Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Contract: Lockheed, $171.7M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $171,705,115 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded F-35 Lightning II low rate initial production Lot 11 contract (N00019-16-C-00033). This modification authorizes the procurement of diminishing manufacturing sources redesign activities in support of the F-35 Lightning II air system. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is expected to be completed in January 2024. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy and Marine Corps); and international partner funds in the amount of $171,705,115 are being obligated at time of award, $68,654,573 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($68,654,573; 39.99 percent); Navy ($34,327,287; 19.99 percent); Marine Corps ($34,327,287; 19.99 percent); and international partners ($34,395,968; 20.03 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/31/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $16.2M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $16,164,426 for modification P00663 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-02-C-3002). This modification provides for Phase 3 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Verification Simulation (VSim) / F-35 In-a-Box (FIAB) delivery of updates to the FIAB software model. In addition, this modification provides continued FIAB software model development, integration, validation, verification and support. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (80 percent); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (10 percent); and Marietta, Ga. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2019. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds (Air Force and Navy) in the amount of $6,926,436 will be obligated at the time of the award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($4,495,926; 65 percent); and Navy ($2,430,510; 35 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/31/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $7.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $7,808,741 for modification P00004 to a previously issued order issued against basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This modification provides for support for first of class flying trials and release of the military permit to fly for F-35B Lightning aircraft in support of the government of the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Salmesbury, United Kingdom (52 percent); Fort Worth (44 percent); Greenville, N.C. (2 percent); Orlando, Fla. (1 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. International partner funds in the amount of $7,808,741 will be obligated against this modification at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. An additional $5,783,000 is being obligated against previously awarded definitized contract for a total of $13,591,741. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/31/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Applied Research, $48.7M

Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, N.M., has been awarded a $48,700,000 basic indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Joint Munitions Weapons Effectiveness Manuals and a $4,024,270 task order. The contract provides for software development and training. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. This contract has a five-year ordering period with work expected to be completed Aug. 6, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $300,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. The contract number is FA2487-18-D-0129; the first delivery order number is FA2487-18-F-1029. (Source: DoD, 07/31/18)

Monday, July 30, 2018

Contract: Titan, $9.4M

Titan Facility Services, Gilbert, Ariz., has been awarded a $9,394,235 firm-fixed price contract for Healthcare Aseptic Management Services. The contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management, and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level Healthcare Aseptic Management Services requirement for the U.S. Air Force Medical Service as directed by the Healthcare Aseptic Management Services Requirement Approval Document. Work will be performed at Altus Air Force Base, Okla.; Vance AFB, Okla.; Tinker AFB, Okla.; Barksdale AFB, La.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; MacDill AFB, Fla.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Keesler AFB, Miss.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Moody AFB, Ga.; Robins AFB, Ga.; Charleston AFB, S.C.; and Shaw AFB, S.C.. The awards include a transition period from Aug. 16, 2018 - Sept. 30, 2018, funded with fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds. A base-year period plus four, one-year-option periods will follow the transition period from Oct. 1, 2018 - Sept. 30, 2023. The base period will be funded incrementally using fiscal year 2019 operations and maintenance funds. This award is the result of a competitive, small business set-aside acquisition. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8052-18-C-0009). (Source: DoD, 07/30/18)

Contract: Radiance, $19.8M

Radiance Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $19,776,547, cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for Small Business Cyber Security Operations Center (SB-CSOC). The scope of this effort is the development of a SB-CSOC capability. Unlike private security operations centers or managed security services providers, the SB-CSOC will provide direct integration with state and federal organizations and cyber mission forces, enabling small businesses to adopt best-of-breed cybersecurity strategies (such as those based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework). Work will be performed in Baton Rouge, La., and is expected to be completed by July 29, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, offers were solicited electronically via an open broad agency announcement and two offers were received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-18-C-0048). (Source: DoD, 07/30/18)

Thursday, July 26, 2018

NCCIPS contract awarded

NASA has awarded a contract to COLSA Corp. of Huntsville, Ala., to provide facility operations support services to the National Center for Critical Information Processing and Storage (NCCIPS). NCCIPS is a federal shared services data center managed by the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) at the agency’s Stennis Space Center, Miss. NCCIPS Version Two is a firm, fixed price contract that begins Aug. 1 with a 60-day phase-in period, followed by a one-year base period, four one-year options and three one-year award term options. The potential total value of the contract is approximately $107.4 million. The contractor will be responsible for secure facility operations, maintenance, management, environmental analysis, energy management, information technology, system power, and network integration in support of NCCIPS. (Source: NASA, 07/23/18)

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Contract: UTC, $24.6M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded a $24,629,842 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-fee-target contract (N00019-14-C-0004). This modification provides for the procurement of F135 Low-Rate Initial Production 9 non-annualized sustainment support equipment and associated labor for depot activation outside the continental U.S. to include support equipment fleet modernization in support of the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and non-Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in East Hartford (90 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2021. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy), FMS and non-DoD participant funds in the amount of $24,629,842 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($310,294; 1 percent); Marine Corps ($134,106; 0.5 percent); Navy ($84,622; 0.3 percent); FMS ($50,350; 0.2 percent); and non-DoD participants ($24,050,470; 98 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/24/18) Gulf Coast note: The F135 powers the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Aero projects funding get prelim OK

Triumph Gulf Coast on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to $64.5 million in grants to expand the region’s aerospace and aviation infrastructure. The Triumph board voted unanimously to support $56 million in major expansions of the Pensacola International Airport’s maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities and $8.5 million for substantial expansion of Whiting Aviation Park in Santa Rosa County. Triumph Chairman Don Gaetz said the investments “will directly create over 3,100 high-paying jobs” and grow Northwest Florida as a leader in aerospace. The funds for Pensacola is contingent upon obtaining more than $75 million now being sought from city, county, state and federal sources and $59 million in commitments to the project by private companies. The next step for the Pensacola and Whiting projects is agreement on a term sheet that will stipulate the obligations of all funding partners and include performance requirements and a “claw back” that would allow Triumph to reclaim its funds if jobs aren’t created and sustained, as committed by the private and public sponsors of the proposals. (Source: Triumph Gulf Coast, 07/18/18)

Contract: Lockheed, $164M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, is being awarded a $164,000,000 contract modification (P00034) to previously awarded, sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, HQ0147-10-D-0001, for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Field Support Contract (TFSC). This modification will increase the total ceiling value from $561,000,000 to $725,000,000. The contractor will continue to perform the same effort under the general scope of the TFSC which includes logistics performance requirements, forward stationing for theater support, logistics information capabilities, post deployment software support, product assurance, safety, missile support, security and engineering services. This modification will also incorporate the International Engineering Services Program and Field Surveillance Program activity. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala.; Sunnyvale, Calif.; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Troy, Ala. The ordering period remains from March 25, 2010, through March 31, 2019. This contract was awarded under the sole-source authority pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations 6302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements”. No additional funds are being obligated by this modification; fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019, operations and maintenance and procurement funds will be obligated with execution of future task orders. No task orders are being issued at this time. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (HQ0147-10-D-0001). (Source: DoD, 07/18/18)

Contract: Northrop, $19.3M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is awarded $19,328,060 for fixed-price-incentive successive target modification P00007 to a previously awarded contract (N00019-17-C-0018) to procure integrated functional capability (IFC) 4.0 unique material for the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System. The material will be utilized for inline modifications and retrofit efforts to convert the MQ-4C Triton to the IFC 4.0 configuration. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (22 percent); Waco, Texas (16 percent); New Town, N.D. (15 percent); West Chester, Ohio (9 percent); Middletown, Wisc. (9 percent); Malabar, Fla. (9 percent); Menlo Park, Calif. (4 percent); Placentia, Calif. (3 percent), Medford, N.Y. (3 percent); San Clemente, Calif. (2 percent); Bridgeport, W.Va. (less than 1 percent); and various locations in the continental U.S. (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in July 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,328,060 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, 07/18/18) Gulf Coast note: Northrop Grumman does fuselage work on the Triton in Moss Point, Miss.

Contract: PC Mechanical, $19M

PC Mechanical Inc., Santa Maria, Calif., is awarded a $19,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N39430-15-D-1604) to exercise option three for inspection, overhaul, repair, refurbishment, preventive maintenance, and logistics management information services to reconstitute the force of Civil Engineer Support Equipment (CESE) and Civil Engineer End Items (CEEI) under the CESE/CEEI Life Extension Program (CLEP) at Naval Base Ventura County. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $76,000,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed in Port Hueneme, Calif. (90 percent); and Gulfport, Miss. (10 percent), and this option period is from July 2018 to July 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Task orders will be primarily funded by fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy). The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/18/18)

Contract: Harris Corp., $8M

Harris Corp., Rochester, N.Y., has been awarded a $7,999,668 firm-fixed price contract, for AN/PRC-160 radios. This contract provides 264 Harris Corporation High Frequency Falcon III AN/PRC-160 radios. The radios will be delivered to Fort Benning, Ga.; Pope Army Airfield, N.C.; JB Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; Louisville, Ky.; and Portland, Ore.. The radios will be delivered by Sept. 20 2018. This award is a result of a competitive acquisition that was posted to Federal Business Opportunities, with two offers received. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,999,668 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $7,999,668. 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/18/18)

Report: HPM to build A220 line

MOBILE, Ala. – Airbus has named Hoar Program Management (HPM) to be in charge of building the new assembly line for the A220 series plane in Mobile, according to FOX 10 News. It’s the same company that built the A320 assembly line. (Source: WALA-TV, 07/16/18) The A220 is the renamed Bombardier CSeries. It will be built in Mobile, as well as Quebec, Canada, as part of a joint venture between Airbus and Bombardier. Ground breaking is expected later this year. HPM, which began in Birmingham, Ala., has locations across Alabama and elsewhere. In addition to building the A320 final assembly line in Mobile, HPM built the recently opened VT MAE hangar in Pensacola, Fla. Previous

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Airbus partners with DB Schenker

Airbus and DB Schenker have partnered to develop a logistics plan to use waterways to transport components to the Airbus A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala. The plan reduces the use of roads for transport. Using a new roll-on/roll-off terminal, its barge, and a newly-dredged section of river, Airbus can use larger vessels to transfer components by water. Larger ocean going vessels are now being used for the international transport of four complete “ship sets” per month. The new logistics plan includes a refurbished pier at the production plant and construction of a new hangar. Airbus first used the new logistics setup for a shipment in May. (Source: DB Schenker, 07/10/18, Logistics Manager, 07/13/18)

Contract: Northrop, $41.2M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is awarded $41,229,512 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification 08 to order 0041 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0026). This modification increases the ceiling and extends the period of performance on the delivery order to provide test, maintenance and logistics support services to sustain MQ-4C Triton unmanned air system (UAS) air vehicles, mission control and operator training systems. In addition, this delivery order provides for technical support from field service representatives to ensure that the MQ-4C UAS aircraft are mission-capable for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions supporting Triton’s early operating capability. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (50 percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (25 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (20 percent); and Yigo, Guam (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,929,251 are being obligated on this award, $5,469,251 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, 07/13/18) Gulf Coast note: Northrop Grumman does fuselage work on Global Hawk variants, including Triton, in Moss Point, Miss.

Friday, July 13, 2018

Blue Angels on coast twice

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team will perform at two air shows close to home this weekend and next. This weekend the team performs in their blue and gold F/A-18 jets at an air show at Pensacola Beach, just across the bay from the team's headquarters at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Then next weekend the team will be over the skies of Biloxi, Miss., about 120 miles west of Pensacola, for the "Blues over Biloxi" air show. (Source: GCAC, 07/13/18) Previous; previous related

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

JetBlue getting 60 A220s

TOULOUSE, France – JetBlue today became the first customer for the newly-rebranded Airbus A220 aircraft, signing a Memorandum of Understanding for 60 firm orders for the larger A220-300 model. In addition, the airline converted 25 of its current orders for Airbus A320neo aircraft into orders for the larger A321neo. JetBlue’s A321neos and A220s will be powered by Pratt and Whitney GTF engines. "JetBlue's selection of the A220 aircraft as a complement to its growing A320 family fleet is a tremendous endorsement – both of the A220 itself and of the way these two aircraft can work together to provide airline network flexibility and a great passenger experience," said Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer for Airbus. Airbus manufactures, markets and supports A220 aircraft under the recently finalized "C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership" (CSALP) agreement. (Source: Airbus, 07/10/18) The aircraft is currently built by Bombardier in Quebec, Canada, but a second A220 assembly line will be built in Mobile, Ala. Previous

GKN Aerospace hiring

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – GKN Aerospace has hired 40 people for its new manufacturing facility at the airport and is actively recruiting and training more, officials said Monday at a press conference. Also, the plant's new general manager, Preston Mathis, was introduced at the conference held at the Advanced Manufacturing Facility at Gulf Coast State Community College, which GKN has partnered with to help train employees. The building at Venture Crossings is completed and equipment is being moved into the facility. By next year, officials say they will hire 172 people and be producing aircraft component parts. To receive incentive funds, the company will be required to create at least 170 new full-time equivalent jobs at an annual wage of $63,156 by the end of 2020. Becca Hardin, president of the Bay Economic Development Alliance, which recruited the business, said the company has invested $55 million in the facility and equipment. Kim Bodine, executive director for CareerSource Gulf Coast, said more than 900 people since last August have applied for jobs on the CareerSource GKN page. (Source: News Herald, 07/09/18)

CSeries gets new name: A220

CSeries now the A220, seen in new colors
Airbus photo
TOULOUSE, France – The Bombardier aircraft known as the CSeries has a new name now: the A220. Airbus revealed the A220 at a ceremony at its Henri-Ziegler Delivery Centre, near Toulouse. The A220-300 landed today directly from the painting wearing its new Airbus name and colors. The A220 family has two models, the A220-100 and A220-300, formerly Bombardier’s CS100 and CS300. The aircraft are for the 100 to 150 seat market and complement Airbus’ existing best-selling A320 family. (Source: Airbus, 07/10/18) An agreement between Europe's Airbus and Canada's Bombardier, in which Airbus is a majority holder of the former CSeries jetliner, will lead to a new Bombardier assembly line in Mobile, Ala., next to the current A320 series assembly line. PreviousRelated

Friday, July 6, 2018

Contract: DynCorp Int: $14.9M

DynCorp International, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $14,909,094 modification (P00022) to contract (FA8617-17-C-6210) for continued contractor operated and maintained base supply support. The purpose of this contract modification is to exercise an option to extend services in accordance with 52.217-8 "Option to Extend Services." Work will be performed at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Air Force Combat Systems Officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.; Navy Naval Flight Officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.; Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla.; Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas; Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (satellite), and Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate (satellite). Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2018. Fiscal 2018 Air Force operations and maintenance; fiscal 2018 Navy operations and maintenance; fiscal 2018 Navy research development test and evaluation; Navy defense working capital, and fiscal 2018 Army operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $261,922,970 Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Training Aircraft Division, Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/06/18)

Boeing, Embraer to join forces

Boeing has agreed to take control of Embraer's jetliner business, a deal that will add a smaller single-aisle aircraft to the Boeing portfolio. The agreement between Chicago-based Boeing and Brazil's Embraer comes less than a week after Europe's Airbus and Canada's Bombardier closed on a partnership that gives Airbus a 50.1 percent controlling stake in the CSeries jetliner - and a second CSeries assembly line in Mobile, Ala. In the Boeing-Embraer deal, Boeing will hold an 80 percent ownership stake in a joint venture valued at $4.75 billion. Financial and operational details still need to be worked out, and shareholders and the government of Brazil need to approve. The whole process could take until the end of 2019. Boeing and Airbus both face increasing competition from aircraft manufacturers in China and Russia. (Sources: multiple, including Avionics, Wall Street Journal, ABCNews, 07/05/18) Previous

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Testing of AR-22 underway

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – An Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-22 rocket engine designed for use in a reuseable military spacecraft, the unmanned Phantom Express, was tested Monday at NASA's rocket engine test facility in South Mississippi. The engine, a variant of the RS-25 that was a workhorse in the Space Shuttle program, is being tested over a 10-day period. It is fired up for 100 seconds and then fired again 24 hours later. Monday's was the sixth of what is anticipated to be 10 test fires. (Sources: multiple, including WLOX-TV, 07/02/18, AP via Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 07/03/18) The first AR-22 assembly was completed in early June. Previous

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Contract: Northrop, $9.9M

Northrop Grumman Undersea Systems, Annapolis, Md., was awarded a $9,948,825 firm-fixed-priced, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the previously awarded contract (N61331-15-D-0011) to exercise options for the accomplishment of depot level repair, maintenance, and modifications of the AN/AQS-24 mine detecting system to support the Navy for the currently deployed airborne mine countermeasures legacy systems. Northrop Grumman Undersea Systems will provide depot repairs and incorporation of engineering change proposals, including the updates of all integrated logistics support documentation to support the conversions and sustainment. Work will be performed in Annapolis and is expected to be completed by April 2019. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/03/18)

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Startup banks on military launches

Relativity Space will be one of the few domestic players in a segment of the market dominated by foreign firms. This could put the company, which is focused on building 3D printed rockets, in an advantageous position to compete for military contracts. A launch site in the United States will be selected later this year. The company expects to fly its Terran 1 rocket by late 2020, with a goal to start commercial launches in 2021. Terran’s 3D printed engine, named Aeon 1, is being tested at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, Miss., where the company signed a 20-year lease. A feature story. (Source: SpaceNews, 07/01/18)

Whiting Field marking 75th

Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla., is where generations of naval aviators have learned to fly. Started at the height of World War II to meet the nation's demand for aviators, Whiting will soon mark its 75th anniversary. While the Santa Rosa County base has come a long way since its official dedication July 16, 1943, its mission to produce aviators hasn't changed. Hundreds of young Navy and Marine officers come to Whiting Field each year to become naval aviators and earn their wings of gold. A feature story. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 07/01/18)

Airbus/Bombardier deal closes

MONTREAL, Canada – The closing of the previously announced CSeries transaction between Airbus, Bombardier, and Investissement Québec came into effect today. Airbus now owns a 50.01 percent majority stake in CSeries Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP), while Bombardier and Investissement Québec own about 34 percent and 16 percent, respectively. CSALP’s head office, primary assembly line and related functions are based in Mirabel, Québec. (Source: Globe Newswire, 07/01/18) As part of the plan, Bombardier will break ground this year on a second assembly line, this one in Mobile, Ala., at the site where Airbus builds A320 series jetliners. Previous