Polaris Defense has secured a new, sole source, firm-fixed-price contract for the MRZR off-road vehicle platform from USSOCOM. The delivery, which was started earlier this month, was signed in July and entails an $83 million, five year, indefinite delivery, and indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Since 2013, Polaris Defense has been delivering MRZR vehicles to USSOCOM under a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) against a GSA contract. Read more >>

In honor of the long-standing history with the namesake state, the US Navy christened its newest Virginia-class attack submarine as the USS Idaho (SSN 799). Read more >>

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has secured a $57.8m contract to carry out planning in support of modernization and maintenance for the US Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine, USS Columbus. This contract will include the restoration and maintenance of the ship’s tanks, propulsion systems, hull structure, armament, and furnishings. If all the options are exercised on the contract, the total value will be expected to reach $288 million. The project is scheduled to be complete in May 2019. Read more >>

Austal USA delivered the future USS Jackson to the U.S. Navy as part of its first littoral combat ship in a 10-ship, $3.5 billion block-buy contract. This latest vessel represents the fifth LCS and the third of the Independence variant to join the Navy. Navy officials expressed enthusiasm about Tuesday’s arrival of the USS Jackson, which will soon bring the total operational number of LCS ships up to five. Read more >>

The Australian Department of Defense has awarded Thales a $73.6 million contract for 30,000 F90 rifles and 2,500 SL40 grenade launchers. Read more >>