Friday, May 27, 2016

Contract: Lockheed, $20M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $20,046,765 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-13-C-0008) for the low-rate initial production Lot 8 non-recurring special tooling/special test equipment. This equipment will be utilized in the manufacture of general material bulkheads in support of the F-35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Cleveland, Ohio (82 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (15.3 percent); Helena, Mont. (1.2 percent); Winnipeg, Canada (1.2 percent); and Irvine, Calif. (0.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2017. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (39.4 percent); Navy (19.7 percent); Marine Corps (19.7 percent); and the international partners (21.2 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/26/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

BluesMobile now making money

The first A321 jetliner built in the United States is now earning money for New York-based JetBlue. The first revenue flight was No. 611 from JFK airport in New York to Las Vegas on May 14. Since then, it has been to Orlando, Tampa, Bridgetown (Barbados), Ft. Lauderdale, Aguadilla (Puerto Rico), San Diego and San Juan (Puerto Rico), according to JetBlue. The plane, nicknamed "BluesMobile," made its maiden flight March 21 and was delivered to JetBlue April 25 in a ceremony at the Mobile Aeroplex. A second Mobile-built jetliner, also an A321, was delivered to customer American Airlines May 17. (Source: GCRL, 05/25/16)

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $302.2M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $302,208,932 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for logistics services in support of the C-12 utility lift aircraft, including post-production, full commercial-type aircraft maintenance, logistics support, and materials for Marine Corps Reserve C-12 (UC-12B/F/M/W) and Navy TC-12B trainer aircraft. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (42 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (6 percent); Manama, Bahrain (6 percent); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (6 percent); Atsugi, Japan (6 percent); Beaufort, S.C. (4 percent); San Angelo, Texas (4 percent); New Orleans La. (4 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (4 percent); Iwakuni, Japan (4 percent), New River, N.C. (3 percent); Kadena, Japan (3 percent); Manassas, Va. (2 percent); Miramar, Calif. (2 percent); Futenma, Japan (2 percent); and Misawa, Japan (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in July 2021. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; five offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity (N00019-16-D-0044). (Source: DoD, 05/25/16)

9-year-old is F-35 pilot for day

Christian and Tech Sgt. Omar Robinson
Air Force photo
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – A nine-year-old got behind the controls of an Air Force F-35 simulator earlier this month as part of a 26-year-old program to reach out to the community and for children to experience a day in the life of an Air Force pilot. At age two, Christian Loafman was diagnosed with progressive infantile scoliosis and autism. Two weeks ago he was chosen as the 33rd Fighter Wing's first F-35A Pilot for a Day. His day was May 18, and the affair included getting a flight suit with his name and 58th Squadron patch. He also saw a static display of an F-35 with his name on it before getting at the controls of a simulator, and was said to be "a natural." (Source: 33rd Fighter Wing, 05/25/16)

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Keesler gets new squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. - A new aeromedical evacuation squadron will be stationed at Keesler in Biloxi, Miss., beginning this fall. The squadron will include 40 officers and 82 enlisted personnel, and will be part of the 403rd Wing, which also includes the Flying Jennies and Hurricane Hunters. The personnel will be comprised of five air reserve technicians and 117 traditional reservists. This is the second announcement to come this year. In March, officials announced the arrival of a new unit to maintain the 815th Airlift Squadron, also known as the Flying Jennies. (Source: Sun Herald, 05/20/16)

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $79.9M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $79,895,466 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007) to exercise an option for the organizational and depot level logistics services required to support and maintain the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. (98 percent); and NAS Patuxent River, Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed in May 2017. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated against individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/19/16)

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Second A321 delivered

MOBILE, Ala. – American Airlines took delivery today of its first U.S.-built A321, the second A321 built at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility at the Mobile Aeroplex. Attending the event were executives from Airbus and American Airlines and representatives of the more than 350 employees at the facility. The plane delivered today has its first flight April 19. "American Airlines already operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and the largest A321 fleet," said Bob Lekites, executive vice president-customers. "With this delivery, we are adding a very special aircraft to those already sporting the American livery - an Airbus aircraft built here in the USA. This is the first of many American Airlines airplanes to be delivered from Mobile and we are proud it will jin a growing, thriving fleet." Airbus anticipates delivering four aircraft per month from the Mobile plant by the end of 2017. The initial deliveries will all be A320 series aircraft with the current engine option, but will begin transitioning to the more fuel-efficient new engine option in late 2017. Airbus announced it would build the $600 million Mobile plant in 2012. The inauguration of the plant was in September 2015. (Source: Airbus, 05/17/16) Previous

Sunday, May 15, 2016

F-35 partner support center activated

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 53rd Wing activated the F-35 Partner Support Complex here May 11 in a ceremony at the Bayview Club. Robert Kraus assumed the position as F-35 PSC director, the first civilian-led unit in the 53rd Wing. Kraus served as the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron commander and 53rd Electronic Warfare Group deputy commander here prior to this new position. The F-35 PSC will provide mission data, intelligence support, lab facilities, and training to eight partner countries purchasing the F-35. Currently, all F-35 testing must go through the U.S. owned facility. Partner are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Turkey. "The PSC will directly support the partners, who currently have no indigenous capability to create mission data for the F-35," said Kraus. (Source: Eglin 53rd Wing Public Affairs, 05/12/16) Previous

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Assignments announced

The Air Force chief of staff announced that Col. Sean M. Farrell, who has been selected to the grade of brigadier general, is being assigned from commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla., to director, strategic plans, programs and requirements, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field. In addition, Col. William G. Holt II, who has been selected to the grade of brigadier general, is being assigned from commander, 352d Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, RAF Mildenhall, England, to director of operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field. (Source: DoD, 05/12/16)

Contract: Lockheed, $10.6M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $10,559,065 modification to exercise an option on delivery order (5500) that was previously issued against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This option procures 61 retrofit kits to correct deficiencies that preclude aircraft mission readiness in support of the Marine F-35 Strike Fighter aircraft initial operating capabilities. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (45 percent); Ogden, Utah (20 percent); Cherry Point, N.C. (20 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (5 percent); Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Fla. (5 percent); and Edwards AFB, Calif. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2019. This contract combines purchases of the Air Force (59.2 percent); Marine Corps (22.1 percent), and Navy (18.7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/12/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contact: Lockheed, $31.1M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $31,100,000 fixed-price, incentive (firm target) modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-16-C-0033). This modification provides for long lead time materials, parts, components and effort required to maintain the planned production schedule for eight F-35A low-rate initial production Lot 12 F-35A air vehicles for The Netherlands. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (55 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (10 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (5 percent); and Cameri, Italy (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/12/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

A321 delivery to AA set

American A321 on maiden flight April 19.
Airbus photo
MOBILE, Ala. – Airbus will deliver a new A321 jetliner to American Airlines in a ceremony May 17 at the Airbus campus in the Mobile Aeroplex. The plane is the second one off the assembly line at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. At the event will be Bob Lekites, Airbus Americas Executive Vice President of Customers, David Seymour, American Airlines Sr. Vice President-Integrated Operations, and Daryl Taylor, Vice President and General Manager of the U.S. Manufacturing Facility. The event, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CDT, is not open to the public. American Airlines operates the world’s largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and the world’s largest A321 fleet. (Source: Airbus, 05/11/16) Previous: First U.S.-built A321delivered; Second A321 takes flight

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Selex Galileo Stennis acquired

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Tyonek Services Group, Inc. announced Tuesday the acquisition of Selex Galileo's Avionics System Integration facility in Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Miss. The company will be named Tyonek Services Overhaul Facility – Stennis LLC (TSOF-S) and is expected to create at least 26 new jobs over the next two years. TSOF-S offer avionics systems integration services by installing state-of-the art technology and C4ISR into aircraft platforms. The integrated Security Assistance Support Center provides a tailored SCIF and facility to support special operations training missions. The facility, built to withstand Category 4 hurricanes, can also serve as an emergency response center. "We are pleased to welcome Tyonek to Hancock County and to Stennis International Airport," said Bill Cork, CEO of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. The general aviation airport is 1,691 acres with an 8,500-foot grooved runway and more than 340,000 square feet of surfaced aprons and taxiways. (Sources: AviationPros, PRNewswire, 05/10/16)

Monday, May 9, 2016

Contract: Raytheon, $104.6M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $104,575,981 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) program. Contractor will provide form, fit, function, and refresh of the AMRAAM Guidance Section. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2017. This contract involves foreign military sales to Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Romania. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-16-C-0044). (Source: DoD, 05/09/16)

Former NAS leader joins Gulf Power

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The former commanding officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Capt. Keith Hoskins, will join the Gulf Power team June 1. Hoskins, a former Blue Angels pilot, will serve as the major accounts and military affairs manager leading a team that serves the company's largest customers. Hoskins is replacing Ellis Oswald who is retiring. Hoskins' team will be responsible for managing Gulf Power's biggest customer accounts, with Eglin Air Force Base the largest. Hoskins also will be responsible for military affairs and work with local and state leaders on the retention and expansion of the military presence in Northwest Florida. Hoskins commanded NAS Pensacola for three years and served in the Navy for 27. During his Navy career, Hoskins also was commanding officer of Strike Force Squadron 15 and as national director of NROTC at Navy Service Training Command. (Source: Gulf Power, 05/09/16)

Friday, May 6, 2016

NOLF to open to F-35Cs

WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Naval Air Station Whiting Field's Outlying Landing Field Choctaw, near Navarre, on May 9 will become the third East Coast OLF providing fleet carrier landing practices for F-35C Joint Strike Fighters. The runway has been closed nine months to enable improvements, and construction of carrier-like, arrested-landing gear for the carrier landing practices. The increased capabilities will be able to support requirements of Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101) based at Eglin Air Force Base, where initial F-35 Navy pilots train. VFA-101 is the Navy’s only Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for F-35Cs. The ‘Grim Reapers’ train and qualify F-35C pilots and maintenance personnel as part of at-sea Carrier Air Strike Groups. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 05/06/16)

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Contract: Jacobs, $427M

Jacobs Technology Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is being awarded a $427,078,399 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide test and evaluation/training threat/target systems for warfighter training and debriefing systems. This effort includes the systems engineering services to determine and deliver components used in creating complex simulated combat environments in support of combat training systems. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., and is expected to be completed in May 2021. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, is the contracting activity (N68936-16-D-0016). (Source: DoD, 05/05/16)

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

UTC expanding in Foley

FOLEY, Ala. -- UTC Aerospace Systems will add a new 80,000 square-foot manufacturing and nacelle assembly building to existing assets at its Foley plant. The expansion will add some 260 jobs. The new building will house the assembly of nacelle components and propulsion system integration to support the Airbus A320, initially the current engine option, and eventually the new engine option. The nacelle system for the A320neo features a proprietary inlet acoustic treatment that reduces drag, which improves fuel efficiency.  UTC in Foley trucks finished A320 engines to the Airbus U.S. manufacturing plant about an hour away. Construction of the new building will take about a year, with opening expected in the second quarter of 2017. (Source: UTC Aerospace Systems, 05/03/16)