUM TRACKED solutions for transporting heavy payloads between 100 and 1000 kg. This includes, if possible, the ability to perform CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation) scenarios. At least three complete UGS must be submitted (TRL>5).

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 500,000 Lot 7: OPEX Support Team

This lot focuses on providing support services which include developing a methodology to assess product/prototype capability maturity and creating an experimental design with clear objectives, hypotheses, and methodologies in collaboration with EDA and MS representatives. It includes planning and executing the experimental campaign with EDA, the Host Member State, and Contractors (Lot1-6), analyzing collected data for actionable insights on DOTMLPFI implications, and supporting the organization of a VIP demonstration day to showcase results to high-ranked stakeholders.

FWC Max. Estimated Budget: EUR 700,000

 

The deadline for submission of Tenders is Friday, 20th September 2024, at 17h00 (CET).

For more information, please consult:

Publication in the Official Journal: 427045-2024 - Competition - TED (europa.eu)  

The tender documents are available on the following link: EU Funding & Tenders Portal (europa.eu)

 

After reforming in December 2023, 809 Naval Air Squadron has now flown its first ever independent sortie as the UK’s newest F-35B unit. Joining 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, 809 Naval Air Squadron [...]

The post Royal Navy’s 809 Naval Air Squadron Completes First F-35 Flight appeared first on The Aviationist.

Americas GE Aerospace has demonstrated a dual-mode Ramjet (DMRJ) engine that could enable the development of more efficient long-range hypersonic aircraft and missiles. A threefold airflow increase was demonstrated by the engine compared to previous hypersonic demonstrators, according to the company. Testing began at an Evendale, Ohio, testing facility in March just 11 months after the launch of design efforts. Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has joined a trilateral project between the US, Canada, and Finland to create icebreaker vessels that will help secure the Arctic region. Revealed by the White House during the 2024 NATO Summit, the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort or ICE Pact seeks a “best-in-class” fleet that will address the “expanding presence” of potential enemies and competitors in the High North. Middle East & Africa Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced the imminent end of his government’s operations against Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq and Syria. Turkey began its Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022, claiming it needed to secure its border with northern Iraq, from where it accused Kurdish separatists of launching attacks on Turkish territory. “We will very soon complete the lockdown of the area of operation in northern Iraq,” Erdogan said, adding that Kurdish forces were now “incapable […]

Joe Biden said himself it was the activity he missed most when he left the vice presidency in 2017. Now, with questions being asked about his health, there is renewed interest in the session during which Biden receives his daily

Intelligence Online understands that the French ministry of the interior has rejected a cyber intelligence solutions offer from Italian specialist

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is scheduled to take place in Riyadh in December, just six months

Times are tough for the French finance ministry's tax intelligence unit, which was set up by the current Prime Minister

The screws appear to be tightening on Lebanese-born Franco-American businessman Roger Tamraz, a majority shareholder in bankrupt Latvian lender PNB

FTI Consulting is currently battling before different courts with rival firm Secretariat and its own former executive Edward Westerman, who

The need for the Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAMs) arises from the advantages Western standoff weapons have provided to Ukraine. However, these benefits could not be fully realized due to the limited availability of such [...]

The post US Developing Cheap, Mass-Producible ERAMs for Ukraine: Here’s Why appeared first on The Aviationist.

The event was among the largest demonstrations using a mass sUAS attack scenario. Taking a cue from the war in Ukraine and Chinese drone development capability, and the proliferation of commercial sUAS (Small Unmanned Aerial [...]

The post U.S. Army Tests Counter UAS Systems To Tackle Drone Swarm Threats appeared first on The Aviationist.

Americas Austal USA has conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a final assembly station in Alabama. The project supports the ongoing expansion of the company’s existing waterfront center in Mobile, which will also receive design improvements and a new ship lift system. Austal wrote that the upcoming station will include three bays for managing large steel components used to develop US Navy and Coast Guard vessels such as the Offshore Patrol Cutters and TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance systems. The US Army has turned to industry partners for a new, lightweight radar to be fitted on its high-altitude surveillance balloons. A request for information (RFI) was recently issued for the desired airborne sensor that should address the service’s deep sensing requirements. It stated that the payload must weigh less than 6.8 kilograms and use power and communication equipment already on spy balloons. Middle East & Defense Northrop Grumman won an $11 million modification for contractor logistics support of Iraq’s C-172 and C-208 fleets. Work will be performed at Martyr BG Ali Flaih Air Base (formerly Balad Air Base), Iraq, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2025. This contract involves foreign military sales to Iraq. The Air Force Life […]

Intelligence is not a priority for the MPs just elected to the National Assembly under the banner of the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), who want President Emmanuel Macron to make one of their number the next prime minister. None of

Intelligence Online understands that the fledgling British open source intelligence firm OSINT Industries is in advanced discussions to acquire the

It was a foreign delegation that didn't go unnoticed at a party organised by the French air and space force

The minutes of the hearing of Céline Berthon, head of France's DGSI internal intelligence service, before the Senate commission investigating

United States - CIA director's executive office staffers head to private sectorAt least one, if not several, of the members