June 17, 2019 | International, Aerospace

GE Sees Military as Driving Next-Gen Technology

PARIS - “Military is where the commercial business was 10 years ago,” says GE Aviation president and GEvice chairman David Joyce. With commercial now set after a decade of renewal (the CF6 replaced by the GEnx, GE90 by GE9X, CFM56 by Leap, CF34 by Passport, and the emergence of the Catalyst turboprop engine), hundreds of engineers and research and development resources are being tasked with creating future generations of military powerplants. Now that the commercial side has proved that new materials such as ceramic matrix composites and technologies such as additive manufacturing are viable, affordable and producible, the military has the confidence to lead the march into new territory.

Technologies developed for commercial engines have enabled new military capabilities; in turn, military research and development will enable even newer commercial engines decades into the future. It's a virtuous cycle, Joyce explains.

GE is on a roll: it has won the U.S. Army's ITEP competition to replace all T700 engines in Black Hawk and Apache helicopters with the ultra-fuel-efficient single-shaft ITEP next-gen helicopter engine, and it won contracts worth a billion dollars to develop its AETD three-stream adaptable fighter engine as far as demonstrating it on the ground in an F-35. Flight tests could follow, as could eventual reengining of the F-35 fleet. But in any case, GE will be ready with an engine for sixth-generation fighters.

In addition, the ubiquitous F404/F414 is being upgraded and continues to win new competitions, including the USAF's new Boeing-Saab T-X trainer and several foreign future fighter programs; the T408 turboshaft powers the new Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion; and a team is working full time on competing to reengine the B-52 bomber. Business is growing “at really good rates” on both manned and unmanned “black” programs, says Joyce, and hybrid electric is being studied for future applications including UAVs, he adds.

He believes GE already has the enabling technologies for the next decade, “but industrializing them is a different thing.” The company has already invested “billions of dollars” in developing a manufacturing and supply chain of materials and technologies for its commercial engines, and this will continue,

“Additive manufacturing may be the most disruptive technology that I've seen in the industry in a long time,” says Joyce, “as it opens up a space for designers and for manufacturing that is on a different dimensional plane. It takes a long time to learn how to design with additive. It takes even longer to learn how to manufacture with additive at speed and high rate from a quality standpoint of view.

“We are jumping in with both feet because the results on the back end when you get it right are extraordinary,” he adds.

“It's going to pay off a whole load more in the next 20 years. This is going to be the best [real return on investment] that we've ever done.”

https://aviationweek.com/paris-airshow-2019/ge-sees-military-driving-next-gen-technology

On the same subject

October 25, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 22, 2018
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Loffredo Fresh Produce Co. Inc.,* Des Moines, Iowa (SPE300-19-DP-341; $9,000,000); and Greenberg Fruit Co.,* Omaha, Nebraska (SPE300-19-DS-731; $27,000,000), have each been awarded a firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quality contract under solicitation SPE300-16-R-0042 for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. These are 54-month contracts with no option periods. Locations of performance are Iowa and Nebraska, with an April 22, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and non-DoD schools and tribes. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Contitech USA Inc., Fairlawn, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $20,151,800 firm-fixed-price contract for M109 vehicle tracks. This is a one-year base contract with one-year option that is being exercised at time of award. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Ohio, with a July 8, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-C-0022). Synergy Logistics Services LLC,** North Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a $17,754,019 hybrid fixed-price-incentive-firm, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for government-owned/contractor-operated warehouse and distribution operation services. This is a five-year task order contract with no option periods, inclusive of a three-month transition period. This is a small business set-aside with two responses received. Location of performance is Guam, with an Oct. 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. In this ordering period, $2,864,945 will be obligated using fiscal 2019 funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania (SP3300-19-D-5001). National Industries for the Blind,*** Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a $13,144,298 modification (P00008) exercising the second option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-17-D-B003) with four one-year option periods for the advanced combat helmet pad suspension system. This is a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, with an Oct. 26, 2019, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY Alliant Techsystems Operations (ATK), Northridge, California, is awarded $12,792,480 for modification P00007 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N68936-15-D-0019). This modification provides additional funding for the design and development studies and engineering services for rapid technology development of Orbital ATK products. Work will be performed in China Lake, California, and is expected to be completed in June 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. Railroad Construction Co. Inc., Paterson, New Jersey, is awarded a $9,095,206 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for maintenance and repair of railroad trackage services at the Naval Weapon Station, Earle and Naval Station Activity, Mechanicsburg. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, all labor, management, supervision, tools, material, and equipment required to provide maintenance, repair, alteration, demolition and minor construction for installation trackage. The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years is $48,933,014. Work will be performed in Colts Neck, New Jersey (63 percent); and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (37 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of October 2023. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $1,770,200 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-19-D-9024). Colonna's Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $7,966,158 firm-fixed-price contract for a 67-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1). Work will include furnishing general services for the ship; physical security at private contractor's facility; clean and gas-free tanks, voids, cofferdams and spaces, heater exchangers; structural inspection and weld repair; aluminum hull repair and structural repairs; support for main propulsion engine overhauls and support for generator overhauls; reduction gear maintenance; annual stern ramp maintenance; communication and navigation annuals; lifesaving equipment annuals; annual ride control maintenance; stern ramp control system and extension swap; tunnel paint expansion and underwater hull paint touch up; and docking and undocking of the vessel. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $9,162,956. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 10, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,162,956 are obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside, with more than two companies solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received, with two found to be in the competitive range. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C6700). * Small business ** Woman-owned small business *** Mandatory source https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1668500/
February 14, 2019 | International, Aerospace

South Korean consortium selected for F-35 MRO
A consortium of South Korean aerospace companies has been selected by the US government to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced. DAPA said in a statement on 13 February that the consortium - termed by DAPA as 'Team ROK' - includes Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air Aerospace Division, LIG Nex1, and logistics specialist Hyundai Glovis. DAPA said it was notified of the decision by the US Department of Defense (DoD). It added that the selection of Team ROK followed a review undertaken by the DoD of proposals to expand MRO involvement in the F-35 programme by countries involved in developing the aircraft and by countries committed to procuring the platform. DAPA said that Team ROK has been allocated responsibility to provide MRO services in support of components and systems across three areas: avionics, "machinery and electronics", and in-flight egress systems, adding that the decision supports local industry's efforts to gain access to the F-35 global supply chain and, at a wider level, to boost the country's defence exports. "DAPA is promoting innovation to transform domestic defence companies into a competitive export-oriented industry," it said. "The selection of [Team ROK] is a success story that shows the way for the defence industry to move forward." https://www.janes.com/article/86336/south-korean-consortium-selected-for-f-35-mro
February 28, 2020 | International, Aerospace

Terma North America under contract with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J
Atlanta, February 26, 2020 - Lockheed Martin has awarded a $15M firm-fixed price contract to Terma North America to provide the ALQ-213A Defensive Aids Controller (DAC) and Range-Less Electronic Warfare Training (REWT) for the USAF HC-130J. The program allows integration of the Defensive System Suite to the HC-130J and provides the aircrew with the capability to perform realistic EW training while flying their mission. This provides a more flexible, cost-effective EW training compared to training on EW ranges. Terma has been providing EW Embedded Training systems for various military aircraft over the past 15 years with great success. REWT is latest version of advanced realistic EW training systems from Terma. Further the ALQ-213A based integration will provide the aircrew enhanced control of the HC-130J defensive systems and provisions that allow the addition of future systems to the Defensive Systems Suite. Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor and will certify the Defensive Systems Suite capability on the HC-130J. “This program will provide the warfighters with capabilities that have long been sought after. The company leverages legacy products to ensure the safe return of pilots everywhere, so it's important that Terma deliver to the mutual mission of protecting those who use our products. It's important to focus on the overarching goal – to keep our warfighters out of harm's way, even when they fly into a potentially hostile environment,” said Lars Tolstrup, Business Development Director, Terma. Terma North America has provided the ALQ-213A DAC in the past for several international C-130J aircraft, where special defensive systems integration was required, under contracts with Lockheed Martin in Marietta. The company's primary focuses are providing advanced System Level Capabilities, hardware, integration, and sustainment to protect the warfighter. Because of the company legacy on these aircraft, Terma North America is honored to continue to provide hardware to the USAF C-130J fleet. Terma North America, Inc. Operating in the aeronautics, defense, and security sector, Terma North America supports customers and partners all over the world. Headquartered in Crystal City, Virginia, operating from two additional main offices in Georgia, Atlanta and Warner Robins, which hosts a production/repair facility. Terma NA also maintains remote locations, such as Crane, Indiana and Ft. Worth, Texas, where US team members work directly with customers on a regular basis. Terma Group Terma North America is part of the Denmark based high-tech Terma Group that develops products and systems for defense and non-defense security applications; including command and control systems, radar systems, self-protection systems for aircraft, space technology, and aerostructures for the aircraft industry. Follow us on www.terma.com Instagram Twitter Linkedin Youtube Media contact: Kasper Rasmussen T:+45 2022 6091 E:kar@terma.com View source version on Terma: https://www.terma.com/press/news-2020/terma-north-america-under-contract-with-lockheed-martin-on-the-c-130j/

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