Mid-infrared imaging for UAVs,high-speed optical networks and laser-based airborne mine detection among the other activities funded.
The US Department of Defense(DoD)has awarded a number of new contracts and contract modifications for the development of optics and photonics components and systems in the past two months.
Here's our round-up of the latest photonics-related DoD funding activity in April and May 2012,including mid-infrared imaging technology for unmanned aerial vehicles,highly integrated photonics for the US Navy,and the potential for sensors based on laser-cooled atom optics developed by California-based AO Sense,Inc.
May 21:
Lockheed Martin Corp.,Missiles and Fire Control,Orlando,Fla.,is being awarded a$47,586,369 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 18 AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems and data.The target sight system provides target identification and tracking,passive targeting for integrated weapons,including Hellfire missiles,and a laser designation capability supporting friendly laser-guided weapons.Work will be performed in Orlando,Fla.(90 percent),and Ocala,Fla.(10 percent),and is expected to complete by October 2015.
May 16:
Rolls Royce Corp.,Indianapolis,Ind.,was awarded a$17,000,000 firm-fixed-price and cost-no-fee contract.The award will provide for the production of MH-47G helicopter infrared exhaust suppressors,systems components,initial fielding spares and sustainment spare parts.Work location will be determined with each task order,with an estimated completion date of May 10,2017.One bid was solicited,with one bid received.The U.S.Army Contracting Command,Fort Eustis,Va.,is the contracting activity(W91215-12-D-0001).
ScanEagle:mid-IR upgrade
May 15:
Insitu,Inc.,Bingen,Wash.,is being awarded a$35,507,379 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract(N00019-11-C-0061)for additional operational and maintenance services in support of the ScanEagle unmanned aerial system.These services will provide electro-optical/infrared and mid-wave infrared imagery in support of land-based operations in Operation Enduring Freedom to provide real-time imagery and data.Work will be performed in Bingen,Wash.,and is expected to be completed in December 2012.Contract funds in the amount of$35,507,379 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.The Naval Air Systems Command,Patuxent River,Md.,is the contracting activity.
Flir Systems,Inc.,Wilsonville,Ore.,was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum$37,975,358 for infrared/control infrared electronic units.There are no other locations of performance.Using service is Army.Type of appropriation is Army Working Capital Funds.There was one proposal with one response.The date of performance completion is March 1,2014.The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation,Redstone Arsenal,Ala.,is the contracting activity(SPRRA1-12-D-0078).
May 4:
NAVMAR Applied Sciences Corp.,Warminster,Pa.,is being awarded a$12,499,940 cost-plus-fixed-fee order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement(N68335-10-G-0026)for a Phase III B Small Business Innovation Research project under topics N92-170 and N94-178 entitled,respectively,"Laser Radar(LADAR)Identification Demonstration"and"Air Deployable Multi-Parameter Environmental Probe."This order provides for the assessment and deployment of innovative intelligence,surveillance,and reconnaissance(IS&R),and communication systems that when combined will extend the range and performance of IS&R capabilities of the Persistent Ground Surveillance System Phase IIIB.It also provides for the identification and procurement of commercial-off-the-shelf equipment that enhances these same capabilities.Work will be performed in Patuxent River,Md.(70 percent);Yuma,Ariz.(25 percent);and Afghanistan(5 percent).Work is expected to be completed in April 2014.The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division,Lakehurst,N.J.,is the contracting activity.
Intevac Photonics,Inc.,Santa Clara,Calif.,was awarded a$10,100,000 firm-fixed-price contract.The award will provide for the procurement of electronic image intensifier ship sets and spares.Work will be performed in Santa Clara,Calif.,and Carlsbad,Calif.,with an estimated completion date of July 31,2014.One bid was solicited,with one bid received.The U.S.Army Contracting Command,Redstone Arsenal,Ala.,is the contracting activity(W58RGZ-12-C-0015).
May 3:
AO Sense,Inc.,Sunnyville,Calif.,is being awarded an$11,968,047 modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.Work is for the Precision Inertial Navigation Systems(PINS)effort of the High Dynamic Range Atom Sensors(HiDRA)Program.This action exercises the option for phase two.The HiDRA Program builds on the PINS II results,extending sensor operation to demanding real-world platforms.HiDRA culminates in laboratory,ground and flight testing of high dynamic range atom optics inertial measurement units.Work will be performed in Sunnyville,Calif.Work is expected to be completed by April 24,2014.The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the contracting activity(HR0011-09-C-0116).
April 30:
APIC Corp.,Culver City,Calif.,is being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded Section 845 other transaction agreement(N00421-03-9-0002)with a not-to-exceed ceiling price of$16,000,000.This modification provides for Phase V Network Enable Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Highly Integrated Photonics(NEW-HIP)technology maturation efforts.Efforts will address the advancing system-level technology readiness level;manufacturing readiness level advancement for both the digital and analog network components;and link testing of digital and analog links using the application-specific components developed under the Navy NEW-HIP Program.The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division,Patuxent River,Md.,is the contracting activity.
April 5:
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.,Aerospace Systems,Melbourne,Fla.,is being awarded a$27,058,492 modification to previously awarded contract(N61331-10-C-0023)for the procurement of the AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System(ALMDS)low rate initial production.Work will be performed in Melbourne,Fla.(36.2 percent);Tucson,Ariz.(34 percent);St.Charles,Mo.(12.5 percent);Irvine,Calif.(8 percent);San Clarita,Calif.(5 percent);and Edgewood,N.Y.(4.3 percent).Work is expected to be completed by April 2014.Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division,Panama City,Fla.,is the contracting activity.
Defense Engineering Corp.,Beavercreek,Ohio,is being awarded a$24,125,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity,and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure the Collision Threat Warning Program.This program is designed to conduct electro-optical threat warning research primarily in the area of sense and avoid.The Collision Threat Warning Program will also address other future needs in electro optical situational awareness.The location of the performance is Beavercreek,Ohio.Work is to be completed April 6,2018.AFRL/PKSE,Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,is the contracting activity(FA8650-12-D-1376 and 0001).
April 2:
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control,Orlando,Fla.,is being awarded a$410,610,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 95 sniper advanced targeting pod and spares;35 compact multiband data link;70 infrared search and track(IRST)systems and spares;75 IRST pylons;and data.This effort is in support of the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA conversion.Work is to be completed by Nov.31,2017.WR-ALC/GRWKB,Robins Air Force Base,Ga.,is the contracting activity(FA8540-12-C-0012).
