Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) announced on July 31 that it received an $87 million contract from the U.S. Army to complete the development of the Advanced Combat Engine (ACE), a modular and scalable diesel engine solution that uses innovative opposed-piston technology to provide leap-ahead capabilities in power density and heat rejection not available in the current marketplace.
Sorrento Valley-based Achates Power is the opposed piston technology partner of Cummins for ACE and a recognized expert in opposed-piston engine technology.
“Coupling our opposed-piston technology with Cummins’ robust engine design, manufacturing and new product introduction capabilities allows us to create a high performing and reliable engine for military operations,” said Dave Crompton, president and CEO of Achates Power, in a statement. “Achates Power is pleased to continue to support Cummins as a key technology partner in creating the next generation of engines for combat vehicles.”
Air Force Deal for Western Metal
The U.S. Air Force awarded Western Metal Supply Co. Inc. of Escondido an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for pre-engineered steel aircraft canopies. The contract, which has a $17 million ceiling, provides for the replacement of the existing canvas sunshades at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Work is expected to be completed by September 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. The 4th Contracting Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base awarded the contract, announced on Sept. 20.
Kratos Delivers Electronics for Army Project
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) announced on Sept. 20 that it successfully delivered the first set of products to support the U.S. Army Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) space-ground system prototype, which is being developed by Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The purpose of the TITAN system will be to provide near-real time data to commanders at all levels for timely targeting solutions. As part of this effort, Kratos’ OpenSpace quantum and SpectralNet products will provide virtualized downlink processing for the TITAN space-ground prototypes. Kratos was selected to the Northrop Grumman TITAN team due to the OpenSpace products’ ability to virtualize uplink/downlink processing while meeting Space, Weight and Power (SWAP) requirements. The Kratos products will enable the demodulation of downlinks from multiple commercial satellite systems.
Space Micro to Build Payload
Space Micro Inc. of Carmel Mountain Ranch said on Sept. 21 that it was selected by the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida for the development of an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) space payload for future SOCOM missions.
The award is for over $1.65 million and covers an 18-month performance period. Product deliverables include both an Engineering Model (EM) payload and a Flight Model (FM) ISR payload.
Axiom to Support Naval Health Research Center
The U.S. Navy awarded Axiom Resource Management Inc. of Falls Church, Virginia a $15.6 million task order under General Services Administration’s (GSA) One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS). This task order provides support services for the various applications used by the Medical Modeling, Simulation and Mission Support department at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego in gathering and analyzing data for the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database and Expeditionary Medical Encounter Knowledge Warehouse (EMedKW). Some 70% of the work will be performed in San Diego. All work is expected to be completed by February 2027. The Naval Medical Logistics Command at Fort Detrick, Maryland, awarded the contract after receiving two bids. The deal was announced on Aug. 27.
