RS-68A completes final test

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The world’s most powerful hydrogen-fueled rocket engine built by Aerojet Rocketdyne, the RS-68A, completed its final hot-fire acceptance test for use on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle on the B-1 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC). ULA’s Delta IV Heavy rocket uses three Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A engines; one on each of its three common booster cores to launch the spacecraft into orbit. The three RS-68A engines combine to generate more than two million pounds of thrust for the Delta IV Heavy. The original variant of the engine, the RS-68, was first tested at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; testing moved to SSC in 2000. The RS-68 powered Delta IV made its inaugural flight in 2002. The upgraded RS-68A completed its first test firing in September 2008, was certified in April 2011 and made its inaugural flight in June 2012. (Source: multiple, including Intelligent Aerospace, 04/14/21, Spaceref, 04/12/21) Related

Contract: Multiple, $70M

Amee Bay LLC, Hanahan, S.C. (N64498-21-D-4023); American Systems Corporation, Chantilly, Va. (N64498-21-D-4024); Continental Tide Defense Systems Inc., Wyomissing, Pa. (N64498-21-D-4025); Delphinus Engineering Inc., Eddystone, Pa. (N64498-21-D-4026); Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., Portsmouth, Va. (N64498-21-D-4027); General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Falls Church, Va. (N64498-21-D-4028); La Playa Inc. of Virginia, Chesapeake, Va. (N64498-21-D-4029); Oceaneering International Inc., Chesapeake, Va. (N64498-21-D-4030); and Q.E.D. Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Va. (N64498-21-D-4031), are each awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for the procurement of blue collar installation and technical services for upgrading hull, mechanical and electrical systems under various modernization programs for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. The maximum dollar value for all nine contracts combined is $69,998,172. Each awardee will be awarded $5,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at contract award. It is estimated that work will be performed on the East Coast, West Coast, and outside the continental U.S. at the following locations: Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; Mayport, Fla.; Bremerton, Wash.; Charleston, S.C.; Alameda, Calif.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Panama City, Fla.; Baltimore, Md., Manama, Bahrain; Sydney, Australia; Gdynia, Poland; Rota, Spain; Yokosuka, Japan; and Sasebo, Japan. Work will be assigned according to individual task orders and is expected to be completed by April 2027. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $45,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the task order level as contracting actions occur. This multiple award contract was competitively procured via the Beta.Sam.gov website with nine offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/13/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $14.3M

Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $14,265,742 modification (P00010) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001919C0054). This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering, tooling, and hardware to establish full rate production and unique tracking for F135 engines alternate sourced parts in support of the F-35 Lightning II program. Work will be performed in East Hartford and is expected to be completed in June 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $7,132,871; and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,132,871 will be obligated at time of award, all 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, 04/13/21)

Contract: CSS Werx, $9.8M

CSS Werx LLC, Panama City Beach, Fla., is awarded a $9,763,904 expenditure-based prototype project order for the prototype of a rapidly deployable command and control system. The prototype shall fit ithin the physical constraints of an expeditionary afloat environment and have the capability to run all of the existing applications and services consisting of commercially available items of the existing tactical datacenter including bare metal and already deployed reconfigurations. Work will be performed in Panama City and is expected to be completed by October 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $185,000 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This agreement was competitively procured via the Expeditionary Warfare Multiple Party Team, other transaction agreements, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61331219G001). (Source: DoD, 04/13/21)

April aerospace newsletter available

The April 2021 edition of the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter has been published. The cover story is about the effort to create two new space-related technology parks near two NASA facilities - one in Southeast Louisiana and the other in South Mississippi.There’s also a story about Gulf Power's recent virtual symposium, including a discussion about Florida and how it fared better than most during the pandemic. Another article focuses on this week's TeCMEN Industry Day, where a contender for the Armed Overwatch program will be discussed. Finally, there's a story about the recently released Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index. It shows that most of the metro areas in the Gulf Coast I-10 region performed quite well and improved their ranking. (Source: Gulf Coast Reporters League, April 2021 newsletter, 04/13/21)

Frasca gets simulator subcontract

Flight simulator company Frasca International of Urbana, Ill., announced that it has been named a subcontractor for the U.S. Navy TH-73A aircrew training services (ATS) contract. Frasca will install eight new TH-73 flight training devices (FTDs) and modify ten existing TH-57B/C models to better reflect the Navy’s TH-73A Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS). The primary contract was awarded to FlightSafety International company FlightSafety Defense, which will operate and maintain the Frasca FTDs along with providing training support at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. Delivery is expected to begin this year and continue through 2024. (Sources: multiple, including AVWeb, Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, Vertical Magazine, 04/09/21). The Leonardo TH-73 is replacing the TH-57 to train Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aviators at Whiting Field in Milton.

Reprogramming lab falling short

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) has come under criticism from the Department of Defense (DoD) for apparent deficiencies at an F-35 software reprogramming laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base. In a January report, the DoD's office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), indicated that the F-35 United States Reprogramming Laboratory (USRL) is falling short in its mission of testing and improving software essential for the F-35. In its annual report on testing and evaluation in 2019-20 fiscal year, the DOT&E says the USRL is not able to adequately test and improve the F-35s mission data files that provide the fighter jet with the ability to search for and identify hostile targets. The report says the USRL lacks adequate equipment to be able to test and optimize the mission data files under conditions stressing enough to ensure adequate performance against current and future threats in near-peer combat. Among the recommendations in the report, the office calls for obtaining "adequate funding to develop and sustain robust laboratory and simulation environments." The report also calls for ensuring "adequate lab infrastructure" to meet timelines for the operational requirements for the latest F-35s and the fighter program's Continuous Capability Development & Delivery strategy. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 04/08/21)

General officer assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The secretary of the Air Force announced the following assignments: Maj. Gen. Michele C. Edmondson will be assigned as commander, 2d Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Edmondson is currently serving as commandant of cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.; Maj. Gen. (select) Michael E. Martin will be assigned as commanding general, Special Operations Command Korea, U.S. Special Operations Command, Camp Kim, Yongsan Garrison, South Korea. Martin is currently serving as director, operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Davidson will be assigned as director, operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Davidson is currently serving as deputy commander, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (Source: DoD, 04/07/21)

New F-15 officially unveiled

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Military personnel and leaders got a glimpse of the F-15EX Eagle II on Wednesday at a ceremony celebrating the arrival of the Air Force’s newest fighter jet. The rollout of the new aircraft comes as older F-15 jets become outdated, many outflying their recommended lifespan, according to military officials. F-15EXs will be tested at Eglin to ensure the jets are combat-ready before being mass-produced. The Air Force will acquire up to 144 of the Boeing F-15EXs to replace F-15C/D models. (Source: WKRG-TV, 04/07/21) Previous

Contract: Speegle Construction, $22.1M

Speegle Construction Inc., Niceville, Fla., was awarded a $22,149,338 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of the second phase of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory Facility at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Bids were solicited via the internet with 12 received. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2023. Fiscal 2021 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $22,149,338 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-21-C-0011). (Source: DoD, 04/08/21)

FAA approves airport switch

MOBILE, Ala. - The Federal Aviation Administration has approved shifting commercial air service from Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile to the Mobile Downtown Airport at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) announced Tuesday that the FAA had approved its 20-year master plan for development, which includes the airport swap. The FAA approval was critical for the project to receive future FAA funding. The MAA already has established a small terminal at Brookley, designed to service budget carriers. Moving all Mobile’s commercial passenger carriers to Brookley will require the construction of a new terminal and additional work. The MAA says phase I work will include a new terminal that will be slightly smaller than Mobile Regional Airport’s terminal, at 130,000 square feet, but will have features that will allow it to qualify as an international terminal. Phase 1 also will include a parking garage, additional parking lots and tarmac expansion; the estimated price tag for the terminal and other features is $160 million. (Source: multiple, including al.com, WKRG-TV, Simple Flying, 04/06/21)

Second RS-25 hot fire test

RS-25 test April 6. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a second RS-25 single engine hot fire test April 6 as part of a new series to support the development and production of engines for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The full-duration hot fire of more than eight minutes was conducted on the A-1 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC) in South Mississippi. It is part of a scheduled seven-test series designed to provide data for Aerojet Rocketdyne, lead contractor for the SLS engines, as it begins production of new RS-25 engines for use after the first four SLS flights. Four RS-25 engines help power SLS at launch, firing simultaneously to generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch and 2 million pounds of thrust during ascent. The RS-25 engines for the first four SLS flights are upgraded space shuttle main engines and have completed certification testing. During the new test series, operators will focus on evaluating new engine components and reducing risk in engine operation. (Source: NASA/SSC, 04/06/21)

Contract: Oasis Systems, $543.3M

Oasis Systems LLC, Burlington, Mass., has been awarded a $543,266,729 task order for advisory and assistance services for the 96th Cyberspace Test Group located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1002). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Torch, $475M

Torch Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $474,992,283 task order for advisory and assistance services for the tenant organization of the 96th Test Wing located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1001). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: CQ JV, $213.6M

CQ JV LLC, Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $213,611,520 task order for advisory and assistance services for the 96th Test Wing located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1004). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: CQ JV, $200.2M

CQ JV LLC, Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $200,214,805 task order for advisory and assistance services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex located at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1005). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Gauss, $86.6M

Gauss Management Research And Engineering Inc., South Ogden, Utah, has been awarded a $86,617,493 task order for advisory and assistance services for the 412th Test Wing located at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2026. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds are being used with no funds being obligated at time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2486-22-F-1003). (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Multiple, $249M

Native Technology Solutions LLC, Lorton, Va. (W91278-21-D-0001); Knight Architects Inc., Atlanta, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0002); Raymond Pond Enterprise Solutions JV LLC, Conyers, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0003); Schmidt-Prime Group LLC, Pensacola, Fla. (W91278-21-D-0004); Pond-Tetra Tech JV LP, Peachtree Corners, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0011); Bullock Tice Associates Inc., Pensacola, Fla. (W91278-21-D-0005); Cems-Rs&H JV, Summerville, S.C. (W91278-21-D-0006); G.M. Hill Engineering Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. (W91278-21-D-0007); Ilsi-Arcadis Small Business Joint Venture LLC, New Orleans, La. (W91278-21-D-0008); Leo A. Daly Co., Atlanta, Ga. (W91278-21-D-0009); Merrick & Co., Greenwood Village, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0010); Prime Ae/Stanley JV LLC, Baltimore, Md. (W91278-21-D-0012); Aecom Technical Services Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. (W91278-21-D-0013); Arcadis-Exp Federal JV, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0014); Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Kansas City, Mo. (W91278-21-D-0015); and Jacobs Government Services Co., Englewood, Colo. (W91278-21-D-0016), will compete for each order of a $249,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 75 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 5, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/06/21)

Contract: Raytheon, $79.4M

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $79,398,158 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Small Diameter Bomb Increment II lot integration and test. This contract effort will deliver all-up round (AUR) test vehicles, perform AUR-level assembly, checkout, testing and systems integration testing; and prepare for production cut-in and fielding for the multiple engineering changes needed, including National Security Agency (NSA) cryptographic modernization, Global Positioning System (GPS) military code, mitigation of part obsolescence, and design changes evolving from production and/or operations. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed April 1, 2023. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 Air Force (USAF) missile procurement funds in the amount of $11,977,567; fiscal 2020 USAF research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) funds in the amount of $6,495,714; fiscal 2021 Navy (USN) RDT&E funds in the amount of $5,133,243; fiscal 2021 USN weapon procurement funds in the amount of $2,783,878; and fiscal 2019 Special Defense Acquisition Funds in the amount of $9,021,596 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-21-F-6052) (Source: DoD, 04/02/21)

F-15EX delivered to Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - A new F-15EX on March 11 flew from Boeing’s facility in St. Louis to Eglin Air Force Base alongside two older models, the F-15C jet fighter that it will replace, and F-15E jet fighter-bomber. The new warplane will join a testing and evaluation squadron at Eglin. Eglin is home to the 53rd and 96th Test Wings, both of which already operate the F-15 series of fighters. The two wings will complete the F-15EX’s developmental and operational testing simultaneously. The first F-15EX, known as EX1, will go to the 96th Test Wing’s 40th Flight Test Fighter Squadron. The second F-15EX, EX2, will go to the 53rd Wing’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. (Source: Military and Aerospace Electronics, 03/31/21) Previous