Defense`s Feeds

Americas Mid-Atlantic Technical and Executive Consulting LLC won a $10.4 million firm-fixed modification to a previously awarded contract. This modification adds scope through additional contract line-item numbers for technical evaluation, proposal evaluation, cost analysis, price analysis, and negotiation support services in support of the air vehicle production and sustainment efforts for the F-35 Joint Strike […]

Americas The US Air Force is asking industry partners for engines to power its Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) aircraft. A request for information (RFI) released Monday states that the service will accept new or existing propulsion systems provided that they meet all requirements. It will also consider options to modify or upgrade existing aircraft engines […]

From its inception in 2004, the European Defence Agency has helped connect Member States' Test and Evaluation Centres. The Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB) has led to a European network of defence technology centres. Its database is a major part of the network.  

As EDA seeks to anticipate future defence trends, EDA’s DTEB meeting in Italy on 13-14 March 2024 focused on the role and interface of test centres with the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), the challenge of testing and evaluating autonomous systems and how to further test and evaluate technology and capability development, as well as working with industry.  

A harmonised and strengthened network of European Test and Evaluation Centres is a prerequisite for European defence policy development and European projects.

The Italian Army Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Rome hosted the Agency’s Defence Test and Evaluation Base Plenary Group and the Test Centres Network of Excellence for the Land, Maritime, Air and Cyber and Information, over the two days. The meeting was organised by EDA, in coordination with the Italian Secretariat General of Defence and National Armaments Directorate.

Fifty-eight experts from nine EU Member States, and countries with which EDA has signed Administrative Arrangements, as well as EU Institutions, attended the meeting and visited CEPOLISPE testing facilities.

The Plenary Group and Test Centres Network of Excellence meet three times a year at the expert level. 

Testing and evaluation are an integral part of engineering to support the lifecycle of weapon systems, from development to production, joint procurement, introduction into service and in-service upgrades.

Reinforcing the Agency’s work on defence test and evaluation could improve coordination of testing activities aimed at ensuring cross-certification of similar equipment across platforms. That would support built-in interoperability and exchangeability. This approach will be addressed in the new ‘Defence Test and Evaluation Base Strategy 2025-2035' that will be submitted for the approval of the Member States in 2024. 

EDA's wider role   

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.  Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here. 

Americas The dream of equipping the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with a high-energy laser weapon system has come to an end. The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has officially shelved its Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) program due to “technical challenges” encountered during integration and ground testing. The AHEL program aimed to provide a […]

Americas The Swiss Federal Office for Armaments (armasuisse) has started delivery of 22 decommissioned F-5E/F Tiger II fighter jets to the United States. The first aircraft was picked up by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) on March 18 from Emmen Air Force Station aboard a Lockheed KC-130J transport aircraft. The sale, finalized in 2020, […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $21 million modification, which exercises an option to provide maintenance and sustainment operations of the Australia, Canada and United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory facilities and systems for the F-35 A/B aircraft program. Work will be performed in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed in April 2025. […]

Americas Lt. Col. Joel “Thermo” Thesing, an F-15C instructor pilot from the 123rd Fighter Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, became the unit’s first aviator to take the controls of the highly anticipated F-15EX fighter jet. This inaugural flight marks a significant step forward as the 142nd Wing prepares to transition its […]

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has published its call on 15 March 2024 for applications for the 2024 edition of its Defence Innovation Prize, which this year is dedicated to technologies for maritime situational awareness in terms of critical infrastructure protection and technologies for smart sensing. The prize winners are expected to propose ideas which would, if implemented between now and 2030, contribute to improving and enhance specific EU defence capabilities. A total of two prizes (one prize per category) will be awarded for the best innovative ideas. The winning ideas or concepts will each be awarded €30,000 and presented during the EDA Annual Conference 2024.

Open for applications 

Proposals for this edition of the EDA Defence Innovation Prize must be in the scope of one of the following topics:

• Topic 1: Innovative concepts, technologies, and solutions for critical maritime infrastructure protection.
• Topic 2: Cognitive sensing for enhanced ISTAR systems performance in defence applications.

The EDA Defence Innovation Prize aims to stimulate defence technological innovation in Europe by supporting non-defence Research and Technology (R&T) communities and innovators who are set to play an ever-bigger role in developing and producing Europe’s future defence capabilities.

How to apply? 

The deadline for submitting applications is 14 June 2024 at 17h00 (Brussels time). 

• Contest rules
• Application criteria/details can be found here (word /  PDF) 
• More information on EDA's Defence Innovation Prize 

The prize will be awarded during EDA's Annual conference in Brussels in December 2024. 

The Contest is open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons established within the European Defence Agency participating Member States (+ Switzerland).

HEDI – fostering defence innovation

The EDA Defence Innovation Prize is organised under the umbrella of HEDI (Hub for EU Defence Innovation), the new platform for innovation led by EDA that was established in March 2022 derived from ‘’Strategic Compass for EU Defence and Security’’, as one of its main recommendations. HEDI’s objective is to foster innovative solutions following a systematic approach from an idea towards cutting-edge military capabilities.

The innovation prize complements other HEDI’s services such as the EDA Research, Technology and Innovation Papers Awards or proofs-of-concept, uptakes of innovation (short field experimental campaigns).

What is expected from applicants? 

Submitted innovations must be the applicants’ own intellectual property. However, submissions may include improvements of existing ideas, new combinations, or adaptations thereof and which are applicable in a different context. The applicants must demonstrate the innovative added value of their ideas, compared to what already exists.  

Proposals must be innovative, implementable through a collaborative project and financially affordable in terms of future development and exploitation. 

The contest is especially, but not exclusively, aimed at non-traditional defence industries, including civil or dual-use producers, and researchers as they play a growing role in inventing and creating the disruptive capabilities that Member States’ armed forces will need tomorrow.  

No specific defence background is required to be considered for the prize, and consideration is open to innovators from all types of industries and research institutions in EDA Member States (+CH), including defence and civil/commercial producers, large companies, start-ups / SMEs, and military/civil research communities. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has formally become a co-organiser of the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) Exercise, organised by the Portuguese Navy, alongside with Oporto University (FEUP), NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) and NATO Joint Capability Group Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS). The 14th edition of the REPMUS exercise will take place from 9 to 27 September 2024, and it is expected to count with more international and multi-stakeholder participation than ever before. 

The exercise is designed to allow large-scale Operational Experimentation (OPEX), where the operational communities engage with industry and academia to integrate the latest best-in-class Commercial Off-The Shelf (COTS) systems during trials in the maritime and amphibious domain and validate Experimental Tactics (EXTACs), upgraded vehicles, updated software, integrated payloads, and C4 on MUS to address Key Operational Problems.

EDA’s Added Value

Joining the exercise as a co-organiser offers EDA a platform to engage alongside with relevant stakeholders in the largest MUS exercise worldwide and support its planning by developing scenarios that will directly address key activities set down in the new maritime specific EU Capability Development Priorities, facilitating their implementation in a collaborative manner.

This initiative is also in line with EDA's commitment to Research and Technology (R&T) advancement playing a crucial role in identifying technology gaps and common areas of interest for cooperation. In this context, the exercise will serve as a strategic platform to promote and showcase initiatives aimed at leading the development of technologically superior military capabilities and can also be used as a venue for the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) services related to experimentation.

Moreover, the maritime community and its various stakeholders, supported by EDA to address unmanned maritime systems from a regulatory and safety perspective, will find here an annual opportunity to create tailored experimentations and strengthen links between manufacturers, researchers, and end users. The REPMUS exercise is an ideal venue for the experimentation of concepts, tactics, and procedures in line with the Concept Development and Experimentation approach.

Americas LIG Nex 1, a South Korean defense contractor, is ramping up efforts to secure a historic arms deal with the United States. The company aims to finalize an export contract for its Bigung 2.75-inch (70mm) infrared-guided anti-ship missile system. This potential deal would mark a significant milestone, as it would represent the first time […]

The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) signed a bilateral agreement on 14 March 2024 to initiate a new phase of cooperation within MARSUR, the maritime surveillance information exchange system crafted by EDA. 

Launched in 2005 as a network for sharing open-source maritime information, MARSUR has since matured into a multi-faceted information exchange platform. The multinational initiative resulting from this effort now encompasses 22 European navies. Out of this pool, under the EDA framework, 16 EU navies are developing a capability for the automatic exchange of maritime surveillance information and decision-making support. 

MARSUR’s wide scope of services allow for information exchange, coordination and support to decision-making, aiming to improve the common ‘Recognised Maritime Picture’. The network plays an important role as a defence layer of the EU framework for exchanging information and maritime situation awareness, known as the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE). 

Now in its third stage of development, which is known as MARSUR III, the project is upgrading its technology and capabilities. That will soon include the exchange of classified information.  The bilateral agreement will provide the operational basis for the exchange of relevant data between SatCen and the MARSUR community through a secure network. 

“This bilateral agreement is a unique mechanism introduced under the MARSUR III project to involve SatCen in EDA ad hoc activities under the control and funding of the contributing Member States,” said EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý. “I am pleased to sign it today on behalf of the MARSUR III contributing members,” he said. 

SatCen has aligned its efforts with EDA to define requirements and support maritime situational awareness with satellite data and analysis. SatCen joined the initiative in 2017 and in May 2021 signed the MARSUR III project arrangement for 2021-2026 and the way ahead. 

SatCen Director, Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, said: “I look forward to intensifying the excellent inter-agency collaboration by concluding this agreement, which will solidify the SatCen collaboration within MARSUR over the long term, and I would like to thank all actors involved, in particular the Member States as well as the teams of SatCen and EDA.”  

MARSUR III will now benefit from SatCen’s expertise, particularly in terms of governance, as it takes a role as permanent chair of the Technical Advisory Board, in training of operators and technicians, exchanging information and products, and connecting to CISE with its bridging node. 

SatCen will in turn connect its resources to the information held by European navies. SatCen will also welcome two MARSUR maritime surveillance experts, funded by the MARSUR community.

During the signing ceremony, Commander Joachim Weidmann, Chairperson of the MARSUR Management Group and representing the participating nations, said: “The bilateral agreement between EDA and SatCen is a milestone, and it is important that both organisations show the willingness to succeed in ensuring that relevant operational maritime information is shared in the required time.” 

EDA's wider role   

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.   
  
Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here.                             

Americas Northrop Grumman Systems won a $19 million modification, which provides logistics and test support for mission control and operator training systems as well as associated engineering and field service representative technical support to sustain MQ-4C Triton air vehicles, ensuring continued mission-capability for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the Navy and the government of […]

BAMS Operation Concept (click to view full) The world’s P-3 Orion fleets have served for a long time, and many are reaching the end of their lifespans. In the USA, and possibly beyond, the new P-8 Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft will take up the P-3’s role. While the P-8’s base 737-based airframe offers strong service […]

Americas The State Department has approved Canada’s request to gain access to the Mobile User Objective System service and procure associated logistics and program support services from the US government under a potential $138 million foreign military sales agreement. General Dynamics will serve as the principal contractor in the proposed FMS deal, which covers the provision of […]

Americas Lockheed Martin’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft has received authorization to carry nuclear bombs. Russ Goemaere, a spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), recently told Breaking Defense that the much-awaited certification was actually awarded several months ago but only announced now. The milestone will allow some F-35As to carry two B61-12 nuclear gravity […]

Americas Triman Industries won $21 million firm-fixed-price, for the procurement of five components of the multi-mission signal processor used in the AEGIS combat system. The ordering period is expected to be completed by November 2024. All work will be performed in Yonkers, New York. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $54,5 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement. This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering and associated materials in support of power thermal management system controller and gun lube diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages redesign effort in support of F-35 Joint Strike […]

Americas The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is transitioning its fighter pilot training program, marking a significant change for its future pilots. The CT-155 Hawk aircraft, which has served as the primary trainer for decades, will be retiring from service. This move coincides with the commencement of the Bridge Fighter Lead-in Training (FLIT) program and […]

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has brought together two EU Member States to develop a satellite demonstrator that can manoeuvre from Low Earth Orbit  (LEO) to Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)  – and back again. 

The €10 million project – called LEO2VLEO: Military Crisis-Response Satellite Constellation – with the Netherlands and Austria, will design, develop, launch and operate a constellation of between two and four satellites. It aims for a space launch in two years time. In this innovative approach to space, the project will, once operational, have the capability to support military operations. 

The project was signed on 19 January 2024 between the Netherlands, Austria, and EDA. It was signed in EDA’s Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, which helped bring the two countries together for this collaborative project. EDA will support the project throughout.

Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) is most commonly situated at an altitude of between 250-350 kilometres. It has the advantage of being closer to the earth than the traditional orbit of satellites, allowing for higher resolution images from optical sensors, improved communications and agility.

As a demonstrator for initial space capabilities, the LEO2VLEO project aims to show the cost benefits of such an approach in a short timeframe. While VLEO is safer from collisions with space debris because objects eventually burn up, dragged into the Earth’s atmosphere, such altitudes require satellites to deal with surface erosion from atomic oxygen and so need more resistant materials. 

Developing a satellite able to manoeuvre back into the traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) would extend its lifespan by spending time in VLEO only when necessary, as well as presenting lower costs and additional launch opportunities.

EDA Hub for EU Defence Innovation, known as HEDI, has funded a preliminary study for this problem; HEDI was established within EDA in 2022 to foster innovative solutions for military capabilities. If successful, the LEO2VLEO demonstrator could pave the way for a fully operational system to support military missions in the future.

EDA's wider role  

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.  

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here.

Americas Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won a $34,142,015 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee type modification to exercise options for AEGIS development and test sites operation and maintenance at the Combat Systems Engineering Development Site, SPY-1A Test Facility and Naval Systems Computing Center. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to several countries. Work will be performed […]