Back to news

August 21, 2023 | International, Aerospace

Rare Beasts: 5 Military Aircraft That You Might Not Have Heard Of

On the same subject

  • COVID-19 Stimulus Includes Aerospace And Defense Industry Assistance

    March 30, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    COVID-19 Stimulus Includes Aerospace And Defense Industry Assistance

    Jen DiMascio President Donald Trump signed a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill into law March 27, aimed at shielding the U.S. economy from damage done by COVID-19-related closures, and that will also provide assistance to the aerospace and defense industry. In addition to giving businesses numerous incentives to retain employees, the act offers $17 billion in loans and loan guarantees to national security contractors such as Boeing, which had appealed to Congress for $60 billion in relief for itself and its suppliers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act does attach strings to the loans, restricting companies that accept the money from share buybacks, making increases to executive compensation and instituting layoffs. In a statement issued March 26, Boeing said its CEO and board chairman are giving up their pay, and that the company is extending its dividend and will pause share repurchasing “until further notice.” The law also provides $10.5 billion in new defense spending – primarily for personnel and operations – along with $2.5 billion aimed at maintaining the industrial base. The act “confirms that there is no risk that fiscal 2020 and prior appropriations would be raided to pay for pandemic response costs,” said Byron Callan of Capital Alpha Partners in a note to investors. But he cautioned that analysts and planners have to factor the changes made by the new law when looking toward budgets for fiscal 2021 and beyond. Another stimulus package is likely to follow in April or May, which may include additional funding for defense, Callan added. Industry groups cheered passage of the act. “We encourage federal government officials and lawmakers to continue to support the aerospace and defense industry through the duration of the pandemic and to ensure sector stability during the economic recovery phase,” said the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. “The aerospace and defense contribution to the economy on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis will be crucial for restarting and building the economic engine to its pre-crisis momentum.” The legislation offers “tools and incentives” that will provide support to many small businesses and the supply chain, said Eric Fanning, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. And David Berteau, president of the Professional Services Council, which represents federal government contractors, is looking to the future, saying that as the impact of the pandemic continues, the council will focus on keeping the government working, keeping contractors working and ensuring that contractors and their employees are paid. Lockheed Martin President and CEO Marillyn Hewson made a related announcement about the company's plan to help with COVID-19 relief, saying it will advance $50 million to small- and medium-sized suppliers, donate $10 million to non-profit COVID-19 relief organizations and set aside a $6.5 million relief fund for its own employees. The company will also offer engineering and technical assistance to government officials, and donate corporate aircraft and vehicles for logistical support, facilities for medical supply storage, distribution and COVID-19 testing. “Finally, during this time of economic uncertainty, we will continue our planned recruiting and hiring,” Hewson said. “Given the requirement for social distancing, Lockheed Martin will deploy virtual technology and other techniques to sustain our hiring activity during this crisis period.” https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/covid-19-stimulus-includes-aerospace-defense-industry-assistance

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 01, 2020

    July 6, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - July 01, 2020

    AIR FORCE The Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (CMU-SEI), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $2,697,568,646 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00015) to contract FA8702-15-D-0002 for the operation of the CMU-SEI Federally Funded Research and Development Center. This option extends the contract order period by five years and provides for advanced technology research and development activities that focus on computer software technology development and cyber security. Work will be performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This option brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $3,429,556,278, and no funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. Accenture Federal Services LLC, Arlington, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0029); Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colorado (FA8612-20-D-0030); Black River Systems, Utica, New York (FA8612-20-D-0031); CAE USA Mission Solutions Inc., Tampa, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0032); CUBIC (GATR Technologies Inc.), Huntsville, Alabama (FA8612-20-D-0033); Global Air Logistics and Training Inc., Del Mar, California (FA8612-20-D-0034); Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0035); Mercury Defense Systems Inc., Cypress, California (FA8612-20-D-0036); Metron Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0037); Octo Consulting Group Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0038); Omni Fed LLC, Gainesville, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0039); Rincon Research Corp., Tucson, Arizona (FA8612-20-D-0041); Rise8 Inc., Tampa, Florida (FA8612-20-D-0042); Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0043); Strategic Mission Elements Inc., Chantilly, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0045); Wind River Systems Inc., Alameda, California (FA8612-20-D-0046); Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia (FA8612-20-D-0047); and NetScoutsystems Inc., Westford, Massachusetts (FA8612-20-D-0048), have been awarded $950,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to compete for future efforts associated with the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control. These contracts provide for the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The locations of performance are to be determined at the contract direct order level and are expected to be completed May 28, 2025. These awards are the result of fair and open competition. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds will fully fund initial delivery orders. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Missiles Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $495,058,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) program support and annual sustainment. The contractor will provide non-warranty repairs, program support, contractor logistics support and service life prediction program analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2026. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. No funds are being obligated on the action at the time of award. Concurrently, the first task order will be awarded with $989,450 in fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0020). Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $27,054,192 firm-fixed-price modification (P00004) to contract FA8675-20-C-0033 for the advanced medium range air-to-air missile program obsolescence. This modification provides for a life of type procurement of known obsolete component in support of production and sustainment through the program of record and foreign military sales procurements. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed Aug. 31, 2021. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Romania and Spain. Air Force fiscal 2020 missile procurement funds in the amount of $8,810,304; Navy fiscal 2020 weapons procurement funds in the amount of $5,277,696; and FMS funds in the amount of $12,966,192 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. Aircraft Services Alliance LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a $17,550,227 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, no-fee-requirements contract for on-site depot support. This contract provides on-site depot support (OSDS) program for labor services to accomplish on-site depot level maintenance and modification work on all Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) C-130 weapons systems and sub-systems. OSDS supports multiple AFSOC customers to provide timely and high quality active weapon system maintenance worldwide. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive small business set-aside with a basic solicitation and four offers were received. Fiscal 2020 through 2025 operations and maintenance funds; and fiscal 2020 through 2025 Air National Guard funds will finance this contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8509-20-D-0013). Motorola Solutions Inc., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $9,887,739 firm-fixed-price contract to fulfill Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center's requirement for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) trunking system operations and maintenance of the Air Force Space Command zone core. Work will be performed at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado; Peterson AFB, Colorado; Schriever AFB, Colorado; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado; Edwards AFB, California; Los Angeles AFB, California; Patrick AFB, Florida; Vandenberg AFB, California; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Dyess AFB, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; Whiteman AFB, Missouri; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Eglin AFB, Florida; Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts; Robins AFB, Georgia; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and Cannon AFB, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,819,160 are being obligated at the time of award. U.S. Space Force Headquarters, Peterson AFB, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA2544-20-F-0002). Vision Building Energy Efficiency LLC, Austin, Texas, has been awarded a $9,700,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) recommissioning and energy optimization services (REOS). This contract provides for HVAC REOS to support base-level civil engineers. Work will be performed at Air Force facilities throughout the U.S. and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8051-20-D0009). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, was awarded a $700,000,000 fixed-price-award-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials and cost-reimbursement-no-fee contract (H92408-20-C-0004) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the development and procurement of Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems. The systems will be integrated onto AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Commando II aircraft operated by Air Force Special Operations Command to help protect aircrews from air- and land-based enemy radar and missile systems. The contract includes RFCM system engineering services, logistics support and spare parts. Funds in the amount of $87,929,352 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is funded with research, development, test and evaluation appropriation for fiscal 2020; and procurement appropriation for fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020. The under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment determined requirements of Title 10, U.S. Code 2371b (d) were met and approved the use of the authority of Section 2371b as essential to meet critical national security objectives. USSOCOM, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity. ARMY DRS Advanced ISR LLC, Beavercreek, Ohio, was awarded a $250,000,000 hybrid (cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price) contract to replace aging Joint Tactical Terminals scheduled for end of life in fiscal 2025. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W56KGY-20-F-0077). Geo Consultants Corp.,* Kevil, Kentucky, was awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for foundation pressure relief well engineering with geophysical surveying for the Great Lakes and Ohio River. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington, West Virginia, is the contracting activity (W91237-20-D-0011). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $14,434,397 modification (P00308) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 to retrofit mufflers, forward facing cameras, larger rear door transparent armor and muffler robustness into the baseline configuration of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle family of vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 other procurement (Army) funds; 2020 Army Office of the Chief of Army Reserve funds; and Navy procurement funds in the amount of $14,434,397 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. C2RL Inc.,* Alcoa, Tennessee, was awarded a $9,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering in support of the Tennessee Air and Army National Guard. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2025. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Nashville, Tennessee, is the contracting activity (W50S98-20-D-0001). Translang Ltd.,* Waynesboro, Virginia, was awarded a $7,336,562 firm-fixed-price contract to provide training and support services to ensure the continued sustainment and development of United Arab Emirates National Defense College. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Waynesboro, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2022. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of $7,336,562 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-20-C-0009). NAVY Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $32,192,842 firm-fixed-price contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-5420 to complete engineering and manufacturing development software development, testing and support to complete the government operational test and evaluation of the Block II Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (93%); Koropi Attica, Greece (1%); Nashua, New Hampshire (1%); Andover, Massachusetts (1%); and Aranjuez, Spain (1%). The following locations are less than 1% each and make up the remaining 3%: Hengelo Ov, Netherlands; San Jose, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Eight Mile Plains Brisbane, Australia; Cambridge, Canada; Goleta, California; Mosheim, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Landenberg, Pennsylvania; Golden, Colorado; Glendale, California; Woodridge, Illinois; Petaluma, California; Newmarket, Canada; Warrington, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio; Danvers, Massachusetts; Irvine, California; Westlake Village, California; Moorpark, California; and Gilbert, Arizona. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. Work is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and 2019 and 2020 Other Customer Funds, International funding in the amount of $26,065,965 will be obligated at the time of award. Funds in the amount of $560,210 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) – international agreement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $21,227,308 modification (P00021) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract N00019-18-C-1021. This modification exercises an option to procure additional Lot 15 F135 propulsion systems long lead components, parts and materials in support of the Navy, the Marine Corps and the governments of the United Kingdom and Italy's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana (80%); and Bristol, United Kingdom (20%), and is expected to be completed by November 2022. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,171,706; and non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount $6,055,602 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded an $8,269,563 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost order N00019-20-F-5008 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-20-G-0005. This order provides for aircrew, flight test engineering, instrumentation, aircraft technicians and test management personnel to support E-2D Integrated Test Team Delta System/software configuration builds. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (91%); and Melbourne, Florida (9%), and is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,626,041 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Systems and Technology Research, Woburn, Massachusetts, is awarded a $7,735,180 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop a binary structure inference system to extract software properties from binary code to support repository-based reverse engineering for assured micro-patching that minimizes lifecycle maintenance and sustainment costs. This four-year contract includes one two-year option period which, if exercised, will bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated $9,135,073. All work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts. The period of performance of the base award is from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2024. If all options are exercised, the period of performance would extend through June 2026. Funds in the amount of $1,150,000 will be obligated at the time of award. The type of obligated funds will be for research, development, test and evaluation (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency broad agency announcement solicitation published on the beta.SAM.gov website. Thirty-four proposals were received and 12 were selected for award. The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-20-C-4019). CORRECTION: The June 29, 2020, announcement of a contract modification (P00004) to Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas (N00019-20-C-0009), for $67,690,000 included incorrect procurement information. This modification is for the procurement of long lead materials, parts, components and support necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of nine Lot 16 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the government of The Netherlands, as well as seven F-35A Lightning II and two F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the government of Italy. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2244841/source/GovDelivery/

  • Daily Memo: Powering Down

    April 22, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    Daily Memo: Powering Down

    Guy Norris As the airframers go, so goes the aircraft engine industry. After spending most of the past decade accelerating production to keep pace with unprecedented airliner delivery rates the engine makers have spent the past month in reverse thrust. But as production lines slow, and in some cases come to a full stop, the grim guessing game about the industry's post-COVID-19 pandemic future can begin. For every engine company, anchored midway between their own supply chains and Airbus, Boeing and Embraer in particular, all scenarios paint a bleak picture and the potential impact of the virus-triggered crisis is alarming on at least three key levels. Near term, all must weather the storm and rapidly shrink capacity by 40% or even more to match the new realities of the slower airframe production rates now expected for the next couple of years. Second, having long since focused the core of their business models on the aftermarket, they must adjust to significantly lower revenues from a near term reduction in demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Third, with nearly all their resources dedicated to survival, reduced revenues and spending trimmed, development of new engines and propulsion technology is expected to slow significantly—at least in the near term. However, all the manufacturers know that in the mid-to-longer term the environmental pressures on performance will return and so will the relentless demand for lower emissions and greater innovation. Already committed programs will therefore continue, albeit potentially stretched over longer test and development schedules. From a volume perspective, GE Aviation and Safran's CFM joint venture is expected to see the greatest change. Having delivered 1,736 LEAP-1s and 391 CFM56-5/7s in 2019, output from the combined French and U.S. operations will decline significantly in 2020 in lockstep with urgent reductions in production at Airbus and Boeing. CFM, which was previously on track towards a planned annual production rate of more than 2,000 LEAP-1s by the end of 2020, cannot comment on numbers while its parent companies remain in a dark period prior to earnings calls at the end of April, but is expected to slash this target by around half. GE Aviation, which was already expecting a leaner 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic because of delays to the GE9X-powered Boeing 777-9 and slow-downs to the GE90-115/GEnx-1 powered 777-200LR/300ER and 787 programs, is eyeing the even more troubling impact of the crisis on its aftermarket business. Although around a quarter of GE Aviation's revenues come from its military and other businesses, just 30% comes from commercial engine sales. A much larger portion of its revenue—approximately 45%—comes from MRO services. While some programs, like the CFM56 for the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft as well as military fighter engine efforts, will continue much as before, the company has already taken drastic action to stem losses by furloughing half of its engine manufacturing workers for four weeks. This move, taken in early April, followed an announcement in late March that it was reducing its workforce by 10% (around 2,500 employees), in direct response to the collapse of its MRO workload which the company estimates will be down by around 50% through mid-year at least. However, given the exodus of around two-thirds of the world's airline fleets into storage (almost 17,000 aircraft), the short to medium outlook for engine MRO would be described as dire at best. Compounding the issue for many of the OEMs is that the higher value aftermarket engines powering the widebody fleet, particularly the older generation Airbus and Boeing models, now look increasingly unlikely to ever return to service—at least in their existing guise. For Rolls-Royce, this problem is particularly acute as the UK engine maker focused increasingly on the widebody market over the past decade, widening its exposure to reliance on the support revenue from aftermarket work on older fleets of 747 and 777s as well as older A330s. With full-time premature retirement a possibility, including the previously unthinkable sunsetting of relatively young Trent 900-powered A380s as well as the rapid decline of the RB211-535 powered 757 and Trent 500-powered A340-600 fleets, the company can no longer bank on the expected rebound in deferred maintenance coming out of the crisis. Rolls has also rushed to mitigate losses by enacting measures aimed at saving at least £750 million ($937 million) in cash this year. These include a 10% salary cut for the global workforce and canceling dividend payments. Further moves are expected as the company adjusts to rate reductions announced by Airbus involving the Trent-powered A330no and A350-900/1000, as well as yet-to-be announced rate cuts for the Trent 1000-powered 787 which will shortly be revealed in detail by Boeing. Pratt & Whitney, now part of Raytheon Technologies, is similarly impacted across the board with production of the PW1000G geared turbofan reduced for the A220/A320neo families and commercial revenues hit by falling aftermarket revenues for the PW2000/PW4000 and V2500. Measures such as 10% pay cuts through year-end, as well as furloughs, are being introduced while research and development spending is being frozen. Deliveries of military engines, in particular the F135 for the F-35 fighter and PW4000 for the KC-45A tanker remain unaffected. The early retirements of the PW4000, as well as some CF6-powered fleets, is also significantly impacting revenues for German engine maker MTU. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/daily-memo-powering-down

All news