Contract: Flight Safety, $8.7M

Flight Safety International, Daleville, Ala., was awarded an $8,668,493 modification (P00169) to contract W9124G-04-C-0037 for fixed wing flight training services. Work will be performed in Daleville, with an estimated completion date of March 9, 2017. Army Contracting Command, Ft. Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16)

Contract: Fluor Fed, $28.8M

Fluor Federal Solutions LLC, Greenville, S.C., is being awarded a $28,847,912 modification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N69450-07-D-0770) to exercise option nine for base operations support services at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Saufley Field, Fla., Corry Station, Fla., and Bronson Field, Fla. The work to be performed provides for all management, supervision, labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and tools necessary to perform facilities management, facilities investment, facility maintenance services (non-family housing), pest control, utility plant and distribution system operation and maintenance (chiller, electrical, gas, wastewater, steam and water), environmental services, and base support vehicles and equipment. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $257,573,144. Work will be performed in Pensacola and work is expected to be competed September 2017. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16)

Contract: Alliant Tech, $9.3M

Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Rocket Center, W.V., has been awarded a $9,270,100 modification (P00055) to exercise an option to the previously awarded contract FA8681-11-C-0039 for low-rate initial production Lot 2 of the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze system. Contractor will provide 475 Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze systems. Work will be performed at Rocket Center and is expected to be complete by March 29, 2018. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16)

Contract: Northrop, $9.8M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Amherst Systems Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., has been awarded a $9,800,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for sustaining engineering services support for test facilities threat simulators. Contractor will provide all sustaining engineering services needed for continued support of B-1, B-2, B-52, and fighter test facilities, combat electromagnetic environment simulators and advanced multiple environment threat simulators sustainment. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 28, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-D-0076). (Source: DoD, 09/29/16)

Contract: L-3, $13.7M

L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $13,674,743 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-11-D-0010) for aircraft maintenance and logistical life cycle support for 49 C-12 aircraft. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (42 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (6 percent); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (6 percent); Manama, Bahrain (6 percent); Atsugi, Japan (6 percent); Beaufort, S.C. (4 percent); San Angelo, Texas (4 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (4 percent); New Orleans, La. (4 percent); Iwakuni, Japan (4 percent); New River, N.C. (3 percent); Kadena, Japan (3 percent); Manassas, Va. (2 percent); Miramar, Calif. (2 percent); Futenma, Japan (2 percent); and Misawa, Japan, and is expected to be completed in December 2016. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16)

Contract: Lockheed, $16.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $16,497,297 modification to delivery order 0031 previously placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification provides for deployable spares packages in support of the low-rate initial production Lot 9 F-35B aircraft for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (24.4 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (9 percent); Owego, N.Y. (8.6 percent); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (7.2 percent); Cheltenham, United Kingdom (6.2 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5.8 percent); Torrance, Calif. (5.5 percent); Orlando, Fla. (4.9 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (3.7 percent); San Diego, Calif. (3.6 percent); Phoenix, Ariz. (3.1 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (3 percent); Irvine, Calif. (2.5 percent); North Amityville, N.Y. (2.4 percent); Windsor Locks, Conn. (2.2 percent); Baltimore, Md. (2.2 percent); Papendrect, Netherlands (1.9 percent); Rolling Meadows, Ill. (1.8 percent); and Alpharetta, Ga. (1.8 percent), and is expected to be completed in July 2020. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: UTC, $21M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a not-to-exceed $21,000,000 for modification P00009 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0004). This modification provides for the procurement of one low-rate initial production Lot 10 F-135-PW-600 engine in support of the Marine Corps F-35B Lightening II Short Take-off and Vertical Landing aircraft to facilitate engine testing under the Component Improvement Program. Work will be performed in East Hartford (76 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (24 percent), and is expected to be complete in February 2018. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $24.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $24,378,036 for modification P00003 under a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-16-C-0004) for procurement of three full mission simulators for the Air Force in support of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (98 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (2 percent), and is expected to be completed March 2020. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: City of Pensacola, $31.6M

City of Pensacola, Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded $31,575,637 for firm-fixed-price task order 0001 under a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N69450-15-G-0102). This task order will initiate the findings of the preliminary assessment and investment grade audit to determine energy improvements at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The work to be performed provides for the design and installation of the following: chiller plant upgrades in five facilities; installation of chilled water primary pump with variable flow in one facility; occupancy based heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) scheduling upgrades in 10 facilities; continuous commissioning of control upgrades in 29 facilities; demand control ventilation upgrades in one facility; control schedules to domestic hot water recirculation pumps in 11 facilities; upgrade to existing HVAC controls in two facilities; HVAC multi-zone unit conversion to variable air volume units in one facility; installation of high efficiency interior lighting in 35 facilities; building envelope upgrades in 38 facilities; installation of window film in nine facilities; high efficiency transformer upgrades in 17 facilities; installation of low flow plumbing fixtures in 37 facilities; and replacement of portable air conditioning units in three facilities. The contractor will also provide three years of performance verification reporting. Work will be performed in Pensacola and is expected to be completed by November 2018. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 authorizes agencies to use appropriations, private financing, or a combination to comply with its requirements for utility energy service contracts for evaluations/project implementation. For this project, Naval Air Station Pensacola has agreed to pay for the cost of services/construction from project financing which will be obtained by the City of Pensacola. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/29/16)

Navy gets more MQ-8Cs

Fire Scouts at plant in Moss Point, Miss.
Northrop Grumman photo

Northrop Grumman is set to build 10 additional MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters for the U. S. Navy, giving maritime commanders persistent, real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). It brings to 29 the total number of MQ-8C Fire Scouts procured so far. The MQ-8C airframe is based on the commercial Bell 407, a helicopter with more than 1,600 airframes produced and over 4.4 million flight hours. Modifications to the MQ-8C's airframes are carried out at the Bell Helicopter facility in Ozark, Ala., and final assembly is performed in Moss Point, Miss. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 09/29/16)

QF-16 reaches milestone

QF-16 takes off at Tyndall. Air Force photo

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Air Combat Command has declared initial operational capability for the QF-16 full-scale aerial target. The decision Sept. 23 was approved by Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the ACC commander, for 15 QF-16s now available for target operations. The jets are assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and flown by the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron under the 53rd Wing. The 82nd ATRS operates the only FSAT capability in the Defense Department. By law a missile system must undergo lethality testing before it can enter full-scale production. The QF-16 is the introduction of fourth-generation fighter capabilities in the aerial target mission. It maintains all inherent capabilities of the baseline F-16 Fighting Falcon including supersonic flight and 9 G maneuverability. The newest aerial target will replace the QF-4 Aerial Target, which flew its last unmanned mission Aug. 17 at Holloman AFB, N.M. The QF-4 will officially be retired in December. The 82nd ATRS is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd WG headquartered at Eglin. (Source: AFNS, 09/26/16)

Contract: Boeing, $11.2M

The Boeing Co., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded an $11,230,459 indefinite-delivery, requirements and firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the F-15 E Flat Panel Up Front Control (UFC) program. The UFC is a multifunction control used in the F-15E to control and display status of communication navigation and identification systems. The FPUFC utilizes a single, new technology liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panel display to replace the current segmented LCDs of the F-15 UFC. Work will be performed at Alpharetta, Ga., and is expected to be complete by March 29, 2021. Air Force Sustainment Center, Robin Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8538-16-D-0010). (Source: DoD, 09/27/16)

Contract: Whitesell-Green, $8.5M

Whitesell-Green Inc., Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded an $8,501,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of Triton Mission Control Facility at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. The work to be performed provides for construction of a low-rise shielded steel frame, reinforced concrete masonry unit mission control facility with standing seam metal roof and concrete foundation, strip footing and deep wall masonry foundation slab on grade. The facility will be located adjacent to an existing Triton facility and include primary and redundant Mission Control System (MCS) modules, a server room, mission planning and brief/debrief rooms and a secure equipment vault. The new building will be connected to the existing building via a new enclosure around the existing exterior stair of that facility and a new corridor. The MCS components in the new facilities will be independently shielded and constructed as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility including electromagnetic interference shielded space. This facility will provide Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection features. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $8,618,000. Work will be performed in Jacksonville and is expected to be completed by July 2017. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, is the contracting activity (N69450-16-C-1103). (Source: DoD, 09/27/16)

Contract: Rolls-Royce, $62.1M

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $62,120,761 for modification P00004 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0016) to provide intermediate, depot level maintenance and related logistics support for approximately 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 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/16)

Contract: Northrop, $255.3M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $255,256,728 for fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification P00009 to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-15-C-0002) for the procurement three low-rate initial production Lot 1 MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft, one main operation control station and one forward operation control station, training courseware, and tooling. Work will be performed in San Diego (30 percent); Baltimore, Md. (12.6 percent); Palmdale, Calif. (10.6 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (10 percent); Red Oak, Texas (8 percent); Moss Point, Miss. (3.9 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (3.8 percent); Bridgeport, W.V. (3 percent); Santa Clarita, Calif. (1.6 percent); Montreal, Quebec, Canada (0.6 percent); Vandalia, Ohio (0.6 percent); Medford, N.Y. (0.5 percent); and various locations within the U.S. (11.2 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2020. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/27/16)

Contract: $34.5M

Bell Helicopter, Ft. Worth, Texas, was awarded a $34,541,911 firm-fixed-price, foreign military sales contract (Uganda) to produce and deliver five Huey II helicopters, spare parts, program management, special tools, and other program necessities. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Work will be performed in Ozark, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2017. Fiscal 2016 other procurement funds in the amount of $34,541,911 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-16-C-0065). (Source: DoD, 09/26/16)

1st F-35 for Japan rolls out

Lockheed Martin rolled out the first 42 F-35As ordered by the Japan Air Self Defense Forces to replace a nearly 80-strong fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms. The event was attended by about 400 representatives from both countries and corporate officials. Lockheed will build the first four Japanese jets in Fort Worth, AX-1 through AX-4, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will produce the remaining 38 under license at its Nagoya facility. MHI, which built Tokyo’s fleet of Boeing F-15Js under license, won the 2011 competition to build the F-35A. Maintenance training is already underway for the first Japanese Air Defense technicians at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the first Japanese pilots will begin training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in November. (Source: Flightglobal, Lockheed Martin, 09/23/16)

Contract: UTC, $10.6M

United Technologies Corp. - Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., has been awarded a $10,555,557 modification (P00172) to previously awarded contract FA8611-08-C-2896 for F119 engine sustainment. Work will be performed at East Hartford; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Hill AFB, Utah; Holloman AFB, N.M.; Langley AFB, Va.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Sheppard AFB, Texas; Tinker AFB, Okla.; and Tyndall AFB, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2016. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-08-C-2896). (Source: DoD, 09/23/16)

Contract: Sikorsky, $232M

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded $232,075,337 for modification P00214 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-06-C-0081) for the procurement of two CH-53K system demonstration test article aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford (24 percent); Wichita, Kan. (20 percent); West Palm Beach, Fla. (12 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (9 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (7 percent); Rochester, United Kingdom (3 percent); Bridgeport, W.V. (2 percent); Casa Grande, Ariz. (2 percent); Windsor Locks, Conn. (2 percent); Rome, N.Y. (2 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (1 percent); San Diego, Calif. (1 percent); San Jose, Calif. (1 percent); Chesterfield, Mo. (1 percent); Twinsburg, Ohio (1 percent); Springfield, N.J. (1 percent); Redmond, Wash. (1 percent); Jackson, Miss. (1 percent); Los Angeles, Calif. (0.5 percent); St. Clair, Pa. (0.5 percent); Forest, Ohio (0.5 percent); Phoenix, Ariz. (0.5 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (0.5 percent); Miami, Fla. (0.5 percent); Stratford, Ontario, Canada (0.5 percent); Boylston, Mass. (0.5 percent); Enfield, Conn. (0.5 percent); Minden, Neb. (0.5 percent); Irvine, Calif. (0.5 percent); Westbury, N.Y. (0.5 percent); and various locations with the U.S. (3 percent). The work is expected to be completed in February 2020. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/23/16)

WTO: EU failed to end subsidies

The World Trade Organization ruled in favor of Boeing and the U.S. when it ruled Thursday that European governments failed to end billions in unfair state subsidies to Airbus. The ruling moves the U.S. a step closer to being able to impose $5 billion in annual tariffs against goods and services from the European Union. The ruling said the EU and some of its members failed to comply with an earlier ruling to remove the subsidies. But the battle is far from over. The trade body in the near future is expected to find in a parallel case that the U.S. didn't sufficiently address concerns about subsides, including tax breaks, that helped Boeing. That could lead to the EU being able to impose similar tariffs on U.S. exporters. Boeing and Airbus are battling over market share. They have a combined backlog of commercial airplane orders that has risen to almost $1.4 trillion. (Sources: Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, CNBC, Seattle Times, 09/22/16 and 09/23/16) Gulf Coast note: Airbus builds A320 series jetliners in Mobile, Ala., as well as Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Tianjin, China.

VT MAE deal moves forward

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Pensacola City Council will be asked to approve a final amendment to a lease agreement with VT MAE and approve a $6.3 million loan to enable construction of a maintenance and repair facility to begin. The project at Pensacola International Airport was delayed after VT MAE requested the planned hangar be enlarged to accommodate larger 757 aircraft. The pricetag went from $37.3 million to $46 million to handle larger aircraft. The city secured additional money from the state to cover the increase, but won’t get it until fiscal year 2018. VT MAE, owned by Singapore Technologies Engineering, has a major facility in Mobile, Ala., and is expanding into Pensacola. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 09/22/16)

Contract: Raytheon, $254.6M

Raytheon Co., Fullerton, Calif., is being awarded a $254,550,316 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the design, development, manufacture, integration, demonstration, and test of the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System. This contract will utilize and continue development of eight existing engineering development models (EDMs); and deliver two additional EDMs to support fleet early operational capability requirements for F-35B/C and MQ-25 test and initial operational requirements aboard nuclear aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. In addition, this contract will deliver weapons replaceable assemblies, a technical data package, and provide developmental test and operational test support. Work will be performed in Fullerton (71 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (26 percent); Marlborough, Mass. (2 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2022. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-16-C-0052). (Source: DoD, 09/21/16)

Contract: L-3, $43.5M

L-3 Communications - Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded an estimated $43,530,000 modification (P00024) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA3002-14-C-0013 for support of T-1, T-6, and T-38 undergraduate pilot training. Work will be performed at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2017. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/21/16)

Region's bases in the running

Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field in Florida and Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., are among the bases in the running to train battlefield airmen. The Air Force wants to consolidate eight locations into "three or four," according to Military.com. Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, head of Air Education Training Command, made the statement to reporters during a briefing at the Air Force Association’s annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference outside Washington, D.C. The current centers are scattered across seven states. The consolidation is designed to provide improved infrastructure with enhanced aquatic training for combat rescue and other missions. The service is conducting environmental assessment surveys at all eight locations being considered. (Source: Military.com, 09/20/16) Previous

Contract: Jacobs, $22.6M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded a $22,612,695 modification (P00007) to the previously awarded contract FA8730-15-C-0052 for Air Operations Center (AOC) interim sustainment services. Contractor will provide sustaining engineering and technical services for the AOC weapons system. Work will be performed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 19, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Battle Management, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8730-15-C-0052). (Source: DoD, 09/20/16)

Contract: Multiple, $10M

Crawford Consulting Services Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa. (W91278-16-D-0121); Moca Systems Inc., Niceville, Fla. (W91278-16-D-0122); and Project Time & Cost LLC, Atlanta, Ga. (W91278-16-D-0123), will share in the award of a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering, and cost engineering services to support the Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bids were solicited via the Internet with nine received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2021. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/20/16)

Contract: L-3, $166.3M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded $166,263,229 for modification P00010 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011) to exercise an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance and logistics services in support of approximately 200 T-45 aircraft based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Miss.; NAS Kingsville, Texas; NAS Pensacola, Fla.; and NAS Patuxent River, Md. Services to be provided include sustaining engineering, supply and government property management, and procurement of associated parts and materials required to prepare the aircraft for approximately 320 launchers per day across four sites, which fly an estimated total of 75,000 hours each year. Work will be performed in Kingsville (48 percent); Meridian (44 percent); Pensacola (7 percent); and Patuxent River (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/19/16)

Spirit gets Mobile-built A321

MOBILE, Ala. – Spirit Airlines took delivery Monday of its first A321 made at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. On hand for the occasion were executives from Airbus and Spirit Airlines, 140 Spirit Airlines employees, and the 350 Airbus employees at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. The $600 million plant, at the Mobile Aeroplex, had its ceremonial opening in September 2015. The first plane was delivered to JetBlue in April 2016. The Spirit aircraft is the 10th delivered in Mobile so far. Airbus anticipates delivering four planes a month out of Mobile by the end of 2017. (Source: Airbus, 09/19/16)

Pilot error in Blue Angel crash

Marine Corps pilot Captain Jeff Kuss was flying too fast and low and lost control of his Blue Angels F-A/18 jet in early June during a practice session for an air show in Smyrna, Tenn. The Navy crash report released Sept. 15 cited pilot error as the cause of the June 2 crash, and said that weather and fatigue were contributing factors. The accident occurred when Kuss, flying Blue Angel No. 6, was doing a Split S maneuver when he crashed. Chief of Naval Aviation Training report recommended numerous short-term and longer-term changes to the flight demonstration program. (Sources: multiple, including CNN, 09/16/16, Navy Times, 09/15/16) Gulf Coast note: The Blue Angels are based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

Contract: MDA, $7.1M

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $7,140,090 modification (P00050) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA3010-13-C-0005 for full food services. The location of performance is Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and the work is expected to complete by Sept. 30, 2017. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/15/16)

Contract: Electric Coop, $360.4M

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Inc., De Funiak Springs, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $360,448,495 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the electric distribution system at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a 50-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Florida, with a July 31, 2067, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-16-C-8314). (Source: DoD, 09/14/16)

F-35, Aegis integration

An F-35 in a test this week was able to defeat an airborne threat without firing a shot. In a test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., an F-35’s sensors and networking capabilities combined to detect an over-the-horizon threat and send data to a ground unit representing an Aegis-equipped ship. The destroyer was then able to fire a missile and defeat the threat that it had not itself seen. The Navy test was the first live fire demonstration to successfully test the integration of F-35 with existing Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air architecture. The F-35B from the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1, based in Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., acted as an elevated sensor to detect an over-the-horizon threat. The test showed the F-35 can be used as a broad area sensor and significantly increase the Aegis capability to detect, track and engage a threat. (Source: NNS, 09/13/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center and reprogramming lab.

Contract: Boeing, $700M

The Boeing Co. - Defense, Space and Security, St. Louis, Mo.., has been awarded a $700,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Small Diameter Bomb Increment 1 (SDB 1) Lot 12-14 production. The contractor will provide SDB 1 weapons and carriage systems. Work will be performed in St. Louis and is expected to be completed by Dec. 12, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales (FMS). This award is a result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-16-D-0010). (Source: DoD, 09/13/16)

Contract: L-3, $49.2M

L-3 Communications - Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $49,168,992 modification (P00130) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA8106-09-C-0001 for T-1A contract logistics support. Contractor will provide contractor operated maintained supply, over and above, on-equipment maintenance, data and field service representatives. Work will be performed at Vance Air Force Base, Calif.; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2017. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/09/16)

Contract: Raytheon, $9.8M

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $9,800,314 modification (P00042) on previously awarded contract FA8675-15-C-0022. Contractor will provide Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles life of type buy components since specific devices will no longer be available or manufactured. Life of type buy defined as phase-out items. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2017. This contract involves foreign military sales to Australia, South Korea, Romania, and Saudi Arabia. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/09/16)

Contract: Harris, $9.8M

Harris Corp., Herndon, Va., has been awarded a $9,800,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the B-1 Defensive Avionics System Mission Data Optimization and Reprogrammable Electronic Warfare Systems Test (REWST) support sustaining engineering services. Contractor will provide all sustaining engineering services needed to provide the necessary modifications and support to the government-owned B-1 REWST lab, the B-52 electronic warfare mission data test lab, and the 53rd Electronic Warfare Group special test equipment. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-16-D-0077). (Source: DoD, 09/09/16)

Eglin, Tyndall eyed for MQ-9 wing

Florida's Eglin Air Force Base and Tyndall AFB are among four sites being considered to host unmanned MQ-9 Reaper aircraft. The other two are Vandenberg AFB, Calif., and Shaw AFB, S.C. The selected base would host a wing of 24 Reapers. The Air Force also is looking at five bases to host mission control operations. The Air Combat Command is to conduct on-site surveys at the bases, and could selected preferred locations as early as the winter of 2016. Currently the Air Force flies about 60 drone missions per day, but that figure is expected to increase. (Source: AFNS, 09/09/16) Previous related

Contract: Raytheon, $49M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $49,210,994 fixed-price incentive firm contract (FA8672-16-C-0001) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA8672-10-C0002 for Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Increment II Lot 2 production. Contractor will provide SDB II weapons and containers. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2018. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/08/16)

Contract: Raytheon, $8M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $7,952,646 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for field team support services for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) development test mission support including test planning, test operations, test reporting, and telemetry analysis. Contractor will provide ground tests, captive flight tests, and live fire tests conducted for developmental purposes up to and including operational test readiness reviews. It also includes management and maintenance of AMRAAM separation test vehicles and other assets used for the test programs. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Utah Test and Training Range, Utah; White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.; Edward Air Force Base, Calif.; Nevada Test and Training Range, Nev.; and Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Sept. 8, 2017. This contract involves foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8675-16-C-0067). (Source: DoD, 09/08/16)

Contract: L-3, $13M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded $13,092,119 for modification P00020 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements, firm-fixed price, cost-reimbursable contract (N00019-12-D-0016) to exercise an option for maintenance, repair, and logistics support for the Chief of Naval Air Training aircraft’s intermediate maintenance departments located at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla.; and NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Support to be provided includes labor, equipment, tools, services, and direct and indirect material. Work will be performed at NAS Pensacola (60 percent); and NAS Corpus Christi (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/08/16)

Contract: Lockheed, $10M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $10,019,765 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0008) to exercise an option to procure additional diminishing manufacturing sources electronic components in support of the F-35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2018. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (49 percent); Marine Corps (28.38 percent), and Navy (13.13 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting authority. (Source: DoD, 09/08/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center and reprogramming lab.

Eglin seeks developer ideas

Northwest Florida's Eglin Air Force Base is looking for developers with ideas for a 50-acre property in Fort Walton Beach near the Okaloosa County Courthouse. An appraisal found it would be a good location for mixed-use development. Eglin is hosting an Industry Day at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at the Holiday Inn Resort on Okaloosa Island to provide information about the property with developers, realtors, builders, architects and others. The project follows the successful development of the 152-room, beachfront Holiday Inn Resort by Gulf Breeze-based Innisfree Hotels on Eglin-owned property in 2014. Innisfree shares some of the revenue with the military. Glenn Wagner, director of real estate for the base, said some of the land – Eglin owns more than 460,000 acres – is underutilized and not necessary for the mission. The Holiday Inn Resort was the base's first attempt to partner with private business for development of the unused land and was so successful, Innisfree is building a 175-room Hilton Garden Inn next door, Wagner said. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 09/07/16)

Mobile builds first Spirit jetliner

MOBILE, Ala. -- The first Airbus A321 aircraft produced for Spirit Airlines in the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility flew for the first time Tuesday. The jetliner took off from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley and had a 3.5-hour test flight. The aircraft will go through a couple more weeks of final production before being delivered to Spirit Airlines. It’s the 10th Airbus jetliner built at the new Mobile assembly line. The first plane was delivered in April to JetBlue. (Source: Airbus, 09/06/16)

Eglin to host anti-drone tests

Eglin Air Force Base will be the site this year of a major test of technologies to detect, identify, track and defeat or disable unmanned systems. The tests, the 2016 edition of Black Dart, will be Sept. 11 to 23, according to Breaking Defense. Formerly classified, the counter-drone program is expanding to Eglin in search of more space and more capabilities, including ships. The program is run by the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization (JIAMDO). Two Aegis destroyers will take part in this year’s exercise, said Navy Lt. Cdr. Ryan Leary, the exercise’s director. (Source: Breaking Defense, 09/02/16)

Marines test bombs at Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Three F-35Bs and 75 personnel from the Marine's Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., along with 21 members of Edwards' JSF Operational Test Team, completed a 22-day deployment Sept. 1 at Eglin. They were at Eglin to complete five AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile and one GBU-12 aerial laser-guided bomb test shots. The deployment was to further validate and develop tactics, techniques and procedures for the three variants of the F-35. (Source: Sea Power, 09/01/16) Eglin is home of the F-35 integrated training center and reprogramming lab.

Contract: UTC, $38.5M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded $38,459,410 for modification P00010 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract (N00019-14-C-0004) for sustainment program administrative labor in support of the F-35 low-rate initial production Lot IX procurement. This modification provides for program administrative labor in support of F-135 sustainment efforts. Work will be performed in East Hartford (85 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2019. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (38 percent); international partners (26 percent); Navy/Marine Corps (21 percent); and foreign military sales (FMS) customers (15 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/01/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center and reprogramming lab.

Contract: Lockheed, $18M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an $18,000,000 fixed-price-incentive, firm-target modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-16-C-0033). This modification provides for long lead time materials, parts, components and effort required to maintain the planned production schedule for one F-35A low-rate initial production (LRIP) Lot 11 aircraft, and two F-35A and one F-35B LRIP Lot 12 aircraft for a non-U.S. Department of Defense participant in the F-35 program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (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 Cameri, Italy (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 09/01/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center and reprogramming lab.