Contract: Pratt and Whitney, $793M

Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $793,051,336 modification to the previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target Low Rate Initial Production Lot VIII F135 propulsion systems contract (N00019-13-C-0016). This modification provides for the procurement of 19 F135-PW-100 Conventional Take Off and Landing propulsion systems for the U.S. Air Force; six F135-PW-600 Short Take-off and Vertical Landing propulsion systems for the U.S. Marine Corps; and four F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy. In addition, the modification provides for four F135-PW-100 propulsion systems and four F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for international partners, eight F135-PW-100 propulsion systems, and three F135-PW-100 spare propulsion systems for foreign military sales countries. This modification further provides for program administrative labor, engineering assistance to production, and spare modules. Work will be performed in Middletown, Conn. (67 percent); Bristol, U.K. (16.5 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (16.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy and Air Force), international partner, and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $793,051,336 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchase for the U.S. Air Force (33 percent); the U.S. Navy (30 percent); international partners (19 percent); and foreign military sales (18 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/30/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $411.1M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $411,111,649 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0031) for the repair and replenishment of government-owned F-35 fighter assets, including spare parts for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and international partners. In addition, this modification provides for sustainment analysis and training related efforts. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, U.K. (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by November 2015. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force); fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy and Air Force); fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force); and international partner funds in the amount of $159,958,125 are being obligated at time of award, $55,569,144 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (17 percent); the U.S. Marine Corps (27 percent); the U.S. Air Force (49 percent); and the international partners (7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contract activity. (Source: DoD, 10/30/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Fleet helos gather at Whiting

MILTON, Fla. – A host of aircraft have gathered at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., for the 25th annual Fleet Fly-In. The event is designed to let military student pilots see the aircraft they will fly once they go out in the fleet. Some two dozen Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft will be at the base for three days taking students on familiarization flights. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 10/29/14)

War game grows

GULFPORT, Miss. -- Military aircraft and vessels from across the country are participating in a two-week training exercise at the National Guard's Trent Lott Combat Readiness Training Center at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. More than 52 units are reportedly involved in the war games. Called Southern Strike, the exercise involves no large land force, but does involve special operations units calling in mock air strikes. The exercise has grown each of its first three years, first involving just the Air National Guard and then expanding across the U.S. military branches over the following two years to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, FBI and Special Operations Forces. (Source: Sun Herald, 10/28/14)

First Mobile jetliner will be A321

The first jetliner that will come out of the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., will be an A321 rather than an A320 as originally planned. That's what Airbus Americas President Barry Eccleston told an audience in Seattle Tuesday. The move reflects the rising demand for the bigger jet. It will be an A321ceo, or “current engine option,” and it will roll out in April 2016. In the year through September, Airbus has booked 311 gross orders for the A321, which seats about 185 in a two-class configuration but up to 220 for economy carriers. (Source: Reuters, 10/28/14) The Mobile plant will open in the fall of 2015 and eventually produce four to five A320 family planes a month.

Antares blows up on liftoff

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. – An Orbital Science Antares rocket exploded just after liftoff Tuesday night, destroying the rocket, cargo and causing damage on the launch pad. The rocket, on a mission to bring supplies to the International Space Station, was unmanned and blew up about six seconds after leaving the launch pad at NASA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The Cygnus spacecraft had some 5,000 pounds of supplies and experiments aboard. (Sources: multiple, including WKMG-TV, CBS News, CNN, 10/28/14) Gulf Coast note: The Antares first stage is powered by twin AJ26 engines tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. In May 2014, an AJ26 engine being tested at the E complex reportedly exploded halfway through a test. Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $391.6M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $391,607,952 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide recurring sustainment support for delivered air systems for the F-35 Lightning II program including, but not limited to: ground maintenance activities; action request resolution; depot activation activities; Automatic Logistics Information System operations and maintenance; reliability, maintainability and health management implementation and support; supply chain management; and activities to provide and support pilot and maintainer initial training for the U.S Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and international partners. Work will be performed at Fort Worth (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, U.K. (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2015. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps) funds, and international partner funds in the amount of $360,313,730, are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured according to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contract activity (N00019-15-C-0031). (Source: DoD, 10/28/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $220.7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $220,748,611 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0070). This modification provides for the System Development and Demonstration Phase I Increment 2, to continue support of F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) air system for the government of Israel under the foreign military sales program. This modification includes the development and demonstration of the hardware and software for the Israel F-35A CTOL air system. Work will be performed at Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in March 2019. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $77,777,441 are being obligated on this award, none 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, 10/28/14)

Contract: Raytheon, $35M

Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., has been awarded a $35,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Joint Miniature Munitions Bomb Rack Unit (JMM BRU) aircraft integration and lifecycle technical support. Contractor will provide aircraft integration and life cycle technical support throughout the technology development and engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD); and EMD F-15 flight test and production phases. Work will be performed at Indianapolis and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2014 Navy research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $634,398 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-15-D-0054). (Source: DoD, 10/28/14)

Job fair, open house set

MOBILE, Ala. –Alabama Aviation Center is holding a career fair and open house Saturday at 1975 Avenue C at Mobile Aeroplex. Participating companies are AMRO, Aerostar, Airbus, Segers Aero, UTC Aerospace Systems and VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering. The job fair begins at 8 a.m. and open house at 10. Employers are seeking current and future A/P mechanics, composite technicians, avionic technicians and mechanics and lead mechanics, sheet metal assemblers, design engineers, master structure technicians, IT specialists, ground test engineers, flight test engineers and team leaders. The center is a division of Enterprise State Community College. (Source: al.com, 10/27/14)

Base expands aerostat program

Drone Aviation Corp., of Jacksonville, Fla., recently said it was hired to expand the capabilities of the state-of-the-art balloon it provided to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., earlier this year. The aerostat systems can be fitted with cameras, communications equipment, sensors and other information-gathering systems. At Eglin, they're used to gather information about a weapons or munitions test. The Army has had multiple contracts with the company, but Eglin's is the only current Air Force contract. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/26/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $486.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $486,506,664 modification to exercise an option year (P00566) to previously awarded contract FA8611-08-C-2897 for F-22 sustainment activities. Work will be performed at Fort Worth and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8611-08-C-2897). (Source: DoD, 10/27/14)

53d Wing wins STEM awards

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — Airmen from the 53rd Wing earned two Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) awards this year. Air Combat Command earned four of the 15 awards despite representing only three percent of the Air Force’s entire STEM career field. The 2014 Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer STEM award winner in the Junior Civilian category, David Barnette, 36th Electronic Weapons Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., led several electronic countermeasure testing and process improvement techniques for various pod systems. The winner of the Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer Team, the 36th Electronic Weapons Squadron, led several electronic countermeasure testing and process improvement techniques for various pod systems. The team performed similar advances for the B-1B, B-52 and B-2 bombers, producing innovative solutions and quick turnaround results crucial in supporting our Nation’s long range and strategic bombing requirements. (Source: Air Combat Command PAO, 10/21/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $33.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $33,402,219 undefinitized contract action (P00559) to previously awarded contract FA8611-08-C-2897 for AIM-9X Configurable Rail Launcher (CRL) modification to the F-22. Contractor will provide upgrade to 220 AIM-9 CRLs with AIM-9X capability. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2017. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $5,783,310 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/24/14) Gulf Coast note: F-22 pilots are trained at Tyndall Air Force Base, which is also home of an operational F-22 squadron.

Site offers company growing room

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- Edge Aerodynamix Inc., which chose a site near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport for a manufacturing operation, picked the location in part because it will allow it room to grow. The $78 million capital investment will create 120 manufacturing, research and development, and marketing jobs. Edge Aerodynamix develops products designed to save fuel, including its new BladeGuard technology, designed to reduce drag. In addition to manufacturing products in West Bay, northwest of Panama City, it also will have an R&D and marketing operation at the site. The company considered a range of domestic and international locations. "Northwest Florida has grown to be one of the top regions for aviation and aerospace companies to expand and establish operations," said Gray Swoope, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. The company plans to be in production within a year. (Sources: multiple, including Panama City News Herald, 10/17/14, Area Development, 10/20/14)

MQ-8C ready for at-sea tests

POINT MUGU, Calif. -- The MQ-8C Fire Scout, a larger, more capable version of the heavily tested MQ-8B unmanned surveillance helicopter, is preparing for at-sea testing after successfully completing flight testing and validation in California. The tests performed by the MQ-8C, based on a Bell helicopter airframe, are similar to those performed by the smaller MQ-8B. That smaller, combat-tested drone has been extensively tested at sea. The MQ-8C is utilizing the same proven autonomous system for takeoff and landings as the MQ-8B. Since its first flight Oct. 31, 2013, the MQ-8C has flown 219 flights and 287 hours. Its first ship-based series of flights are planned for later this year. Final assembly for both models is done in Moss Point, Miss. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 10/23/14) Previous

Deal reached on next F-35 batch

Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon reached agreement on a contract worth about $4 billion for an eighth batch of 43 F-35 fighters. It will lower the cost of the plane by about 3 percent and includes jets to be built for the U.S. military, Britain and other U.S. allies. The cost of the U.S. Air Force model, 27 of the 43 aircraft, will go down nearly 4 percent. The deal was expected earlier, but talks slowed after a June engine failure on an F-35 taking off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Source: Reuters, 10/23/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin in Northwest Florida is home of the F-35 integrated training center and has the largest F-35 fleet.

Contract: Airbus D&S, $82.9M

Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded an $82,917,199 modification (P00852) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 to acquire 17 72A Lakota helicopters with airborne radio communications 231 radios. Fiscal 2014 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $82,917,199 were obligated at the time of the award. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $2,660,632,872. Estimated completion date is Jan. 31, 2016. Work will be performed at Columbia, Miss. Ten bids were solicited, with five offers received. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal (Aviation), Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/22/14)

Contract: Whitesell-Green, $9.9M

Whitesell-Green Inc., Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded a $9,947,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repairs to Bachelor Quarters 3709 and 3710 at Corry Station, Naval Air Station Pensacola. The work to be performed provides for interior demolition, minor structural repairs, drywall replacement on walls and ceilings, interior electrical repairs, interior plumbing replacement, installation of fire suppression system and detection systems, window replacement, floor covering replacement, interior and exterior door replacement, roof replacement, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system replacement, miscellaneous interior repairs, and construction of exterior walkways with handrails. Work will be performed in Pensacola and is expected to be completed by May 2016. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,947,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-15-C-0601). (Source: DoD, 10/22/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $110.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $110,515,999 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the procurement and installation of 281 retrofit modification kits to incorporate into designated aircraft and supporting subsystems that are critical to meeting F-35 requirements. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (45 percent); Ogden, Utah (20 percent); Cherry Point, N.C. (20 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (5 percent); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (5 percent); and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. Fiscal 2013, 2014, and 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force) funds, fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force), and Joint Strike Fighter partner funds in the amount of $55,976,500 are being obligated on this award, $759,000 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, 10/22/14)

Northrop to supply Airbus helos

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Northrop Grumman has been selected by Airbus Helicopters to certify and deliver its new LCR-350 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) for several helicopter platforms. Developed by Northrop Grumman's subsidiary in Germany, LCR-350 AHRS can be used in civil and military applications on rotary- and fixed-wing platforms, providing flight control data regarding an aircraft's heading and attitude. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 10/21/14) Gulf Coast note: Airbus Helicopters builds Lakota helicopters in Columbus, Miss.

F-35 load crew qualified

Crew prepare to load GBU-31 on F-35.
Air Force photo

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Three airmen with the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit have become the first qualified operational weapons load crew for the F-35A. The F-35 training program here currently serves as the primary source of F-35 expertise to new F-35A units across the Air Force. A total of 10 weapons load crews are in the wings, and the plan is to bring a new crew through every month. The newly qualified teams will continue to hone their skills and train the weapons load crews at those bases receiving the F-35A. (Source: 33rd Fighter Wing PAO, 10/21/14)

Job postings continue

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus is seeking an aircraft manager for the A320 final assembly line being built at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. It requires three months of training abroad, and the successful candidate will have two to five years' experience in aeronautics. A bachelor's degree is preferred. (Source: al.com, 10/21/14) Also, Airbus is seeking a human resource worker to support the facility’s human resources director. For a complete list of Airbus America jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: al.com, 10/20/14)

Contract: Jacobs, $45M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was awarded a $45,000,000 modification (P0002) to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract W52P1J-13-D-0041 to provide support functions to the Army Sustainment Command Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP), and the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island LOGCAP and reachback divisions. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Oct. 20, 2015. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/20/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $7.7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $7,730,824 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002) to provide updates to the non-recurring effort required to develop a Common F-35A Air System, including the Air Vehicle and the Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment system, for the government of Israel under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., (70 percent), and Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2017. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $2,576,941 will be obligated at time of award, none 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, 10/20/14)

Contract: DynCorp Int., $83.4M

DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an $83,373,932 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract to provide organizational, intermediate, depot-level maintenance and logistics services for 53 T-34, 54 T-44, and 288 T-6 aircraft in support of the Chief of Naval Air Training. Support to be provided includes labor, services, facilities, equipment, tools, related support equipment, direct and indirect material. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (50 percent); Whiting Field, Fla., (39 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (8 percent), and additional locations within the continental United States (3 percent); work is expected to be completed in September 2015. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; five proposals were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-15-D-0003). (Source: DoD, 10/20/14)

NASA partners with innovators

NASA selected four teams of agency technologists for participation in the Early Career Initiative (ECI) pilot program. The program encourages creativity and innovation among early career NASA technologists by engaging them in hands-on technology development opportunities needed for future missions. NASA created the ECI to enable a highly collaborative, joint-partnering work environment between the best and brightest NASA early career innovators and leading innovators in industry, academia and other government organizations. In the Gulf Coast region, one of the teams selected was NASA’s Stennis Space Center, Miss., with partner Innovative Imaging and Research (I2F) of Mississippi. The team will develop and demonstrate a system for high-speed, 3-D, High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging. Video imaging will be performed at the chip level using computational photography, providing NASA with advanced visualization technologies to meet future needs. (Source: NASA via PRNewswire, 10/17/14)

Second Navy Triton takes to skies

The second MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft, a maritime version of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk, has now been flown by the Navy. This aircraft enters testing 17 months after first flight of the original prototype, and a month after the first aircraft completed a cross-country flight from Southern California to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. This second aircraft will now be prepared to complete the same cross-country flight later this month. Data gathered from these test aircraft will be used by the Navy to decide on whether to launch production in fiscal 2017. (Source: Flightglobal, 10/16/14) Previous. Gulf Coast note: Central fuselage work on the Triton and all other variants of the Global Hawk is done in Moss Point, Miss.

More Airbus jobs listed

MOBILE, Ala. -- Support positions are among the latest job descriptions posted by Airbus for the A320 final assembly line being built in Mobile. The company is seeking candidates for both business systems analyst and administrative assistant. For a complete list of Airbus America jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: al.com, 10/14/14) Previous

CTi-equipped engine has test flight

Rolls-Royce has completed the first flight test of aircraft featuring its composite carbon/titanium (CTi) fan blade with advance and ultrafan engine design. The CTi fan blades were integrated into a Trent 1000 engine of the Rolls-Royce 747, which recently completed its successful flying test at Tucson, Ariz. The engine design provides a 20 percent fuel consumption savings. In September Rolls-Royce completed crosswind testing on this fan system at the company's outdoor jet engine test facility at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Established in 2007, the SSC test facility is one of three company testing sites worldwide. It conducts noise, crosswind, thrust reverse, cyclic and endurance testing on all current Rolls-Royce large engine types. (Source: Aerospace Technology, 10/16/14) Previous

Airbus gets record order

IndiGo has agreed to buy 250 A320 jetliners from Airbus, a purchase worth nearly $25.7 billion at list price. It ranks as the largest single order of jets from the European aerospace giant. The budget airline, India's largest, is expanding as it seeks to win more market share in one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets. The airline will start taking delivery of the planes from 2018 and has secured rights to buy a further 100 A320-family aircraft. (Sources: Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, 10/15/14, Reuters, 10/16/14) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., that will open in 2015 and employ about 1,000 workers.

Region shares in defense grants

Five counties in Northwest Florida will get a combined $1.15 million through Florida’s Defense Infrastructure and Reinvestment Grant Program. They are among 14 counties awarded $2.45 million in the 2014-2015 Defense Grant program. The money will support community projects at 19 Florida military installations, according to state officials. In Northwest Florida, Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties each were awarded two grants, and Walton was awarded one. Okaloosa County is getting $300,000, including $100,000 for Team Eglin Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation Center of Excellence Collaborative Support Program and $200,000 for the Shoal River Military Installation Buffering Project. Bay County is getting $272,000 to support initiatives at Naval Support Activity Panama City and Tyndall Air Force Base. Escambia County is getting $266,000, including $66,000 to promote economic growth in the defense sector and $200,000 for encroachment protection for Pensacola Naval Air Station. Santa Rosa County is getting $250,000, including $50,000 for the economic development of Whiting Field Naval Air Station and $200,000 for encroachment protection. Walton County is getting $60,000 to develop a countywide strategic plan on how to make better use of Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and Tyndall Air Force Base. Other counties receiving grants are Polk, Brevard, Duval, Clay, Pinellas, Orange, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough and Highland. The state's military and defense sectors is responsible for 9.4 percent of the state's economy. The Florida Defense Grants Programs, administered by Enterprise Florida, are awarded annually through a competitive process to communities hosting military installations. (Sources: Florida Governor’s Office, Enterprise Florida, Pensacola News Journal, Panama City News Herald, 10/15/14)

Airbus, school research accord seen

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas Engineering is interested in working with the University of South Alabama's research division. That's according to university officials after returning home following last week's visits to Airbus in Germany and France. Airbus is particularly interested in the school's work in cybersecurity and composites, officials said. The delegation included Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who is on the board of trustees, and David Trent, site director for Airbus Americas Mobile Engineering office. They visited with Airbus executives in Toulouse, France, and in Munich, Germany. Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile that will open in 2015 and produce its first plane in 2016. (Source: al.com, 10/15/14) Related: Airbus and researchers at MIT are developing shape-shifting materials that could make aircraft simpler and lighter, potentially saving fuel. (Story)

Contract: UTC, $592M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engine, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $591,919,496 modification to the previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target Low Rate Initial Production Lot VII F135 propulsion systems contract (N00019-12-C-0060). This modification provides for the procurement of 19 F135-PW-100 Conventional Take Off and Landing propulsion systems for the U.S. Air Force; six F135-PW-600 Short Take-off and Vertical Landing propulsion systems for the U.S. Marine Corps; and four F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy. In addition, this modification provides for five F135-PW-100 propulsion systems, one F135-PW-100 spare propulsion system and one F135-PW-600 propulsion system for international partners, including program administrative labor, engineering assistance to production, initial spare modules and long-lead hardware. Work will be performed in Middletown, Conn. (67 percent); Bristol, U.K. (16.5 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (16.5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in September 2016. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (41 percent); the Navy/Marine Corps (40 percent); international partners (18 percent); and foreign military sales (1 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/14/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

Optech adds to string of innovation

KILN, Miss. -- Remote sensing powerhouse Optech celebrated its 40th anniversary in May, and in recognition of the milestone, company founder Dr. Allan Carswell declared it was entering "a new era of continued innovation and development with ever more exciting active and passive sensor solutions to meet real-world project requirements." (Source: GCRL Newsletter, 10/14/14)

Growing base tech outside the fence

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Col. Jimmy Doolittle flew into history at America's darkest hour when he led a bombing raid on the Japanese homeland in April 1942. But even before the raid, Doolittle had already earned a doctorate in aeronautics and set multiple flying records, and was known as an innovator. Now the newly established Doolittle Institute hopes to continue his tradition for innovation by bringing military, academic and company experts together under one roof. (Source: GCRL Newsletter, 10/14/14)

Value of Gulf Coast bases climbing

Aviation-focused military bases and sites in the Gulf Coast aerospace corridor between New Orleans and Northwest Florida saw their replacement value increase significantly this year over last, soaring to a combined $18.4 billion. That's up 9.8 percent over 2013, according to newly available Pentagon figures. The region's seven "billion-dollar" bases increased their replacement value from $13.61 billion in the 2013 to $15.1 billion in the 2014 Base Structure Report. One base alone, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., near Fort Walton Beach, would cost $805 million more to replace in 2014 than in 2013. That's an increase of more than 20.5 percent to $4.7 billion. (Source: GCRL Newsletter, 10/14/14)

One that didn't get away

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- When an aerospace company that's had an operation in this region for 23 years decided it needed to expand, it could have looked anywhere. But it focused on this region, an affirmation of the value of doing business here. VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering, previously called ST Aerospace Mobile, scoured South Mississippi, South Alabama and Northwest Florida to find a location for an additional facility to repair large aircraft. In the end, it decided on Pensacola. (Source: GCRL Newsletter, 10/14/14)

Symposium takes look at region

DESTIN, Fla. -- The 18th annual Gulf Power Economic Symposium got under way Monday with about 600 in attendance, with much of the talk focusing on education the workforce for future jobs. And while aerospace was not a specific topic, it did come up. One audience member asked University of West Florida economist Rick Harper about Airbus, which is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., some 60 miles west of the Florida Panhandle. "Airbus is a long term investment," said Harper, pointing out that the planemaker is projecting that in the next 20 years there's going to be a worldwide need for about 6,000 narrow-body commercial passenger jets. He said that over time each of the 1,100 final assembly line jobs in Mobile will create four additional jobs, or 4,000 to 6,000 jobs in South Alabama, South Mississippi and Northwest Florida. He thinks Northwest Florida will get about 1,500 of those jobs. The symposium continues Tuesday. (Source: GCAC, 10/13/14)

China places big A320 order

China Aviation Supplies Holding Company has signed an agreement to buy 70 A320 family aircraft worth $6.6 billion at list price. Airbus has an assembly facility in Tianjin, where it has already assembled and delivered 190 A320s. In addition, Airbus said it signed a letter of intent with its Chinese partners to build an assembly facility for A330 family aircraft. The letter of intent was signed Friday with heads of the Tianjin Free Trade Zone and AVIC, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. (Sources: AFP via Industry Week, Airbus, 101014) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala.; AVIC owns Continental Motors.

Contract: Atlas NA, $8M

Atlas North America LLC, Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded an $8,022,044 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity requirements contract for depot level repair, maintenance, modifications, engineering services and spare parts for the AN/ASQ-232 Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) to support the Navy for the currently deployed Airborne Mine Countermeasures legacy systems. The AMNS provides neutralization of shallow and deep-water mines located by the AN/AQS-24A Mine Detecting Set, and/or other mine countermeasures assets. The system is used by Navy ships and helicopters. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $43,294,929. Work will be performed in Panama City Beach, Fla. (60 percent); Bahrain (25 percent); Virginia Beach (10 percent); South Korea (2.5 percent); and Japan (2.5 percent); and is expected to be completed by October 2015. Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, is the contracting activity (N61331-15-D-0002). (Source: DoD, 10/10/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $30.9M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $30,927,881 modification to the previously awarded F-35 Low Rate Initial Production Lot VI contract (N00019-11-C-0083). This modification provides for non-recurring efforts associated with the procurement of two full mission simulators in support of Israel's F-35A Conventional Take-Off and Landing Air System for pilot training. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (70 percent), and Fort Worth (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2017. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $30,927,881 will be obligated at time of award, none 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, 10/09/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $37.1M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $37,129,230 modification to the previously awarded F-35 Low Rate Initial Production Lot VI contract (N00019-11-C-0083). This modification provides for non-recurring efforts associated with the procurement of training spares for Israel and Japan and two full mission simulators in support of Japan's F-35A Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) Air System for pilot training. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (70 percent), and Fort Worth (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2017. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $37,129,230 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the governments of Japan (92.8 percent) and Israel (7.2 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/09/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Jacobs, $80M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., has been awarded an estimated $80,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to exercise an option (P00017) to previously awarded contract FA9200-12-D-0085 for additional engineering, technical and acquisition support services being provided under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Oct. 18, 2015. This contract involves foreign military sales. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA9200-12-D-0085). (Source: DoD, 10/09/14)

Navy AIRWorks launched

The Navy this month launched AIRWorks, an initiative to more quickly develop and bring to the field weapons to meet U.S. military needs. It's modeled after Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works and Boeing's Phantom Works. The Naval Air Systems' AIRWorks at Patuxent River, Md., has completed several projects over the past year as the organization was taking shape, including bulletproofing V-22 tiltrotor aircraft for the Air Force and adding rockets to the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. (Source: Reuters, 10/08/14) Gulf Coast note: V-22s are used by Air Force Special Operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; finishing work on Fire Scouts is done in Moss Point, Miss., by Northrop Grumman.

Norway moves ahead on F-35

Norway, a relative newcomer to the F-35 program, says it will cost 20 percent more to operate a fleet of F-35 fighters than it does its aging F-16 fleet. But the government is moving forward. Why? Norway's F-35 Program Office said modern threats demand the F-35's fast response, and today's crises are "come as you are conflicts." Norway plans to acquire 52 of the fifth-generation fighters. The initial aircraft are on the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. Four of the nation's F-35s will remain in the U.S. to support pilot training. (Source: Aviation Week and Space Technology, 10/06/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the F-35 integrated training center.

Three Airbus jobs posted

MOBILE, Ala. – Three more jobs were posted today for the A320 final assembly line being built at the Mobile Aeroplex. The new positions are for a supply chain and logistics manager, key account manager for procurement and structural manufacturing engineer. For a complete list of Airbus America jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: al.com, 10/07/14) Previous

Boeing leads Airbus in orders

Boeing leads Airbus in the number of jetliner orders in the first nine months of the year, 1,000 net for Boeing compared to 791 for Airbus. The U.S. company also delivered more aircraft, 528 compared to 443. Most of the orders booked by Airbus so far this year are for the fuel-efficient A320neo (new engine option), which accounts for 512 orders, along with the A321neo, chalking up 146 orders. (Sources: multiple, including AFP via Economic Times, Reuters, 10/06/14) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 family final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., that will open next year and produce its first aircraft in 2016.

Lemoore will get 100 F-35s

The Navy will base 100 F-35C variants at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., the Navy said Thursday, beginning in 2016. They'll replace replace 70 FA-18 Hornets, increasing the number of aircraft at Lemoore by 30 by 2028. The Navy's joint strike fighter variant will be assigned in seven Navy Pacific Fleet squadrons of 10 jets each, and a Fleet Replacement Squadron will have 30 jets. (Source: Stars and Stripes, 10/02/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center, which trains pilots and maintainers from all U.S. service branches and allied nations.

Boeing to up 737 production rate

RENTON, Wash. -- Boeing said today that it will increase production of 737 jetliners to 52 airplanes per month in 2018 in response to strong market demand worldwide. Once implemented, the 737 program is expected to build more than 620 airplanes per year. Boeing currently produces 42 airplanes per month at its Renton facility, and the company previously announced plans to increase the production rate to 47 airplanes per month in 2017. (Source: Boeing via PRNewswire, 10/02/14) Gulf Coast note: Mobile, Ala., will be the fourth site worldwide that will build the Airbus A320, a competitor of the 737, beginning in 2015. When at full production the Mobile site will build between 40 and 50 A320s per year. Previous related

Contract: L3 Vertex, $12.3M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $12,336,919 modification to exercise option A00053 to previously awarded contract FA3002-11-C-0001 for trainer maintenance services. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,028,076 are being obligated at the time of award. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/01/14)

Contract: Northrop, $306.1M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., has been awarded a $306,133,056 definitive contract for Global Hawk contractor logistic services and sustainment III. Contractor will provide contractor logistics support of the Global Hawk fielded weapon system, to include providing material and services for planning, operations and maintenance support. Work will be performed at San Diego and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $73,496,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8528-15-C-0003). (Source: DoD, 10/01/14) Gulf Coast note: Fuselage work on Global Hawks is done in Moss Point, Miss.

A350 XWB EASA certified

The Airbus A350 XWB received type certification for airworthiness from the European Aviation Safety Agency on Sept. 30. Federal Aviation Administration certification of the plane, also called the A350-900, will follow. The A350 XWB is Airbus' all-new mid-size long range product line and the newest member of the wide-body family. Launch customer Qatar Airlines is expected to begin flying the plane before the end of the year. (Sources: Airbus, Derby Telegraph, 09/30/14) Gulf Coast note: The jetliner is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines built in Derby, U.K., and tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss.; the plane was put through extreme weather testing at McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Previous: A350 pays fly-over visit; A350 XWB being tested at Eglin

General officer qualifies in F-35

Crew chief salutes general. Air Force photo

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The first general officer has qualified to pilot the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Maj. Gen. Jay Silveria, commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., finished his seven-week training program when he touched after a sortie Sept. 26. The general had some five hours of F-35 seat time with back-to-back sorties and a hot pit refuel. The general was chosen to become qualified based on his position at the USAFWC and pilot experience. The center he leads is responsible for current and future F-35A operational testing, tactics development and eventual advanced training exercises and weapons school. (Source: Team Eglin Public Affairs, 09/30/14)