Progress noted on F-35 helmet

A Lockheed Martin official reported progress Tuesday with its cutting-edge helmets that will be used with the F-35. Executive VP Tom Burbage told Reuters that the night-vision performance was the only real question left, but progress has been made on that. The helmet, which integrates data from all sensors and cameras aboard the jet, was designed by a joint venture between Rockwell Collins and Israel's Elbit Systems. (Source: Reuters, 10/30/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Blue Angels to perform

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Blue Angels will be performing the final show of the season this weekend at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The air shows at Sherman Field are Friday and Saturday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with aerial performances throughout the day. The Blue Angels, based at NaS Pensacola, perform at 2 p.m. (Source: al.com link, 10/29/12, Blue Angels)

SLS update provided

NEW ORLEANS -- NASA provided businesses an update on the Space Launch System during a seminar at Michoud Assembly Facility last week. It drew about 150 people -- 90 businesses from 10 states and the District of Columbia. The core stage of the 70-ton SLS, designed to carry astronauts into deep space, will be built at Michoud by Boeing. The engines that will power two stages will be tested at Stennis Space Center, about 40 miles away in Mississippi. An unmanned test of SLS is scheduled for 2017. (Sources: New Orleans Times Picayune, 10/24/12, Baton Rouge Advocate, 10/28/12) Previous

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $34.7M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $34,689,207 firm fixed price contract for acquisition of aircraft maintenance support services for T-1A, T-6A, T-38C SUPT and T-38C IFF. The location of the performance is Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 29, 2019. The contracting activity is AETC CONS/LGCK, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. (Source: DoD, 10/26/12)

County gets encroachment report

MILTON, Fla. -- Santa Rosa County on Thursday got the final version of the Eglin Air Force Base Small Area Studies report on encroachment. The Northwest Florida Military Sustainability Partnership, which includes Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties and Eglin, has been conducting the study since 2011. It recommends Santa Rosa amend land development codes and enact 35- to 50-foot height restrictions, depending on the location in a proposed Eglin Military Airport Zone. It also recommends reducing the maximum allowable density of developments in some areas. Santa Rosa in the past has taken steps to protect Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton from encroachment. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/25/12)

Crash blamed on disorientation

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An investigative board concluded that spatial disorientation caused a plane crash in Africa that killed four airmen. Capt. Ryan P. Hall, Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten of Hurlburt Field died Feb. 18 when their U-28A troop support aircraft crashed near Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti. Spatial disorientation is the failure to correctly sense the position, motion or attitude of the aircraft in relation to the surface. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/25/12) Previous

General: Eglin RDT&E safe

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- The consolidation of Air Force Materiel Command from 12 to five centers was not designed to pave the way for moving Eglin Air Force Base's research, development, test and evaluation function to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. That's what Brig. Gen. Arnold Bunch, director of Edwards' Air Force Test Center, told the Florida Defense Support Task Force during a Wednesday meeting. Bunch said he's striving to keep Eglin's RDT&E function "flyable and viable." Since the reorganization was announced late last year, leaders in Northwest Florida have been concerned about the fate of Eglin's RDT&E function. The consolidation was carried out in July. The task force was established in January to protect the state's 20 bases. It also met behind closed doors to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the state's bases. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/24/12)

Control tower in reach?

DESTIN, Fla. -- After years of discussion, an air traffic control tower at the Destin Airport is closer. A traffic tower would allow for simultaneous launches of planes at Destin and the Northwest Florida Regional Airport at Eglin Air Force Base. Right now planes at Destin must wait while traffic clears at Eglin. An air traffic control tower was approved earlier this year by the FAA. The county still must opt to proceed, and an environmental assessment will have to be done. (Source: Destin Log, 10/23/12)

Task force meeting

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Florida's Defense Support Task Force, created in 2010 to protect the state’s military bases, meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. on Okaloosa Island. Among the items to be considered is an application through which entities can seek funding from the task force. Companies or agencies eligible would be those that can prove their existence enhances the mission of an area military base. The task force was created with a $5 million legislative appropriation. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/22/12)

Airman identified

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An active-duty Hurlburt airman who was found dead Sunday after a boating accident has been identified. The body of Airman 1st Class Colby Siegel, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was found near the waters by the Cedars condominium, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's office. The cause of the accident is under investigation. (Source: 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, 10/22/12)

Keesler is AETC nominee

For the second year in a row, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., won the highest command-level honor it can receive. Air Education and Training Comand Commander Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., announced that the 81st Training Wing at Keesler as the AETC winner of the Commander-In-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. The Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award is a presidential award for exemplary support of Defense Department missions, and is the highest award a military installation can receive. The CINC's IEA was created in 1984. The AETC winner was selected by a board of command senior leaders from many different career fields. (Source: AETC Public Affairs via Keesler, 10/22/12)

53rd TSS changes command

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Lt. Col. Joseph P. Kendall assumed command of the 53rd Test Support Squadron during a change of command ceremony Oct. 19. Kendall was previously the director of operations at the 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. He is replacing Lt. Col. James A. Sukenik, who is now the deputy commander of the 53rd Weapons and Evaluation Group. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, 10/22/12)

F-35 drops AIM-120

F-35 releases AIM-120. Lockheed Martin photo

An F-35A test aircraft completed the first aerial weapons release of an AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) from a conventional takeoff and landing aircraft Friday. The aircraft, AF-1, jettisoned the instrumented AIM-120 over the China Lake, Calif., test range from an internal weapons bay. This was the second in-flight weapons release in three days for AF-1 as it completed the release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Oct. 16. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 10/22/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the F-35 training center. Previous

Two more F-35s arrive at Eglin

The second United Kingdom F-35 along with an 11th Marine Corps F-35B are now at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The two jets left Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in Texas Friday for the 90-minute flight. The aircraft are ZM136 and BF-16. The UK F-35B joints another UK F-35B that arrived at the base in July. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 10/19/12)

Exelis office opens

Exelis mine system. Exelis photo

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- ITT Exelis officially opened its full-service mine defense production facility Friday in West Bay. Exelis systems, towed by helicopters or minesweepers or operated remotely, are used to find clear multiple types of mines. The Exelis mine defense business moved from New York to Panama City in 2005 and now employs nearly 100. Exelis is in a 105,000 square-foot building at VentureCrossings, near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. (Source: Panama City News Herald, Exelis, 10/19/12)

F-35 drops 2,000-pounder

An F-35 dropped its first-ever 2,000-pound bomb on Wednesday over Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake's test range in the California Mojave Desert. It was a key milestone for the jet. Lockheed Martin is building versions for the Air Force, Navy, Marines and foreign buyers. The Air Force version is designed to carry 18,000 pounds of munitions using 10 weapons stations. (Source: Los Angeles Times, 10/17/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the F-35 training center.

Safran to buy Goodrich activity

Reuters reports that French aerospace company Safran said it will buy the electrical power systems activities of parts maker Goodrich for an estimated $401 million. Safran officials estimate the Goodrich operations will generate 2012 revenue of more than $200 million. The acquisition comes less than three months after Hartford, Conn.-based United Technologies completed its $16.5 billion purchase of Goodrich Corp. Some 750 Foley employees, who make and repair engine nacelles, are not impacted by the acquisition. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 10/16/12)

Airman killed during survival training

An officer assigned to the 96th Test Wing was killed during an accident Oct. 11 while training at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Maj. Garrett Knowlan died while participating in Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training. The training is operated by Detachment 2, 66th Training Squadron which conducts a water survival course for those aircrew members going to parachute-equipped airframes. Knowlan was the executive officer for Brig. Gen. David Harris, 96th Test Wing commander. He was a 2002 graduate of the Air Force Academy and a 2010 graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation. (Source: 96th Test Wing, 10/17/12)

Move could take 18 months

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The squadron of F-22s scheduled to move to Tyndall early next year could take up to 18 months to arrive. Arlin Ponder of the 49th Wing public affairs office at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico confirmed Air Force officials have discussed an 18-month window. Budget constraints have delayed the move. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 10/15/12) Previous

Blue Origin tests thrust chamber

BE-3 test. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Blue Origin successfully fired the thrust chamber assembly for its new 100,000 pound thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of the company's Reusable Booster System, the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped space vehicle the company is developing. The test took place early this month on the E-1 test stand. Blue Origin engineers powered the thrust chamber to its full power level. Blue Origin of Washington is one of the companies developing commercial space transportation systems. (Source: NASA, 10/15/12)

Budget halts plane moves

The transfer of F-22 fighters from New Mexico to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is being delayed because of a spending freeze. The aircraft and personnel from Holloman Air Force Base were to move to Tyndall next spring. At least 17 bases are waiting to welcome or retire aircraft. The freeze is keeping older aircraft such as C-5As and C-130Es in service at Air National Guard bases, along with blocking the movement of F-22 and F-16 squadrons at active bases. (Sources: multiple, including Panama City News Herald, 10/13/12, Air Force Times, 10/12/12)

GE Aviation taking applications

ELLISVILLE, Miss. -- GE Aviation will begin taking applications next month for its new composites parts factory. The announcement was made Thursday as Gov. Phil Bryant visited the nearly completed plant. The company expects to hire 250 workers within five years to make composite parts for aircraft engines and systems. GE Aviation is investing $56 million in the 340,000 square-foot Ellisville plant to meet growing aerospace demand. (Source: Hattiesburg American, 10/11/12)

F-15 team marks 10 years

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A team put together to test improvements for the F-15 Eagle marks 10 years today. The F-15 Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force is composed of active/reserve military, civilian and contractor personnel from the 53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing. They test F-15 software upgrades to enhance air-to-air and air-to-ground combat performance, improve weapons-avionics integration and simplify aircrew displays and controls. They also develop test concepts, prepare test plans, manage test execution, analyze data, and produce test briefings, reports, and recommendations on F-15 developmental and operational tests. Some of the items the team has tested include better satellite communications and new radar. (Source: Team Eglin Public Affairs, 10/09/12)

Pilot does 2K hours in F-4

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Matthew LaCourse, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron pilot and controller, recently reached 2,000 flying hours in the F-4 Phantom, a milestone rarely accomplished. In addition to the hours spent in the F-4, he has also accumulated about 1,500 hours in the T-37, AT-38, F-16C and E-9A. LaCourse spent 22 years in the Air Force and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2000. For several years he tried jobs in other career fields, including a test engineer at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and program manager at the Panama City Naval Support Activity. Then Lockheed Martin had an opening for an E-9 pilot as a contractor. He applied and was hired. Through attrition he ended up in an F-4. The 82nd ATRS does weapons evaluation testing for Air Combat Command, the Defense Department and foreign military programs. It’s the last squadron in the Air Force flying F-4s. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing, 10/10/12)

Tyndall wing commander picked

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Col. David E. Graff has been selected as the next 325th Fighter Wing commander. He replaces Brig. Gen. John K. McMullen, who was selected to serve as the deputy chief of staff, Operations, Allied Air Command, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The change of command ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 14. Graff will lead more than 4,000 personnel who train and prepare F-22 pilots, intelligence officers, maintainers, and other support specialties. This is Graff's third assignment to the 325th FW. (Source: Air Force, 10/11/12)

NASA, IHMC exoskeleton

A new robotic space technology spinoff derived from NASA's Robonaut 2 project may help astronauts stay healthy in space and aid paraplegics on Earth. Robonaut 2, the first humanoid robot in space, is working with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. NASA and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition of Pensacola, Fla., with the help of engineers from Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston, have jointly developed a robotic exoskeleton called X1. The 57-pound device is a robot that a human could wear over his or her body either to assist or inhibit movement in leg joints. In the inhibit mode, the robotic device would be used as an in-space exercise machine to supply resistance against leg movement. The same technology could be used in reverse on the ground, potentially helping some individuals walk for the first time. Worn over the legs with a harness that reaches up the back and around the shoulders, X1 has 10 degrees of freedom, or joints -- four motorized joints at the hips and the knees, and six passive joints that allow for sidestepping, turning and pointing, and flexing a foot. There also are multiple adjustment points, allowing the X1 to be used in many different ways. The X1 is currently in the R&D phase. (Source: NASA, 10/11/12)

EADS, BAE deal dead

Reuters is reporting that the proposed $45 billion merger between EADS and BAE Systems has been called off. It would have been the world's largest defense and aviation merger. BAE said it had become clear the interests of the French, British and German governments could not be reconciled. It would have merged commercial powerhouse EADS, owner of Airbus, with BAE Systems, a major defense company. (Source: Reuters, 10/10/12) Gulf Coast note: Both companies have multiple activities in the Gulf Coast region.

SLS industry day set

NEW ORLEANS -- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will host a Space Launch System Industry Day at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on Oct. 24. The event will begin with registration at 7:00 a.m., and adjourn at 2:00 p.m. to be followed by a tour of MAF. For those interested, there will be another tour of the Stennis Space Center, Miss., some 30 miles away, on the morning of Oct. 25. Those in attendance will be provided SLS Program updates, and will be afforded an opportunity to network with SLS prime contractors, NASA and Huntsville, Ala.'s, MSFC procurement and technical personnel, and representatives from federal and state organizations throughout the day. To register, click here. (Source: Space Ref, 10/09/12)

Contract: Boeing, $10M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $10,000,000 cost plus fixed fee contract to provide systems studies, analyses integrations and demonstrations with the unmanned aerial system termed dominator and common smart sub-munition to assess the capabilities of the system in meeting Air Force Research Laboratory requirements. The location of the performance is St. Louis, Mo. Work is expected to be completed by Jan. 25, 2017. The contracting activity is AFRL/RWK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Source: DoD, 10/09/12)

Contract: Lockheed Martin, $28.6M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $28,620,000 modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract to provide additional funds for long lead-time parts, material and components required to protect the delivery schedule of four Low Rate Initial Production Lot VII F-35 Conventional Takeoff and Landing aircraft for Italy. Work will be performed in Texas, California, Florida, New Hampshire, Maryland and the United Kingdom, and is expected to be completed in June 2013. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/09/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the F-35 training center.

County amends airline contract

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Walton County will spend $750,000 less next year for advertising flights after Southwest Airlines broke an agreement on flights. Walton County has been using more than $1 million annually in bed tax collections to subsidize Southwest after the company agreed to fly to and from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in 2009. In exchange, Southwest agreed to provide direct flights from four destinations daily. In January the company will cut back and cease flights to and from Orlando. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 10/08/12)

UAV refueling moves forward

Global Haws in formation.
Northrop Grumman photo

A series of flight tests were completed to demonstrate the ability of two unmanned aircraft to refuel in flight. The tests, which did not involve any fuel transfer, were conducted by Northrop Grumman, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and NASA using two NASA Global Hawks, one configured as a tanker and the other as a receiver. The tests at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., were done between January and May. Among other things, the tests show the tanker could extend and retract its refueling hose, and the two Global Hawks were able to fly as close as 30 feet. The $33 million DARPA program aims to demonstrate autonomous fuel transfer between two Global Hawks, enabling flights of up to one week endurance. Northrop Grumman is also developing the technology to help extend the operating range and flight duration of future carrier-based unmanned systems like the X-47B unmanned demonstrator aircraft. (Source: Globe Newswire, 10/05/12) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Master plan workshop set

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- The Panama City/Bay County Airport and Industrial District will hold a 6 p.m. public workshop Tuesday at the Bay County Library to discuss the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport master planning process. The meeting will provide an introduction to the up to 18-month process that will outline 5, 10 and 20-year planning horizons for the airport. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 10/06/12)

33rd gets Tyndall squadron

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin took command of a new squadron Wednesday at Tyndall Air Force Base with some 300 people. The shift of the 337th Air Control Squadron, formerly the 325th, is part of the process to reassign Tyndall's 325th Fighter Wing from education and training to air combat command. Because the 337th Air Control Squadron will remain a training center, it will fall under command of the training wing at Eglin Air Force Base while continuing to operate at Tyndall. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/03/12)

Mobile adding direct Chicago flight

MOBILE, Ala. -- Beginning April 9, 2013, United Airlines will add one daily round-trip flight between Mobile and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, providing direct connectivity to 139 domestic and international markets. In addition, the new United Express flight will use the 50-seat Embracer Regional Jet. Bill Sisson, executive director of the Mobile Airport Authority, said the new flight is a clear example of air service development following economic development. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 10/03/12)

EADS-BAE HQ an issue

France and Germany are at odds over the location of the headquarters for a new aerospace giant with the planned merger of Europe's EADS and the UK's BAE Systems. Reuters, citing sources, said France wants the headquarters in Toulouse, its southwestern aerospace capital where the Airbus subsidiary of EADS is based. Germany wants it near Munich. It's just another hurdle to overcome before the Oct. 10 deadline. (Source: Reuters, 10/02/12) Gulf Coast note: EADS and BAE Systems both have operations in the Gulf Coast region.

UAV collision avoidance tested

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- A team of government, a not-for-profit research and development organization and academia completed two weeks of flight testing "sense and avoid" technology that could help unmanned aircraft integrate into the national airspace. The MITRE Corp. and the University of North Dakota developed automatic sense and avoid computer software algorithms that were uploaded onto a NASA Langley Research Center Cirrus SR-22. It flew 147 maneuvers during 39 hours of flight tests. A supporting UND aircraft flew more than 40 hours during the tests. The NASA aircraft demonstrated how technology onboard allowed it to sense and avoid the UND Cessna 172 "intruder" plane flown by a university instructor pilot. The Cirrus, developed to mimic unmanned aircraft systems, had a safety pilot in the cockpit, but researchers say computer programs automatically maneuvered the aircraft to avoid conflicts. More than 100 leaders from academia, industry, government, the military and the general aviation community came to the Grand Forks Airport to observe the test. (Source: PRNewswire, 10/02/12) Gulf Coast note: This region is heavily involved in developing and using unmanned systems.

Boeing sees cargo growth

ATLANTA -- Boeing said the global air cargo market will expand at a 5.2 percent annual rate over the next 20 years. That's according to the Boeing World Air Cargo Forecast 2012/2013, which says growth will be driven by world gross domestic product that will nearly double over the forecast period. Boeing released the biennial forecast at the International Air Cargo Forum and Exhibition 2012 in Atlanta. Boeing forecasts the world freighter fleet will increase to 3,198 airplanes from 1,738 by 2031. Large freighters will represent 36 percent of the fleet, compared to 31 percent today. Markets connecting Asia-Pacific will lead the industry in growth. (Source: PRNewswire, 10/02/12) Gulf Coast note: Boeing competitor Airbus plans to assemble A320 aircraft in Mobile, Ala.

6th SOS moves to Duke

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- After a long history with the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, the 6th Special Operations Squadron has made the transition to the 919th Special Operations Wing at nearby Duke Field, Fla., and transferring command to the Air Force Special Operations Training Center. The squadron is receiving a new fleet of a single aircraft instead of moving its assortment of rotary wing and turboprop aircraft. The new aircraft, the C-145A Skytruck, is a light-cargo and passenger plane. The 6th SOS is a combat aviation advisory unit whose mission is to assess, train, advise and assist foreign aviation forces in airpower employment, sustainment and force integration. (Source: 1st Special Operations Public Affairs, 10/01/12)

Huey makes final 1st SOW flight

Huey over South Alabama. AF photo

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- It's been a fixture on the base's flightline for decades, marked by its noticeable difference in design from the larger C-130s and elaborate CV-22s operated by 1st Special Operations Wing. But now it's history. The final flight of a UH-1 Huey at Hurlburt Field took place last month over Northwest Florida and South Alabama. The Huey was one of the aircraft flown by combat aviation advisers of 6th Special Operations Squadron. The Huey has been the most popular light utility helicopter ever produced, with some variant being operated by the military in nearly 60 nations. (Source: 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, 10/01/12)

1st SOW gets new vice commander

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 1st Special Operations Wing welcomed a new wing vice commander Oct. 1. He's Col. William Holt. His previous assignments include commander of the combined joint special operations air component. He's also a former commander of the 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field. (Source: 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, 10/01/12)

Tyndall welcomes ACC

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall is now part of Air Combat Command. The ceremony that folded the 325th Fighter Wing into the Air Combat Command (ACC) became official Monday in a ceremony inside Hangar 1. The new F-22 fighter squadron will slowly be arriving at Tyndall beginning in January. The pilot training mission at Tyndall will remain. There will be about 800-1,000 new people coming to work at Tyndall as the new F-22 squadron is put in place. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 10/01/12)

Contract: Lockheed Martin, $16.6M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., is being awarded $16,565,914 modification to a cost plus fixed fee contract. This modification was issued under the joint DARPA/ONR Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) demonstration program. This modification adds additional effort to perform risk reduction enhancements in advance of the upcoming flight test of the air launch LRASM A version. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (97.97%); Crestview, Fla. (1.40%); Santa Clarita, Calif. (0.63%); and Bothell, Wash. (.003%). The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 13, 2013. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/01/12)

Contract: CC Distributor, $9M

CC Distributors, Corpus Christi, Texas, is being awarded a $9,000,000 fixed price with material reimbursable contract for a simplified method for authorized civil engineer personnel and self-help customers to purchase materials, equipment and supplies. The location of the performance is Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2013. The contracting activity is AFTC PZI/PZIOA, Eglin Air Force Base. (Source: DoD, 10/01/12)

Contract: L3 Vertex, $12.1M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $12,111,176 contract modification for trainer maintenance services. The location of the performance is Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2013. The contracting activity is 82 CONS/LGCA, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. (Source: DoD, 10/01/12)

43rd sets flying record

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall's 43rd Fighter Squadron set a new flying record Sept. 24, accomplishing 53 local sorties in one day. The previous record was 24 sorties. With several instructor pilots in danger of becoming noncurrent due to delays and cancellations throughout the year, the 43rd's increased sortie efforts served to ensure instructor pilots' currency and proficiency were met before the end of the fiscal year in October. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, 09/25/12)