Contract: Bering Sea Env., $7.1M

Bering Sea Environmental LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $7,149,346 modification (P00051) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA4890-11-C-0004 to provide program support for Air Combat Command's Air Combat Training System Operations and Maintenance support services. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Langley Air Force Base, Va.; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England; Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and Aviano Air Base, Italy, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015. Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/28/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $492M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $492,008,803 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0004) to provide non-air vehicle spares, support equipment, Autonomic Logistics Information System hardware and software upgrades, supply chain management, full mission simulators and non-recurring engineering 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 Orlando, Fla. (81 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (9 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (5 percent); Owego, N.Y. (4 percent); and Samlesbury, United Kingdom (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2021. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force (37 percent), the U.S. Navy (23 percent); U.S. Marine Corps (20.5 percent); and international partners (19.5 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/26/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $64.3M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $64,283,943 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the modification of 14 F-35A air vehicles for the U.S. Air Force (13) and the government of the Netherlands (1), and 13 F-35B air vehicles for the U.S. Marine Corps (11) and the government of the United Kingdom (2). This contract includes procurement for 528 modification kits, installation, and labor. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (40 percent); Cherry Point, N.C. (12 percent); San Diego, Calif. (10 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (7 percent); Ogden, Utah (6 percent); Nashua, N.H. (4 percent); Eglin, Fla. (3 percent); Greenville, S.C. (3 percent); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (3 percent); Edwards, Calif. (2 percent); Marabar, Fla. (2 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (2 percent); Redondo Beach, Calif. (2 percent); Orlando, Fla. (2 percent); Baltimore, Md. (1 percent); and Owego, N.Y. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2017. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Marine Corps (48 percent); U.S. Air Force (39 percent), and international partners (13 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting authority (N00019-15-C-0016). (Source: DoD, 11/26/14)

Contract: UTC, $11.5M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded an $11,473,337 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-13-C-0016) for annualized sustainment, procuring operations and maintenance services for Low Rate Initial Production VIII F-135 propulsion systems for F-35 aircraft. This effort will include supply chain management, inventory optimization, flight service representatives at operational sites, oversight and planning of training activities, and aircraft retrofit activities. Work will be performed at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. (6 percent), and various locations within the continental United States (94 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2015. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force (52 percent), the U.S. Navy (46 percent), and international partners (2 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/26/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: UTC, $105.5M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $105,492,976 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to the previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract N00019-13-C-0016. This modification exercises an option for sustainment efforts and operations and maintenance services in support of Low Rate Initial Production Lot VIII F135 propulsion systems, including hardware and training course materials and equipment. The engines are used in Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters. Work will be performed in Hartford (55 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (12 percent); Oklahoma City, Okla. (7 percent); Palmdale, Calif. (5 percent); and various locations throughout the continental United States (21 percent); work is expected to be completed in December 2015. This contract combines purchase for the U.S. Marine Corps (49 percent); the U.S. Air Force (33 percent); the U.S. Navy (10 percent); and the international partners (8 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/25/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

RR wins $5B order

Rolls-Royce won a $5 billion order for Trent engines to power 50 new Airbus planes ordered by Delta Air Lines. Trent XWB engines will power 25 Airbus A350s and Trent 7000 engines will power 25 Airbus A330neo aircraft. Rolls Royce is the only supplier of engines for both aircraft. The Trent XWB will power the first A350 XWB into service later this year. (Sources: Rolls-Royce, 11/20/14, Reuters, 11/21/14) Gulf Coast note: Rolls-Royce tests XWB and Trent engines at its outdoor test facility at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

801st SOAMXS wins award

A Hurlburt Field maintenance squadron received the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award for field-level medium category units. The 801st Special operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received the award for superior aircraft maintenance during the period of Oct.1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013. The squadron, comprised of more than 480 Air Commandos, maintained 16 CV-22 Osprey and nine MC-130H Talon II aircraft during that period. (Source: 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, 11/21/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $7M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $7,011,951 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0004) to exercise an option for interim contractor support for the F-35 Low-Rate Initial Production Lot VII air systems. Work will be performed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. (55 percent), and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. (45 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2015. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/24/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Making way for Lakota

FORT RUCKER, Ala. - On one of the coldest days of the year in southeast Alabama, three OH-58D Kiowa Warriors Army aviation training helicopters geared up for their final flights from Fort Rucker. But despite of their departure, "aviators will continue to be trained to top standards at the home of Army Aviation," said Lt. Col. Mark Gillespie, 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment commander, an OH-58D pilot for 20 years. The Army is developing AH-64D/E helicopter models as well as continuing to develop pilots at nearby Hanchey Army Airfield using the UH-72A Lakota helicopter as the primary training aircraft. (Source: Fort Rucker, 11/21/14) Airbus Helicopters produces Lakotas in Columbus, Miss.

F-35C squadron passes milestone

The "Grim Reapers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101, the Navy's first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant squadron, reached a milestone this month by surpassing 1,000 mishap-free flight hours in the F-35C. As the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, VFA-101 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., trains Navy aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the aircraft. The unit became the Navy's first F-35C squadron after receiving the aircraft June 22, 2013, from Lockheed Martin, and completed the first check flight, Aug. 14. (Source: NNS, 11/21/14)

Contract: Raytheon, $32.2M

Raytheon Co., Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a $32,221,204 modification (P00010) to previously awarded contract FA8681-13-C-0196 for Enhanced Paveway II guided bomb unit kits and a 10-year warranty for each kit. Contractor will provide 500 Enhanced Paveway II guided bomb units 49 and 50 kits (each kit includes an enhanced computer control group and an air foil group) and a 10-year warranty for each kit to be supplied to the Royal Saudi Air Force. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be completed by July 1, 2016. This contract involves foreign military sales. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-13-C-0196). (Source: DoD, 11/21/14)

Contract: Lockheed, $4.1B

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $4,123,746,486 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive firm-target contract (N00019-13-C-0008) for the production of 43 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot VIII F-35 aircraft. This includes manufacture and delivery of 29 F-35A aircraft for the U. S. Air Force (19), government of Italy (two), government of Norway (two), government of Japan (four) and government of Israel (two). In addition, this modification provides for 10 F-35B aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps (six) and government of the United Kingdom (four); and four F-35C aircraft for the U.S. Navy (three) and U.S. Marine Corps (one). This modification also provides for LRIP Lot VIII production requirements, including diminishing manufacturing sources redesign and management, ancillary mission equipment, including pilot flight equipment, and concurrency changes to LRIP Lot VIII aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (55 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (10 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (5 percent); and Cameri, Italy (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2017. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement funds (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy), international partner funds, and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $4,120,352,986, will be obligated at the time of this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (41 percent); Marine Corps (14 percent); Navy (12 percent); international partners (19 percent); and foreign military sales (14 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting authority. (Source: DoD, 11/21/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Kaman, $28.9M

Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $28,892,973 firm-fixed-price modification (P00023) to exercise the option for Lot 11 production of joint programmable fuze systems. Contractor will provide an additional quantity of 7,846 state-of-the-art fuze systems being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2016. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 ammunition procurement funds in the amount of $28,892,973 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8681-13-C-0029). (Source: DoD, 11/20/14)

Contract: Boeing, $64.4M

The Boeing Corp., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $64,391,684 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed price contract for research and development leading to the procurement of 60 long delay fuzes and development of an embedded fuze system. Work will be performed at St. Louis and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation, and ammunition procurement funds, in the amount of $28,443,116 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-15-C-0050). (Source: DoD, 11/20/14)

Navy project moves forward

FOLEY, Ala. -- The Baldwin County Commission Tuesday endorsed vacating a portion of a county owned road to allow the Navy to extend a runway for new, more capable training aircraft. The nearly $30 million project has been in the works for a long time, and the Navy now believes the project can be finished by summer. The existing Doc McDuffie needs to be vacated so the Navy can expand its east-west runway at Barin Field to accommodate more advanced training aircraft. In return, the federal government will build a new road for residences and businesses located nearby. (Source: al.com, 11/18/14)

Tyndall area development OK'd

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- A beachfront neighborhood of up to 195 homes could be allowed in the flight path of Tyndall Air Force Base after the Bay County Commission on Tuesday approved a land-use plan amendment. The request from Sugar Sands Partners to make a large-scale amendment to its comprehensive land-use plan for 165 acres would increase the maximum number of units from the current 16 residential units. Base officials said the best protection for the base’s mission would be leaving the zoning as it is, but recommended several changes if the amendment is approved, including height restrictions and buildings with enhanced noise and vibration restriction standards. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 11/18/14)

Fifth gens jointly train

F-35s and F-22s fly in formation at Eglin.
U.S. Air Force photo

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Four F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., were deployed to Eglin Air Force Base earlier this month for the unit's first operational integration training mission with the F-35A Lightning II’s of Eglin's 33rd Fighter Wing. The training was to improve integrated employment of fifth-generation assets and tactics. The training allowed both units to gain operational familiarization and capture lessons learned to improve future exercises. The F-35s and F-22s flew offensive counter air, defensive counter air and interdiction missions together, exploring ways to maximize their fifth-generation capabilities. (Source: 33rd Fighter Wing, 11/17/2014) Eglin is home of the F-35 integrated training center. F-22 pilots are trained at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Airbus to supply Orion module

Airbus Group will develop and build a service module for the U.S. space capsule, Orion, the first marking the first time a European firm will provide system-critical elements for a U.S. space project. Airbus Defense and Space, Europe's largest aerospace group, said the contract signed with the European Space Agency is worth around $488 million. The service module will provide propulsion, power supply, thermal control and the central elements of the life support system of the capsule designed for deep space missions. The module is based on the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) developed and constructed by Airbus on behalf of ESA as a supply craft for the International Space Station. (Source: multiple, including Reuters, 11/17/14, Space Daily, 11/18/14) Gulf Coast connections: The first space-bound Orion, slated to launch next month atop a Delta IV, was built at Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans. The Delta IV's RS-68 engines were tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss.; Future Orion launches will be aboard NASA's massive Space Launch System, being built in part at Michoud Assembly Facility. The SLS's RS-25 engines will be tested at Stennis Space Center; Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., where it also has an engineering center and an Airbus Military operation.

Contract: Airbus D&S, $18.5M

Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded an $18,541,542 modification (P00858) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 for contractor logistic support to include flying hours, mission equipment packages and direct labor support. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $18,541,542 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2015 .Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 11/17/14)

Job postings continue

MOBILE, Ala. – Four classifications of hourly manufacturing positions at the Airbus final assembly line were posted Monday. The jobs at the plant, which will open next year, include ground handling technicians, aircraft mechanics structure installation, aircraft cabin interior installation and aircraft electrical installation. For a complete list of Airbus jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: al.com, 11/17/14)