Contract: Georgia Tech, $24.5M

Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, has been awarded a $24,500,000 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity cost contract. Contractor will provide research, analysis, integration, systems engineering, development, flyable and non-flyable technology demonstrators, prototypes, test and evaluation, and rapid delivery of cutting-edge weapon solutions. Work will be performed at Atlanta and is expected to be complete by Dec. 21, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $350,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (FA8651-16-D-0049) (Source: DoD, 12/28/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $47.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $47,514,822 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-15-C-0114) for modification management and unit level augmentation for Lot 9 F-35A, including technical, administrative, and financial data. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (55 percent); Hill Air Force Base, Utah (19 percent); the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. (12 percent); MCAS Yuma, Ariz. (4 percent); Eglin AFB, Fla. (2 percent); Nellis AFB, Nev. (2 percent); MCAS Beaufort, S.C. (2 percent); Edwards AFB, Calif. (2 percent); and Luke AFB, Ariz. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force (51 percent); U.S. Marine Corps (32 percent); the U.S. Navy (10 percent); international partners (6 percent) and FMS customers (1 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/28/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $60.4M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $60,412,726 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0031) for recurring logistics services support for delivered Air Systems for the F-35 for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, international partners, and foreign military sales customers. Services to be provided include 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 in support of delivered Air Systems. Work will be performed in Ft. Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in January 2016. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force (47 percent), the U.S. Marine Corps (27 percent); U.S. Navy (17 percent); and international partners (9 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/28/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Fallen airmen identified

An officer assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was among six airmen who died Monday of wounds when their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Maj. Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen, 36, of Plymouth, Minn., was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 9th Field Investigations Squadron at Eglin. The other dead airmen were identified as Staff Sgt. Michael A. Cinco, Staff Sgt. Peter W. Taub, Staff Sgt. Chester J. McBride, Technical Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm, and Staff Sgt. Louis M. Bonacasa. (Source: DoD, 12/22/15)

Contract: SURVICE, $11.9M

SURVICE Engineering Co., Belcamp, Md., has been awarded an $11,926,329 cost-plus-fixed-fee with a performance incentive contract for SEEK EAGLE modeling, analysis, and tools support. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 22, 2016. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal year 2016 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,716,062.00 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-C-0051).

Falcon 9 successfully lands

SpaceX successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket Monday for the first time, a major milestone in the drive to cut costs and waste by making rockets as reusable as airplanes. The Falcon 9 made a graceful arc back to Earth and touched down upright at Cape Canaveral, Fla., minutes after launching a payload of satellites to orbit, video images showed. SpaceX, headed by Internet tycoon Elon Musk, is striving to revolutionize the rocket industry, which currently loses many millions of dollars in jettisoned machinery and sophisticated rocket components after each launch. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's rocket company Blue Origin announced last month it had successfully landed its New Shepard rocket after a suborbital flight. (Source: Space Daily, 12/22/15) Previous. Gulf Coast note: SpaceX is testing new generation engines at Stennis Space Center, Miss., where Blue Origin has also done tests.

150 kW laser test planned

General Atomics next month will begin testing a 150-kilowatt class laser. Other companies also are developing laser weapons, and "we're looking at all of them," said Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, in an interview with Breaking Defense. He said the technology is ripe for application on an AC-130 gunship. General Atomics hopes to see AFSOC install a version of the weapon on the gunship in the next few years. The Air Force Research Laboratory and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will run the live-fire tests at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. (Source: Breaking Defense, 12/21/15) Gulf Coast note: AFSOC is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Contract: Lockheed, $1.2B

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $1,171,206,489 advance acquisition contract for the advance procurement of long lead time materials, parts, components and effort to maintain the planned production schedule for F-35 low rate initial production lot 11 aircraft. The advance acquisition effort includes 80 F-35A aircraft (28 for the U.S. Air Force; 6 for the government of Norway; 4 for the government of Turkey; 8 for the government of the Netherlands; 8 for the government of Australia; 10 for the government of Israel; 6 for the government of Japan; and 10 for the government of South Korea); 7 F-35B aircraft (6 for the U.S. Marine Corps; and 1 for the United Kingdom); and 4 F-35C aircraft for the U.S. Navy. This contract also includes an undefinitized contract action for production of 2 F-35A aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and F-35C aircraft for the U.S. Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (55 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (10 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (5 percent); and Nagoya, Japan (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2019. This contract combines purchase for the Air Force (34.3 percent); Navy (21.9 percent); Marine Corps (9.1 percent); non-U.S. DoD partners (17.7 percent) and foreign military sales (17 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-16-C-0033). (Source: DoD, 12/21/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $84.4M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an $84,434,012 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the previously awarded Lot 9 F-35 advance acquisition contract (N00019-14-C-0002) for the procurement of production non-recurring items. These items include special tooling and special test equipment items that are critical to meeting current and future production rates for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy , U.S. Marine Corps; and non-U.S. DoD participants. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (98 percent) and Fort Worth (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. This modification combines purchase for the Air Force (46.42 percent); Navy (23.21 percent); Marine Corps (23.21 percent); and non-U.S. DoD participants (7.16 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/21/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: BAE, $278.5M

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded a $278,500,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-reimbursable contract for the Instrumentation Radar Support Program. Contractor will provide serviceable components and subsystems to include radar, telemetry, and optics systems for 28 test ranges across the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and seven foreign governments. Work will be performed at Fort Walton Beach and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with one offer received. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2521-15-D-0010). (Source: DoD, 12/17/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $8.2M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded an $8,203,917 cost contract. Contractor will provide development, design, and integration and demonstration of a low SWaP-C (size-weight-power and cost) seeker prototype capable of providing day and night navigation and precision terminal homing to a weapon platform which may engage moving, locatable and stationary targets in a contested environment where the Global Positioning System may not be reliably available. Work will be performed at Orlando and is expected to be complete by Dec. 18, 2017. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with 17 offers received. Fiscal 2015 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,500,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-16-C-0331). (Source: DoD, 12/17/15)

Airbus seeks various mechanics

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas is seeking aircraft cabin interior, aircraft mechanics structures and aircraft electrical mechanics for the Airbus Manufacturing Facility at the Mobile Aeroplex. Among other qualifications, successful candidates must have minimum of a high school diploma or GED and more than one year of experience with aircraft maintenance or comparable industry experience. For a complete list of Airbus jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: Airbus, 12/16/15)

Contract: Boeing, $55.5M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $55,533,609 undefinitized contract action delivery order (RH01) to previously awarded contract FA8213-15-D-0002 for 2,192 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits. Contractor will provide JDAM strap-on inertial guidance kits with capability to receive guidance updates from global positioning systemsto increase weapon accuracy for conventional inventory bombs. Work will be performed at St. Louis and is expected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2017. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/15/15)

Airbus lists more job openings

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas is seeking three quality conformance specialists for the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility at the Mobile Aeroplex. The quality conformance specialists are responsible for maintaining the production quality system and associated organization approvals for the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. Among other qualifications, successful candidates must have a minimum of five years of experience in aircraft manufacturing/lean management/quality inspection of entire aircraft or aircraft installation; and a degree in aerospace/industrial engineering or business/quality management is preferred. For a complete list of Airbus jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: Airbus, 12/15/15)

Hurlburt squadron wins award

The 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (801 SOAMXS) of Hurlburt Field, Fla., is this year’s winner of the Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence. It was announced at the secretary of defense awards ceremony Dec. 8. The Phoenix Award is presented to the single best maintenance unit out of that year's six field-level maintenance award winners. In FY 2014, the 801 SOAMXS’s maintenance actions produced over 1,200 sorties and 3,500 flying hours, more than 28 percent of the 1st Special Operations Wing's mission. Heavily engaged in Overseas Contingency Operations, the unit facilitated safe transportation and recovery of three battle damaged CV-22 aircraft valued at $267 million dollars for subsequent depot repair. In addition, the unit achieved a deployed mission capable rate that exceeded the command standard by 24 percent. Vigilant in innovation, the 801 SOAXMS authored 328 engineer requests resulting in modifications that saved over $8 million dollars and 2,000 man-hours. (Source: DoD, 12/10/15)

Contract: Rockhill Group, $13.2M

The Rockhill Group Inc., Molino, Fla., has been awarded a $13,166,915 firm-fixed-price contract for Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center aircrew instruction support services. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2016. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with 11 offers received. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA0021-16-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 12/10/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $21.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $21,500,000 modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-13-C-0008) to purchase, manufacture, and install various components to update the configuration of four conventional takeoff and landing variant F-35 aircraft for the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. In addition, this modification provides for updates to associated systems engineering products. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2016. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting authority. (Source: DoD, 12/10/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Multiple, $157M

Segers Aero Corp., Fairhope, Ala. (N68335-16-D-0002); Standard Aero Inc., San Antonio, Texas (N68335-16-D-0001); and Turbopower LLC, Hialeah, Fla. (N68335-16-D-0003), are each being awarded fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contracts for T56 Series III engine depot-level repair. The aggregate, not-to-exceed amount for these multiple award contracts is $157,075,454. This contract is for the receipt, inspection, disassembly, repair and/or modification, assembly, testing, and preservation of the T56 Series III propulsion system, modules, quick engine change kit, and components. The three major modules of the engine to be maintained and repaired under this contract will be power sections, reduction gear assemblies, and torquemeters, with a maximum quantity of 252 power sections, 285 reduction gear assemblies, and 231 torquemeters. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Fairhope and Hialeah. Work is expected to be completed in December 2020. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/09/15)

New summer flights added

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola International Airport announced that June 10 and extending through July 31, Southwest Airlines will offer a non-stop Saturday flight to Dallas and a non-stop Saturday flight to Kansas City. Southwest also has daily non-stop flights to Houston and Nashville. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 12/08/15)

Contract: Kaman, $20.3M

Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $20,285,171 firm-fixed-price modification (P00038) to previously awarded contract FA8681-13-C-0029 for Lot 12 production of Joint Programmable Fuze systems. Contractor will provide an additional quantity of 7,733 state-of-the-art fuze systems being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Orlando and is expected to be complete by Sept. 29, 2017. This contract involves foreign military sales to the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/08/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $17.5M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $17,472,496 fixed price modification (P00004) to previously awarded contract FA8682-16-C-0005 for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile program (JASSM). Contractor will provide labor, material, management, technical, and logistical support for the JASSM Lot 14 tooling effort. Work will be performed at Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 30, 2018. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/04/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $302.2M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $302,222,015 fixed-price incentive firm target modification (P00003) to previously awarded contract FA8682-16-C-0005 for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program. Contractor will provide JASSM production, system upgrades, integration, sustainment, management and logistical support. Work will be performed at Troy, Ala., and is expected to be complete by June 29, 2019. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS) to Poland and Finland. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/03/15)

MQ-8C wraps up assessment

The Navy and Northrop Grumman have completed a three-week operational assessment of the MQ-8C Fire Scout at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, Calif. It included 11 flights for a total of 83.4 flight hours, in which the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter was assessed for its performance, endurance and reliability against maritime and surveyed land targets. The C model is an upgraded, larger version of the MQ-8B Fire Scout, currently deployed on the USS Fort Worth. The smaller Fire Scout has flown more than 16,000 hours and has also demonstrated the ability to operate alongside the MH-60 manned helicopter during ship-based operations. (Source: Naval Technology, 12/02/15) Gulf Coast note: Final assembly of the Fire Scout is done by Northrop Grumman in Moss Point, Miss.

NAS Whiting wins award

Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., won first place in the small installation category in a just completed 2016 competition. The Navy's annual Installation Excellence Award winners were announced today by the Navy Installations Command. The program recognizes the Navy's top three large and small installations. The top large installation is Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. (Source: NNS, 12/02/15) NAS Whiting trains Navy, Marine and Coast Guard helicopter pilots.

F-35 sims link pilots

ORLANDO, Fla. -- F-35A pilots are now training with four Full Mission Simulators linked together at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. It moves the 34th Fighter Squadron closer to meeting its goal to be combat ready by August 2016. The squadron will be the first Air Force F-35A unit to reach initial operational capability. The ability to link four pilots together during training using virtual technology not only gives them a chance to hone their individual skills but to develop tactics as a unit against ground and airborne threats in a high fidelity environment. According to Lockheed Martin, more than 190 F-35 pilots and 1,000 maintenance personnel for the Air Force will be mission ready by August 2016. The Marine Corps was the first to declare initial operational capability last summer. The Navy plans to reach IOC in 2018. (Source: Defense News, 12/01/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Hurlburt officer promoted

Air Force Col. Sean M. Farrell has been nominated by the president for appointment to the grade of brigadier general, according to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's office. Farrell is currently serving as commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (Source: DoD, 12/01/15)