Friday, May 31, 2019

Contract: UTC, $3.2B

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded $3,239,028,961 for not-to-exceed undefinitized contract modification P00006 to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-18-C-1021) for the production and delivery of 233 propulsion systems. This modification provides for the production and delivery of 56 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Air Force; 10 F135-PW-100 propulsion systems for the Navy; 24 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for the Marine Corps; 125 F135-PW-100 and 18 F135-PW-600 propulsion systems for non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy); and FMS funds in the amount of $793,133,424 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($619,293,241; 19 percent); Marine Corps ($627,306,799; 19 percent); Navy ($117,569,123; 4 percent); non-DoD participants ($1,234,417,345; 38 percent); and FMS customers ($640,442,453; 20 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/31/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center.

Contract: Boeing, $35M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $35,000,000 modification (P00001) to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract FA8681-19-D-0009 for the integration, sustainment and support of the Small Diameter Bomb Increment I miniature munition for Foreign Military Sales countries. This modification provides for a ceiling increase in the contract. Work will be performed in St. Louis; Air Force test ranges worldwide; and various other countries. This modification involves foreign military sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Israel, South Korea, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Singapore, and any other future country with an approved letter of offer and acceptance. Work is expected to be complete by April 15, 2029. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $100,000,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/31/19)

Contract: Raytheon, $9.2M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $9,212,539 fixed-price incentive firm contract modification (P00014) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) program. This modification provides for the procurement of 24 AMRAAM AIM-120D Captive Air Training Missile guidance sections for the Navy. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2022. Fiscal 2018 production funds (Navy) in the full amount 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, 05/31/19)

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Airbus, Collins mark long partnership

FOLEY, Ala. - The day after Airbus marked its 50th anniversary, representatives from the company were in Foley today at the Collins Aerospace Systems site to celebrate their 45-year relationship. Collins Aerospace delivered the 1,000th nacelle for the A320neo program, delivering the 9,000th V2500 nacelle. Collins Aerospace, in addition to doing all the nacelles work for the A320, will also provide nacelles for the new A220 jetliner that will be built at the Airbus campus. That assembly line is going up next to the A320 line at the Mobile Aeroplex. The relationship between the two companies dates back to the A300, the first Airbus aircraft. There are currently more than 750 Collins nacelles operating on A320neo jetliners with 32 airlines. Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., was formed in 2018 by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems an Rockwell Collins following UTC's purchase of Rockwell Collins. Speaking at today's event were Jim Pollock, vice president of Airbus Programs - Aerostructures, Collins Aerospace; Daryl Taylor, vice president & general manager - Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility; Pierre-Laurent Mace, vice president of Procurement - Airbus Americas; and Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.). (Source: GCAC, 05/30/19) Previous: UTC splits in three; Hawaiian gets U.S.-built A321neo; First A320neo engine delivered

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Contract: Northrop, $65.2M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a not-to-exceed $65,173,723 advance acquisition contract for long-lead components for the manufacture and delivery of three low-rate initial production Lot 5 MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft for the Navy (2); and the government of Australia (1). In addition, this contract provides equipment and associated materials for three ground stations for the Navy (2); and the government of Australia (1). Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (27.7 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (15.5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (14.7 percent); Waco, Texas (9.3 percent); Bridgeport, W.Va. (8 percent); Red Oak, Texas (6.2 percent); and various locations in the continental U.S. (18.6 percent). Work is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and cooperative partner funds in the amount of $65,173,723 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($38,250,000; 58.7 percent); and the government of Australia ($26,923,723; 41.3 percent) under a cooperative agreement. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0008). (Source: DoD, 05/29/19) Gulf Coast note: Fuselage work for Triton is done in Moss Point, Miss.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Contract: Vectrus, $16.2M

Vectrus Systems Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded a $16,234,351 firm-fixed-price modification (A00045) to previously awarded contract FA3002-17-C-0001 for Base Operations Support services. This modification provides for the exercise of the third option period. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and is expected to be complete by May 31, 2020. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $53,217,984. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/24/19)

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Blue Angels retiring this Fat Albert

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team announced this week it is retiring its current C-130T cargo plane, known as "Fat Albert." The cargo accompanies the demonstration team on shows. "The Fat Albert program still exists, a decision just has to be made as to what the replacement aircraft will be," Lt. Cmdr. David Gardner, the team's spokesman, said Thursday, The Department of Defense is looking at replacement options including the purchase of C-130J aircraft from the British Royal Air Force. Fat Albert reached the end of its flying life after 17 years with the team, accumulating more than 30,000 flight hours. The team is based at Naval Air Station Pensacola. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 05/23/19)

Airbus extending A220 range

Airbus announced that the A220 series of jetliners will be offering increased range starting in the second haalf of 2020. It will allow the A220 to reach markets that today can not be served by other small single-aisle aircraft types. "Since its entry-into-service close to three years ago, the A220 aircraft has already proven that it is meeting or beating its initial performance targets, bringing more flexibility and revenue potential to customers,” said Rob Dewar, head of engineering and customer support for the A220. “Today, Airbus is reinforcing its confidence in the A220 platform and further enhancing its capabilities to meet upcoming market requirements.” This performance increase of some 450 nautical miles is achieved by taking credit of existing structural and systems margins as well as existing fuel volume capacity. This will allow airlines to tap into new routes that were not possible before, connecting key cities in Western Europe with the Middle East or from Southeast Asia to Australia. There are more than 530 planes in the order book, and the 100- to 150-seat market is estimate to represent 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years. (Source: Airbus, 05/21/19) Airbus, which builds the former Bombardier CSeries passenger jets in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, is building a second A220 assembly line in Mobile, Ala.

Contract: Lockheed, $11.3M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $11,336,274 for modification P00003 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-19-C-0004). This modification exercises an option for deployment and operation of test aircraft in support of the F-35 Lightning II development, production, and sustainment for the Air Force, Navy, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in Lakehurst, N.J. (70 percent); and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force and Navy); and non-U.S. DoD participant funds in the amount of $11,336,274 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This option combines purchases for the Air Force ($8,791,728; 78 percent); Navy ($224,464; 2 percent) and non-U.S. DoD participants ($2,320,082; 20 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/22/19)

Contract: BAE, $7.8M

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Md., has been awarded a $7,758,301 delivery order (FA2521-19-F0139) against previously awarded contract FA2521-16-D-0010 for serviceable components and subsystems for Instrumentation Tracking Systems (ITS). This delivery order provides for a 5.5 KVDC transmitter power upgrade for AN/FPS-8a5 Phased Array Radar. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by March 17, 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Awarded May 16, 2019) (Source: DoD, 05/22/19)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Contract: Alfab, $127.9M

Alfab Inc., Enterprise, Ala., is awarded a $127,898,545 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide new and refurbished Airfield Matting 2 (AM2) packages in accordance with Naval Air Systems Command drawing packages. AM2 matting consists of landing matting (F71/F72); heavy duty matting (F73); and spacer matting (F78). Work will be performed in Enterprise and is expected to be completed in May 2024. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,013,100 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a small business set-aside, competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, with two offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-19-D-0129). (Source: DoD, 05/21/19)

Contract: Raytheon, $24.5M

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $24,500,000 modification (P00005) to previously awarded contract FA8675-15-D-0135 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile System Improvement Program software architecture and design risk reduction efforts to counter evolving threats. This modification provides a ceiling increase in the maximum ordering amount of the contract to facilitate new task orders, and brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $95,500,000. Work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2022. No funds 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, 05/21/19)

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Airbus eyes buying A220 wing plant

Airbus has become a potential buyer for Bombardier’s plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. New CEO Guillaume Faury expresses interest in acquiring the A220 wing production site. Bombardier announced in early May that it was seeking to divest its facilities in Northern Ireland and Morocco. According to a report from the UK’s Guardian newspaper, Faury said that this would be an option for Airbus, effectively leading to the manufacturer taking control of the wing production for its A220 airliner, as well as engine covers for its A320 series. Purchase of the Belfast operation would add to Airbus’s operations in the UK, which include wing manufacture for most of its commercial aircraft products at Broughton, North Wales, as well as production and design of wings at Filton, near Bristol. (Source: Jane's Defense Weekly, 05/20/19, The Guardian, 05/16/19) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building a second A220 assembly line in Mobile, Ala.

Airbus delivers 12,000th plane

Airbus marked the delivery of the 12,000th aircraft in its 50-year history Monday. The A220-100, assembled in Mirabel, Canada, was delivered to U.S.-based Delta Air Lines. It's the 12th A220 delivered so far to Delta since the carrier received its first A220 in October 2018. The A220 started scheduled service with Delta in February 2019. Delta is the first U.S. airline to operate the A220 and the largest A220 customer, with a firm order for 90 aircraft. Since Airbus and Bombardier finalized an arrangement for Airbus to lead the A220 program July 1, 2018, ground was broken in January this year in Mobile, Ala., for the construction of a second A220 final assembly line. It will deliver its first jetliner to U.S. customers in 2020. Airbus delivered its first aircraft, an A300B2 to Air France, in 1974. In 2010, Airbus handed over its 6,000th aircraft, 36 years after its first. It took Airbus nine years to double that number, reaching 12,000th Airbus aircraft delivery. (Source: Airbus, 05/20/19) Previous

Friday, May 17, 2019

Contract: Sikorsky, $1.1B

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Conn., is awarded a $1,126,216,626 modification (P00026) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0048). This modification provides for the procurement of 12 Lot II and Lot III low-rate initial production CH-53K aircraft, including programmatic support, logistics support, and peculiar support equipment. Work will be performed in Stratford (44.96 percent); Wichita, Kan. (12.26 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (5.67 percent); Hazelwood, Mo. (3.89 percent); Bridgeport, W.V. (2.37 percent); Windsor Locks, Conn. (1.52 percent); Redmond, Wash. (1.52 percent); Rochester, Kent, United Kingdom (1.41 percent); Quebec, Canada (1.39 percent); Kent, Wash. (1.30 percent); Cudahy, Wisc. (1.25 percent); Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (1.23 percent); Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (1.11 percent); Rome, N.Y. (1.10 percent); various locations within the continental U.S. (16.7 percent), and various locations outside the continental U.S. (2.32 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $509,053,739; and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $617,162,887, with a total of $1,126,216,626 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/17/19)

Contract: Raytheon, $20.7M

Raytheon Co., Keyport, Wash., is awarded a $20,668,994 indefinite delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously awarded contract N61331-17-D-0001 to exercise options for maintenance and support of AN/AQS-20 Sonar Mine Detecting Set. The AN/AQS-20 is a towed, mine hunting and identification system for Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants. This option exercise extends the period of performance and allows for continuing support which includes but not limited to: repair; overhauls and other scheduled maintenance; hardware and software maintenance; tracking and resolution of obsolescence issues; technology improvements; reliability and maintainability improvements; development and incorporation of change notices and engineering change proposals; test support; engineering services; spares and repair parts; design efforts and hardware upgrades to improve system performance, sustainability, reliability, and other activities in support of the program. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I. (65 percent); Keyport, Wash. (30 percent); and Panama City, Fla, (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by May 2020. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/17/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $21.4M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $21,350,787 modification (P00017) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-18-C-1048). This modification will provide initial repair material for the Electronic Warfare Digital Channelized Receiver/Techniques Generator Tuner Insertion Program, Fuel and Life Support systems at multiple F-35 depots within the continental U.S. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H. (49.4 percent); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (39.3 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (11.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participant; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $21,350,787 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 ($9,324,456; 43.7 percent); Marine Corps ($4,607,377; 21.6 percent); Navy ($2,140,229; 10 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants ($3,638,728; 17 percent); and FMS ($1,639,997; 7.7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/17/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., trains F-35 pilots and maintainers.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Contract: EMR, $18.9M

EMR Inc., Niceville, Fla., is awarded an $18,941,000 firm-fixed-price task order (N6945019F0710) under a multiple award construction contract for the design and construction of P855 expeditionary combat skills student berthing at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a multi-story building with auger cast pile foundations that replaces Q4 barracks. The building will comply with facilities criteria for Navy and Marine Corps unaccompanied housing and consists of 83 Naval Education and Training Command modules. Each module will include a semi-private sleeping room, two walk-in closets, small service area including a micro fridge, one lavatory, private toilet room and a private shower stall with dressing area shared by two people. The building will have sound attenuation and include a bachelor quarters administrative lobby, laundry facilities, vending, multipurpose recreation rooms, housekeeping, storage, administrative spaces, and utility rooms. Work will be performed in Gulfport, Miss., and is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $18,941,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-17-D-0507). (Source: DoD, 05/15/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $11.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $11,944,605 modification (P00002) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N0001918F2512) previously issued against basic ordering agreement N00019-14-G-0020. This modification provides for modification kits and special tooling required for the modification and retrofit of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft in support of the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (non-U.S. DoD) participants; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy); non-U.S. DoD participant; and FMS funds in the amount of $11,944,605 will be obligated at time of award, $332,847 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($7,196,895; 60 percent); Air Force ($2,127,150; 18 percent); Navy ($332,847; 2.9 percent); non-U.S. DoD participant ($1,525,994; 12.8 percent); and FMS customers ($761,719; 6.3 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/15/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Contract: Lockheed, $18.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $18,472,006 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-sharing contract (N00019-16-C-0033). This modification authorizes the procurement of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources redesign activities in support of the F-35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2024. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement Air Force funds in the amount of $7,385,847; fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement Navy funds in the amount of $7,385,846; and non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $3,700,313 will be obligated at time of award, $7,385,847 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases in the amount of $18,472,006 for the Air Force; Navy, and non-U.S. DoD participants. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/14/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Friday, May 10, 2019

Two airports get grants

LAFAYETTE, La. - Lafayette Regional Airport was awarded a $10.5 million grant for taxiway improvement projects by the Federal Aviation Administration. Lafayette airport was one of two in Louisiana to receive supplemental funding from the FAA's Airport Improvement Program. Grant money also was awarded to the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, which received $15 million. The Lafayette airport is undergoing an $80 million construction project to build a new terminal. The 120,000-square-foot structure will replace the existing terminal, which opened in 1930. It will include open space for concessions and services. The number of gateway security lanes will be increased to two and the expansion will allow for three lanes in the future, if it's needed. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. (Source: Lafayette Daily Advertiser, 05/09/19) Lafayette is two hours and Baton Rouge one hour west of New Orleans on Interstate 10.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Eglin eyed for next training squadron

The Air Force announced today that Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the preferred alternative to receive an additional F-35A Lighting II training squadron. Eglin AFB was the location of the F-35 initial joint training site hosting Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps F-35s. The Marine Corps relocated its F-35Bs in 2014 and the Navy announced its plans to relocate F-35Cs in 2019. “By basing the next F-35A training squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, we are taking advantage of existing facilities and training air space,” said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Additional F-35As are expected to begin arriving in the fall of 2021. The new squadron is expected to reach full operational capability by spring 2023. Eglin will only receive the additional F-35 training unit if the F-22 Raptor formal training unit temporarily operating at Eglin is permanently moved to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. In March, the Air Force acknowledged plans to move the F-22 training unit to JB Langley-Eustis, pending the outcome of the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory and planning processes. This F-35 basing action is also dependent on completing the environmental analysis. (Source: AFNS, 05/09/19)

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Airbus launches training programs

The first class that will take FlightPath9.
Airbus photo
MOBILE, Ala. - Facing a need for a lot more workers in the coming years, Airbus today announced the launch of two new programs designed to employ applicants with little-to-no previous aerospace experience. The programs, FlightPath9 and Fast Track, are intended to train candidates to become workers on the company's A320 and A220 jetliner assembly lines in Mobile. FlightPath9 is a nine-month program for high school seniors. It will be run by Flight Works Alabama, which has partnered with Airbus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Cintas, Snap-On Tools, Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment, and the National Coalition of Certification Centers. Students will attend training after school during their senior year. Upon graduation, students who complete the program can start their career with Airbus through the second program, Fast Track. Fast Track is a 12 to 15-week program for people with no aviation experience. It provides them with the skills needed for a career in aerospace maintenance. "When they come out of that training, the employee graduates to on-the-job training on A220 an A320 aircraft," said Daryl Taylor, vice president and general manager of the A320 manufacturing facility in Mobile. Fast Track, while targeting Mobile-area residents, can be attended by others from the region. The announcement was attended by Gov. Kay Ivey, who congratulated each of the first class of 25 student who signed up for FlightPath9. Airbus, which already has its A320 line up and running, is expanding that line and building a second assembly line for A220s. Airbus expects to need 600 to 700 new workers in the next few years. (Source: GCAC, 05/08/19) Previous; background story "Worker pinch about to hit home," Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, December 2018, pages 1-4.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Contract: UTC, $55.7M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is awarded $55,675,476 for modification P00005 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-18-C-1021). This modification provides additional funding for F135 long lead items to support the production delivery schedule, exercises an option for additional initial spare parts, and provides program administrative labor for the global spares pool in support the Navy; Air Force, and Marine Corps, non-U. S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford (67 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (26.5 percent); and Bristol, United Kingdom (6.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps); non-U.S. DoD participant and FMS funds in the amount of $55,675,476 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This effort combines purchases for the Navy ($4,161,749; 7.5 percent); Air Force ($3,116,792; 5.6 percent); Marine Corps ($556,570; 1.0 percent); non-U.S. DoD participants ($24,899,106; 44.7 percent); and FMS Customers ($22,941,259; 41.2 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/07/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Blue Air Training opens at PNS

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Blue Air Training, which provides training for military close air support personnel, has opened a facility at Pensacola International Airport. Founder and CEO James "Chef" Barlow says they have more than 20 employees in Pensacola right now. He's looking to grow that number. The opening of the facility for the private company was highlighted at an event Friday. In 2011, Blue Air Training received permission to begin training Air Force attack controllers and fighter pilots. Barlow retired from the Air Force to lead the company full-time, and since then, the company has grown to have bases in Las Vegas, Yuma, Oklahoma City and now Pensacola, as well as bases in South America, where it helps the U.S. military with counter-narcotics operations. The company's fleet includes A-90 Raiders, BAC-167 Strikemasters, IAR-823 Brasovs and AH-6 Little Birds.(Sources: WKRG-TV, 05/03/19, Pensacola News Journal, 05/04/19)

Contract: Lockheed, $7.5M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $7,514,515 for modification P00015 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N0001918C1048) to establish organic depot component repair capabilities for the F-35 Lightning II Air Interceptor System in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. Work will be performed in Rochester, Kent, United Kingdom (81.6 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (18.4 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force); and fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy, Marine Corp. and Air Force) funds in the amount of $7,514,515 are being obligated at time of award, $3,757,257 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($3,757,257; 50 percent); Marine Corps ($1,878,629; 25 percent); and Navy ($1,878,629; 25 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/03/19) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Contract: Raytheon, $19.3M

Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $19,313,603 firm-fixed-price modification (P00012) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) production program. This modification provides for redesign of AMRAAM Rectifier Filter Assembly for reliability corrections as well as redesign of AMRAAM telemetry encoder due to obsolescence issues. Work will be performed in Tucson, and is expected to be complete by April 15, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to Australia, Japan, Norway, Romania, and Turkey. Fiscal year 2018 (Air Force) and fiscal year 2017 (Navy) procurement funds in the amount of $6,802,251; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $4,437,720, 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, 04/30/19)