Sunday, November 8, 2026
TGOs

The business of defense

Get the Weekly
Topics
Menu
Search

Contracts · Foreign buyer

Northrop Grumman named principal contractor for possible Dutch countermeasure sale estimated at $294 million

The Netherlands requested infrared countermeasure systems and radar warning receivers, with engineering, training and logistics support also included.

· Corrected

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands with an estimated total cost of $294 million. The congressional notification is dated October 19, 2026.1

The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman

A possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands

OT-228/U Common Infrared Countermeasure systemssixteen (16)requested

The Netherlands has requested

AN/APR-39E(V)2 Radar Warning Receiversthirty-eight (38)requested

The Netherlands has requested

The estimated total cost is $294 million.

The notice's opening sentence describes the purchase as Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Platforms and related equipment

Source: U.S. Department of State. As of October 19, 2026.

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Northrop Grumman, located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, would be the principal contractor. The Netherlands requested 16 OT-228/U Common Infrared Countermeasure systems and 38 AN/APR-39E(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers.1

The notice describes the purchase as Common Infrared Countermeasure systems and related equipment.1

The proposed package extends beyond hardware to nonrecurring engineering, site surveys, new equipment training and logistics support. The $294 million estimate covers the combined equipment and support package approved for a possible sale.1

Correction, October 25, 2026: An earlier version of this brief said the State Department notice's opening referred to counter-unmanned aerial systems platforms. The notice now describes the purchase as Common Infrared Countermeasure systems and related equipment.

Sources (1)
  1. State Department: The Netherlands – Common Infrared Countermeasure Systems, Transmittal #26-120, October 19, 2026 www.state.gov
Story permalink ↗
Keep readingBack to top ↑

Next story

Contracts · Space

Viasat wins contract for Space Data Network’s mission operations hub

The award includes a $115 million initial task order to design, field and scale the center, under a contract with a $450 million ceiling.

Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded Viasat a competitive indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Space Data Network Backbone’s Mission Operations Center, the command announced Nov. 5, 2026. The contract carries a $450 million maximum ceiling and a $115 million initial task order to design, field and scale the center.1

Viasat, Inc. will serve as the network and mission system integration partner

Mission Operations Center (MOC) for the Space Data Network Backbone

maximum ceiling$450 millionactual

contract to Viasat, Inc., with a maximum ceiling of $450 million

initial task order$115 millionactual

to design, field, and scale the MOC

Source: Space Systems Command, Nov. 5, 2026

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Viasat will serve as the network and mission system integration partner as SSC expands its open-architecture ecosystem across multiple space-segment providers. SSC plans to bring mission integration, network operations and data transport management together through the center.1

The effort builds on the multi-vendor acquisition strategy demonstrated in the Space-Based Sensing and Targeting portfolio’s earlier Delivery Order 2 and Delivery Order 3 work. That work involved Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and York Space Systems.1

Breaking Defense reported that the center will serve as the network orchestration hub for the backbone, a low Earth orbit constellation being built by SpaceX. The network’s near-term focus will be supporting the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, the outlet reported.2

DefenseScoop reported that earlier this year the Department of War awarded SpaceX a $2.3 billion contract to deliver a fully operational backbone prototype by the end of 2027.3

The center is intended to integrate mission systems across multiple constellations and providers.1 Breaking Defense described network orchestration as autonomously shifting data among satellite constellations and ground stations when congestion or jamming slows transmission.2

Sources (3)
  1. SSC release, Nov. 5, 2026 www.ssc.spaceforce.mil
  2. Breaking Defense breakingdefense.com
  3. DefenseScoop defensescoop.com
Story permalink ↗

Next story

Contracts · Munitions industrial base

Navy plans sole-source Northrop contract for MK 45 projectile bodies

The planned production contract follows Northrop’s completion of competitively awarded prototype work. Other suppliers can submit capability statements by Nov. 18.

The Navy plans a sole-source contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation to develop and produce new 5-inch projectile bodies compatible with the MK 45 Gun Weapon System. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division intends a firm-fixed-price contract for the austempered ductile iron bodies.1

A follow-on contract for production can proceed without further competition

Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI) 5 Inch Projectile Bodies compatible with the MK 45 Gun Weapon System

development and qualificationcompetitively awardedactual

projectile body development and qualification was competitively awarded

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporationsuccessfully completedactual

successfully completed the prototype projects

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporationsole sourceplanned

Contracts Department intends to issue a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract on a sole source basis to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose.

Source: Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, SAM.gov. As of Nov. 3, 2026.

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

The competition took place at the prototype stage: the other transaction agreement for projectile body development and qualification was competitively awarded, and Northrop completed the prototype projects. The underlying Naval Energetic Systems and Technologies request for prototype projects included provisions for a follow-on production contract.1

The Navy says those conditions allow production to proceed without further competition under the prototype follow-on authority in 10 USC 4022(f)(1). The notice’s description gives no quantity, dollar value or delivery schedule for the planned contract.1

The Navy published the notice Nov. 3 and updated it the same day, changing the response date from Nov. 13 to Nov. 18.1–2

Other suppliers still have an opportunity to submit capability summaries, with responses due by 4 p.m. EST Nov. 18, 2026. The Navy will consider all responses, but the notice is not a request for proposals. The decision whether to compete the requirement remains with the Navy, and the notice makes no government commitment.1

Sources (2)
  1. sam.gov sam.gov
  2. sam.gov sam.gov
Story permalink ↗

More from TGOs