Contract: OASIS, $23.7M

OASIS System LLC, Lexington, Mass., has been awarded a $23,748,310 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite quantity modification (P00025) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA9200-10-D-0173. Contractor will provide additional diverse non-engineering, technical and acquisition management support services already being provided under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2015. This contract involves foreign military sales. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 02/12/15)

Contract: COLSA, $23.8M

COLSA Corp., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $23,748,310 modification (P00023) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA9200-10-D-0166. Contractor will provide additional diverse non-engineering, technical and acquisition management support services already being provided under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2015. This contract involves foreign military sales. Air Force Test Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 02/12/15)

Contract: Airbus, $220.6M

Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $220,564,993 modification (P00882) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 to procure forty-one 72A Lakota Helicopters to include forty-one Airborne Radio Communications 231 Radios. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $220,564,993 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2017. Work will be performed Columbus, Miss. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 02/12/15)

Asiana plans to buy 25 A321s

South Korea's Asiana Airlines signed a Letter of Intent with Airbus for the purchase of 25 A321neo single aisle aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet modernization program. Seating 180 passengers in a two class layout, the new aircraft will be operated on the carrier’s regional services, as well as on selected domestic routes. Asiana will make a decision on its engine of choice for the aircraft at a later date. (Source: Airbus, 02/11/15) Gulf Coast note: The A320 family assembly line in Mobile, Ala., will open this year. Its first aircraft to be delivered in 2016 will be an A321ceo for JetBlue.

Contract: UTC, $9.4M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $9,365,128 modification to the previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract, N00019-13-C-0016. This modification is for common recurring sustainment and annualized and non-annualized common depot activation services in support of Low Rate Initial Production Lot VIII F135 propulsion systems. Work will be performed in Hartford and is expected to be completed in April 2017. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement (Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) funds and international partner funds in the amount of $9,365,128 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchase for the U.S. Air Force (49 percent); the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps (42 percent); and the international partners (9 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 02/11/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $14.5M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $14,488,097 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002) to incorporate Block 3i requirements into the F-35 United States Reprogramming Laboratory, including software upgrade, hardware refresh, end-to-end demonstration and certification and accreditation. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas (88 percent) and Orlando, Fla. (12 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2016. Fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,806,815 are being obligated on this 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, 02/10/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center and the F-35 U.S. Reprogramming Laboratory.

Eglin to test F-15 satellite launch

The Pentagon's research agency plans its first in-air test to launch satellites from the underside of an F-15 fighter jet from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., later this year. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plans to begin the initial flight-test phase of its Airborne Launch Assist Space Access program (ALASA) in a series of 12 orbital flights that would start in early 2016. The first three orbital launches are engineering checkout payloads, said Bradford Tousley, director of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. Under the ALASA military space project, once the F-15 gets to a designated altitude, the rocket releases over the Atlantic Ocean and ignites, carrying its payload into orbit. ALASA’s goal is to make launching small payloads less expensive and more efficient. (Source: Space.com 02/10/15)

Putting money where their mouth is

ANDALUSIA, Ala. -- Rural South Alabama's efforts to lure aerospace operations pre-dates the Airbus decision to set up an assembly line in Mobile, but those plans and a willingness to spend money kicked it in high gear. Feature story. (Source: GCRL article, GCRL Newsletter, 02/10/15)

At 57, company still on cutting edge

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- It's a grand-daddy of Okaloosa County's defense contractors, born the same year the Russians launched Sputnik, a time when computers took up entire rooms. Fast forward. Space flight is routine, powerful computers fit in your hand and grand-dad is still around, working on cutting edge electronics for the F-35. Feature story. (Source: GCRL article, GCRL Newsletter, 02/10/15)

Avalex innovator in key security field

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Avalex Technologies is a player in the high-growth surveillance sector, and while most of its customers are in the United States, international sales are picking up. Is a tech park with Avalex as the anchor in the future? Feature story. (Source: GCRL article, GCRL Newsletter, 02/10/15)

Mobile poised for historic cargo

MOBILE, Ala. -- The first American-built Airbus, an A321 for JetBlue, won't roll out until 2016, but the gears are in motion to bring the European-built sections to Mobile, marking the start of a new era in U.S. aviation history. Feature story. (Source: GCRL article, GCRL Newsletter, 02/10/15)

Duke adding C-146A

C-146A at Duke Field. Air Force photo

DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Duke Field's 5th Special Operations Squadron has added another airframe to its list of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) aircraft to train aircrews. The reserve squadron began C-146A Wolfhound formal training unit flights in December at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. To date the squadron has trained six pilots and four loadmasters. The aircraft will be a new addition to Duke Field in 2015, said 919th SOS commander Col. Jim Phillips. The 49th SOS, a reserve operational squadron, is scheduled to stand up at Duke Field in the fall and concentrate exclusively with the C-146. (Source: 919th Special Operations Wing, 02/09/15)

Avianca wants 100 A320neos

Avianca Holdings S.A. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for 100 A320neo family aircraft. Avianca, headquartered in Bogota, Colombia will base its fleet renewal strategy on the A320neo family, according to Airbus. To date, the A320neo program has 245 firm orders from seven customers in Latin America: Avianca, Azul, Interjet, LAN, TAM, VivaAerobus and Volaris. (Source: Airbus, 02/05/15) Gulf Coast note: Airbus will open an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., later this year. Other A320 FALs are in Germany, France and China.

Contract: Lockheed, $36.8M

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., has been awarded a $36,819,781 modification (P00082) to previously awarded contract FA8810-08-C-0002 for Space Based Infra-Red Systems (SBIRS) follow-on production. The contract is being modified to change the initial launch capability dates for SBIRS Geosynchronous Earth Orbit 3-4 space vehicles in order to support new launch manifest dates and also procure storage for the GEO-3 space vehicle. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2018. Fiscal year 2015 missile procurement funds in the amount of $25,504,071 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 02/05/15) Gulf Coast note: The SBIRS is an A2100 satellite-based spacecraft. Work on the A2100 core's propulsion system, which positions the spacecraft in orbit, is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Contract: Lockheed, $35.6M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $35,600,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) to complete a Joint Strike Missile (JSM) risk reduction and integration study of the F-35 Air System for the Government of Norway. The objectives of the study are to further mature JSM weapon design and to ensure compatibility of the weapon with the F-35. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (50 percent) and Kongsberg, Norway (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. International partner funds in the amount of $10,000,000 are being obligated on this 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, 02/05/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Pegasus barge being supersized

The Pegasus barge, originally designed to transport Space Shuttle external tanks from New Orleans to Florida, is well on its way to being supersized. Its new role will be to transport the huge Space Launch System stages. The upgraded Pegasus is set to transport the first major SLS hardware from New Orleans to NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss., for testing as early as next year. The barge's final role in shuttle program was when it shipped Space Shuttle Main Engine ground support equipment to Stennis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The barge was mothballed at Stennis in 2011, and is now being modified by Conrad Shipyard LLC in Amelia, La. (Source: NASA Spaceflight.com, 02/04/15)

Airport eyes security improvements

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The city is considering beefing up security at Pensacola International Airport with a high-tech electronic system that will cost $533,000 to install. The system will use cameras and motion detection software to stop people from entering the concourse area through the exit lane, which could allow passengers to bypass security. A visible or audible warning will alert airport personnel and automatically close doors to prevent access to the concourse area if someone enters the area through the exit lane. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 02/04/15)

Contract: Northrop, $16.6M

Northrop Grumman, Annapolis, Md., is being awarded a $16,552,553 delivery order to previously awarded contract (N61331-10-D-0009) for the procurement of field upgradeable kits and fleet support for conversion of the AN/AQS-24A mine detecting sensor systems to the AN/AQS-24B configuration in support of the Airborne Mine Countermeasure Systems Program. Work will be performed in Annapolis and is expected to be completed by July 2016. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 02/04/15)

Military exercise set for bay, Gulf

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron will conduct flight and boat operations Feb. 9-12 in the Gulf of Mexico some eight to 20 miles south of Destin and in Choctawhatchee Bay. The operations are part of the 53rd Wing's Weapon System Evaluation Program. Fighter aircraft will release munitions between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Gulf of Mexico within a cordoned, cleared surface range safety corridor. In the afternoon from 1 to 6 p.m., about 30 boats will be used as visual targets by fighter aircraft and helicopters flying mid to low level altitudes. No weapons or ammunition will be involved in the flights in the Choctawhatchee Bay. Some boat operators will be dressed in various military uniforms and white costumes and may carry rubber rifles, painted in highly visible colors. Some boats will have simulated, fake deck guns and rocket launcher tubes. The boats may use marine flares as visual markers. Notices to mariners will be issued prior to the missions and flyers will be handed out at the local marina. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 02/04/15)

Work to begin on drones for Korea

Northrop Grumman will begin production of four RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft systems for the Republic of Korea's air force. The systems will provide wide-area intelligence gathering capabilities to military commanders. Under a contract awarded Dec. 16, the company will work with the U.S. Air Force to deliver the systems starting in 2018. The contract is for four aircraft, two ground stations and supporting equipment. It's the first time Global Hawk has been sold to an allied nation in the Asia-Pacific region under the Foreign Military Sales process. (Source: Northrop Grumman via Globe Newswire, 02/02/15) Gulf Coast note: Central fuselage work on Global Hawks is done in Moss Point, Miss.