Category: Press Releases

VTG Appoints Navy Retired Admiral Jim Shannon as EVP for Government Relations

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date January 5, 2022

CHANTILLY, Va., Jan. 5, 2022 — VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced it has appointed retired Navy admiral (RADM) Jim Shannon to a new leadership team role as Executive Vice President for Government Relations. Shannon is the former president of ASSETT, Inc., VTG’s latest acquisition.

“We are honored to have Jim take on this new responsibility,” said VTG President and CEO John Hassoun. “He will be a force multiplier across the VTG enterprise, enhancing the support we deliver to our Defense and Intelligence Community customers and positioning our growing technology portfolio to meet our customers’ emerging mission requirements.”

Shannon was a leader in the Department of the Navy’s acquisition workforce for over 15 years, with his final eight years as a flag officer. He spent his first 20 years in the Navy as a fleet operator, serving on seven different afloat commands including as commanding officer of a guided missile frigate. Shannon was also a leading Navy spokesperson for weapon system architectures; oversaw future modernization plans and budgets for all non-nuclear ships while serving as a deputy commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; and led the Navy’s warfare center enterprise of over 20,000 personnel and a diverse group of programs from cruise missile defense to counter IED threats.

As deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for International Programs, Shannon advised dozens of partner national leaders, among more than 40 countries, and coordinated maritime solutions for local and regional security problems across the globe. After retiring from the Navy, Shannon joined PricewaterhouseCoopers public sector as a leading consultant for all Naval Executive advisory supporting maritime security.

Shannon first joined VTG’s executive team when VTG acquired ASSETT in August 2021. ASSETT develops AI/ML applications for undersea and unmanned systems and is a longstanding industry leader in submarine SONAR acoustics and signal processing. The acquisition enhanced VTG’s core capabilities, including systems and cybersecurity engineering, software development and data science, with deep expertise in model-based systems engineering, DevSecOps, AI/ML, and human-machine teaming.

Shannon holds degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the College of Naval Warfare in Newport, Rhode Island. He was also certified Level III as a program manager in the Defense Acquisition Workforce and attended the Defense Acquisition University.

Learn more about Jim Shannon and the acquisition at VTGdefense.com.

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Press Releases

VTG Hires Naval Sea and Air Systems Executive Rick Sabol as Senior Vice President

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date November 10, 2021

CHANTILLY, Va., Nov. 10, 2021 — VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced today that it has hired Rick Sabol as senior vice president. In this new role, Sabol will oversee a growing portfolio of U.S. Navy support programs, including VTG’s recently won Navy Strategic Systems Programs prime contract to provide engineering services for the Navy’s hypersonic strike capability.

“Rick is an incredible asset to VTG. He has extensive experience delivering services, solutions and technologies to the Navy systems commands, our highest priority customers,” said VTG President and CEO John Hassoun. “Our leadership team looks forward to having his insight and expertise as we work together to provide the next generation of warfighting capabilities to our defense and intelligence community customers.”

Sabol brings more than 35 years of experience to VTG, including from his most recent role as senior vice president of operations for SAIC’s Defense Systems Group, where he led the company’s Naval Sea & Air Systems Operation. In this role, he was responsible for the strategic direction, planning and execution of SAIC’s effort to provide mission-oriented systems engineering, platform integration, training, enterprise IT and management services to the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, affiliated Program Executive Offices and Warfare Centers, the Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and the Military Sealift Command.

Earlier, Sabol was vice president and operations manager with Alion Science and Technology, leading the In-Service Support Operation within the company’s Acquisition & Program Management Group. His responsibilities included providing engineering and program management support to various U.S. Navy programs at PEO SHIPS, SEA 21, PEO IWS, PEO Carriers, NAVAIR and Naval District Washington, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Sabol has a Bachelor of Science in public policy and management and a Master of Science in public management and policy analysis, both from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Project Management Institute Certified Project Management Professional and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Tags GovCon, Press Release, VTG

News Article Press Releases

VTG Wins Navy Hypersonics Engineering Prime Contract

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date September 14, 2021

CHANTILLY, Va., September 14, 2021 — VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced today that it has won a prime contract from the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs to provide engineering services for the Navy’s hypersonic strike capability, a top Defense Department priority. Under the single-award contract, VTG will support the Conventional Prompt Strike Program Office, a division of SSP, with research and development expertise, systems engineering, test planning and test engineering, logistics, and a wide range of programmatic and technical services.

“VTG is honored to partner with Navy SSP and the CPS Program Office in developing and fielding a hypersonic weapon,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “We recognize the importance of hypersonic technologies as a deterrent to near-peer competitors, and we are proud to be a key member of the growing hypersonic industrial base.”

CPS will provide the Navy with a hypersonic conventional weapon capable of precise, timely, long-range strike against deep-inland, time-critical, soft- and medium-hardened targets in contested environments. The missile, which is comprised of a hypersonic glide body and a two-stage booster, will fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and be launched from both surface ships and submarines. The Navy is the lead designer for the common hypersonic missile that will be fielded by both the Navy and the Army. The Navy plans to deploy the first CPS weapon system aboard the Zumwalt-class destroyers in FY2025 followed by the Virginia-class attack submarines in FY2028.

Navy SSP’s selection of VTG to support the CPS program follows a string of other recently announced awards that have positioned VTG as a critical partner to the Navy in delivering the diverse array of offensive, defensive, and digital capabilities needed for Distributed Maritime Operations. In July, VTG announced its selection to integrate the ODIN directed energy laser weapon system aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Earlier this year, VTG announced that it had started work on a prime contract to support the Naval Digital Integration Support Cell in accelerating naval digital transformation.

“VTG is excited to add hypersonics to our growing portfolio of engineering expertise,” said Sunil Ramchand, VTG chief growth officer. “We’re looking forward to supporting the CPS program and doing what we do best: leveraging top engineering and technical talent to rapidly deliver transformative capabilities and technologies to the Fleet.

Tags GovCon, Press Release, VTG

Press Releases

VTG Acquires ASSETT, Inc., Adding Artificial Intelligence-enabled Undersea Warfare and Unmanned Systems Capabilities to Portfolio

Post author By vtgroupprod
Post date August 25, 2021

CHANTILLY, Va., Aug. 25, 2021 — VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of ASSETT, Inc., a pioneer in undersea warfare and unmanned systems technologies. The combination adds differentiated artificial intelligence/machine learning applications and unique submarine acoustic expertise to VTG’s growing naval systems portfolio.

“I’m excited to welcome ASSETT’s innovative engineers, software developers, and scientists to VTG,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “Submarines, unmanned platforms, and AI/ML-enabled C5ISR systems will play an increasingly important role in Distributed Maritime Operations. ASSETT is developing the solutions and emerging technologies that will be foundational to this dispersed and networked fleet architecture. We look forward to bringing these transformational technologies and expertise to the Navy as well as customers across the Defense enterprise and Intelligence Community.”

Founded in 2001, ASSETT develops AI/ML applications for undersea and unmanned systems and is a longstanding industry leader in submarine SONAR acoustics and signal processing. In its mission-critical work to support defense modernization, the company has also developed and fielded a prototype integrated control system for combat submersibles and a battery management system for lithium-ion powered platforms.

ASSETT’s core capabilities include systems and cybersecurity engineering, software development and data science, with deep expertise in model-based systems engineering, DevSecOps, AI/ML, and human-machine teaming. The company has been remarkably adept at collaborating with customers to rapidly develop and field prototype technologies using Small Business Innovation Research phase three agreements and Other Transaction Authority contracts. These proprietary technologies are now the foundation of a growing VTG solutions portfolio well positioned for further development, fielding, and commercialization.

“ASSETT and VTG share similar cultures and strong core values, and I’m confident that this partnership will enable us to realize our vision of continuing to develop next generation solutions for our customers,” said ASSETT president, retired Rear Admiral Jim Shannon. “As a result of this acquisition, ASSETT employees will enjoy expanded growth opportunities and our combined clients will have access to a wider array of expertise, tools, and technologies to help them achieve their goals.”

Shannon, who previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for International Programs as well as Deputy Commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, will continue to lead ASSETT as it is integrated into the VTG enterprise as a technology development center of excellence.

Press Releases

VTG Wins NSWC Port Hueneme Prime Contract to Equip More Ships With Innovative Counter-UAS Laser

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date July 21, 2021

CHANTILLY, Va., July 21, 2021 — VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced that it has been selected by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, to equip more ships in the U.S. Fleet with an innovative laser designed to counter threats from unmanned aerial systems. Under the prime, single-award contract, VTG will install and integrate the AN/SEQ-4 Optical Dazzler Interdictor, Navy (ODIN), a directed energy weapon, aboard five U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

“Our team is honored to support NSWC-PHD in integrating this innovative defensive technology into the Fleet. The ODIN laser represents a significant advancement for the Navy in addressing asymmetric threats and protecting our sailors,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “Delivering next-generation capabilities to our warfighters is something we’re passionate about. VTG’s depth of expertise with ODIN, together with our skilled fleet modernization team, cutting-edge manufacturing and prototyping capabilities, and long-term legacy of support to the Navy, makes us uniquely qualified to perform this mission critical work.”

In 2020, VTG successfully integrated the ODIN laser aboard the USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) through a separate sole-source contract, completing both projects on time and on budget, and setting the standard for future directed energy weapon installations aboard U.S. Navy ships.

ODIN, a member of the Navy Laser Family of Systems, is a laser used to counter adversary UAS-mounted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. This laser for the optical dazzling of adversaries’ long-range and very long-range surveillance systems is being developed and built by the government at NSWC Dahlgren Division, and rapidly fielded to meet an urgent Fleet need. The ODIN laser will be employed on surface combatants to counter asymmetric threats and to provide a scalable response for escalation of force.

Over the past decade, VTG has modernized 240 different surface ships, aircraft carriers and submarines. With a record of exceptional quality, uncompromising safety, and on-time and on-budget delivery, VTG ensures that our sailors have a competitive advantage over near-peer adversaries now and in the future.

Tags Contract Award, GovCon, US Navy, VTG

Press Releases

VTG Awarded NAVSEA Prime Contract to Expedite Delivery of Innovative Technologies to the Fleet

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date June 16, 2021

VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced that it has won a $27 million, full and open, single-award, prime contract to support the Naval Sea Systems Command in overseeing and executing its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, and assisting in the expedient transition of SBIR and STTR technologies, products and services to the fleet.

“We are honored to support NAVSEA in harnessing the creativity, agility and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses to deliver the highest-priority technology needs of the Navy,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “We look forward to leveraging our expertise across the defense and intelligence sectors to increase small business participation in federally funded research and development, foster collaboration between small firms and nonprofit research institutions, and stimulate the exciting technological innovations that will transform our nation’s sea power and benefit our national economy.”

Under the five-year contract, VTG will provide program and project support services to the NAVSEA SBIR/STTR programs by defining focus areas, developing topics and identifying small business proposals and contractors to participate in the program. The company will also be responsible for supplying expertise and knowledge to assist the program manager in developing strategies and plans, as well as policies, processes and procedures to increase the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the SBIR/STTR programs. The work will primarily be performed at the Washington Navy Yard.

The SBIR program originated in 1982 as the government’s primary mechanism for engaging small technology businesses in R&D. It was designed to spur technological innovation, help meet federal R&D needs, increase private sector commercialization of innovations resulting from federally funded investments and encourage participation by minority and disadvantaged persons. The Navy has taken part in the SBIR program since its inception and has developed the highest commercialization success rate in the Defense Department. Last September, NAVSEA SBIR/STTR received the prestigious DoD Vanguard award for recognition of its outstanding work in supporting the Navy’s goal to “rapidly and adaptively procure innovative technologies from small businesses.”

Tags #Contract Award, #govcon, #SBIR, #VTG

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VTG Awarded $116M NIWC-PAC Prime Contract for C4ISR Engineering and Production

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date April 27, 2021

Chantilly, Va., April 27, 2021 –

VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced today that it has won a prime contract from the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific to provide C4ISR engineering and production services to its Network Integration Engineering Facility. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity NIEF Production Services contract has a potential value of $116 million over a five-year performance period.

“For more than 50 years, VTG has provided the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command and NIWC-PAC with C4ISR installation and integration support both afloat and ashore,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “We’re proud of that longstanding partnership and excited about this new opportunity to leverage our growing C4ISR production capabilities in support of the NIEF’s mission.”

The NIWC-PAC NIEF, located at NAVWAR headquarters in San Diego, California, specializes in the rapid design and integration of commercial and government off-the-shelf products for military applications. It also provides environmental qualification testing services for those products, and limited- and full-rate production. The facility was modernized in 2019 to better support the design and delivery of advanced information warfare capabilities to the fleet.

VTG will provide the NIEF with procurement, fabrication, and integration of C4ISR end items, including production units, ancillary kits, sub-systems, assemblies, sub-assemblies, modules, and spares. These end items include a full spectrum of C4ISR systems for surface ships, submarines, and shore-based applications.

Tags #C4ISR, GovCon, News, VTG

News Article Press Releases

VTG Awarded $188M NSWC Port Hueneme TI16 Contract to Modernize Combat Systems Across the Fleet

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date April 7, 2021

Chantilly, Va., April 7, 2021 – VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced that it has been awarded the Technical Insertion 16 Sustainment, Installation, Procurement and Engineering Services contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a potential value of $188 million and a five-year period of performance.

“VTG has a proud legacy of closely collaborating with the Navy to engineer the next generation of sea power,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “The TI16 program enables VTG to build upon that legacy, expanding our technical expertise, strengthening our partnership with NSWC Port Hueneme and NAVSEA, and – most importantly – modernizing the fleet.”

The TI16 program is the U.S. Navy’s enterprise approach to modernizing combat systems across the surface fleet – most notably the Aegis Combat System – and includes all cruisers and destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships. TI16 also enables the Navy to introduce the latest commercial off-the-shelf technologies and open architecture designs into its combat systems.

VTG will leverage its robust, full lifecycle combat systems engineering capabilities to fulfill TI16 program requirements. The company currently provides prime contract warfare, control, and C5I engineering services to the NAVSEA Naval Sea Systems Engineering Directorate and has over 50 years of experience installing and integrating advanced C5ISR systems aboard every existing U.S. Navy surface ship and submarine class. Most recently, VTG completed the successful installation and integration of the ODIN directed energy laser weapon system aboard two Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The company will also leverage its growing digital and software engineering capabilities. Earlier this month, VTG announced that it had begun work on a prime contract to develop the future state of the Navy Operational Architecture and to optimize fleet interoperability. The company also introduced the VTG Battle Lab, an industry-integrated model-based systems engineering environment for next-generation warfare systems.

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Press Releases

VTG Begins Work on Prime DoD IAC Contract to Accelerate Naval Digital Transformation

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date March 10, 2021

Chantilly, Va., Mar 10, 2021 – VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced today that it has begun work on a three-year, $13 million prime contract to support the Naval Digital Integration Support Cell in its effort to integrate data and technology into all areas of naval operations, fundamentally changing how the Navy delivers maritime dominance.

“Our team is honored and immensely proud to be the Navy’s partner-of-choice for this critical mission,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “The Naval Operational Architecture is foundational to achieving Distributed Maritime Operations and maintaining our competitive advantage at sea. We welcome the opportunity to leverage our growing digital expertise to support the DISC, especially in model-based systems engineering and DevSecOps.”

VTG will support the DISC by performing research, operational analysis, specialized engineering, and development of the digital platform for Navy and Marine Corps MBSE, readiness, and DevSecOps. This includes developing objective architectures, standards, and processes for integrated naval capability, decision tools, MBSE, digital pilots, and artificial intelligence through coordinated experiments with the fleet.

The contract was awarded to DELTA Constellation Group, VTG’s joint venture with Constellation Software Engineering, under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center’s multiple-award contract vehicle. DoD IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the US Air Force’s 774^th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research & development and science & technology community.

Last year, VTG embarked on a market expansion strategy focused on delivering innovative technologies and digital solutions to a growing portfolio of national security customers. The company bolstered its systems, software, and digital engineering capabilities with the December 2020 acquisition of Intelligent Shift, and more recently rolled-out the VTG Battle Lab, an industry-integrated MBSE environment for next-generation warfare systems. “VTG will continue to make investments in capabilities and technologies that give our customers a competitive edge,” said Sunil Ramchand, VTG chief growth officer. “The Navy is already leveraging the VTG Battle Lab to develop the future state of the Naval Operational Architecture and optimize interoperability across the fleet. We look forward to offering similar digital capabilities to other customers in the defense enterprise and intelligence community.”

About the DoD IAC Program

The Department of Defense Information Analysis Center, sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center, provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in 1946, the IAC program serves the DoD science & technology and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination.

Disclaimer: This material is based upon work supported by the DoD IAC, sponsored by the DTIC under Contract No. FA807519D0022.

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DoD.

Tags GovCon, News, Press Release, VTG

Press Releases

VTG Acquires Intelligent Shift, Enhancing Digital Transformation Capabilities and Adding Intelligence Community to Customer Portfolio

Post author By Sarah Lemn
Post date January 13, 2021

Chantilly, Va., Jan. 13, 2021 – VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Intelligent Shift LLC, a rapidly growing firm delivering innovative technologies and digital solutions to the U.S. Intelligence Community. The combination bolsters VTG’s systems, software, and digital engineering capabilities, and expands the company’s presence in the national security market.

“I am excited to welcome the Intelligent Shift team to VTG,” said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. “This acquisition represents the next chapter in the strategic transformation of VTG. Intelligent Shift brings unique technical expertise that positions us to deliver a more differentiated suite of engineering and digital solutions to a customer base that now spans the Defense enterprise and the Intelligence Community.”

Founded in 2017 by Mike DeFede, Alissa Redding, and Mike Matthews, Intelligent Shift’s highly skilled engineers provide subject matter expertise across numerous high-priority national security mission areas. On behalf of the founders, Mike DeFede said, “Intelligent Shift has always been focused on an industry-best employee culture and a commitment to customer missions. In VTG, we’ve found a partner that shares these passions. The combined company will expand our ability to drive smart change for our customers and will create new opportunities for our employees while strengthening our culture.” Intelligent Shift, which will continue to be led by DeFede, Redding, and Matthews, will operate as the IC services component of a new business segment led by recently appointed VTG executive Kirk Herdman.

Last year, VTG completed the integration of its enterprise-wide capabilities under a single customer delivery model, including its two previous acquisitions, National Technologies Associates and DELTA Resources. VTG also won a string of prime contracts, earning the ACG National Capital 2020 Corporate Growth Company of the Year award. “We continue to reshape our enterprise and reposition for the future,” said Sunil Ramchand, chief growth officer of VTG. “The acquisition of Intelligent Shift accelerates our strategy, both in terms of game-changing capability growth and customer reach.”

Tags GovCon, News, Press Release, VTG

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