Contract: Canadian Commercial, $70M

Canadian Commercial Corp., Ottawa, Canada, has been awarded a $70,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Wescam Aggregate Services Plan. This contract provides for the continuation of contractor logistics support for the three configurations of L-3 Communications/Wescam MX Electro/Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor System line replaceable units installed on the AC-130U/W/J. The contract also provides for on-site support to include field level repair and troubleshooting in deployed locations in foreign countries, and operator familiarization training. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; and Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028. Fiscal 2021 procurement funds in the amount of $10,843,410 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8509-22-C-0004). (Source: DoD, 12/30/21)

Contract: Amentum, $54.7M

Amentum Services Inc., Germantown, Md., was awarded a $54,663,121 modification (P00032) to contract W9124G-17-C-0005 for basic initial flight training and instruction. Work will be performed at Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 9, 2027. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $54,663,121 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/30/21)

Contract: Alabama Shipyard, $26M

Alabama Shipyard, Mobile, Ala., is awarded a $25,964,083 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220522C4031) for a 150-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry-docking of Military Sealift Command’s hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). This contract includes a base period and 11 options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $28,535,957. Work will be performed in Mobile, begin March 1, 2022, and is expected to be completed by July 28, 2022. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $25,964,083 are obligated for fiscal 2022 and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was a small business set-aside with proposals solicited via the Government Point of Entry website with two offers received. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N3220522C4031). (Source: DoD, 12/30/21)

Leadership changes at SSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC) near Bay St. Louis has announced a senior leadership change with selection of longtime employee Rodney McKellip as its new associate director. McKellip, a native of Picayune, Miss., and resident of Slidell, La., has been serving as director of the Stennis Center Operations Directorate. In his new role, he succeeds Mary Byrd, who was selected as Stennis associate director a year ago, becoming the first woman to hold one of the three NASA front office posts on site. Byrd recently announced her plan to retire, with both leadership changes effective by the end of the year. (Source: NASA/SSC, 12/29/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $847M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $847,025,000 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) modification (P00009) to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N0001920C0009). This modification increases the scope to procure long lead materials, parts, components, and efforts associated with the production of 105 Lot 17 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (57%); El Segundo, Calif. (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Orlando, Fla. (4%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Nashua, N.H. (3%); Baltimore, Md. (3%); San Diego, Calif. (2%); Nagoya, Japan (2%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed in May 2026. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $292,685,000; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $191,940,000; non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $236,500,000; and FMS funds in the amount of $125,700,000 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, 12/29/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home to an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: VT Halter, $552.7M

VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $552,654,757 fixed-price incentive modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2210 to exercise an option for the detail design and construction of the second Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter. Work will be performed in Pascagoula (61%); Metairie, La. (12%); New Orleans, La. (12%); San Diego, Calif. (4%); Mossville, Ill. (4%); Mobile, Ala. (2%); Boca Raton, Fla. (2%); and other locations (3%), and is expected to be completed by September 2026. Fiscal 2021 procurement, construction, and improvement (Coast Guard) funds in the amount of 485,129,919 (80%); fiscal 2020 procurement, construction, and improvement (Coast Guard) funds in the amount of $100,000,000 (17%); and fiscal 2019 procurement, construction, and improvement (Coast Guard) funds in the amount of $20,000,000 (3%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/29/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $40.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $40,861,960 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00013) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0032) in support of the F-35 Lighting II Program for Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. This modification adds undefinitized scope for the production, delivery, installation, and configuration of 29 Operational Data Integrated Network/Autonomic Logistics Information System kits as well as engineering evaluation and on-aircraft evaluation tests on Multi-Path Support Equipment (MPSE) candidates to demonstrate MPSE functionality to meet aircraft support requirements. This modification also adds definitized scope for a depot optimization study that evaluates optimal F-35 solutions for future depot component repair capabilities and material lay-in. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (80%); and Fort Worth (20%), and is expected to be completed in July 2026. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $8,965,342; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,258,523; FMS funds in the amount of $49,417; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $4,799,310 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, 12/29/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home to an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Sikorsky, $30.7M

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, Stratford, Conn., is awarded a $30,730,499 modification (P00001) to a firm-fixed-price order (N0001921F0709) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0029). This modification increases the scope to procure 681 spare parts for the CH-53K low-rate initial production configuration aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford (48.97%); Windsor Locks, Conn. (8.7%); St. Marcel, France (6.73%); Vancouver, Wash. (3.68%); Quebec, Canada (3.14%); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (2.12%); Bridgeport, W.V. (2.04%); Louisville, Ky. (2%); Waltham, Mass. (1.59%); Charlotte, N.C. (1.5%); Redmond, Wash. (1.43%); Rockmart, Ga. (1.27%); Kent, Wash. (1.22%); Boylston, Mass. (1.1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (14.51%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $30,730,499 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/29/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $492.7M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $492,685,342 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive, firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable modification (P00027) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0020). This modification exercises options to provide logistics support to include ground maintenance activities, action request solutions, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operation and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, supply chain management, pilot training, maintainer training, and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft systems 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 (57%); Orlando, Fla. (26%); Greenville, S.C. (11%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (4%); and El Segundo, Calif. (2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $147,198,032; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $70,486,732; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $33,273,400; non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $167,620,202; and FMS funds in the amount of $74,106,976 will be obligated at time of award, $250,958,164 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, 12/28/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $49M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $49,059,494 cost-plus-incentive-fee-contract that provides engineering and other related activities in support of the design and development of a Joint Strike Fighter aircraft variant tailored for an unspecified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (77%); Redondo Beach, Calif. (14%); Orlando, Fla. (6%); Baltimore, Md. (1%); Owego, N.Y.k (1%) and Samlesbury, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. FMS funds in the amount $49,059,494 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N0001922C0015). (Source: DoD, 12/27/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $324.1M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $324,141,425 modification (P00020) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (N0001920F0571) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0008). This modification exercises options to support calendar year 2022 modification and retrofit activities for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to include the procurement of material modification kits as well as program management, non-recurring engineering, aircraft induction, contractor field, depot site and laser shock peening site support.  Additionally, this modification adds scope for the procurement of material kits as well as special tooling and test equipment necessary to support F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft retrofit and modification efforts for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers from the governments of Israel, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (74.8%); Nagoya, Japan (8.3%); Cameri, Italy (7.2%); Williamtown, Australia (3.5%); Cherry Point, N.C. (3.3%); and Ogden, Utah (2.9%); and is expected to be completed in in January 2027. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $73,608,286; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $61,458,715; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $56,367,878; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $20,030,656; non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $65,798,505; and FMS funds in the amount of $46,877,385 will be obligated at the 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, 12/23/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Kratos, $50.9M

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, Calif., is awarded a $50,917,490 contract modification (P00007) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N0001920C0075). This modification exercises an option to procure 65 BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Targets, 50 for the Navy, seven for the government of Japan, and eight for the government of Saudi Arabia, as well as associated technical and administrative data in support of full rate production lot three. Work will be performed in Sacramento (55.41%); Dallas, Texas (17.36%); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (4.67%); Blacksburg, Va. (2.9%); Newton, Kan. (2.11%); Santa Ana, Calif. (2.03%); Concord, Calif. (1.94%); Milwaukie, Ore. (1.83%); Chatsworth, Calif. (1.48%); Greybull, Wy. (1.17%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (9.1%), and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2022 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $37,600,608; fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,566,692 that were Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds converted to weapons procurement (Navy) for the replacement of two targets expended by the government of Australia; and FMS funds in the amount of $11,750,190 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, 12/23/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $250M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a modification totaling a $250,000,000 ceiling increase (P00006) to previously awarded contract FA8672-17-D-0004 for a StormBreaker Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) integrated engineering change proposal. This contract provides for design, development, integration, test and production engineering for changes to the SDB II GBU-53/B technical and production baseline. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Aug. 22, 2027. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of ceiling increase. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $700,000,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/23/21)

Budget has funds for aircraft

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - The defense budget for the 2022 fiscal year provides money for a special operations replacement aircraft, but not as much as requested. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) wants 75 of the "armed overwatch" aircraft to be operated by the Hurlburt Field-based U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. They would replace the fleet of U-28 Draco intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Seventy-five armed overwatch aircraft would provide AFSOC with four squadrons and 15 training planes. The National Defense Authorization Act for the 2022 fiscal year, approved by Congress and waiting for the president's signature, includes $166 million in procurement funding for the purchase of an initial six armed overwatch aircraft. That's $4 million less than had been requested. Five aircraft competing to be the overwatch plane were tested at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., earlier this year. Two were dropped from the competition, including one that would have been built in Crestview, Fla. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 12/23/21) See background in the April 2021 issue of Gulf Coast Aerospace Newsletter, page 3.

Hypersonic test results mixed

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Two recent weapons tests connected to Eglin Air Force Base produced a mixed record for ongoing Air Force weapons development. On Dec. 15, the effort to develop an air-launched hypersonic missile were dealt a setback, but the next day the in-flight retargeting of a cruise missile was successfully demonstrated over the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range in the Gulf of Mexico. In the Dec. 15 test of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, designed to fly at multiple times the speed of sound, the launch sequence was aborted for unknown reasons and the test vehicle never left the B-52H Stratofortress bomber. The program is overseen by the Air Force's Eglin-based Armament Directorate. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 12/22/21) For a detailed look at the hypersonic program, see the October 2021 issue of Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter.

Contract: Raytheon, $218.2M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $218,162,159 cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification (P00002) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0011). This modification adds scope to procure long-lead items in support of Lot 16 propulsion systems for F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and Non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind. (44%); Windsor Locks, Conn. (33%); Bristol, United Kingdom (16%); and Phoenix, Ariz. (7%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $66,812,836; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $56,564,199; FMS funds in the amount of $43,871,979; and Non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $50,913,145 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, 12/22/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $211.2M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $211,223,665 firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract modification (P00001) to an order (N0001921F0398) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0008). This modification adds scope to procure ancillary mission equipment in support of Lots 15 and 16 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter production aircraft for the Air Force, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) partners. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $68,860,141; FMS funds in the amount of $52,813,715; and non-DOD partner funds in the amount of $89,549,809 will be obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/22/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $23.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $23,792,332 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00767) to a previously awarded contract (N0001902C3002). This modification adds scope to provide support required to implement, integrate, test, and support accreditation of the F-35 in-a-box model and its required interfaces for use in the joint simulation environment. Development and support to integrate the models are required to fulfill operational test and evaluation goals and objectives to validate F-35 Block 3F capabilities in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (85%); and Patuxent River, Md. (15%), and is expected to be completed in July 2023. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,000,000; and fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $685,858 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 is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/22/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Northrop, $22.2M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is awarded a $22,163,146 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00016) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0025). This modification exercises options to provide software and engineering sustainment services, to include, logistics, cyber security and program related engineering in support the MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned air systems. Work will be performed in San Diego and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,336,707; and fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $595,834 will be obligated at time of award, $6,336,707 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, 12/22/21) Gulf Coast note: MQ-8 Fire Scouts are made in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Computer issue delays first launch

A malfunctioning computer in one of the four main engines of the Space Launch System will delay that vehicle’s first launch to no earlier than March. NASA announced that SLS engineers decided they needed to replace the controller for engine four in the core stage of the SLS. One of two redundant channels in the controller failed to power up consistently during tests of the integrated vehicle at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. That controller operated as expected during the core stage’s Green Run test campaign at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., that concluded with a full-duration static-fire test in March. NASA did not give a schedule for the work but ruled out a launch in the initial window of Feb. 12 to 27 that the agency announced in October. (Source: SpaceNews, 12/20/21) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $19.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $19,421,059 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00005) to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001918D0129). This modification exercises an option to provide continuing emerging capabilities and analysis systems engineering. These efforts include programmatic and logistics tasks that will analyze the F-35 air system's ability to meet future operational requirements; investigating cost and weight reduction program options; conducting modeling and simulation activities; and analyzing changes to design life, operational readiness, reliability, and air system design and configuration assessments. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/20/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $11.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., a Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $11,886,422 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00003) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0052). This modification exercises options and adds scope to provide field service representative, maintenance and sustainment operation support for the Norway Italy Reprogramming Laboratory systems and consumables in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the governments of Norway and Italy. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $11,886,422 will be obligated at the 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, 12/20/21)

Portion of Artemis II core completed

NEW ORLEANS, La. - NASA has completed assembly of the upper part of the core stage for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will send the Artemis II crew on its lunar mission. Boeing, the lead core stage contractor, completed joining the forward part of the rocket, and then lifted it out of the assembly structure at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility. The last piece to be added will be the engine section, which is currently in a separate assembly area being outfitted with propulsion systems that connect to the engines. The engine section will house the four RS-25 engines that power the rocket. (Source: Space Daily, 12/17/21)

Palletized weapon live fire test

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The Air Force Rapid Dragon Program successfully completed its final flight test Dec. 16 at the Eglin Overwater Test Range. The test capped a two-year series and culminated in a live fire of a current inventory cruise missile armed with a live warhead. Rapid Dragon demonstrates the ability to employ weapons using standard airdrop procedures from cargo aircraft using the Rapid Dragon Palletized Weapon System. The Dragon program name is derived from a 1,000-year-old Chinese military designed crossbow catapult that launched multiple crossbow bolts with the pull of a single trigger. This modern airborne delivery system also unleashes salvos en masse on distant adversaries. During the test, an MC-130J flown by an Air Force Special Operations Command operational flight crew, received new targeting data while in flight which was then routed to the cruise missile flight test vehicle. Once inside the drop zone over the Gulf of Mexico, the MC-130J aircrew airdropped a four-cell Rapid Dragon deployment system containing the FTV and three mass simulants, which were sequentially released from the palletized deployment box while under parachute. Safe separation from the deployment box and weapon deconfliction was demonstrated using an unconventional deployment method (nose-down vertical orientation). Immediately after the vertical release, the FTV deployed its wings and tail, achieved aerodynamic control, ignited its engine, performed a powered pull-up maneuver, and proceeded toward its newly assigned target. The cruise missile successfully destroyed its target upon impact. (Source: Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs, 12/16/21)

Contract: AgustaWestland, $159.4M

AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., Philadelphia, Pa., is awarded a $159,421,443 firm-fixed-price modification (P00016) to a previously awarded contract (N6134020C0007). This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of 36 TH-73A aircraft Lot III and initial spares in support of the Advanced Helicopter Training System program. Work will be performed in Philadelphia (85%); Mineral Wells, Texas (5%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (10%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $159,421,443 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, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/17/21) Gulf Coast note: TH-73s are the new training helicopters at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla.

Contract: HII, $$24.3M

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $24,282,603 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to exercise options on previously-awarded contract N00024-21-C-2443 for life cycle engineering and support for the LPD 17 Class Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Program. Work will be performed in Pascagoula (95%); and Norfolk, Va. (5%), and is expected to be completed by December 2022. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,499,135 (52%); fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,621,692 (32%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,513,260 (14%); fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $100,000 (1%); and fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,000 (1%) will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/17/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $92.9M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $92,908,493 contract modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract FA8672-21-C-0005 for StormBreaker Production All Up Rounds and Containers for the U.S. Air Force. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 U.S. Air Force Weapons Procurement funding in the amount of $92,908,493 was obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity.  (Awarded Oct. 28, 2021) (Source: DoD, 12/17/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $31M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $31,054,056 contract modification (P00003) to previously awarded contract FA8672-21-C-0005 for StormBreaker production all up rounds and containers for the Navy. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $31,054,056 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/17/21)

Contract: Shield AI, $15M

Shield AI, San Diego, Calif., has been awarded a $14,989,097 firm-fixed-price modification (A0001) to previously awarded contract FA8649-20-C-0158 for research and development efforts relating to unmanned aircraft system operations. This modification provides for the support of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations conducted by special operations forces ground combat maneuver elements in complex, contested and congested environments. Work will be performed in Hurlburt Field, Fla., and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2023. Fiscal 2021 Small Business Innovation Research funds in the amount of $14,989,097 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $16,391,909. The 765th Specialized Contracting Flight, Hurlburt Field, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/17/21)

Contract: Northrop, $41.2M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum, Md., has been awarded a $41,178,619 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Manta Ray Phase 2 program. This contract provides developing, fabricating, and testing a full-scale demonstration system of a long-endurance unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Work will be performed in Linthicum (75%); Woods Hole, Mass. (15%); Grandview, Mo. (4%); Baltimore, Md. (3%); North Kingstown, R.I. (2%); and Gulfport, Miss. (1%), with an expected completion date of December 2023. Fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and engineering funds in the amount of $760,166 and $10,000,000, respectively, are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition under broad agency announcement HR001119S0040 Phase 2. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR001122C0021). (Source: DoD, 12/17/21)

Contract: M1 Support, $522.7M

M1 Support Services LP, Denton, Texas, was awarded a $522,650,736 modification (P00100) to contract W9124G-17-C-0104 for aviation maintenance. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 15, 2023. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $522,650,736 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/16/21)

Contract: Telos, $34.3M

Telos Corp., Ashburn, Va., has been awarded a $34,310,531 modification (P00019) to previously awarded contract FA489017F0025 for defensive cyber operations whitespace support. The modification exercises the final option year. Work will be performed at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Hill AFB, Utah; Tinker AFB, Okla.; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Shaw AFB, S.C.; Grand Forks AFB, N.D.; Moody AFB, Ga.; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Robins AFB, Ga.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Creech AFB, Nev.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; Rome, N.Y.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska; Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Barksdale AFB, La.; Scott AFB, Ill.; and Vandenburg AFB, Calif. Work is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2023. Fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $17,579,105 are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $103,935,688. Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Dec. 15, 2021) (Source: DoD, 12/16/21)

Contract: L3 Technologies, $9.5M

L3 Technologies Inc., Communication Systems West, Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded a $9,536,068 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) Weapon Data Link (WDL) other transaction agreement. This agreement provides for the prototype of a WDL to be integrated into the JASSM weapon system. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City and is expected to be completed by July 1, 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers received. Fiscal 2021 research and development funds in the amount of $9,526,086 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-22-9-0023). (Source: DoD, 12/16/21)

Airbus to deliver last 321ceo

What's believe to be the last A320ceo jet that Airbus will build will be delivered soon to Delta. Built in Mobile, Ala., this A321ceo will  mark the end of over three decades of history for a jetliner that has been a staple of the short-haul market. It had a production run of more than 8,100 aircraft. In November 2020 the last A320ceo built in Toulouse left the building as a corporate jet for the Royal Thai Air Force. Since then, only neos (new engine option) have been built in Toulouse. But the ceos (current engine option) have remained in production in Mobile. By December 2020, a backlog of 53 aircraft stood, but for various reasons not all of those orders are considered viable. Of those 53 orders, 22 were for Delta Air Lines. Now, just one aircraft remains to be delivered to Delta. MSN 10315 is widely considered to be the last A320ceo family jet to be built, and it’s an A321-211SL set to be delivered in the coming weeks. The final A321ceo has had two test flights, one Dec. 6 for a two-hour and 15-minute journey, and the second Dec. 10 for just over an hour and a half. (Source: SimplyFlying, 12/15/21)

New RS-25 test series begins

RS-25 test in new series. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a  full-duration test Dec. 15 to begin a new series of testing for state-of-the-art RS-25 engines to help power the agency's Space Launch System (SLS), America's new deep-space rocket. The first hot fire of the new series was conducted for 500 seconds on the Fred Haise Test Stand (formerly A-1 Test Stand). The test schedule is divided into three phases: An initial five tests scheduled into next spring will use development engine No. 0525 to gather data on a variety of new engine components manufactured with state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, like hot isostatic pressure bonding and selective laser melting. A second phase of 12 tests will begin next summer with a certification engine produced with all new parts in Aerojet Rocketdyne’s factory in DeSoto, Calif. It is identical to new engines being manufactured for flights after Artemis IV. A third phase of 12 tests will be conducted with the development engine, which will have many of the same parts as the certification engine and also will be used to certify the new engines for flight. This latest round of testing is part of a program to develop new RS-25 engines and components for future Artemis deep space missions. During each phase, engineers are introducing newly fabricated components on developmental engines. The components tested in this series include newly fabricated turbopumps, ducting, harnesses, and valves. Also included will be a previously tested pogo accumulator. RS-25 tests at Stennis are conducted by a team of NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services operators. Syncom Space Services is the prime contractor for Stennis facilities and operations. (Source: NASA, 12/15/21) Previous

December newsletter published

The December 2021 issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor/Gulf Coast Reporters League Newsletter has been published. The eight-page issue, the last that will be published, is a review of the key Gulf Coast aerospace stories that occurred in 2021, based on some 375 news briefs that were posted on the Gulf Coast Aerospace news feed from January to mid-December. In addition to the top stories, there's a recap of the previous five issues of the newsletter published during the year. (Source: GCAC, 12/14/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $9.3M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $9,327,433 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00002) to a previously awarded undefinitized indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001921D0001). This modification increases the ceiling to partially definitize fiscal 2021 air vehicle initial spares, to include global spares packages, base spares packages, deployment spares packages, and afloat spares packages in support F-35 Lightning II Air Vehicle deliveries for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, non-U.S. Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2021. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/14/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Raytheon, $145.3M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $145,288,785 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00002) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0068). This modification exercises options to procure material and support equipment for depot maintenance facilities as well as supplies, services, and planning for depot activations in support of F-35 aircraft sustainment efforts for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in East Hartford (30.5%); Oklahoma City, Okla. (22.2%); Cherry Point, N.C. (13.5%); Jacksonville, Fla. (7.3%); West Palm Beach, Fla. (5.8%); Windsor Locks, Conn. (3.7%); Indianapolis, Ind. (3.0%); Willliamtown, New South Wales, Australia (2.9%); Iwakuni, Japan (2%); Foggia, Italy (1.6%); Patuxent River, Md. (1.4%); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (1.4%); Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (1.2%); Brekstad, Norway (1.2%); Leeuwarden, Netherlands (1.1%); Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. (1%); and Brandon, United Kingdom (0.2%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $59,531,081; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $59,531,073; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $26,226,631 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, 12/13/21)

Contract: HII, $70.9M

Huntington Ingalls Inc. (HII) - Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $70,866,327 not-to-exceed, undefinitized contract action for long lead time material (LLTM) in support of one amphibious assault ship (general purpose) replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9). This action will be the seventh increment of LLTM awarded to HII under contract (N00024-20-C-2437) executed on April 30, 2020. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa. (49%); Pascagoula (45%); Hamilton, Ohio (4%); and High Ridge, Mo. (2%), and is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $53,149,745 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The obligation amount represents 75% of the not-to-exceed price, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 217.7404-4, limitations on obligations. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) — only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-2437). (Source: DoD, 12/13/21)

Contract: Johns Hopkins, $50M

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md., has been awarded a $50,000,000 modification (P00002) to previously awarded contract FA8656-20-D-0005 for Air Warfare Systems. The modification provides services for advanced development, acquisition and test and evaluation of aerospace systems, to include munitions, cyber warfare and electronic warfare elements. Work will be performed in Laurel and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026. No funds are being obligated at the time of award, and the total cumulative face value of the contract is $99,999,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/13/21)

Nelson visits Stennis

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy visited Stennis Space Center on Dec. 7, meeting with Stennis Director Rick Gilbrech and other site leaders, and also touring various center facilities. The leaders toured the Fred Haise Test Stand, B-2 Test Stand, and E Test Complex, as well as the Aerojet Rocketdyne Engine Assembly Facility. Nelson and Melroy both praised Stennis as a “national treasure,” noting the key role the center is playing in the agency’s Artemis plans to return astronauts to the Moon in preparation for eventual missions to Mars. Stennis is testing RS-25 engines that will help power NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on deep space missions. Earlier this year, the site also tested the first SLS core stage prior to its upcoming Artemis I launch. The visit marked Nelson’s first trip to Stennis since he became NASA administrator in late April. (Source: NASA/SSC, 12/09/21)

Contract: HII, $60.4M

Huntington Ingalls Inc. - Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $60,425,462 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract action for integration of four Joint Strike Fighter engineering change proposals in support of one amphibious assault ship (General Purpose) replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 8). Work will be performed in Pascagoula (72%); Chesapeake, Va. (25%); and Philadelphia, Pa. (3%), and is expected to be completed by July 2024. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $30,212,731 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The obligation amount represents 50% of the not-to-exceed price, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 217.7404-4 — limitations on obligations. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) — only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-16-C-2427). (Source: DoD, 1209/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $20.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $20,481,366 modification (P00012) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001920C0032). This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering for the selected F-35 “Out the Window” replacement solution in support of full mission simulator production for the Air Force, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed in March 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $8,392,099; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,392,098; and non-DOD participants funds in the amount of $3,697,169 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, 1209/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Marines test missile at Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron One conducted an operational test and evaluation of the joint air-to-ground missile last month. Testers fired the weapon from an AH-1Z Viper helicopter. The evaluation was to determine its suitability and effectiveness to support expeditionary advanced base operations. Each branch of service as well as industry partners were on location to observe and analyze the data from the test event. This event can lead to improvements in lethality of attack helicopters by arming them with newer munitions equipped with two sensor technologies and optimizes missile performance on maritime targets. The 96th Test Wing’s 780th Test Squadron’s planning, coordination, and execution laid the foundation for this test. Multiple Eglin teams supported the Marines and their aircraft, including the 96th Maintenance Group and the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 12/06/21)

Airbus hosts hiring event

MOBILE, Ala. - Airbus is hosting a hiring event today, Dec. 9, for people interested in working at its manufacturing plant in Mobile. Airbus will interview applicants for openings in a range of positions. Various levels of experience will be considered. The job fair will be held from noon until 8 p.m. at the Alabama Industrial Developmental Training Center at 1854 9th St. at the Mobile Aeroplex. (Source: WALA Fox10, 12/07/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $36.7M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $36,697,754 fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification (P00033) to a previously awarded contract (N0001918C1021). This modification adds scope to procure long lead Group 2, 4 and 10 hardware as well as engineering and program management services in support of Lot 16 production of F-135 propulsion systems for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (56%); North Berwick, Maine (13%); Indianapolis, Ind. (10%); Jupiter, Fla. (7%); Windsor Locks, Conn. (5%); Bristol, United Kingdom (4%); Rockford, Ill. (2%); Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico (2%); Phoenix, Ariz. (1%); and is expected to be completed in October 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,194,577; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $524,801; non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount $9,543,854; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $9,434,521 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, 12/08/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $77.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $77,847,256 modification (P00002) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001921C0040). This modification adds scope to provide for the integration of indigenous weapons into an F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter air system for a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in December 2025. FMS customer funds in the amount of $77,847,256 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, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/03/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Segers Aero, $9.6M

Segers Aero Co., Fairhope, Ala., has been awarded a $9,598,569 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract action for the establishment of the T-56 Engine and Quick Engine Change Intermediate Level Maintenance Facility. The contract provides for training for the maintenance, repair and overhaul repairs of the T-56 engine. Work will be performed in Fairhope; and Clark Air Force Base, Pampanga, Philippines, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. This award is the result of an international agreement that was source directed in which one bid was received and is 100 percent Foreign Military Sales (FMS). FMS funds in the amount of $374,629 are being obligated at the time of award under task order FA8124-22-F-0005. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8124-22-D-0005). (Source: DoD, 12/03/21)

Money for Guard, revived state force

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing a state budget increase of more than $100 million to better fund the Florida National Guard and re-establish a Florida State Guard civilian force. The state guard, establishe in World War II then disbanded, would be controlled by the governor and used during emergencies, like natural disasters. The plan would establish for the Florida National Guard three new armories, a new headquarters for the National Guard Counter Drug Program and provide support for Florida National Guardsmen seeking higher-education degrees. (Sources: CNN, Pensacola News Journal, 12/02/21)

Terminal construction team picked

MOBILE, Ala. - The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) selected a team Wednesday to serve as lead contractor for a $252 million commercial airport terminal at the Mobile Aeroplex. Tupelo, Miss.-base JESCO Inc., part of Yates Companies, is joined by Volkert Inc., as part of the team that will build the terminal with up to eight gates and a parking garage within an industrial and business park east of Interstate 10. Chris Curry, president of the MAA, said he will negotiate a price with the firms in the coming weeks and will return to the authority with a final proposal. The goal remains to have the entire project completed by the fall of 2024. Five groups applied for the project. (Source: aldotcom, 12/02/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $273.4M

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Marlborough, Mass., was awarded a $273,353,649 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, and cost only modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-19-C-5501) to exercise options and add advanced radars detection laboratory generator support for Air and Missile Defense Radar; and Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, integration and production support efforts. Work will be performed in Marlborough (54%); Pascagoula, Miss. (11%); Moorestown, N.J. (9%); Newport News, Va. (6%); Kauai, Hawaii (5%); Wallops Island, Va. (4%); Fair Lakes, Va. (4%); Bath, Maine (2%); Chesapeake, Va. (2%); Portsmouth, R.I. (1%); San Diego, Calif. (1%); and Silver Spring, Md. (1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2022. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion funds (Navy) in the amount of $14,060,000 (28%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,987,933 (23%); fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,466,143 (17%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,872,198 (13%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,465,420 (7%); fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,978,555 (6%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,195,424 (4%) and; fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $902,513 (2%) will be obligated at time of award, of which $2,978,555 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 30, 2021) (Source: DoD, 12/01/21)

Blue Angel emergency landing

MADISON, Wisc. - A Navy Blue Angels F-18 made an emergency landing at Dane County Regional Airport Tuesday due to a reported hydraulic issue. There were no injuries. The pilot reported the hydraulic issue to air traffic control and requested emergency vehicles on standby, an airport spokesman said. The F-18 landed without issue on runway 36 and came to a stop at the intersection of two runways, temporarily closing one for 35 minutes and one for 45 minutes. (Sources: Channel 3000, WMTV NBC15, 12/01/21) Gulf Coast note: The Blue Angels flight demonstration team is base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

Contract: Raytheon, $447.6M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded an undefinitized $447,601,042 not-to-exceed modification (P00011) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price incentive (firm target), cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N0001921C0011). This contract provides for the procurement of recurring sustainment support activities including maintenance of support equipment, common program activities, unique and common base recurring sustainment, repair of repairables, field service representatives, common replenishment spares, conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant F-135 unique maintenance services, and short take-off and landing F-135 unique services in support of the F-35 Lightning II F135 propulsion system for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Air National Guard, non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (47%); Oklahoma City, Okla. (15%); Indianapolis, Ind. (13%); Windsor Locks, Conn. (6%); West Palm Beach, Fla. (5%); Brekstad, Norway (2%); Leeuwarden, Netherlands (2%); Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia (2%); Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, S.C. (1%); Cameri, Italy (1%); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (1%); Edwards AFB, Calif. (1%); Hill AFB, Utah (1%); Iwakuni, Japan (1%); Luke AFB, Ariz. (1%); and Patuxent River, Md. (1%), and is expected to be completed in May 2022. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $44,006,026; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $41,480,264; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,092,764; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Air National Guard) funds in the amount of $5,525,000; non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $29,576,990; and FMS funds in the amount of $16,311,383 will be obligated at time of award, $98,104,054 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/30/21)

Contract: Boeing, $85M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $85,014,425 for ceiling-priced delivery order N00383-22-F-0A30 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-17-G-A301 for overhaul of 40 ship-sets for the F-18 landing gear system, which includes a left side and right side main landing gear and nose landing gear assembly in support of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircrafts. All work will be completed by April 2024 with no option periods. Work will be performed in Quebec, Canada (37%); St. Louis, Mo. (21%); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (18%); Ontario, Canada (12%); San Diego, Calif. (6%); various other material suppliers (4%); and Yakima, Wash. (2%). Annual fiscal working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $41,657,068 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/30/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $124.9M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $124,902,953 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8682-21-C-0004 for Lot Four and Five of Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles and tooling and test equipment. The contract modification provides for the purchase of an additional 42 Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles and 24 Weapons Data Links in support of Lot Six. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla.; and Troy, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 22, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $124,902,953 are being obligated at time of modification award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $549,674,649. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD. 11/29/21)

Contract: Science Applications, $99M

Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Va., has been awarded a $99,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Weapon Engagement Simulation Technology for Advanced Research (WESTAR). The contract provides for the development of multi-spectral and multi-modal phenomenology modeling capabilities towards the research, development and transition of Air Force munitions. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,843,404 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8651-22-D-1001). (Source: DoD. 11/29/21)

Contract: L3 Vertex, $69.4M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $69,384,000 firm-fixed-price contract for contractor operated and maintained base supply of the Air Education and Training Command fleet of 178 T-1A trainer aircraft. Work will be performed at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Vance AFB, Okla.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; and Naval Air Station Pensaola, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2022. This award for option four is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,900,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-18-C-0001). (Awarded Nov. 22, 2021) (Source: DoD, 11/24/21)

Contract: Austal, $72.5M

Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Ala., is awarded a $72,514,406 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for emergent repair and continuous maintenance for littoral combat ships deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the countries and ports therein. The contract will include a one 24-month base period beginning in January with three additional 12-month option periods, which if exercised, will bring the total value to $215,881,424. Work will begin January 2022 and is expected to be completed by December 2023; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by December 2026. Work will be primarily performed in Singapore with a percentage that cannot be determined at this time in countries and ports within the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance funds (Navy) in the amount of $9,185,652 will be obligated to fund the contract’s minimum amount and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Individual task orders will be subsequently funded with appropriate fiscal year appropriations at the time of their issuance. This contract was competitively procured with the solicitation posted on the beta.sam.gov website, with two offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka, Site Singapore, is the contracting activity (N40345-22-D-8000). (Source: DoD, 11/23/21)

Contract: Boeing, $49.7M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded a not-to-exceed $49,677,000 firm-fixed-price letter contract for QF-16 Production Lot 6 Block 25 and Block 30 Unique Material for Drone Peculiar Equipment Package, program integration support, production line support material and warranty for drone peculiar equipment lay-in material. Work will be performed in St. Louis and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2021 Navy weapons procurement funds in the amount of $4,186,507; and fiscal 2022 procurement funds in the amount of $20,651,992 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-22-C-0003). (Source: DoD, 11/23/21)

HCPHC gets $2.2M for airport

KILN, Miss. – Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission received $2.2 million in RESTORE Act funds for a technology park at Stennis International Airport. The 40-acre park will consist of multiple structures built in phases. The funding from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon settlement will go toward the first phase of the park. Phase 1 includes construction of a building to house the Department of the Army’s Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX), which has outgrown its existing incubator space at the airport. Planning for the technology park began in 2017 when HCPHC developed the Aviation and Aerospace Optimization Plan with a goal to become the cornerstone of Mississippi's aerospace industry. Stennis International is a community airport that has an 8,500-foot runway rated to carry the world’s largest cargo planes. It'is home to 15 aerospace companies serving both general aviation and military aircraft. (Source: HCPHC, 11/19/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $584.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $584,835,834 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (PZ0057) to a previously awarded contract (N0001919C0010). This modification adds scope to provide system integration engineering for the development of new ASQ-239 electronic warfare/counter measure hardware in support of the F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H. (66%); Fort Worth (27.5%); Linthicum Heights, Md. (5%); various locations within the continental U.S. (1%); and Balderstone, Lancashire, United Kingdom (0.5%), and is expected to be completed in April 2026. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $33,934,533; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $33,934,532; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $14,949,980 will be obligated at the 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, 11/19/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: HII, $113.7M

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded an $113,694,258 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract action for long lead time material (LLTM) in support of one amphibious assault ship (general purpose) replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9). This action will be the sixth increment of LLTM awarded to HII under contract N00024-20-C-2437 executed on April 30, 2020. Work will be performed in Pascagoula (64%); Montville, N.J. (7%); Mobile, Ala. (5%); Tulsa, Okla. (5%); High Ridge, Mo. (5%); Blaine, Wash. (4%); Pittsburgh, Pa. (4%); Thomaston, Conn. (3%); and Ayer, Mass. (3%). Work is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $85,270,693 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The obligation amount represents 75% of the not-to-exceed price, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 217.7404-4, limitations on obligations. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), this contract was not competitively procured — only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-20-C-2437). (Source: DoD, 11/19/21)

Contract: Sikorsky, $21.2M

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Conn., is awarded a $21,201,454 modification (P00309) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001906C0081). This modification increases scope and provides aircraft maintenance in support of the CH-53K data transfer unit and defensive electronic countermeasure system replacement phase three flight test. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (78%); Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (11%); and Hot Springs, Va. (11%), and is expected to be completed in June 2022. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on subsequent modifications to the contract. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/19/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $20.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $20,353,137 modification (U00010) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001920C0026). This modification adds scope to continue support required to establish the common reprogramming tool development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture for the development of enhanced reprogramming tools, which is essential for all standing labs in support of the F-35 aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (90%); and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (10%), and is expected to be completed in May 2022. Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $965,875; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $235,929; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $11,804,254 will be obligated at the time of award, $235,929 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, 11/18/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $19M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a not-to-exceed $18,977,821 fixed-price-incentive-fee, undefinitized modification (P00011) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0032). This modification adds scope to provide delivery and installation of a multispectral database and delivery of crypto ignition keys in support of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in support of the Air Force and the government of the Republic of Korea. Work will be performed in Madison, Wisc. (80%); and Fort Worth (20%), and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $9,488,500; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $821 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. (Awarded Nov. 16, 2021) (Source: DoD, 11/17/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

New Airbus orders help Mobile

Airbus landed the Dubai Airshow's first major order Sunday, then followed up with another major win. Indigo Partners owns Frontier airlines in the U.S. and carriers in Mexico, Hungary, and South America. The company ordered over two hundred Airbus 321 style aircraft. Airbus says most of the planes will be built at its plant in Mobile, Ala.. Airbus says the orders will trickle in over the next three years. Frontier and Hungary based Wizz Air will reportedly each receive close to one hundred Airbus planes. Twenty three new craft will go to JetSmart, which operates in Chile and Argentina. A portion of the order is reportedly for A321 “neos.” Some reports put the value of the deal as high as $32 billion dollars. In its second big deal at the biennial Dubai Air Show, Airbus announced Monday that it has received an order from the Air Lease Corporation for 111 new aircraft. The deal, likely valued into the tens of billions of dollars, includes 25 A220-330s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321 XLRs, four A330neos and seven A350Fs. (Sources: multiple, including Alabama Public Radio, Irish Times, 11/14/21, FOX10 News, 11/15/21)

PNS eyes expansion

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola International Airport (PNS) officials are looking to build a new concourse and expand parking in the wake of record-breaking demand following the lows of the pandemic. Airport Director Matt Coughlin on Monday said that in peak season between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year the number of people boarding flights had increased by 25 percent over 2019’s pre-COVID numbers. The airport added two new airlines in Spirit and Boutique Air this year, and went from 20 nonstop destinations to 30. Delta Air Lines announced Monday it would add nonstop daily service from Pensacola to New York's LaGuardia Airport, an example of why expansion is necessary, according to Coughlin. A 300-space parking expansion is underway that will add about 10 percent more parking on site, a customs and border patrol facility is on track to be complete in December. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 11/16/21, WEAR-TV, 11/15/21)

Contract: Northrop, $64M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Plymouth, Minn., was awarded a $63,873,200 firm-fixed-price contract for ammunition procurement. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Ariz.; Coachella, Santa Clara, and Morgan Hill, Calif.; Crawfordville, Fla.; Burlington, Iowa; Waukegan and Northbrook, Ill.; New Albany, Ind.; Lexington and Louisville, Ky.; New Orleans, La.;  Elkton, Md.; Ironwood, Mich.; Thief River Falls, Anoka, Eden Prairie, Shafer, Plymouth, White Bear Lake, Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis and Elk River, Minn.; Purchase, N.Y.; Yankton and Clear Lake, S.D.; New Berlin, Germantown, Milwaukee and Ashwaubenon, Wisc.; Keyser, W.Va.; Jonesborough, Tenn.; Austin, Palestine, Fort Worth and Texarkana, Texas; and Aschau, Germany, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2023. Fiscal 2020, 2021 and 2022 procurement of ammunition, Army funds in the amount of $63,873,200 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-22-C-0006). (Source: DoD, 11/15/21)

Checkered Flag at Tyndall

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The semi-annual Checkered Flag exercise, one of the Defense Department's largest air-to-air exercises, was launched at Tyndall Air Force Base this week. Held over two weeks, it's designed to integrate fourth- and fifth-generation airframes. It involves more than 90 aircraft and personnel from 16 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy units that will train together in 20 aerial events during the two weeks. The exercise has been held since 1963. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 11/13/21)

Tyndall getting solar microgrid

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Construction has begun on a solar microgrid pilot project Gulf Power is building and will operate in partnership with Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City. The project is part of the Air Force plan to rebuild Tyndall as a more resilient base. It could serve as a prototype for future Department of Defense installations. Tyndall sustained a direct hit from Category 5 Hurricane Michael in 2018 and suffered some $4.7 billion in damage. Nearly 500 buildings were beyond repair. In 2020, the Air Force announced they would rebuild the base as an “Installation of the Future,” with updated building codes, “smart building” technology and features that will make the base more storm resilient. Gulf Power, part of Florida Power and Light, expects to complete the microgrid early next year. A microgrid is a small network of electricity users with a local source of supply that is usually attached to a centralized national grid but is able to function independently, a so-called "island mode." At Tyndall, the microgrid will comprise a 150-kilowatt (kW) solar array and 450 kW, 2.5-hour battery. The microgrid will have a 10-year lifespan and support three buildings on base. By partnering with Tyndall, Gulf Power and FPL will have the opportunity to further explore cutting-edge microgrid technology, while supporting the U.S. Air Force and the local economy. (Source: Destin Log, 11/11/21)

Contract: HII, $20M

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $20,000,000 cost modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2307 to fund capital expenditure projects for shipbuilding supplier industrial base efforts in support of the DDG 51 class destroyer program. This modification will fund supplier base efforts to address supply chain fragility to ensure future readiness for the fleet. Work will be performed in Pascagoula and is expected to be completed by April 2029. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $20,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/12/21)

Contract: Tyonek, $100M

Tyonek Services Overhaul Facility – Stennis, Kiln, Miss., is awarded a not-to-exceed $100,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides lifecycle sustainment, logistics, engineering, and technical services to include planning, analysis, development, training, support equipment management, packaging handling, staging and transportation, supply support, organizational and intermediate maintenance, as well as maintenance/repair and overhaul for aviation equipment and aviation weapons systems in support of the Naval Air Systems Command Sustainment Group, International Sustainment Department. Work will be performed in Kiln (75%); Madison, Ala. (5%); Albertville, Ala. (5%); Greenville, Miss. (5%); Tucson, Ariz. (5%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (5%), and is expected to be completed in November 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 19.808-1(a). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N0042122D0003). (Source: DoD, 11/10/21)

Contract: EMR, $10M

EMR Inc., Niceville, Fla., was awarded a $10,044,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of one multi-bay munitions research, development, test and evaluation explosive operating facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of May 4, 2023. Fiscal 2022 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $10,044,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-22-C-0002). (Source: DoD, 11/10/21)

Contract: multiple, $249M

Ashford Leebcor Enterprises IV LLC, Williamsburg, Va. (N69450-22-D-0002); CCI Solutions LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (N69450-22-D-0003); Dawson Enterprises LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii (N69450-22-D-0004); P&S Construction Inc., Chelmsford, Mass. (N69450-22-D-0005); Southeastern Industrial Barlovento JV-2 LLC, Destin, Fla. (N69450-22-D-0006); VHB LLC, Boyds, Md. (N69450-22-D-0007); Walga Ross Group 3 JV, Joplin, Mo. (N69450-22-D-0008); and WEB LLC, doing business as WEBCO, Springfield, Va. (N69450-22-D-0009), were awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, design-build and design-bid-build multiple-award construction contracts with a combined maximum value of $249,000,000 for construction projects primarily in the east area of operations of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast. These eight contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. No task orders are being issued at this time. Each awardee was awarded $1,000 in order to satisfy the minimum guarantee. Work will be performed Florida (34%); Georgia (33%); and South Carolina (33%), and is expected to be completed by November 2026. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,000 were obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); and operation and maintenance (Navy) funds. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.sam.gov website, with 30 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 8, 2021) (Source: DoD, 11/09/21)

Contract: Greenup-Cajun, $96.3M

Greenup-Cajun JV LLC, Kenner, La., was awarded a $96,286,929 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of hurricane protection features and levee and drainage canal relocation. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in New Orleans, La., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2021 civil construction funds in the amount of $96,286,929 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Miss., is the contracting activity (W912P8-22-C-0009). (Source: DoD, 11/09/21)

Astronauts splash down in Gulf

Four astronauts from NASA, France and Japan splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida aboard their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, capping off a six-month stay in space. Their journey kicked off Monday just after 2 pm ET when they strapped into the Crew Dragon capsule, which had remained attached to the International Space Station since it arrived with the crew in April. The spacecraft spent nearly nine hours slowly maneuvering through orbit, approaching the thick inner layer of Earth's atmosphere before the Crew Dragon lit up its thrusters to safely slice into the air, deploy parachutes and splash down around 10:30 p.m. Monday off the coast of Pensacola. (Source: multiple, including CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, 11/08/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $97.3M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $97,336,915 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8682-21-C-0001. The contract modification is for 94 Lot 20 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range missiles with containers. Work will be performed in Orlando; and Troy, Ala., and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020-2022 missile procurement funds in the amount of $97,336,915 are being obligated at the time of award, and the total cumulative face value of the contract is $536,515,914. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/05/21)

Airport eligible for grant

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile Downtown Airport is one of seven airports nationwide eligible for specialized grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Downtown Mobile Airport used to be an Air Force base, which closed decades ago, then years later the Mobile Aeroplex. Due to the airport's ties to the military the Mobile Airport Authority was able to apply to the FAA's Military Airport Program. This week alone, the City of Mobile voted unanimously to transfer $30 million in surplus funds to go towards building the Downtown Mobile Airport Terminal. Not long before that, they received a $5.1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to build a multi-use cargo warehouse and hangar facility. (Source: WPMI, 10/29/21)

Building reopens after 2019 attack

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. - Building 633 officially reopened Friday, almost two years after a terrorist attack inside its halls Dec. 6, 2019. High-ranking military officers and local dignitaries attended the reopening ceremony, which honored the three sailors who died and the eight who were injured. Building 633, which first opened in 1941, houses dozens of classrooms in which almost every new student at the Naval Aviation School Command is required to take their first courses before more advanced training. The building had remained closed since Dec. 6, 2019, when an NASC flight student from Saudi Arabia open fire on other students. The three who died were Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Cameron Scott Walters, 21. The Navy refurbished the building, which now features a bronze plaque with the names and faces of the three sailors that can be seen on the first-floor quarterdeck. On the second floor, the Navy has installed an "an area of remembrance," featuring the three sailors' portraits and a second plaque that displays the names of the eight injured. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 10/30/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $38.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $38,348,155 cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost reimbursable modification (P00021) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0020). This modification exercises options to provide logistics support for the repair and replenishment of parts and consumables for the F-35 aircraft in support of the Marines, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (57%); Orlando, Fla. (26%); Greenville, S.C. (11%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (4%); and El Segundo, Calif. (2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $23,903,316; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,291,481; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $4,153,358 will be obligated at time of award, $34,194,797 which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/29/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Lockheed, $30.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $30,439,628 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00018) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0037). This modification exercises options to provide operation and maintenance support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development labs in support of testing developed configurations across the F-35 platform for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,472,427; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,472,427; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $5,494,774 will be obligated at time of award, $24,944,854 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/29/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Serco-IPS, $$24.9M

Serco - IPS Corp., Herndon, Va., is awarded a $24,903,276, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract N00174-18-C-0015 to procure professional support services for the Naval Sea System Command’s deputy commander for surface warfare (SEA 21). Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. (55%); Norfolk, Va. (19%); San Diego, Calif. (18%); Mayport, Fla. (2%); Yokosuka, Japan (2%); Sasebo, Japan (1%); Manama, Bahrain (1%); Pascagoula, Miss. (1%); and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (1%), and is expected to complete October 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $810,855; fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,845,992; and fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $16,246,052 will be obligated at time of award, of which $17,056,907 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/27/21)

Contract: General Dynamics, $40M

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Falls Church, Va., is awarded a $39,959,262 modification (P00029) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite
-quantity contract (W15QKN15D0001). This modification exercises an option to provide integrated logistics support services for Foreign Military Sales customers using Navy procured defense articles including weapon systems, various aircrafts, and other components in support of the International Sustainment Department and the Naval Air Systems Command. Work will be performed in California, Md. (28%); Mechanicsburg, Pa. (21%); Arlington, Va. (6%); Patuxent River, Md. (5%); Jacksonville, Fla. (5%); Lexington Park, Md. (4%); Fredericksburg, Va. (3%); Fairfax, Va. (2%); Philadelphia, Pa. (2%); San Diego, Calif. (2%); Kaohsiung, Taiwan (2%); Lemoore, Calif. (1%); King George, Va. (1%); Warrenton, Va. (1%); Cherry Point, N.C. (1%); Charlotte, N.C. (1%); Jacksonville, N.C. (1%); New Bern, N.C. (1%); Pensacola, Fla. (1%); Tucson, Ariz. (1%); Washington, D.C. (1%); Jackson, La. (1%); Glassboro, N.J. (1%); Dover, Del., (1%); Houston, Texas (1%); Seattle, Wash. (1%); Kuwait City, Kuwait (1%); Tokyo, Japan (1%); Cairo, Egypt (1%); Cours, France (1%); and Taipei, Taiwan (1%), and is  expected to be completed October 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/26/21)

Contract: Lockheed, $206.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $206,832,036 undefinitized modification (P00012) to a cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (0097) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001914G0020). This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering, detailed aircraft modification execution planning and technical data packages in support of modifications to the F-35 developmental test fleet aircraft. These modifications are necessary to support flight tests for the F-35 developmental test fleet and for the capabilities delivered under the F-35 Block 4 modernization in support of the Joint Strike Fighter Program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (60%); Patuxent River, Md. (20%); and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $5,000,001; fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,000,001; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $2,202,771 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/20/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Leebor Services, $10M

Leebor Services LLC, Williamsburg, Va., is awarded a $10,027,337 firm-fixed-price modification to a task order (N6945021F0726) under previously-awarded multiple award construction contract N69450-17-D
-0508 to exercise Options One through Four, which provide for design-build Hurricane Sally recovery work at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Exercising these options brings the total cumulative task order value to $16,780,462. Work will be performed in Pensacola and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,027,337 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/20/21)

October newsletter published

The latest issue of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter is now available to download. The cover story focuses on the expensive hypersonic space race, and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is an important player. There's also an article on Stennis Space Center, Miss., and its importance to the nation's commercial space activities, and a column highlighting some of the key aerospace stories since the August newsletter. The latest version of the newsletter can be downloaded by visiting the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor website. (Source: GCAC, 10/19/21)

PNS sees positive signs

PENSACOLA, Fla. - During one of the busiest summers on record, Pensacola International Airport (PNS) saw a 156 percent increase in June to September 2021 passengers, compared to the same time period in 2020. It grew from 396,258 passengers to 1,014,569. This year's record was a nearly 22 percent increase from its most recent peak of 833,076 passengers in 2019. The airport also surveyed passengers in its "Let Your Comments Fly campaign," designed to gather consumer insights. More than 1,000 participated in the campaign and rated the airport. Final numbers are still being compiled, but 79 percent rated their airport experience positively, with 32 percent giving the airport the highest rating of “impressive.” Through the course of the summer, passengers gave the airport a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 92 out of 100. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 10/18/21)

UPS, ST Engineering training pact

PENSACOLA, Fla. - With maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) jobs in Pensacola expected to increase, ST Engineering and UPS announced a joint training program. The contract signed Thursday provides for a Pensacola-based program for employment, advancement opportunities and advanced training to mechanics who would live and work in Pensacola while completing the three-year program. The Aircraft Maintenance Pathways Training Program is expected to begin this year with its first 30 students, according to Stephen Lim, president of ST Engineering Aerospace America. To be eligible a person already must be an FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician and hold an Airframe and Powerplant Certificate. That means the students will have already completed an 18-month program at an FAA-accredited school. UPS agreed to send company representatives to headhunt at FAA-accredited schools, Lim said, looking for recent graduates who could be considered top candidates to fill the ranks of the new Pensacola-based training program. ST Engineering has a separate contract with UPS to perform maintenance on the shipping company's planes. Project Titan is the city's project to add three new hangars to the current one-hangar ST Engineering MRO  campus at Pensacola International Airport. It's projected to create 1,325 new jobs at the complex. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 10/14/21)

Contract: Kratos, $53M

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded a $53,003,839 firm-fixed-price modification (P00001) for spares to previously awarded contract FA8678-21-D-0001. The contract modification provides for the purchase of spare parts under the basic indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, along with correcting the contract’s ceiling amount. Work will be performed in Sacramento and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2027. No funds are being obligated at the time of award, and the total cumulative face value of the contract is $374,043,801. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 10/13/21)

Test management now test evaluation

Following the inactivation of the 53rd Test Management Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the Air Force activated the 753rd Test and Evaluation Group Oct. 1, 2021. The transition from a “test management” to “test and evaluation” organization is in recognition of the group’s active mission of combined test management and execution. The now-753rd Test and Evaluation Group, headquartered at Eglin, directly supports Air Force Global Strike Command as the premier operational test organization for the B-1, B-2, B-52, and B-21, as well as Air Combat Command ISR platforms to include the U-2, RQ-4 and RQ-170. Additionally, the 753rd TEG certifies all flight simulators and training systems and enables full classified network communication services across the joint enterprise. The 753rd Test and Evaluation Group is comprised of nine squadrons and one detachment: 15th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., 29th Training Systems Squadron and 53rd Computer Systems Squadron at Eglin, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron and 417th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards AFB, Calif., 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Barksdale AFB, La., 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Mo., 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Dyess AFB, Texas, 410th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Beale AFB, Calif., and the 753rd TEG, Detachment 1 at Creech AFB, Nev. (Source: Aerotech News, 10/07/21)