The Hatch Report (Issue #33) – Industry Activity Updates
Today's issue explores 30 contract awards and industry news updates.
DoD Contract Awards
1) The Survice Engineering Co. LLC: $9.8M from USMC for Tactical Resupply UAS
Covers production and delivery of 31 TRV-150C systems
$9.83M obligated from FY25 USMC Procurement and $3K from FY25 O&M (expires end of FY)
Follow-on modification to existing firm-fixed-price contract (N0001923C0033)
Work performed in Harford County, MD; completion expected by April 2026
2) Pacific Defense: $18.4M from ONR for CMOSS-aligned Cyber-EW Edge Systems
CPFF contract for the “Sanctuary C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) Ubiquitous Edge-aligned EW systems.”
Provides for hosting and optimizing electronic EW on Sensor Open Systems Architecture-enabled open architecture Cyber-EW systems at the edge
$15.8M obligated from FY24 RDT&E (Navy); 18-month base period with no options
New award under ONR’s Long Range BAA; performance through December 2026
3) Serco Inc.: $427K from Army for Marketing Analytics Support
Serco originally envisioned, developed, and maintains complex data pipelines linking Army-owned systems (EMMS, ARISS, LEMA, Vantage, DHW) with commercial marketing platforms (Google Analytics, Sprinklr, Adobe Experience Manager, Datorama)
This integration enables near real-time marketing dashboards, updated multiple times daily, that feed directly into recruiting operations and senior leader decision-making
Army cited Serco’s five years of domain-specific architectural knowledge and custom-built interfaces as essential for maintaining interoperability and performance tempo
Justification also noted recent loss of one of AEMO’s two federal Data Scientists and absence of internal capacity (FA58) to assume this workload
Funded via FY25 O&M, Army. 12-month base period (May 28, 2025 – May 27, 2026) with a six-month extension option
4) ByteCubed: $35.4M from U.S. Army for AI-enabled decision support software
Supports Army efforts to enhance data-driven decision-making through applied AI development
$5.4M obligated at award via FY25 RDT&E
New competitive award. 9 bids received. Period of performance through May 30, 2026
Software development work to be conducted in Washington, D.C., for Army end users
5) Canadian Commercial Corp.: $425M FFPC from Army for 105mm Production
Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 20, 2030.
Includes loading, assembly, and packing of 105 mm Projectile Gun Unit, training, high explosive, high fragmentation cartridges, and M1 HE cartridges.
One bid received.
6) Alabama Shipyard: $18.7M from Military Sealift Command for USNS Mercy Mid-Term Drydock Availability
Supports lifecycle sustainment of the Navy’s only West Coast-based hospital ship
$18.96M total potential value. $18.73M obligated via FY25 Navy Working Capital Funds
Firm-fixed-price contract. 153-calendar day availability beginning July 15, 2025
Awarded under a small business set-aside; Alabama Shipyard selected from two proposals
7) Leidos: $45M from AFRL for mobile high-power electromagnetic weapon systems
Scope includes development, testing, and integration of mobile HPEM sub-systems for rapidly deployable ground-based weapon platforms
$45M IDIQ ceiling. $3.6M obligated at award via FY24 RDT&E. Period of performance through May 2030
New award under limited-call RFP issued against existing advanced research announcement; 3 offers received
8) Seekr: Wins Two Army SBIRs to Advance Trustworthy GenAI for Tactical Decision-Making
Direct to Phase II award supports Project Linchpin to deliver bias detection, multimodal fusion, and actionable intelligence using enhanced LLMs across PEO IEW&S domains.
Linchpin aims to deliver trusted, mission-ready AI capabilities by enabling the rapid development, integration, and deployment of advanced analytics at scale. Rather than duplicating AI infrastructure across programs, Linchpin provides a centralized, secure ecosystem for data access, model training, deployment, and continuous feedback—optimized for both the tactical edge and enterprise environments.
Phase I award funds early-stage R&D for AI/ML in austere and edge environments, with a focus on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), compute optimization, and collaborative autonomy.
Both contracts fall under OUSD R&E's "Trusted AI and Autonomy" critical technology area.
Seekr’s SeekrFlow™ platform is available via the CDAO Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace.
9) Boston College: $22.9M from AFRL for space environment technologies R&D
Supports AFRL efforts to model, understand, and mitigate impacts of the space environment on DoD and national security systems
$22.9M cost-reimbursement contract via BAA. $235K obligated at award from FY24 RDT&E. Pop through June 2030
Research conducted at Kirtland AFB by Boston College’s Institute for Scientific Research
10) University of Rochester: $49.9M from MDA for Pulsed Laser Lethality Modeling and Benchmarking
Supports MDA efforts to anchor and validate physics-based models for pulsed laser weapon effects
$49.9M total value after modification, up from $15M; $9.7M obligated via FY24 RDT&E and Congressional Plus-Up, with $2.375M in FY25 Congressional Plus-Up to follow
Contract modification expands base period scope and adds two six-month option periods; performance runs through May 2028
Technical scope: development, testing, and simulation of laser lethality against DoD-relevant targets across all domains—ground, sea, air, and space
11) Deloitte: $90M IDIQ from Naval Information Forces for enterprise management and tech support
$500K obligated at award via FY25 O&M (Navy). Base ordering period: 5 years + 6-month option (FAR 52.217-8)
New competitive award; 11 bids received via SAM.gov
Services primarily performed in Suffolk, VA (90%) and Arlington, VA (10%)
12) NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services LLC: $537M from NAVSEA for CVN-65 Disposal
$533.7M obligated from FY25 O&M (Navy) at award.
New award following competitive procurement; three bids received
Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by November 2029
Work includes full dismantlement of a CVN-65, and all resulting materials will be properly recycled or disposed of.
Specifically, hazardous materials, including low-level radioactive waste, will be packaged and safely transported for disposal at authorized licensed sites
13) Bollinger Shipyards: $60M from NAVSEA for Navajo-Class T-ATS Post-Delivery Services
Supports continued buildout of Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (T-ATS), replacing aging Safeguard-class and Powhatan-class vessels
$60M firm-fixed-price modification fully obligated at award via FY25 Shipbuilding and Conversion (Navy) funds
Follow-on award under existing contract N00024-18-C-2207. Extends post-delivery support through January 2030
Scope includes pre- and post-delivery industrial services, shipyard support, and extended availability work
Work split between Pascagoula, MS (88%) and Houma, LA (12%), reinforcing Gulf Coast shipbuilding and sustainment footprint
14) IperionX: $99M single-award IDIQ from Army for low-cost domestic titanium R&D
Task orders will determine actual work/funding
Awarded via full and open competition; only one bid received
Estimated completion date of June 4, 2030.
15) Firehawk Aerospace: Wins $4.9M AFRL contract to develop hybrid rocket engines
Firehawk contributes its additive manufacturing-driven propulsion approach, enabling rapid production and mobile manufacturing of rocket motors.
Company has completed 58 hot fire tests and one hybrid flight test to date.
Headquartered in Dallas, TX, with two test facilities in West Texas including a 30-square-mile launch range.
16) Rapid Offset Technologies: $7.6M from ACC for F-35 advanced sensor open system architecture support
Supports Air Combat Command’s Scientific Advisor to the Commander with technical consulting and systems engineering for F-35 sensor and tactical radio open architectures
$7.6M firm-fixed-price contract. $2.15M obligated at award via FY24 RDT&E
New competitive award (3 bids received); period of performance through June 30, 2028
Work performed at Langley AFB, VA. Encompasses program management, integration, and T&E support for modular F-35 communications and sensor systems
17) Data Integrator Corp: $654K from USAF for AFTAT IT Platform Modernization
Addresses urgent usability and access constraints of the Air Force Test and Analysis Tool (AFTAT), a key system supporting aircraft operations and mishap investigations via lab-tested fuel quality data
Fully obligated using FY25 O&M funding.
New small business award. Contracted under Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
Scope includes upgrading STARLIMS platform from v12.2 to 12.7 and converting the user interface from XFD to HTML5—enabling browser-based, file-free access
Tasks include program management, system engineering, testing, validation, and go-live support. Work performed remotely with limited on-site support at Wright-Patterson AFB
Vendor required to demonstrate direct STARLIMS and AFTAT experience, including compliance with cybersecurity and STARLIMS maintenance protocols
Industry Activity
18) BAE Systems: Opens $250M Shiplift and Repair Complex in Jacksonville
The shiplift system—one of the 10 largest globally and the largest in the Americas—can lift vessels up to 25,000 tons and service multiple ships simultaneously ashore.
The facility replaces an 80-year-old drydock and was developed in partnership with Pearlson Shiplift Corporation, Foth Engineering, and Kiewit Infrastructure South Co.
The new complex will serve Mayport-based U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships, expanding the shipyard’s capacity and throughput by 3x.
First ship lift is scheduled for later this month; the investment aligns with Navy fleet sustainment goals and strengthens the regional maritime industrial base.
19) Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC): Hosts Investor Day, Demonstrates Swarming USV Capabilities
Highlighted its “MantaFleet” swarming coordination system, with a 38-ft Devil Ray leading surveillance/interdiction mission for U.S. military observers.
Company emphasized fielded, fully autonomous (not remote-controlled) vessels with modular payloads for ISR, EW, strike, and logistics.
Platforms currently deployed with allied operations in Europe, Middle East, and South China Sea.
Founded in 2012; U.S.-based manufacturing; claims readiness for scale production to meet growing defense demand.
20) Vannevar and Cape Team: Bring Real-Time RF Sensing to the Edge
Vannevar supplied the forward-deployable Scout sensor, designed to detect RF threats and generate unclassified, partner-shareable ISR data.
Cape provided SIM-enabled telecom infrastructure, enabling high-throughput, resilient backhaul for Scout in denied and remote environments.
The integrated system was deployed during Balikatan 2025 and Katana Strike 2025, supporting maritime missions with USMC units
Vannevar plans to embed Cape’s SIMs in future Scout units, citing Cape’s superior performance over regional networks.
Vannevar is valued at $1.5B as of October 2024, and is backed by venture capital from General Catalyst, Point72 Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Shield Capital, DFJ Growth, and Aloft VC.
Cape has raised $61M from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Costanoa Ventures, ex/ante, Point72 Ventures, XYZ Ventures, Forward Deployed VC, and Karman Ventures.
Its research partners include leading institutions in cybersecurity, such as Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and others.
21) Second Front and Cohere: Partner to Accelerate Secure AI Deployment for U.S. Defense Missions
Cohere’s large language models and enterprise AI tools will be deployed via 2F’s Game Warden, a DevSecOps platform built to fast-track software accreditation and delivery into classified or regulated environments.
The partnership enables rapid deployment of AI across on-premises, private cloud, and hybrid architectures—removing compliance bottlenecks and shortening timelines to operational use.
2F contributes a pre-accredited infrastructure and delivery pipeline, while Cohere provides adaptable, security-first foundation models optimized for mission use.
The combined offering is designed to meet urgent defense and intelligence needs for secure, scalable, and mission-ready AI integration at the tactical and enterprise levels.
22) Blighter: New Long-Range Border Surveillance Radar Detects a Person at 15km with just 4 Watts of Power
UK-based company. New export-friendly B422LR surveillance system not subject to ITAR or EU dual-use controls.
Integrates with the AI-assisted BlighterNexus Hub to streamline C2 system integration and automate radar configuration and optimization.
Uses FMCW and micro-Doppler technology for low-bandwidth, low-SWaP operation; solar-powered and suitable for remote, off-grid sites.
23) Reflect Orbital: Selected for SBIR Phase II Contract by AFWERX to Advance Satellite-Based Sunlight Redirection Technology
System uses large, deployable orbital mirrors to bounce sunlight to targeted areas, enabling persistent illumination or energy delivery without ground-based power infrastructure.
Company backed by Lux Capital, Sequoia Capital, and Starship Ventures; previously raised $20M in Series A funding.
24) Otto Aviation and Galorath: Team on AI-Powered Estimation to Accelerate Sustainable Aircraft Development
Otto Aviation, developer of next-generation transonic super-laminar (TSL) aircraft, is integrating Galorath’s SEER® platform to enhance cost modeling, schedule forecasting, and design-to-production planning.
Galorath, a provider of AI-powered estimation software used by DoD, NASA, and major aerospace firms, supplies the SEER-MFG™ and SEER-3D modules to model manufacturing costs, assess design tradeoffs, and improve planning precision.
Otto will use SEER to build data-driven cost and risk profiles by leveraging internal and Galorath-provided historical datasets—streamlining work breakdown structure (WBS) creation and enabling earlier, more informed decision-making.
The platform’s SEERai™ layer adds natural-language interaction and automation, helping Otto forecast labor, materials, and production requirements while navigating regulatory and supply chain complexity.
25) Velo3D: Enters Four-Year CRADA with NAVAIR to Advance Military Flight-Grade Additive Manufacturing
Velo3D will provide its Sapphire printer systems and engineering expertise; NAVAIR labs will contribute domain knowledge, qualification processes, and operational requirements.
The partnership aims to qualify high-performance 3D-printed parts for use in U.S. military aircraft.
Velo3D’s fully integrated solution includes Flow print preparation software, Sapphire printers, and the Assure quality control system—enabling consistent, scalable production across platforms without additional optimization.
Major aerospace customers include SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
26) Quantum Systems: Opens U.S. facility to scale AI-powered ISR drone production
Opened a new 135,000 sq ft production and integration facility in Moorpark, California to centralize and expand its U.S. operations.
The site will accelerate domestic manufacturing of the company’s electric VTOL tactical uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including the Vector AI, Twister, and Reliant platforms.
The facility includes secure manufacturing lines, R&D labs, engineering offices, and in-house flight operations to support end-to-end system development and fielding.
Over 100 employees are expected to be hired by the end of 2025, supporting U.S., Latin American, and allied defense customers.
This U.S. expansion consolidates Quantum’s American footprint and complements active operations in Germany, Australia, Ukraine, Romania, and the UK.
27) Reticulate Micro, Inc. (RMX): Video compression tech adopted for Vietnam’s maritime surveillance
RMX, a U.S.-based developer of ultra-low bandwidth video compression software, has received its first international order for its flagship product, VAST™, from TEKSEA Technology JSC, a Vietnamese defense technology integrator.
TEKSEA provides technical services and represents foreign defense and security firms in Vietnam. It is currently leading the development of a satellite-enabled maritime surveillance system for the Vietnamese government.
Under this project, TEKSEA will deploy RMX’s VAST software aboard patrol vessels to stream real-time video from onboard cameras and sensors to command centers on shore.
VAST™ enables high-definition video streaming at ultra-low bitrates (HD at 200 Kbps, SD under 50 Kbps), with no specialized hardware required — making it well-suited for use over satellite links on SWaP-constrained platforms.
TEKSEA’s CEO called VAST a “game-changer,” and RMX emphasized plans to expand the technology’s use across Vietnam’s defense and security sectors.
28) Radiance Technologies Acquires Verus Research: Enhance Capabilities and Grow Customer Base
Radiance is a 100% employee-owned prime contractor, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Huntsville, AL. It provides full-spectrum capabilities including prototyping, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and technical intelligence to DoD and intelligence community clients.
Verus Research, based in Albuquerque, NM, specializes in applied physics and engineering R&D focused on electromagnetic systems, high-power microwaves, lasers, RF communications, nuclear effects, and complex systems integration.
Verus will continue operations as a wholly owned subsidiary, supporting existing DoD, national laboratory, and defense industry partners while leveraging Radiance’s broader platform and customer reach.
29) US Critical Materials Corp: Partnering with Idaho National Lab to Demonstrate Domestic Rare Earth Processing
Signed a Phase II CRADA to build a pilot rare earth and critical minerals processing plant at INL.
INL will provide technical expertise to validate and scale environmentally responsible separation and refining processes.
Initial pilot capacity is 1–2 tons of ore per day using a validated bench-scale flow sheet, with a goal of establishing scalable domestic production and proprietary IP.
The effort supports implementation of President Trump’s March 2025 Executive Order declaring a national emergency over reliance on foreign adversaries for critical minerals.
30) RTX and Northrop: Successfully test extended-range rocket motor for Army’s Next-Gen Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI).
Completed four successful tests—including three static firings and one ballistic flight—of a new Highly Loaded Grain (HLG) rocket motor for the U.S. Army's NGSRI.
HLG propellant extends burn time and energy output, enabling greater interceptor range than legacy systems.
Raytheon leads interceptor development; Northrop developed the HLG propulsion system at its Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in WV.
First flight occurred less than six months after concept proof, with more tests scheduled in coming months.
*DISCLAIMER / CAVEATS
This newsletter is not associated with any other person, organization, or entity.
Please respond to this email if you feel a correction is warranted.
Please respond to this email if you have any feedback or recommendations.