Pratt neo engine certified

Pratt and Whitney's engine for the Airbus A320neo family of jetliners has won certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. The certification is a milestone for the engine and the A320neo, scheduled to enter service in the 2015 fourth quarter. Pratt and Whitney's engine powered the A320neo when it took its maiden test flight in September. Pratt is a unit of United Technologies Corp. Airbus has listed more than 3,300 orders for the A320neo family as of November, according to the company's website. (Source: Reuters, 12/19/14) Gulf Coast note: The company's newest A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., will open in 2015. Previous

UTC recognized by DLA

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – United Technologies Corp. Aerospace Systems was recognized as a Gold Tier supplier for the Defense Department's Defense Logistics Agency as part of DoD's Superior Supplier Incentive Program. UTC Aerospace Systems currently has spare parts contracts with the DLA that span across all of UTC Aerospace Systems' segments, including actuation and propeller systems, nacelle systems, air management systems, electric systems, ejection seats, sensing systems, landing gear, engine systems, sensor systems, and wheels and brakes. (Source: United Technologies, 12/22/14) Gulf Coast note: UTC's Aerospace System's aerostructures business unit at Foley, Ala., designs, builds and supports nacelle systems for commercial and military aircraft. The Foley site houses original equipment work as well as the Alabama Service Center, a maintenance, repair and overhaul site for nacelle components.

Contract: UTC, $47.2M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $47,208,684 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to the previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract N00019-13-C-0016. This modification is for sustainment efforts and operations and maintenance services in support of Low Rate Initial Production Lot VIII F135 propulsion systems, including repair of repairables and replenishment spares. Work will be performed in Hartford (50 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (36 percent); and Oklahoma City, Okla. (14 percent); and is expected to be completed in November 2015. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds (Navy, Air Force) and international partner funds in the amount of $10,911,399 will be obligated at the time of award, $6,720,832 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchase for the U.S. Air Force (29 percent); the U.S. Navy (62 percent); and the international partners (9 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/19/14)

Dutch commit to 1st operational F-35

The Netherlands said this week that it will sign a contract in April 2015 for an initial eight Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters. In total the Netherlands is planning to buy 37 F-35s, with the first of the eight initial aircraft expected to enter service in 2019. Full operational capability is expected to be attained in 2024 with all aircraft delivered. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the intended contract will stay within the stated total budget of $5.6 billion. (Source: IHS Jane's 360, 12/17/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Utilis, $200M

 Utilis USA, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $200,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery contract for commercial shelters. This contract was a competitive acquisition and 20 offers were received. This is a one-year base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Florida with a Dec. 16, 2015, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPE1C1-15-D-1018). (Source: DoD, 12/17/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $34.9M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $34,893,266 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0031) for modification management of deployable spares packages for F-35 Low Rate Initial Production Lot VI aircraft. In addition, this contract provides for unit level augmentation and delivery of technical, administrative, and associated financial data. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force (46 percent); the U.S. Marine Corps (39 percent); the U.S. Navy (8.6 percent) and the international partners (6.4 percent). Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (50 percent); Ogden, Utah (16 percent), Burton, S.C. (13 percent), Yuma, Ariz. (5 percent); Havelock, N.C. (5 percent); Rosamond, Calif. (4 percent); Valparaiso, Fla. (4 percent); Glendale, Ariz. (2 percent); and Las Vegas, Nev. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2016. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/17/14)

A-3 stand back in headlines

Nearly a year after Bloomberg News reported that the $350 million A-3 test stand at Stennis Space Center, Miss., would be completed then mothballed, the Washington Post and ABC News revisited the issue. The Post used the 300-foot tall tower as an example of NASA's "drift," or what happens when the federal agency has no clear-cut goal. In January 2014, Bloomberg wrote that Congress ordered NASA to complete the stand even though it no longer needs it. At that time, $292 million had been spent and another $57 million was needed to complete it. It was designed to test the J-2X engine's performance at high altitudes. But the testing requirement ended when the Constellation program was killed in 2010. But backers, including Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., point out that it might still be used under a new administration or by private companies that are planning missions beyond supplying the International Space Station. (Sources: ABC News, 12/16/14, Washington Post, 12/15/14, Bloomberg News, 01/08/14)

Contract: Northrop, $657.4M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., has been awarded a $657,400,000 hybrid contract including firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for aircraft for the Republic of Korea. Contractor will provide four RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk air vehicles, two spare engines, and the applicable Ground Control Environment elements. Each will contain an Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite. Work will be performed at San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be complete by June 28, 2019. This contract involves foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-15-C-3001). Gulf Coast note: Center fuselage work on Global Hawks is done in Moss Point, Miss.

Titanium airline seats available

Three Frenchmen have created a titanium seat that could save airlines millions and cram more seats into jetliners. The seat, which consists of 30 parts and is pre-reclined by 18 degrees, is designed for use in the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family of aircraft. Saving fuel is a key concern for airliners, and some have switched to lighter, thinner seats made by Germany's Recaro. But Benjamin Saada, Jean-Charles Samuelian, and Vincent Tejedor created Expliseat in 2011 and have now started selling it. Made from titanium and composites, it's 8.8 pounds, three times lighter than the Recaro seat. (Source: Business Insider, 12/15/14) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., that will open in 2015.

1st SOW getting new leader

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Col. William West, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing and the installation commander at Hurlburt, will hand over command of the wing to Col. Sean Farrell, current commander of the 27th Special Operations Group at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The change of command is Jan. 6. West assumed command of the 1st SOW in July 2013. Farrell, born at Eglin Air Force Base, is a command pilot with more than 3,200 hours in the C-130E and AC-130H. He’s flown combat missions in Afghanistan and Bosnia. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 12/15/14)

Trent engines chosen

Rolls-Royce has been selected by AirAsia X to power 10 Airbus A330ceo and 55 Airbus A330neo aircraft with engines and support worth $6.2 billion. The A330ceos will be powered by the Trent 700 and the A330neos will be powered by the Trent 7000 engine. In July this year, Rolls-Royce welcomed an initial AirAsia X decision to select 50 A330neo aircraft. The airline had previously ordered 25 A330ceos, powered by another provider, and this has now been altered to 10 aircraft, powered by the Trent 700. It's the largest order for the Trent 7000 engine since it was launched earlier this year. (Source: Rolls-Royce, 12/15/14) Gulf Coast note: Trent engines are tested at the Rolls-Royce outdoor test facility at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Contract: Lockheed, $169.3M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $169,335,580 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-12-C-0004) to provide Depot Phase I-IV services to support Low Rate Initial Production Lot VII F-35 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and international partners. Work will be performed in East Aurora, N.Y. (24 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (20 percent); Nashua, N.H. (17.4 percent); Torrance, Calif. (9 percent); Samlesbury, U.K. (6.5 percent); Irvine, Calif. (6.2 percent); Cheltenham, U.K. (3.7 percent); North Amityville, N.Y. (3.7 percent); Palmdale, Calif. (3.6 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (3.4 percent); Orlando, Fla. (1.7 percent); and Grand Rapids, Mich. (0.8 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2018. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement funds (Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy) and international partner funds in the amount of $169,335,580 will be obligated at time of award, of which $159,476,476 will expire this fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force (47 percent), the U.S. Navy (33 percent); U.S. Marine Corps (14 percent); and international partners (6 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/12/14)

Whiting Field sets command change

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Capt. Todd Bahlau will take the reins Dec. 17 as Naval Air Station Whiting Field's 41st commanding officer. He takes over from Capt. Matthew Coughlin during a change of command ceremony. Bahlau, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and aviator, comes to Northwest Florida from duty with the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Coughlin, who served for three years as Whiting Field command, is retiring after 27 years of service. Commander Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Mary Jackson will be the guest speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony. (Source; NAS Whiting Field, 12/12/14)

Canada report sees no F-35 edge

OTTAWA - The Lockheed Martin F-35 has no clear edge over three other jet fighters Canada is considering to replace its aging fleet, a declassified government report says. The F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Boeing Super Hornet are all able of accomplish missions envisioned by Canadian military leaders. The only exception would be going to war with another state, but the report's authors concluded that unlikely. A purchase decision is not expected until after next year's general election. Canada is one of the original nine partner nation in the F-35 program and for now still intends to buy 65 F-35s beginning in 2020. (Sources: AFP via Yahoo, Flightglobal, 12/11/2014) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Norway F-35 fuselage completed

Palmdale technicians inspect center fuselage
Northrop Grumman photo

PALMDALE, Calif. – Northrop Grumman earlier this month completed the center fuselage for the first F-35 to be ordered by Norway, a conventional takeoff and landing variant designated AM-1. As a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry team, Northrop Grumman designed and produces the center fuselage for all three F-35 variants. The AM-1 center fuselage is the first of 52 fuselages Northrop Grumman will produce for Norway. It is the 166th center fuselage that the company has produced at its Palmdale site. Lockheed Martin will perform final assembly and checkout of the Norwegian F-35s in Fort Worth, Texas. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 12/10/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Coast Guard saves man on raft

NEW ORLEANS – A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and aircrew rescued a man from a life raft 30 miles south of Venice, La., Wednesday. A crewman aboard the vessel Harvey Pacer notified CG Sector New Orleans after receiving a Mayday from the sailing vessel Amsheet, which reported it struck an unknown object and was taking on water and that the owner was in a life raft. There were no reported injuries. (Source: U.S. Coast Guard, 12/10/14)

Contract: Reliable, $8.4M

Reliable Contracting Group LLC, Louisville, Ky., was awarded a $8,417,693 firm-fixed-price contract with options for replacing the fuel pipeline at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., with an estimated completion date of March 21, 2014. Bids were solicited via the Internet with five received. Fiscal 2014 military construction funds in the amount of $8,417,693 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-15-C-0005). (Source: DoD, 12/11/14)

Italy, Turkey to service F-35s

Italy and Turkey were chosen by the Pentagon to provide initial heavy maintenance of F-35 fighter jets in Europe starting in 2018. That paves the way for billions of dollars of work by companies in those countries, and several others in coming years, as the new stealth warplane starts operating around the world. Air Force Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, who runs the F-35 program for the Defense Department, said the countries involved would release details about which companies would do the work. Italy will provide initial heavy maintenance, with Britain providing backup airframe maintenance. Heavy maintenance on the F135 engine will be done in Turkey, but Norway and the Netherlands will also set up sites in a few years. (Source: Reuters, Lockheed Martin, 12/11/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $12.5M

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been awarded a $12,463,696 modification (P00649) to previously awarded contract F04701-02-C-0002 for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency system. Contractor will provide protected key management architecture (KMA) for installation, integration and factory test of the replacement KMA system with the existing AEHF control and space segments. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale; Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.; and Valley Forge, Pa., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,979,384 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/10/14) Gulf Coast note: Lockheed Martin does a portion of the work on the AEHF system at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Contract: Composite Eng., $72.4M

Composite Engineering Inc., Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded a $72,367,482 firm-fixed-price contract for Air Force Subscale Aerial Target Lots 11-13 production. Contractor will produce the AFSAT BQM-167A that will be used by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group to test and evaluate air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons systems. Work will be performed at Sacramento and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2013 and 2014 Department of Defense procurement funds in the amount of $24,309,430 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-15-C-0069). (Source: DoD, 12/10/14)