StenniSphere closing

StenniSphere. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- StenniSphere, the museum and visitor center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center in South Mississippi, is closing Feb. 15. The closure of the facility within the gates of SSC comes as the Infinity science center project moves forward. Various exhibits from StenniSphere are being moved into Infinity to prepare for an opening this spring. Infinity is outside SSC, just south of Interstate 10. StenniSphere opened to the public in May 2000 and has hosted tens of thousands of visitors each year. The facility housed 14,000 square feet of interactive and informational exhibits highlighting NASA’s space missions and the work of other key resident agencies at Stennis. (Source: NASA, 01/30/12)

GE Aviation plant update

ELLISVILLE, Miss. -- The ground work for the new GE Aviation in Ellisville is nearly complete and company officials will soon make a decision on a general contractor for the 300,000-square-foot plant. "We hope to have the building complete by the end of the year and move our equipment in by early 2013," said Rick Kennedy, GE Aviation's media relations manager. The $56 million project is in the Howard Technology Park, not far from Hattiesburg, and is the second GE Aviation plant in the state. The other, in Batesville, produces composite components for aircraft engines. (Source: Laurel Leader-Call, 01/29/12)

Wade: Bay County next hotspot

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- The new executive director of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance said one of the reasons he took the job was his belief that Bay County is in a good position to be the next growth area in Northwest Florida. Neal Wade, during an interview with the Panama City News Herald, said he hopes to snag a major aerospace company for a spot by the new airport in West Bay. He said with assets like the Air Force and Navy bases nearby and major defense contractors in the area, the West Bay area is ideal for an aerospace company to open up a new facility. "We believe this will be a breakout year especially in aerospace, aviation and defense," said Wade, the former senior vice president of economic development for the St. Joe Co. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 01/29/12) When he worked in economic development in Alabama, Wade played a role in that state landing Mercedes-Benz.

Aircraft company finds niche

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Aircraft company LSI, operating out of a 20,000 square-foot building, is weeks away from expanding into an adjacent 12,000 square-foot facility. Plant manager Steve McNair said the operation has 40 employees and he expects it will add 20 or more over the next year. The company was launched as Aviation Systems of Northwest Florida in 1994 and was sold to LSI of Jacksonville, Fla., in 2010. The operation converts Army helicopters that are no longer flight-worthy into ground-based platforms to train aviation technicians. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 01/29/12)

Asking the right questions

When the Air Force explains to Congress in February its rationale for a mission consolidation announced in November, the Florida delegation will have some hard questions supplied by two members of the Defense Support Initiative task force. Jim Breitenfeld and retired Lt. Gen. Gordie Fornell have worked for years with Okaloosa County Economic Development Council and were there in the past when attempts were made to move the 46th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. They see a plan to keep the wing at Eglin but place it under a two-star at Edwards as an effort to move valuable research, development, test and evaluation functions to Edwards. They want the consolidation reversed. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 01/28/12) Previous post about task force; previous post about consolidation

Academy slates first class

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The National Flight Academy will have a test class in March followed by its first full class in May. The academy at Naval Air Station Pensacola’s is designed to pique the interest of students in science, technology, engineering and math through an immersive experience. The 102,000 square-foot academy is designed to look and even sound like the inside of an aircraft carrier. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation raised $18.5 million for construction of the academy and $15 million to outfit it. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 01/29/12)

ABM students get new building

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- There was a grand opening Thursday for the new 325th Air Control Squadron building at Tyndall Air Force Base. Brig. Gen. John K. "Jack" McMullen cut the ribbon, which officially opened the 36,000 square-foot building that will be used to train air battle managers. ABMs provide critical information about enemy activities to both air and ground forces. It's the only schoolhouse that will teach air battle managers in the country. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 01/26/12)

Enders picked to head EADS

EADS has named Tom Enders to take over as chief executive officer when Louis Gallois retires in May. Enders, nominated to a five-year term, was a strong advocate for Mobile, Ala., during the competition between EADS and Boeing to build Air Force tankers. EADS planned to build a 1,500-worker assembly plant at Brookley Aeroplex to build tankers and freighters if it won the competition. Although EADS lost, it has continued to express interest in establishing an assembly facility in the United States because of a backlog of orders from airlines. Enders was expected to be named to the post. Enders, of Germany, and Gallois, of France, served as co-CEOs until opting for an American-style structure with one chief executive officer. (Sources: Mobile Press-Register, 01/26/12, Bloomberg, 01/27/12)

Block 30 cut disappoints NG

Northrop Grumman said it's disappointed with the Pentagon's plans to cancel the Global Hawk Block 30 program and perform its missions with the U-2. But the company said it will work with the Pentagon to assess alternatives to the program's termination. The company said that just a few months ago the Pentagon published an acquisition decision memorandum that said continuation of the program is essential to national security. Northrop, however, also said it's pleased with the continued support for the Global Hawk Block 40 and the Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance system. (Source: Northrop Grumman via PRNewswire, 01/26/12) Gulf Coast note: Central fuselage work on the Global Hawk is done in Moss Point, Miss. Previous post

Pentagon outlines budget plans

The Pentagon will ask Congress for $525 billion for the military in 2013, $6 billion less than the current budget. Congress will also be asked to approve a new round of base closures. The request announced Thursday would eliminate some 100,000 ground troops, mothball ships and trim squadrons, but increase special forces, improve cyber defense and put more emphasis on drone aircraft. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, previewing plans that will be revealed in more detail next month, said the proposal "will impact all 50 states and many … congressional districts across America." The proposed budget has the Navy keeping 11 carriers, but retires seven cruisers earlier than planned and delays purchases of subs, amphibious assault ships and other vessels. It also slows the purchase of F-35s. Congress controls the Pentagon budget, which is 20 percent of total federal spending, and regularly intervenes. (Sources: multiple, including AP, Reuters, 01/26/12) Gulf Coast note: The Gulf Coast region builds military vessels and portions of drone aircraft, and has several special operations bases and activities. It's also involved in cyber security training at several locations.

Contract: Raytheon, $17.4M

Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $17,424,398 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide test integration of software to enhance the system performance of the AIM 120D missile. The location of the performance is Tucson, Ariz. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. AAC/EBAK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/26/12)

Embry-Riddle to open new campus

CRESTVIEW, Fla. -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is opening a new Crestview campus to meet a growing need for students in the north end of Okaloosa County, home of Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. "ERAU is the front runner in knowing the needs of the workplace when it comes to aviation related jobs, and we have seen the growth around the Crestview Airport and in aviation related contracts that make up this area of Florida," said Ron Garriga, director of academic support of Embry-Riddle Fort Walton Beach campus. The new campus is on the second floor of a building at the corner of South Ferdon Boulevard and Southview Drive. (Source: Crestview News Bulletin, 01/26/12)

Two BRAC rounds possible

The Pentagon plans to request two new base closure rounds, one in 2013 and another in 2015, to help cut almost a half a trillion dollars in spending over the next decade, according to Air Force Times. The spending cuts imposed on the military are expected to result in the elimination of tens of thousands of troops and cuts in aircraft orders, further reducing the need for military infrastructure. (Source: Air Force Times, 01/25/12) Gulf Coast note: This region is home to a heavy concentration of military bases, as well as military activities at non-DoD facilities.

SSC starting powerpack tests

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- A new series of tests on the J-2X engine that will power the upper stage of NASA's Space Launch System will begin next week. The tests will be on the J-2X powerpack, which is on the top portion of the J-2X. It includes the gas generator, oxygen and fuel turbopumps and related ducts and valves that bring the propellants together to create combustion and generate thrust. About a dozen powerpack tests of varying lengths are slated through summer at Stennis' A-1 Test Stand. The J-2X is being developed by Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne. (Source: NASA, 01/25/12)

Vision to suspend FWB service

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Vision Airline's flights to and from Northwest Florida Regional Airport will end Feb. 29, and it's not known when or if those flights will resume. Vision started service at Northwest Florida Regional in December 2010 with direct flights to and from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Miami. Service was expanded in January 2011 and the airport here became a hub. But in the summer some destinations were dropped, others were added. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 01/24/12)

Fire Scouts on 3rd deployment

MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopters departed last week aboard the USS Simpson on a third operational deployment. The frigate is scheduled to spend six months off the coast of West Africa and in the Mediterranean. Two airframes are deployed and provide the ship's sole aviation capability. On previous deployments the Fire Scouts were accompanied by MH-60 Seahawk. (Source: Flightglobal, 01/23/12) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are built in part in Moss Point, Miss., by Northrop Grumman.

Global Hawk variant to be cut

The Air Force's Block 30 variant of the Global Hawk unmanned surveillance plane is being terminated in the budget request that will be sent to Congress in February, according to reports. But one report says the proposed fiscal 2013 budget also includes $1.2 billion for three additional Block 40 variants. The Air Force already has 11 of the latest models delivered or on contract. In addition, the Pentagon wants to continue an $11 billion Navy Global Hawk program. (Sources: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg, 01/24/12). Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss. Previous Global Hawk post

Contract: L-3, $69.2M

L-3 Communications Corp., Systems Field Support, Madison, Miss., was awarded a $69,277,000 firm-fixed-price contract to provide for the support of the worldwide fleet of C12/RC12/UC35 aircraft. Work will be performed in Madison, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2013. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/24/12)

NATO to ink AGS deal in May

NATO's long process to order an Alliance Ground Surveillance capability could achieve a contract signature within the next few months. A 13-nation deal should be signed before the next NATO summit in Chicago in May. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steve Schmidt, commander of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, valued the pending acquisition at about $1.3 billion for five Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 unmanned air vehicles, each equipped with a Northrop/Raytheon surveillance payload. (Source: Flightglobal, 01/20/12) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Operation leaves airport

DESTIN, Fla. -- Emerald Coast Aviation has closed its operations at Destin Airport. It subleased services for Miracle Strip Aviation, one of two fixed-base operators at the airport. Emerald Coast Aviation, which opened the branch at Destin Airport in April, handled aircraft maintenance and repairs and flight instructions for Miracle Strip Aviation. The company also is a full fixed-base operator at Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview and provides fueling services at Northwest Florida Regional Airport. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 01/20/12)