SANDY HOOK, Conn. - California-based defense startup Anduril has unveiled the prototype Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The initiative is a collaborative effort that includes the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

The partners, participating under a development contract worth A$140 million ($90.1 million), achieved a rare defense industry achievement, with prototype delivery coming only three years after initial negotiations and within budget.

Ghost Shark’s progress contrasts with the Boeing/U.S. Navy Orca XLUUV program, which the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported as three years behind schedule and $242 million over budget in late 2022.

The initial May 2022 agreement between Anduril and the RAN called for the indigenous building and delivery of three XL-AUVs within three years.

The Ghost Shark effort is part of the Australian government’s prioritization of naval systems to counter China in the region. Australia plans to spend some $50 billion over the next ten years to strengthen its naval footprint. According to Defense Minister Richard Marles, Ghost Shark’s modular payload capabilities will allow the RAN to conduct “persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike” missions.

Anduril reports that 42 Australian companies are at work on the project. The company is working quickly to produce the system “at scale” for the RAN. Plans are underway to market Ghost Shark as a global export platform.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2024/04/18/andurils-ghost-shark-xl-auv-makes-its-australian-debut/
Author: Jon Hemler 

WASHINGTON - SRC Inc., North Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $60 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders for research and development. This contract provides for exploring new and emerging concepts related to development, integration, assessment, evaluation, and demonstration of cyber security, open system architecture, novel avionics and sensor technologies, and multi-domain technologies focusing on the electric warfare piece of the avionics.

Work will be performed in New York, Virginia, Ohio, and Texas, and is expected to be completed by April 1, 2031. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA2377-24-D-B001, FA2377-24-F-B001).

Source: U.S. DoD
Associated URL: http://www.defenselink.gov

BRAMPTON, ON, - MDA Space has received a $250 million contract extension from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to continue supporting robotics operations on the International Space Station (ISS) from 2025 to 2030.

As part of the contract, MDA Space will now fulfil robotics flight controller duties to support mission operations on the ISS.

Since 2001, MDA Space has worked alongside the CSA and its international partners to provide operational readiness of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), which comprises Canadarm2, Dextre and the Mobile Base System (MBS). MDA Space also provides training to the robotic operators and supports mission planning, engineering support and real-time operations.

The contract will be added to the company's backlog in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

Source: https://mda.space/