Contract: B3, $9.9M

B3 Enterprises LLC, Woodbridge, Va., was awarded a $9,907,596 firm-fixed-price contract for refuel and defuel support services for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, Ala. Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2025. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,907,596 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Va. is the contracting activity (W9124G-18-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 03/30/18)

Contract: Reliance Test, $227.4M

Reliance Test & Technology, Crestview, Fla., has been awarded a $227,375,998 modification (P00030) to previously awarded contract FA2486-16-C-0002 for Eglin Operation & Maintenance Support Service. This contract modification exercises option period one and brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,210,104,140. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2020. Fiscal year 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $21,768,270 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/30/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $10.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, King of Prussia, Pa., has been awarded a $10,911,145 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Joint Air-to-Air Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) Enterprise Management System 7.0. This contract provides for enhancements to the software package known as the JASSM Enterprise Management System. Work will be performed in King of Prussia and is expected to be complete by March 29, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,600,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-18-C-0005). (Source: DoD, 03/30/18)

United commits to 2020

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — United Airlines has committed to offering service for several more years at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). The Airport Authority board on Wednesday morning approved an airline-airport use and lease agreement with United Airlines. A representative of United Airlines, which has served the airport since March 2015, has advised airport officials the company intends to sign the agreement in the next 45 days, airport officials said. The agreement expires Sept. 30, 2020, but United already is discussing a new agreement once that time comes, airport Executive Director Parker McClellan told the board. There are four major carriers at the airport: American, Delta, Southwest and United. (Source: News Herald, 03/28/18)

Contract: Eaton, $37.9M

Eaton Aerospace LLC, Jackson, Miss., has been awarded a maximum $37,933,586 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for axial piston pumps. This was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, which states that only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Mississippi, with a Sept. 30, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2023 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Mich. (SPRDL1-18-D-0070). (Source: DoD, 03/28/18)

Electronic Metrology, $10.6M

Electronic Metrology Laboratory LLC, Franklin, Tenn., is being awarded a $10,638,943 modification under previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N69450-14-D-8000 to exercise Option Four for base operations support services at Naval Air Station Whiting Field and outlying fields. 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 operations and maintenance (chiller, electrical, gas, wastewater, steam and water), managed safety services, and base support vehicles and equipment. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $50,980,567. Work will be performed in Milton, Fla. (80 percent); and outlying fields (20 percent). Work is expected to be completed in March 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2018 operation and maintenance, (Navy); fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funds; fiscal 2018 Navy family housing; and fiscal 2018 Defense Health Program contract funds in the amount of $8,582,107 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/28/18)

Testing could impact GPS

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Electronic devices that rely on Global Positioning System technology may be affected during upcoming military testing in the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay, according Eglin Air Force Base. There also will be an increase in aircraft noise during the testing April 1-6. The work by Eglin’s 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group is scheduled from 8 a.m.- noon during each of the six days. During the testing period, fighter aircraft will release munitions about 20 nautical miles south of Destin over the Gulf, and boats traveling in formation will move between the Mid-Bay Bridge and the bridge at U.S. Highway 331. The formation will be used as visual targets, and while no weapons or ammunition will be involved, some boats will have fake deck guns and rocket launcher tubes. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/27/18)

F-35 carrier qualifications

F-35 of VFA 101 takes off from CVN 72.
U.S. Navy photo

ATLANTIC OCEAN – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) completed fleet carrier qualifications (CQ) for the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter program while underway March 17-21. Pilots of the "Rough Raiders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 at Lemoore, Calif., and the "Grim Reapers" of VFA 101 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., performed day and night CQs with 140 traps in anticipation of F-35C’s operational testing later in 2018. The evolution included the operational use of the F-35C's foldable-wing feature, and continued integration of the F-35's Autonomic Logistic Information System (ALIS), a secure, off-board fleet management tool that integrates F-35 mission planning, maintenance, supply chain and sustainment information. Operators were able to plan, maintain, and sustain F-35C systems by transmitting up-to-date data to users and maintainers worldwide. By 2025, the Navy's aircraft carrier air wings are scheduled to consist of F-35Cs, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye battle management and control aircraft, MH-60R/S helicopters and carrier on board delivery logistics aircraft. (Source: USS Abraham Lincoln, 03/23/18)

Boeing won't appeal ruling

MONTREAL, Canada - Boeing will not appeal the U.S. trade commission ruling that allows Canada’s Bombardier to sell its CSeries jets to U.S. airlines without heavy duties, a Boeing spokesman said Thursday. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted in January to reject Boeing’s complaint and discarded a Commerce Department recommendation to slap a near 300 percent duty on sales of the 110- to 130-seat Bombardier CSeries jets for five years. The ITC said it rejected placing duties on Bombardier jets partly because Boeing had lost no sales when Delta Air Lines ordered the aircraft in 2016 from the Canadian planemaker, saying the 110-seat CSeries jets ordered by Delta and Boeing’s smallest 737 MAX 7 plane do not compete. The smaller end of the jet market is an increasing focus for the major manufacturers. Airbus has agreed to take a majority stake in the CSeries in a deal expected to close later this year, while Boeing is in tie-up talks with Bombardier’s Brazilian rival Embraer. (Source: Reuters, 03/22/18) Bombardier plans to assemble CSeries jetliners for the U.S. market in Mobile, Ala.

Contract: UTC, $239.7M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $239,691,086 advanced acquisition contract for long-lead materials, parts, and components for 137 low rate initial Production Lot 12 F135 propulsion systems for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. This includes 46 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force; 20 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for the Marine Corps; four F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Navy; 63 F135-PW-100 and four F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for non-U.S. DoD participants and FMS customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps); non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $239,691,086 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (37 percent); Marine Corps (18 percent); Navy (4 percent); non-U.S. DoD participant (27 percent); and foreign military sales customers (14 percent). This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-18-C-1021) (Source: DoD, 03/23/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Raytheon, $523.1M

Raytheon Missile Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $523,148,647 fixed-price incentive modification (P00001) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production Lot 31. This modification provides for AMRAAM Production Lot 32 for the production of the AMRAAM missile and other AMRAAM system items. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, Kuwait, Poland, Indonesia, Qatar, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Fiscal 2018 production funds in the amount of $308,016,581; fiscal 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $3,569,227; and foreign military sales funds in the amount $211,562,839 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Dominance Contracting Office, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/23/18)

Relativity, SSC sign new agreement

NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) and Los Angeles-based Relativity, a startup company developing small launch vehicles using additive manufacturing technologies, have entered an agreement that authorizes the startup to use one of SSC's test stands exclusively. The Commercial Space Launch Act agreement grants the exclusive use of the E-4 Test Complex to Relativity for 20 years. The complex features four cells for engine tests and 15,000 square feet of office space, with the option to expand the use of the facility from about 25 acres to 250 acres. The new agreement will help Relativity expand its test efforts, which include the qualification and acceptance tests of up to 36 of the company's Terran small launch vehicles. Relativity is under a separate Reimbursable Space Act agreement with SSC for the use of the center's E-3 test stand, which has supported 85 tests of the firm's Aeon 1 engine to date. Tim Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Relativity, said the startup will continue using E-3 while it builds up E-4, then use both facilities in parallel in the future. Relativity's Terran rocket. Ellis said the company will develop a single manufacturing facility that would allow it to produce the Terran rocket, but the company hasn’t decided where that facility will be located. (Source: SpaceNews, 03/21/18, ExecutiveBiz, 03/22/18) Previous: Relativity Space using SSC; NASA: E-4 a "great opportunity"

Contract: Airbus Helo, $116.9M

Airbus Helicopters Inc., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded an $116,903,994 modification (P00001) to contract W58RGZ-18-C-0007 for the procurement of 16 UH-72A aircraft. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2023. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $58,451,967 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/22/18)

Contract: Atmospheric Science, $7M

Atmospheric Science Technology LLC, Norman, Okla., is being awarded a $7,096,760 firm-fixed-price contract, resulting from solicitation N00189-18-R-0004, that will provide weather observing and forecasting services as required by the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The contract will include a 12-month base period which includes a contingency option valued at $17,838, four one-year options, and an option for an additional six-month period should it be deemed necessary pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8 with a total value, inclusive of all options, of $39,256.700. Work will be performed in Whidbey Island, Wash. (6.37 percent); Virginia Beach, Va. (5.96 percent); Norfolk, Va. (5.95 percent); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (5.73 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (5.62 percent); North Island, Calif. (4.84 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (4.81 percent); Key West, Fla. (4.62 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (4.47 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (4.34 percent); New Orleans, La. (4.30 percent); Pensacola, Fla. (4.24 percent); Fallon, Nev. (3.93 percent); Corpus Christi, Texas (3.68 percent); North Whiting Field, Fla. (3.62 percent); El Centro, Calif. (3.47 percent); Kingsville, Texas (3.46 percent); Lemoore, Calif. (3.29 percent); San Clemente Island, Calif. (3.22 percent); South Whiting Field, Fla. (3.06 percent); Meridian, Miss. (3.02 percent); Mayport, Fla. (3.00 percent); San Nicholas Island, Calif. (2.65 percent); and San Diego, Calif. (2.35 percent). The contract period of performance will begin Sept. 2018 and work is expected to be completed by September 2019; if all options are exercised, work will continue through February 2024. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,859,673 will be obligated at time of award and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a solicitation posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website as an 8(a) small business set-aside requirement, with three offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Contracting Department, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N00189-18-C-0024). (Source: DoD, 03/22/18)

Land deal moves forward

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The construction of a Navy outlying field in Santa Rosa County's Milton is another step closer to completion, continuing on the long and contentious path neighbor Escambia County set down on in 2015 when it approved the site to swap for the Navy's Outlying Field 8 in Beulah. The Escambia County Commission has awarded an $8 million contract to Panhandle Grading and Paving Inc. to complete the second and final phase of construction on the new 600-acre helicopter training field in Santa Rosa County. Escambia has envisioned turning the Beulah land into a commerce park. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 03/19/18) Previous: Land deal delayed; Land swap costs up

Contract: Rolls-Royce, $69.4M

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $69,433,967 for modification P00010 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0016) to exercise an option to provide intermediate, depot level maintenance and related logistics support for about 209 in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas (46 percent); Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. (44 percent); Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. (10 percent); and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (less than 1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2018. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/19/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $8.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $8,546,988 for modification P00005 to a previously issued order 0045, placed against basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order authorizes award of additional unique F-35 Joint Strike Fighter distributed mission training capability efforts for the Navy, Marine Corps, and the government of the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (70 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (15 percent); Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (9 percent); Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. (2 percent); Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. (2 percent); and Marham, United Kingdom (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2021. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Marine Corps); and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participant funds in the amount of $2,476,891 will be funded at time of award, $1,238,749 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy (27 percent); Marine Corps (23 percent); and non-U.S. DoD participants (50 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/19/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Bell Helicopter, $9.9M

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $9,852,575 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to three Bell 407 variant commercial airframes, associated Bell 407 unique components, and preservation and storage in the support of the MQ-8 Fire Scout. Work will be performed in Ozark, Ala., and is expected to be completed in December 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-18-D-0119). (Source: DoD, 03/16/18) Northrop Grumman does final assembly work on Fire Scouts in Moss Point, Miss.

Airport gets more money

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Florida Gov. Rick Scott approved $3 million in the state's FY19 budget for improvements at Pensacola International Airport. The announcement comes on the heels of an announcement last week of the award of a $4 million Florida Job Growth Infrastructure grant from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). The money from this appropriation will be used together with the money from the DEO grant to fund the development of infrastructure that will support the expansion of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities at the airport. (Source: City of Pensacola, 03/16/18) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $482M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $481,954,000 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee delivery order 0584 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for the procurement of initial air vehicle spares in support of the F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy; non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (24.4 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (9.1 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. (3.1 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). Work is expected to be completed in June 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $481,954,000 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force (33.92 percent); Marine Corps (13.43 percent); Navy (9.45 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants (29.58 percent); and FMS customers (13.62 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/15/18). Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: UTC, $21.6M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded $21,631,613 for firm-fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee task order N00019-18-F-2412 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-17-G-0005). This task order provides for non-recurring engineering for early identification, development, and qualification of corrections to potential and actual operational issues, including safety and reliability and maintainability problems identified through fleet usage, Accelerated Mission Testing, and Lead-the-Fleet programs. This task order will also provide support for continued engine maturation, evaluation of component life limits based on operational experience, operational readiness improvements, and efforts to reduce maintenance and of life cycle support costs for the Air Force, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (non- U.S.DoD) participants, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers in support of the F-35 Lightning II, F135 Propulsion System Component Improvement program. Work will be performed in East Hartford (65 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (35 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force and Navy); non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $21,631,613 are being obligated at time of award, $12,872,653 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy (45.6 percent); Air Force (13.9 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants (22.8 percent); and FMS (17.7 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/15/18). Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Alion, $13.5M

Alion Science and Technology Corp., McLean, Va., is being awarded a $13,549,993 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for development, integration, testing and evaluation of prototype systems for existing or emerging unmanned vehicles, unmanned weapons and unmanned weapons control systems related to mine warfare, amphibious warfare, surface warfare, diving and life support, coastal and underwater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and other missions in the littoral and riverine environments. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $72,974,234. Work performance locations will be determined with each order and will be completed by March 2023. Fiscal 2018 Navy working capital funding in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61331-18-D-0007). (Source: DoD, 03/15/18)

Contract: Med-Eng, $15M

Med-Eng LLC, Ogdensburg, N.Y., has been awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for explosive ordnance disposal bomb suits. This contract provides for the delivery of a full bomb suit ensemble and associated accessories. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be complete by March 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $384,800 are being obligated at the time of award. The 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8051-18-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 03/15/18)

More details on education center

Flight Works Alabama, courtesy Airbus

MOBILE, Ala. – Airbus announced the new aviation experience center to be built in Mobile will be named "Flight Works Alabama." In addition, the company issued the first architectural rendering of the new facility. The name represents a number of different aspects of the center's mission, said Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO Jeff Knittel. "We are convinced visitors to Flight Works Alabama will walk away with greater knowledge and appreciation of how aviation enriches everyone's lives," he said. In May 2017, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the intent to build the hands-on instructional facility, with the goal to bolster Alabama's workforce development efforts and inspire young people to pursue careers in aerospace. Flight Works Alabama will be 19,000 square feet and house a large interactive exhibition area, classrooms, a collaboration room, a workshop, a restaurant and a gift shop. It will be just off the campus of Airbus' aircraft manufacturing facility at Mobile Aeroplex, and serve as a gateway for public tours of Airbus' A320 series assembly line. Groundbreaking is expected in the summer with the grand opening in 2019. (Source: Airbus, 03/14/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $1.5B

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $1,463,152,389 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-17-C-0001) for long lead material and parts for low rate initial production (LRIP) of F-35 Lightning II air systems in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants; and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. This modification provides for 145 Lot 13 aircraft for the services, non-U.S. DoD participants and FMS customers; and 69 Lot 14 aircraft for the non-U.S. DoD participants and FMS customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); Nagoya, Japan (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Fiscal 2017 advanced procurement (Navy and Air Force); fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps), non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $1,463,152,389 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchase for the Air Force (24 percent); the Marine Corps (11 percent); the Navy (3 percent); and the non-U.S. DoD participants (44 percent); and FMS customers (18 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/13/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Eglin tests safer explosive

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has conducted a test to validate the sympathetic reaction of a new safety-oriented explosive co-developed with Aerojet Rocketdyne. The MNX-770 Mod 1 explosive is being developed for use in 500-pound BLU-111 (Mk-82) and 1000-pound BLU-110 (Mk-83) general purpose bombs. The explosive employs characteristics that make it less prone to unintended detonation than the currently-employed PBXN-109. The MNX-770 and PBXN-109 have been shown to perform at equal levels of lethality. "While the BLU-110 and BLU-111 general purpose bombs have been in service for decades, making these munitions safer for our warfighters to handle is a shared goal of the military and industry," said Eileen Drake, CEO and president at Aerojet Rocketdyne. The test took place at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Following the test, AFRL presented the data to the insensitive munitions review boards of the Air Force and Navy for certification. (Sources: Aerojet Rocketdyne, 03/08/18, ExecutiveBiz, 03/09/18)

Air Force assignment

Brig. Gen. Sean M. Farrell, director, strategic plans, programs and requirements, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla., has been assigned as director, Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The assignment was among those announced Friday by the Air Force chief of staff. (Source: DoD, 03/09/18)

Contract: Airbus Helo, $273.3M

Airbus Helicopters Inc., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $273,289,949 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 35 UH-72A aircraft. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of March 8, 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $136,644,970 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-18-C-0007). (Source: DoD, 03/08/18)

13 Raptor pilots graduate

Flight suit patches for F-22 pilots. AF photo

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 43rd Fighter Squadron graduated 13 F-22 Raptor Basic Course students during a March 2 ceremony. The students completed a course of instruction that included academics, examinations, sorties and simulator missions. With completion of the course the new F-22 pilots are now prepared to begin mission qualification training in their combat unit. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing, 03/06/18)

Airport lease with AF extended

CRESTVIEW, Fla. – Okaloosa County’s lease of 130 acres of Eglin Air Force Base land that contains the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) will be extended by 25 years and expire on July 30, 2063. The extension was part of a lease amendment the County Commission unanimously approved on Tuesday. The revised agreement includes a new payment structure that eventually might lead to an estimated overall savings of more than $7 million for the county. The county-Air Force partnership at VPS dates to 1957. The fast-growing airport set a new passenger count record for fiscal 2017 with a total of 1,134,209 passengers. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/08/18)

Commercial helos eyed for training

WASHINGTON – Seapower magazine reports that the Navy plans to replace the TH-57 training helicopter with a commercially available helicopter. Rear Adm. Scott D. Conn, the Navy's director of air warfare, said it's a new approach to replace the 115 training helicopters. He told the Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee March 6 that the Navy would hold a competition and pick a winner to purchase. The TH-57, derived from the Bell 206, has trained rotary-wing pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard since 1968. It's flown by three helicopter training squadrons at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. (Source: Seapower Magazine, 03/07/18)

Cities get funds for aviation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Nearly $23 million in awards for eleven Florida Job Growth Grant Fund projects across the state were announced today by Gov. Rick Scott. Among the awards are for aerospace-related projects for Pensacola and Marianna in Northwest Florida. Pensacola will get $4 million to develop additional taxiways, ramp construction and expansion for future development at Pensacola International Airport. The money also will help improve facilities for education and training the aviation workforce. Marianna will get nearly $2 million to extend the runway at Marianna Airport Commerce Park to 6,000 feet, which will allow the airport to accommodate larger business jets. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by the state last year, provides $85 million for improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training in Florida. (Source: press release, 03/06/18)

Blue Angels begin new season

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Blue Angels' 2018 air show season begins March 10 at El Centro Naval Air Facility, Calif., and concludes Nov. 2-3 with the homecoming show at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Pensacola Beach air how is July 14. There's another air show on the Gulf Coast July 21-22 in Biloxi, Miss. The Navy flight demonstration team also holds practice sessions throughout the season at NAS Pensacola. The first one is March 20 and the last is Oct. 24. The Pensacola News Journal published the complete schedule, including practice sessions. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 03/06/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $24.9M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $24,860,231 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0040) to update and revise F-35A integration requirements in accordance with the letter of offer and acceptance in support of the government of Japan. Additionally, this modification updates program management tasking, to include additional meetings and translator services. Work will be performed in Misawa, Japan (50 percent); Ichigaya, Japan (5 percent); Jujo, Japan (5 percent); Yokota, Japan (5 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent); and Orlando, Fla. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $24,860,231 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, 03/05/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $24M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $24,000,000 for modification P00007 to a previously issued cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N0001917F0108) placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification provides for the procurement of Integrated Core Processor prototypes to support laboratory system integration for all Joint Strike Fighter aircraft variants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in April 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $11,100,000 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, 03/05/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

ECP having growing pains

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — The addition of American Airlines service at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in West Bay, combined with increasing flights on other airlines, has resulted in crowded gate and office space. "We are reaching the constraints of the terminal," Airport Executive Director Parker McClellan said after Wednesday's airport authority board meeting. "I'm working with our staff and a consultant for future development (of the terminal)," McClellan said, added that the fact that the airport is getting crowded "is a great sign that our region is growing." (Source: News Herald, 03/01/18)

Contract: Pride Industries, $8.4M

Pride Industries, Roseville, Calif., has been awarded an $8,397,392 modification (P00085) to contract W9124G-13-C-0002 for base operations. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $1,797,609 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Rucker, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/01/18)

Recon of atmospheric rivers

53rd over San Diego on atmospheric river recon.
Air Force photo

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron performed weather reconnaissance of atmospheric rivers. It was done in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Atmospheric rivers carry water vapor in streams through the sky. They can carry an equivalent of about 25 times the amount of water in the Mississippi River as water vapor and can be 500 miles wide, thousands of miles long and have winds between 50 knots and hurricane-force speeds. The squadron has flown six missions totaling 92 hours, launching WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Hawaii and California for four of the missions. The squadron released 256 dropsondes into atmospheric rivers over the Pacific Ocean from about 30,000 feet. These dropsondes collect data including air pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and global positioning system information. This data is then used by Scripps, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the California Department of Water Resources, the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to gain more knowledge about atmospheric rivers and increase the accuracy of forecast models. (Source: 403rd Wing, 03/01/18)

AeroStar plans expansion

MOBILE, Ala. - Mobile-based AeroStar announced plans to more than double its facility and the number of employees over the next several years at the Mobile Aeroplex. The company founded in 2011 to service commercial, commuter and military aircraft has maxed out its 6,000-square-foot facility. In to continue growing it will add another 16,875-square-foot building next to the existing one. AeroStar performs hydraulic, pneumatic and electro-mechanical commercial aircraft maintenance on all Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier aircraft. The company has 22 employees and will add 28 new positions. The $2 million investment includes land, construction costs, machinery and equipment. Work is set to begin in March with a completion date anticipated before year-end 2018. (Source: Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, 03/01/18)