Contract: CCI, $11.6M

CCI Solutions, LLC, Shalimar, Fla., was awarded an $11,556,752 non-multi-year, firm-fixed-price contract with options to repair airfield and roadway pavements. Funding is from fiscal year 2013 military construction appropriation. The performance location is Homestead Army Reserve Base, Fla. There was one solicitation with one bid received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-13-C-0039). (Source: DoD, 09/30/13)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $11M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison Miss., has been awarded an $11,094,779 modification (P00043) to exercise option four of the existing contract (FA3002-10-C-0001) for helicopter maintenance. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2014. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds will be obligated when they become available. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Directorate of Contracting, Specialized Branch, Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/30/13)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $65M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $64,982,586 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-08-D-0014) to exercise an option for additional logistics services and materials for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance required to support 36 T-45A and 168 T-45C aircraft based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., NAS Meridian, Miss., NAS Kingsville, Texas; and Patuxent River, Md. This requirement also includes the organizational level maintenance for the engine. Work will be performed in Kingsville (57 percent), Meridian (36 percent), Pensacola (6 percent), and Patuxent River (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/30/13)

Cygnus docks with ISS

DULLES, Va. – The Orbital Science Cygnus cargo spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and approach with the International Space Station and was grappled and berthed with the station by the Expedition 37 astronaut crew earlier this morning. Cygnus was launched by Orbital’s Antares rocket Sept. 18 from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Final approach to the station began at about 3:00 a.m. EDT, culminating with the station’s robotic arm grappling the spacecraft at 7:00 a.m. when it was about 10 meters away. Cygnus was then guided to its berthing port on the nadir side of the ISS' Harmony module where its installation was completed just before 8:45 a.m. (Source: multiple, including Orbital Sciences via Business Wire, Forbes, Space.com, 09/29/13) Cygnus is the second commercial spacecraft to dock with ISS. The SpaceX Dragon capsule was the first. Gulf Coast note: The Antares engines were tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Pilot error cited in crash

MOBILE, Ala. -- Pilot error has been identified as the primary cause of the Feb. 28, 2012 helicopter crash that killed four crewmembers. The U.S. Coast Guard said there also were contributing factors, but said investigators concluded there was no misconduct involving the crash of the MH-65C helicopter. (Source: AP via Mobile Press Register, WKRG-TV, 09/28/13) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $29.4M

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $29,361,640 modification under an existing contract (FA8621-06-C-6300) for the fiscal 2014 C-130J aircrew instruction and contractor logistic support for the C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System devices. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Little Rock AFB, Dyess AFB, Texas, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and will be completed on Sept. 30, 2014. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WNS, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/13)

Contract: Lockheed, $96.3M

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., was awarded a $96,287,882 modification on a previously existing contract (FA8810-13-C-0002) for Space Based Infrared Systems contractor logistics support. The contract provides for operations crew support and organizational and depot maintenance. Work will be performed at Boulder, Colo. and Buckley Air Force Base Colo., and is expected to be completed on Sept. 30, 2014. Infrared Space Systems Contracts Division, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/13) Gulf Coast note: Portions of the work on the A2100-based SBIRS satellites is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Contract: Northrop, $114.2M

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems of Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., has been awarded an $114,217,221 firm-fixed-price contract for Global Hawk Low Rate Initial Production Lot 11 advance procurement. This contract provides for advance procurement of long lead items associated with three Block 30 Global Hawk Air Vehicles, three in-line Airborne Signals Intelligence Payloads (ASIP), three in-line Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) Sensors, two ASIP retrofit kits, and other items and activities required to protect the production schedule for Lot 11. Work will be performed at San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2015. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WIGK, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-13-C-3018). (Source: DoD, 09/27/13) Gulf Coast note: Central fuselage work on Global Hawks is done in Moss Point, Miss.

Contract: Gulf Coast Arch., $30M

Gulf Coast Architectural Group Inc., Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded a maximum amount $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for complete architect and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility. Task order 0001 is being awarded at $117,879 for full design specification for the demolition of four buildings at Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by March 2014. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southeast AOR including, but not limited to Texas (50 percent), Louisiana (25 percent), and Mississippi (25 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2018. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-13-D-0012). (Source: DoD, 09/27/13)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $55.6M

L-3 Communications Systems Field Support, Vertex Aerospace, LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $55,627,456 firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity requirements contract (N00019-11-D-0010) to exercise an option for aircraft maintenance and logistical life cycle support for 54 C-12 aircraft for the U.S. Navy (48) and the U.S. Marine Corps (6). Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (46 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (8 percent); Manama, Bahrain (5.5 percent); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (5.5 percent); Atsugi, Japan (5.5 percent); New Orleans, La. (4 percent); Kadena, Japan ( 3.7 percent); Yuma, Ariz.(3.7 percent); Iwakuni, Japan (3.7 percent); Beaufort, S.C. (3.5 percent); New River, N.C. (3.5 percent); Manassas, Va. (2 percent); Miramar, Calif. (1.8 percent); Futenma, Japan (1.8 percent); and Misawa, Japan (1.8 percent). Work is expected to be completed in September 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activities. (Source: DoD, 09/27/13)

Contract: Lockheed, $742.7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $742,657,068 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive modification to the previously awarded F-35 Lot VI advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0083). This modification provides for the manufacture and delivery of two F-35 Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft for the government of Australia and three F-35 CTOL aircraft for the government of Italy. In addition, this modification provides for LRIP Lot VI production requirements, including manufacturing support equipment, diminishing manufacturing sources management, ancillary mission equipment including pilot flight equipment, and concurrency changes to LRIP Lot VI aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the non-U.S. DoD Participants in the F-35 Program. Concurrency changes are changes to the LRIP Lot VI configuration baseline resulting from the F-35 development effort. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas; El Segundo, Calif.; Warton, United Kingdom; Orlando, Fla.; Nashua, N.H.; Baltimore, Md.; and Cameri, Italy, and is expected to be completed in April 2016. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force (17.60 percent); Navy/Marine Corps (8.92 percent); and the governments of Italy, Australia, United Kingdom, Turkey, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway and Denmark (73.49 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Contract: Lockheed Martin, $3.4B

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $3,405,427,661 modification with fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive-fee line items to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-12-C-0004) for Low Rate Initial Production Lot VII F-35. This provides for the manufacture of 19 F-35 Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) for the U.S. Air Force; six F-35 Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps; four F-35 Carrier Variant (CV) aircraft for the U.S. Navy; two F-35 CTOL aircraft for Norway; three F-35 CTOL aircraft for Italy; and one (1) F-35 STOVL for the United Kingdom. This modification also provides for LRIP Lot 7 production requirements, including manufacturing support equipment, diminishing manufacturing sources management, ancillary mission equipment, including Pilot Flight Equipment, and concurrency changes to LRIP Lot 7 aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, and for non-U.S. DoD Participants in the F-35 Program. Concurrency changes are changes to the LRIP Lot 7 configuration baseline resulting from the F-35 development effort. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas; El Segundo, Calif.; Warton, United Kingdom; Orlando, Fla.; Nashua, N.H.; Baltimore, Md.; and Cameri, Italy. Aircraft deliveries are expected to be completed in October 2016. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (53.55 percent), Marine Corps (16.67 percent), Navy (11.79 percent); and the governments of Italy, Norway, United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, the Netherlands, Canada, and Denmark (34.46 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

FGNW launches marketing push

NICEVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's Great Northwest, a regional economic development group representing 16 counties, has launched an 18-month strategy to market the Panhandle to aerospace companies. It includes a postcard campaign, a promotional video and attendance at industry events. The program was crafted in cooperation with local economic development organizations, Gulf Power and PowerSouth. (Source: FGNW, 09/26/13) Context: The Panhandle has a long history of involvement in aerospace, including military pilot training and weapons development. Efforts to push for more were spurred in large part by the Airbus decision to build a $600 million Airbus assembly line in Mobile, Ala., to the west of the Panhandle. Earlier in the month, five Panhandle counties formed the Gulf Coast Aerospace Coalition, which plans to attend several events in Europe in coming weeks. (Post).

Ground broken on aviation school

FAIRHOPE, Ala. -- Ground was broken Friday on a $2.7 million aviation training facility at the H.L "Sonny" Callahan Airport in Fairhope. The school is for students from Baldwin County high schools and will teach aviation technical skills, industrial maintenance and welding. The first phase will be a 15,000-square-foot building. (Source: WALA-TV, 09/27/13) Previous: Aviation center opening delayed; Context: Construction of a $600 million Airbus A320 final assembly line to the west in Mobile, Ala., has sparked a lot of interest in aerospace. Background: No college, no future? Think again, Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Quarterly, September 2013.

Contract: Del-Jen, $26.7M

Del-Jen, Inc., Clarksville, Tenn., is being awarded a $26,679,395 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N69450-07-D-0770) to exercise option two for base operation support services at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and surrounding areas including Saufley Field, Corry Station, and Bronson Field. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $171,418,002. Work will be performed in Pensacola and work is expected to be September 2014. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/13)

Contract: Chemring, $16.1M

Chemring Ordnance Inc., Perry, Fla., was awarded a $16,100,832 non-multi-year, contract with options for procurement of the Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS) MK 7 MOD 2, National Stock Number 1375-01-508-4975. APOBS is an explosive live charge system that allows safe breaching through complex antipersonnel obstacles, particularly land mines. This procurement is in support of critical U.S. Army, Marine, and Navy requirements. The performance location is Perry, Fla. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting office (W52P1J-11-C-0037). (Source: DoD, 09/26/13)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $102.6M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $102,586,003 modification to an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA8106-09-C-0001) for logistics support of the T-1A aircraft at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., Vance AFB, Okla., Randolph AFB, Texas, and Laughlin AFB, Texas. The contract modification is for the exercise of an option for an additional year of services under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Madison and is expected to be completed by Oct. 1, 2014. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WLKLA, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/26/13)

Airbus inks more orders

Wednesday was a busy day for Airbus A320 purchases, with 43 orders valued at $4.2 billion announced at the 15th Aviation Expo China in Beijing, and another $10 billion memorandum of understanding announced outside the expo. The $10 billion deal is with Vietnam's VietJetAir, which signed a MoU for 42 A320neo, 14 A320ceo and six A321ceo, plus 30 purchase rights for the A320 family (Source: Airbus, 09/25/13). At the expo, BOC Aviation, the Singapore-based aircraft leasing subsidiary of Bank of China, announced a firm order for the purchase of 13 A320ceo and 12 A320neo. The order comprises A320 and A321 variants. BOC Aviation will make its engine selection at a later date (Source: Airbus, 09/25/13). Also, newly established Qingdao Airlines signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for five A320ceo and 18 A320neo (Source: Airbus, 09/25/13), and Zhejiang Loong Airlines signed a MoU for 11 A320ceo and nine A320neo. (Source: Airbus, 09/25/13). Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., to help meet demand for the popular family of aircraft. Previous: Airbus ups demand forecast

Dothan airport gets $1M grant

Dothan-Houston County Airport Authority Inc. on Wednesday was awarded a $1 million federal grant for infrastructure upgrades by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The money will be used for roadway and water system improvements to support an aircraft maintenance and inspection business. It's expected that the investment will help create 300 jobs and generate $7.5 million in private investment. Dothan was one of 16 projects in 11 states awarded $21.1 million to support economic development projects. (Source: al.com, U.S. Economic Development Administration, 09/25/13) Previous: $12M investment in Dothan MRO

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $8.3M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded an $8,271,023 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-4001) for contractor logistics services in support of T-39N and T-39G aircraft and associated equipment used in student naval flight officer training. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed in March 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/25/13)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $11M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $10,956,633 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-12-D-0016) to exercise an option for logistics support services in support of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Half the work will be done in Pensacola and half in Corpus Christi, and is expected to be completed in September 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/25/13)

Contract: Rolls-Royce, $50.7M

Rolls-Royce Defense Services Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $50,728,950 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-09-D-0002) to exercise an option for intermediate and depot level maintenance and related logistics support for about 223 in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Miss. (47 percent); NAS Kingsville, Texas (46 percent), NAS Pensacola, Fla. (6 percent), and NAS Patuxent River, Md. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/25/13)

Airport sports new old look

NEW ORLEANS -- Restoration of the 1930-era Lakefront Airport terminal along Lake Pontchartrain will be unveiled Saturday at 10 a.m. Damage from Hurricane Katrina led to the decision to restore the terminal to its original Depression-era look. Construction on the original building began around 1929, and the airport started taking commercial flights in 1933 but wasn't officially christened until 1934. During the Cold War the building was remodeled, turned into a virtual fortress with concrete two inches thick. But the architects recognized the importance of the art deco design and were careful to protect it for posterity. That care made the renovation possible. (Source: Times Picayune, 09/25/13)

F-35C fleet roll-out planned

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Navy will mark the F-35C introduction to the fleet with a roll-out ceremony Oct.1 at this joint training base. Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101), the fleet readiness squadron responsible for training F-35C pilots and maintenance personnel, will host the ceremony. The squadron stood up last year with 20 personnel and now has more than 100. The initial cadre of F-35C aviators will become instructor pilots to prepare for the transition of the first fleet squadron from the F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35C. (Source: Seapower magazine, 09/24/13)

ABMs learning what F-35s need

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- In another move forward with the F-35, air battle managers from the 337th Air Control Squadron have begun working with the plane. The F-35s, based at nearby Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., require a different set of operating rules than other fighters. The new set of rules are being written by air battle manager instructors who have had the chance to control the F-35. Air battle managers provide pilots with information they may not have, like vectors to the nearest refueling tanker or the number of enemy aircraft in an area. Information a pilot may need varies from aircraft to aircraft. Air battle managers must know the different capabilities of each aircraft. Air battle managers go through nine months of training at the 337th ACS at Tyndall, home to the Air Force's other fifth generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing, 09/24/13)

Things looking up for F-35

Reuters reports that Lockheed Martin anticipates dozens of international orders or commitments for the F-35 in coming months, according to U.S. government officials and industry executives. The program got a boost Tuesday when South Korea rejected the Boeing F-15 and said it needed a fifth-generation fighter. Singapore may also announce an order for a dozen F-35s during the Singapore air show in February. (Source: Reuters, 09/24/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Airbus ups demand forecast

Airbus raised its long-term jet demand forecast, saying the world would need to double its fleet as Asia's increasingly affluent middle class takes to the skies. The latest Global Market Forecast on Tuesday said airlines, lessors and cargo operators would need some 29,220 new passenger and freighter jets worth $4.4 trillion over the next 20 years. Its latest forecast includes 28,355 passenger jets valued at $4.1 trillion, up 3.7 percent from its previous estimate a year ago, and 871 freighters, up 1.6 percent. In June, Boeing revised up its own 20-year market demand forecast by 3.8 percent. Both planemakers anticipate a surge in Asian travel. (Sources: multiple, including Airbus, Reuters, 09/24/13) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line at Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, Ala. The A320 is the most popular line of Airbus jets. Previous: Boeing ups demand forecast; Airbus ups estimate of aircraft need

Contract: Raytheon, $11.2M

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $11,206,567 firm-fixed-price contract for 16 GBU-49 telemetry, 17 GBU-50 telemetry and a ten year warranty. Work will be performed at Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by July 1, 2025. This is a 100 percent foreign military sales for Saudi Arabia. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/EBDK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/24/13)

Contract: Summit, $26M

Summit Construction Inc., Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., is being awarded two contracts. One is a $13,085,132 firm-fixed-price contract to add/alter the commissary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Eustis, Va. The contract is for a 594-day period based on the issuance of the notice-to-proceed which is expected in November 2013. The other contract is a $12,905,184 firm-fixed-price contract for the architectural/refrigeration upgrade to the commissary at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The contract is for a 597-day period based on the issuance of the notice-to-proceed which is expected in November 2013. The contracting activity for both contracts is the Defense Commissary Agency, Enterprise Acquisition Division, Construction Design Branch, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (Source: DoD, 09/24/13)

Personnel chief visits Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The chief of naval personnel visited Naval Education and Training Command's tenant commands at Naval Air Station Pensacola today. It was Vice Adm. William F. Moran's first visit to Pensacola as CNP. As he worked his way through the aviation and information dominance training pipelines, he addressed questions on the current budget discussions taking place in Washington. Moran said Navy leadership was focused on the situation and would continue keep the fleet informed on the impacts of a potential government shutdown, continuing resolution and sequestration. (Source: NNS, 09/24/13)

Two more Airbus jobs posted

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas posted two new managerial job openings for the $600 million assembly line being built at Brookley Aeroplex. One position is director of aircraft delivery, and the other is manufacturing engineer manager. Both positions require a minimum of nine months' training abroad. Airbus also has openings for three liaison engineer positions. Airbus will do the final assembly of the A320 family of passenger liners at the Mobile plant. Eventually it will have about 1,000 workers. (Source: al.com, 09/24/13)

Summit landing in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- A city long known as one of the nation's premiere aerospace and defense centers will host the third aerospace summit of the four-state Aerospace Alliance next month at the Von Braun Center. The agenda includes discussions about unmanned aerial systems, a session on composites manufacturing, commercial space programs and an update on the $600 million Airbus final assembly line being built in Alabama's port city of Mobile. Two previous summits were held in Destin, Fla., and New Orleans, along the Interstate 10 aerospace corridor. (Source: GCAC, 09/24/13)

Networking lunch set

The Gulf Coast Government Contractors Association and the National Finance Center have scheduled a networking luncheon for Wednesday in New Orleans. The National Finance Center Industry Outreach and Networking Luncheon is at the Lindy Bogg International Conference Center at University of New Orleans Lakeside, with welcoming remarks at 8:30 a.m. (To register: GCGCA)

QF-16 makes unmanned flight

QF-16 on unmanned flight.
Air Force photo

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – A QF-16 drone made its first unmanned sortie at Tyndall Air Force Base last Thursday, officials said. The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron and Boeing conducted the flight, the first step in a two year process to phase out the QF-4 Full Scale Aerial Target. A pilot performed all the normal preflight checks before climbing out of the cockpit and locking the canopy from the outside. Control was then turned over to Thomas Mudge, 82nd ATRS pilot controller, sitting in a control room on the opposite side of base. The QF-16 took off at 3 p.m. for an hour long sortie, conducting a series of simulated maneuvers and reaching supersonic speeds before returning to base and landing. The first QF-16 was delivered to Tyndall in November 2012 for operational and developmental testing to ensure their viability for aerial targets. (Source: Tyndall Air Force Base, 09/23/13) Background story: "New drones a quantum leap," Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Quarterly.

MQ-8C power turned on

MQ-8C on the flight line prior to testing.
Northrop Grumman photo

Northrop Grumman turned on the power to the Navy's first MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter and rotated the aircraft's four blades for the first time during initial ground testing and engine runs at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, Calif., Sept. 20. Conducting initial engine runs of the aircraft allows engineers to collect data to ensure that all the aircraft's systems are functioning and communicating properly prior to its first flight. The C model upgrade to the Fire Scout system provides the Navy with more than twice the endurance and three times the payload carrying capacity. Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the Fire Scout program and is currently under contract to produce MQ-8C aircraft for deployment beginning in 2014. (Source: PRNewswire, 09/23/13) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are made in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Triton sensor tested

Northrop Grumman completed more than 25 flight tests of the U.S. Navy Triton unmanned aircraft system's primary maritime surveillance sensor in preparation for its installation on the aircraft. The company is conducting risk-reduction tests of the Multi-Function Active Sensor using a Gulfstream II surrogate aircraft off the California coast. The radar will provide the Triton with a 360-degree view of ocean and coastal regions. The Navy's program calls for 68 aircraft to be built. (Source: Space Daily, 09/22/13) Gulf Coast note: Tritons are variants of the Global Hawk and are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Contract: Raytheon, $39M

Raytheon Co., El Segundo, Calif., is being awarded $39,000,000 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0048 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement for the procurement of 15 AN/APG-79 AESA radar systems for the F/A-18 E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in Forest, Miss. (80 percent), and El Segundo, Calif. (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2015. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/23/13)

Contract: UTC, $214.8M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $214,843,107 modification to the previously awarded F-35 Lot VI low rate initial production advance acquisition contract. This modification provides for initial spare modules, initial spare parts, replenishment spare parts, and production non-recurring efforts, including tooling, for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, the United Kingdom, Italy, The Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Norway. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (67 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom (16.5 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (16.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2016. This contract combines purchases for the Navy and Marine Corps (51 percent); Air Force (34 percent); Italy (4 percent); the United Kingdom (3 percent); Australia (3 percent); The Netherlands; Turkey; Canada; Denmark; and Norway (each 1 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/23/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Food fight starts at airport

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A fight is brewing over what group will land a 10-year food concession contract at Pensacola International Airport. On one side is a group that wants to bring five national brands to the airport, and on the other a team that wants local eateries represented. The issue boils down to money, but there's even a disagreement between the two sides over that. The issue goes before the Pensacola city council Thursday. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 09/21/13)

Economic symposium nears

The 2013 Gulf Power Economic Symposium, "Building the Future," will be held Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Sandestin Resort in Destin, Fla. While the focus includes a range of economic development issues, aerospace is one area of high interest. On the agenda is "Airbus – Building Today for Tomorrow's Future.” Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., and it will have an impact on an area well beyond Mobile. Michelle Hurdle, director of economic and community development for Airbus Americas Inc., and Larry Sassano, president of Florida's Great Northwest, will discuss Airbus and its impact. Other talks during the event include creating a culture of innovation, the role of the state in economic development and Northwest Florida talent development initiatives. (Source: GCAC, 09/22/13) Agenda and registration

Space observation plan working

Changes to the existing U.S. space-object tracking network, adopted to replace the recently shuttered Air Force Space Surveillance System, appears to be working. That's what Gen. William Shelton, commander of Air Force Space Command, said at a conference in Hawaii earlier this month. The Air Force expects to save about $14 million a year by shutting down Space Fence, a line of radars stretching across the southern United States and a key part of the overall U.S. Space Surveillance Networks. To compensate for the loss, the Space Command modified operating modes for some of its other space tracking assets, specifically the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Characterization System at Cavalier Air Force Station in North Dakota and the space surveillance radar at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Shelton said the Air Force has retained certain tracking capabilities that were thought to be unique to the AFSSS. He said that at Eglin there was one day during which the number of observations of space objects doubled. (Source: Space News, 09/20/13) Previous: Space Fence shutting down?; Eglin radar fills gap

Contract: L3 Vertex, $11.8M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison Miss., has been awarded an $11,781,299 modification to previously awarded FA3002-11-C-0001 for trainer maintenance services. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/20/13)

Contract: Lockheed, $24.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $24,851,082 modification to previously awarded FA8611-08-C-2897 for technology upgrades to facilitate a new operating system. Effort includes technology refresh for F-22 training systems at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., as well as Sheppard, Langley, Nellis, Hickam, and Elmendorf Air Force bases. Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, with an expected completion date of March 30, 2018. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/20/13)

Contract: Lockheed, $10.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $10,774,083 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide initial non-prime mission equipment and interim technical support for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter United States Reprogramming Laboratory. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (70 percent) and in Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2015. Fiscal 2012 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,774,083 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/20/13)

Contract: Lockheed, $20.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $20,461,696 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement and delivery of electronic components needed to support F-35 production and sustainment requirements due to current diminishing manufacturing sources. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2013. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($9,252,671); U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($23,752,211); and international partners ($6,775,872). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/20/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $46M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $46,018,410 modification to the previously awarded F-35 low rate initial production Lot VI advance acquisition contract. This modification provides for the non-recurring technical efforts for manufacturing technology transfer and planning tasks required to ensure a manufacturing base with sufficient technical knowledge is established to support F-35 production requirements. Work will be performed in California, Texas, United Kingdom, New Hampshire, Georgia, Florida, New York, and Canada and is expected to be completed in June 2013. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/20/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Engine partnership dropped

Rolls-Royce and United Technologies Corp. have agreed not to proceed with a joint venture to develop an engine to power future mid-size aircraft. A press release from Rolls-Royce said it was because of the current regulatory environment. The partnership between Rolls-Royce and UTC unit Pratt & Whitney was first announced in the fall of 2011. At the time the prediction was that there would be a need for nearly 45,000 engines over the next 20 years. In addition to the joint-venture agreement in 2011, Rolls-Royce agreed to sell its stake in the International Aero Engines venture to Pratt & Whitney. That $1.5 billion deal closed in June 2012. (Source: Rolls-Royce, Wall Street Journal, Aviation Week, 09/19/13) Gulf Coast note: Rolls-Royce tests engines at Stennis Space Center, Miss.; UTC operates a service center in Foley, Ala. Previous; related

Lufthansa picks XWB engines

Lufthansa selected Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines worth $1.5 billion, including service support, to power 25 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline also has options for a further 30 of the aircraft. The Trent XWB is the fastest-selling member of the Trent engine family, with more than1,400 ordered prior to its entry into service next year. Lufthansa has 60 Trent-powered Airbus A380s, A330s and A340s either in service or on order. (Source: Rolls-Royce, 09/19/13) Gulf Coast note: Rolls-Royce tests its Trent engines, including the XWB, at its outdoor test stand at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Third AEHF takes off

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The third in a series of secure U.S. military communications satellites successfully launched today aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The Advanced Extremely High Frequency-3 satellite faces 110 days of orbit-raising operations and 60 days of testing, according to a U.S. Air Force press release. Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Sunnyvale, Calif., is building six AEHF satellites under a contract worth some $9 billion. When fully deployed, the AEHF constellation will consist of four satellites in geostationary orbit and secure communications payloads hosted aboard classified satellites in polar orbit. (Source: Spacenews, 09/18/13) Gulf Coast note: Core propulsion system work on the AEHF satellite is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Cygnus heads toward ISS

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. – After a one-day delay, Orbital Science's Cygnus spacecraft took off today atop an Antares rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. The commercial spacecraft is heading for the International Space Station with about 1,500 pounds of clothes, food, water and other items. The spacecraft is due to arrive early Sunday, when it will be captured by astronauts using the outpost's robotic arm. If everything goes as planned, Cygnus will be the second commercial spacecraft to dock with ISS. SpaceX's Dragon capsule was the first. (Sources: multiple, including Space.com, Washington Post, 09/18/13) Gulf Coast note: The Antares engines were tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $99M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $99,010,000 modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract to provide long lead-time parts, material and components required for the delivery of 19 conventional take off and landing F-35 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting authority. (Source: DoD, 09/18/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Dutch agree to F-35 buy

The Netherlands will buy 37 F-35s to replace its fleet of F-16s, the Dutch defense ministry said Tuesday. The new aircraft will enter service from 2019. The number of jets the Netherlands agreed to buy is sharply lower than the 85 it had initially sought to purchase, but the purchase has long been anticipated since the Netherlands has participated in the F-35 development. But the Netherlands’ defense minister said the government chose the plane purely for operational reasons. (Source: Financial Times, 09/17/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center. Previous: 2nd Dutch F-35 rolls out; First Dutch F-35 rolls out; Dutch waffle on F-35 purchase

F-35 tires wear out too soon

Landing-gear tires made by the UK's Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. for the Marine Corps version of the F-35 have "been experiencing an unacceptable wear rate when operating as a conventional aircraft," according to Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Defense Department's F-35 program office. He said the $1,500 tire demonstrates adequate wear when the aircraft performs short takeoffs and vertical landings intended for amphibious warfare vessels and improvised runways. The Pentagon is working with Lockheed Martin and Birmingham, UK-based Dunlop Tyres on a new design that will be introduced next year. (Source: Bloomberg, 09/17/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Eglin slates POW/MIA event

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- In recognition of National POW/MIA Day, Eglin Air Force Base will honor America's former prisoners of war and missing in action with a ceremony Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. Retired Col. John Steit, a Korean War POW, will be the guest speaker at the event at the Air Force Armament Museum, outside the main gate. (Source: Eglin Public Affairs, 09/16/13)

Contract: EMR, $11.4M

Environmental Management Resources Inc., Lawrence, Kan., is being awarded $11,444,076 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract for renovation and repair of Corry "A" School Bachelor Quarters 3707 and 3708 at Corry Station, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Work is expected to be completed by March 2015. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/16/13)

Contract: MS DRS, $6.8M

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $6,827,220 modification to previously awarded contract for full food services. The contract modification exercises the first option for full food services being procured under the base contract. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2017. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/16/13)

Fire station to serve base, airport

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A Federal Aviation Administration grant of $2.74 million will be used to build a new $3 million rescue and fire station on military land south of the Northwest Florida Regional Airport terminal. Okaloosa County will contribute $154.8 million and the state Department of Transportation will provide $150,000. County Airports Director Sunil Harman said the station will serve the airport and base. Both have seen an increase in operations. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 09/14/13)

Airbus plant steel column raised

A steel column goes vertical.
Airbus photo

MOBILE, Ala. -- Following the completion of the ground work at Brookley Aeroplex for the Airbus final assembly line, the first steel column was raised to a vertical position Thursday. The steel support, rising 100 feet into the air, is the first of many that will form the frame for the final assembly building. A320 family aircraft assembly in Mobile is scheduled to begin in 2015, with first deliveries from the facility in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018. (Source: Airbus, 09/13/13)

Contract: Lockheed, $75.7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $75,726,105 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to the previously awarded F-35 Lightning II Low Rate Initial Production Lot VI Advance Acquisition contract. This modification provides for the diminishing manufacturing sources redesign efforts in support of the Joint Strike Fighter Lot VI effort. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (29 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (21 percent); Cheltenham, United Kingdom (13 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (9 percent); Baltimore, Md. (9 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (7 percent); Orlando, Fla. (6 percent); Nashua, N.H. (2 percent); Owego, N.Y. (1 percent); Rockville, Md. (1 percent); Camden, N.J. (1 percent); and Sarasota, Fla. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/13/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $149M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $149,041,442 fixed-price-incentive-firm modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract for the redesign and qualification of replacement F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Electronic Warfare system components due to current diminishing manufacturing sources. One percent of the work will be done in Crestview, Fla. Other work performance sites are Nashua, N.H. (73 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (23 percent); Orlando, Fla. (2 percent); and Greenville, S.C. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (63 percent), Navy (8.3 percent), Marine Corps (7.4 percent), and international partners (21.3 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/12/13)

Contract: Northrop, $169.9M

Northrop Grumman Corp., Aerospace Systems Sector, San Diego, Calif., has been awarded a $169,851,218 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification on a definitization of an undefinitized contract action for contract logistics support for the RQ-4 Global Hawk. The contractor shall provide all logistics support activities which includes fielded air vehicles, engines, payloads, ground segments and support segments. Work will be performed at San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2014. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WIKBA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/12/13) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

AEHF encapsulated for launch

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite built by Lockheed Martin has been encapsulated into its payload fairing in preparation for a Sept. 18 liftoff aboard an Atlas V from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The system is the nation's only protected strategic and tactical satellite communications program. It works in concert with its predecessor, Milstar, for global coverage. Lockheed Martin is under contract to deliver six AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. AEHF-1 and AEHF-2 are both in orbit and AEHF-4 is progressing on schedule. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 09/11/13) Gulf Coast note: Work on the AEHF core propulsion system is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

NASA to televise Orbital mission

NASA will provide live coverage of the Sept. 17 launch of Orbital Science Corp.'s cargo resupply demonstration mission to the International Space Station. Orbital is the second commercial company to send a mission to the ISS. SpaceX was the first. The company's Cygnus cargo carrier will be launched aboard Orbital's Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Cygnus will deliver about 1,300 pounds of cargo to the Expedition 37 crew aboard the space station. Rendezvous with the space station is scheduled for Sept. 22. (Source: NASA, 09/10/13) Gulf Coast note: The Antares first-stage is powered by twin AJ26 engines tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

SSC does what's needed for stand

Worker welds pipe. NASA/SSC photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Need a massive rocket engine tested without disturbing the neighbors? Yeah, they can do that at NASA's Stennis Space Center. Need to fabricate a 7,000-pound part, or how about miles of piping? Well, sure, they can do that, too. Call it a can-do attitude at SSC, NASA's premier rocket engine test facility since the 1960s. Work is well under way to prepare for the next big project, testing the RS-25 engines that will power the core stage of NASA's next generation Space Launch System. (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Quarterly, 09/10/13) Full quarterly

New drones quantum leap

QF-16 at Tyndall. Air Force photo

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Retired F-16 Fighting Falcons, among the most lethal warplanes to roll off an assembly line, are getting a new lease on life that will let them go out with a bang. About 200 of the planes are being converted into full scale, pilotless aerial targets. They'll help the military gauge the effectiveness of new weapons and perfect the skills of military aviators. And while drones may seem like the newest of the new in some areas, for Tyndall Air Force Base they're old hat. (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Quarterly, 09/10/13) Full quarterly

No college, no future? Think again

Aviation training at Brookley. GCAC photo

MOBILE, Ala. -- The expansion of the aerospace industry across the Gulf Coast is creating demand for skilled production workers, and local business and educational leaders say the future has never been brighter for students interested in aviation careers. "I tell all my incoming students: Aviation is not just a job, it's a profession," said Kyle Cook, director of Mobile's Alabama Aviation Center. "It truly can take you above and beyond a lot of other jobs – including a few that might surprise you." (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Quarterly, 09/10/13) Full quarterly

Pensacola's 350-acre lure

Land use map. Courtesy Pensacola airport

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Greg Donovan is a bit enthusiastic. But consider this: he's director of the second busiest airport in the region; Airbus is building an assembly line 60 miles away; the U.S. is becoming more appealing to manufacturers; and his airport has 350 acres that can be put on the table. Now that the city council has approved the land use plan, all systems are go for attracting aviation companies. (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Quarterly, 09/10/13) Full quarterly

Global Hawks hit 100K hours

Northrop Grumman's high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft systems have achieved 100,000 flight hours, more than 88 percent of which were logged by the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk. The remaining hours were flown by the NASA Global Hawks, the German Euro Hawk and the U.S. Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator and, more recently, Triton. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 09/09/13) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawk and its variants are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

MAA hires projects manager

MOBILE, Ala. -- Russell L. Stallings has joined the Mobile Airport Authority as director of capital projects and improvements. Stallings brings three decades of construction industry experience to the position. Among other things, he’ll coordinate the $600 million Airbus construction project and oversee other projects at the Brookley Aeroplex. Roger Wehner, the airport authority’s executive director, applauded the "world-class" experience Stallings’ brings to Brookley. Airbus broke ground in April on the final assembly line project. (Source: al.com, 09/09/13)

Airbus seeks liaison engineers

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas is seeking liaison engineers for the $600 million aircraft assembly line being built at Mobile's Brookley Aeroplex. Liaison engineers who specialize in installation, structure and systems are needed for the Mobile facility. All three positions require a minimum of 10 months training abroad, and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a focus on aerospace, electrical, mechanical or aircraft construction. (Source: al.com, 09/09/13)

J-2X tests on A-1 end

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – A series of hotfire tests on the next generation J-2X rocket engine came to an end Thursday. The gimbal test of Rocketdyne J-2X No. 10002 was a 330-second test fire on the A-1 test stand. Now NASA has its sights on testing the Rocketdyne RS-25. Both engines will be used with NASA's Space Launch System. The J-2X will be used on the upper stage and the RS-25 on the core stage. (Source: NASA/SSC, 09/05/13) Previous

Aerospace coalition formed

Economic development officials in five counties formed the Gulf Coast Aerospace Coalition in a bid to work together to attract aerospace companies to Northwest Florida. The group includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties. In December, members of the coalition will travel to Hamburg, Germany, to attend the Global Aerospace Supply Chain Conference in Hamburg on Dec. 4-5, and a Northwest Florida Leadership Forum will be held in Hamburg on Dec. 8-11. (Sources: Panama City News Herald, Greater Pensacola Chamber, 09/05/13)

Contract: Northrop, $10M

Northrop Grumman Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a not-to-exceed $9,981,663 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for additional operations and maintenance services in support of the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance - Demonstrator, Unmanned Aircraft System, also known as the Global Hawk Maritime - Demonstrator. The services include manpower to increase BAMS-D operational tempo from the current nine maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions per month to a sustained level of 15 missions per month. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (70 percent), and outside continental United States (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2014. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/06/13) Gulf Coast note: The BAMS aircraft and follow-up Triton are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Mobile planes in Delta order

Delta Air Lines plans to buy 40 Airbus jetliners from 2015-17, including 30 single-aisle A321 and 10 wide-body A330s, company officials said. The airline has selected CFM56-5B engines from CFM International to power its A321s. As a result of the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines, the Delta fleet includes 126 A320 aircraft. Airbus' new final assembly line being built in Mobile, Ala., will deliver its first A321 jets in the fall of 2016 to Jet Blue Airlines, but Airbus said many of Delta's A321s are expected to be assembled in Mobile at Brookley Aeroplex. Delta's first three A321s will be delivered in the first quarter of 2016, with 12 more throughout the year. The other 15 are scheduled for 2017. (Sources: PRNewswire, Airbus, 09/04/13)

A2100 satellite reaches milestone

The Lockheed Martin A2100 communications satellite series has reached a milestone by chalking up over 400 cumulative years of successful, in-orbit operations. The orbiting fleet consists of 45 commercial and U.S. government communication satellites equipped with over 1,500 transponders transmitting data, video and audio for operators worldwide. In addition to commercial applications, the A2100 satellite is the platform for communications programs for the U.S. government, including the Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Mobile User Objective System. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 09/03/13) Gulf Coast note: Core propulsion system work on the A2100 is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous: Navy's second MUOS launched; MUOS-2 stored awaiting launch; Core delivered to SSC

MAA, group at odds over info request

The FOIA Group Inc., threatens to take legal action against the Mobile Airport Authority for denying a Freedom of Information Act request pertaining to the Airbus plant being built at Brookley Aeroplex. Roger Wehner, the authority’s executive director, said the request was denied to protect the interests of current and future Brookley tenants, not just Airbus. He said that if MAA, which is in the economic development business, handed over proprietary information, "we wouldn't be in the economic development business much longer," Wehner said. (Source: al.com, 09/03/13)

Euro Hawk sets record

Euro Hawk in Germany. Cassidian photo

MANCHING, Germany -- The Euro Hawk unmanned aircraft system set an endurance record last month when it flew for 25.3 hours in European airspace. Built by Northrop Grumman, operating through its subsidiary Northrop Grumman ISS International Inc. and Cassidian, the UAS climbed to 58,600 feet over Manching Air Base, Germany. Europ Hawk has completed 19 flights and about 200 flight hours. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 09/03/13) Gulf Coast note: Euro Hawks were built in part in Moss Point, Miss. Previous