April 24, 2020 | International, Aerospace

The Pentagon has cut the number of serious F-35 technical flaws in half

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Defense Department is slowly but surely whittling down the number of F-35 technical problems, with the fighter jet program's most serious issues decreasing from 13 to seven over the past year.

In June 2019, Defense News published an investigation delving into the details of 13 previously unreported category 1 deficiencies — the designation given to major flaws that impact safety or mission effectiveness.

Following the report, five of those 13 category 1 problems have been “closed,” meaning they were eliminated or sufficiently corrected. Five were downgraded to a lower level of deficiency after actions were taken to help mitigate negative effects, and three issues remain open and unsolved, according to the F-35 program executive office.

Four additional CAT 1 problems have also since been added to the list, raising the total CAT 1 deficiencies to seven. The program office declined to provide additional details about those issues for classification reasons, but stated that software updates should allow all of them to be closed by the end of 2020.

“The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office is keenly aware of these existing F-35-related category 1 deficiencies and is focused on developing and implementing solutions for these issues as quickly as possible,” the program office said in response to questions from Defense News. “F-35 operator safety is the F-35 JPO's highest priority.”

In a statement to Defense News, F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin confirmed the number of open category 1 deficiencies. However, the company declined to provide further information about the path to fix current issues or how earlier issues had been ameliorated.

“We are actively addressing the deficiencies and expect all to be downgraded or closed this year,” the company said.

While the overall reduction in deficiencies is a promising trend, it is also important to track how problems are solved and how quickly fixes are pushed to the rest of the fleet, said Dan Grazier, an analyst with the independent watchdog group Project on Government Oversight.

“I'm not surprised that they are continuing to find issues. This is why we are supposed to be testing weapon systems before we buy a whole bunch of them. I am a little surprised that we are finding CAT 1 deficiencies at this point during operational testing,” Grazier said.

“I think that speaks to the level of complexity with this program that it's taken us this long to get to this point, and even after all the testing that has been done and the time and money that has gone into this that we're still finding category 1 issues," he added. "It shows that the program wasn't born in the right place. It was way too ambitious from the very beginning.”

Aside from four classified problems, there remain three open category 1 deficiencies in need of a fix. There are myriad reasons for that, the program office stated.

“Reasons for delayed issue closure vary according to the complexity of the solution and the availability of test assets needed to verify the solution,” the JPO said. “The U.S. services fund the F-35 program to address a prioritized set of DRs [deficiency reports], while at the same time, develop new capabilities. It is likely that some low-priority DRs will never be resolved because of their minor impact on F-35 fleet operations does not justify the cost of resolution."

The F-35 program office provided some details on the path forward for resolving these technical flaws, but noted that many details regarding those plans remain classified:

Spikes in the F-35 cockpit's cabin pressure have been known to cause barotrauma, or extreme ear and sinus pain.

This problem was documented when two Air Force pilots, flying older versions of the F-35A conventional-takeoff-and-landing model, experienced ear and sinus pain that they described as “excruciating, causing loss of in-flight situational awareness, with effects lasting for months,” according to documents obtained by Defense News. The physiological event is known by the medical term barotrauma.

The F-35 Joint Program Office believes barotrauma in the jet is caused when sensors on the outer mold line of the aircraft detect “rapidly changing static pressures” that, in turn, drive very quick changes of the cockpit pressure regulator valve.

Lockheed Martin has tested a fix that proved to be successful in a laboratory setting, Lockheed program head Greg Ulmer said last year.

But flight testing of that improvement has not occurred, slowing the pace of a solution. The F-35 program office now says flight testing of a new cockpit pressure regulation system is planned for mid-2020. If all goes well, the deficiency should be completely eliminated in 2021.

On nights with little starlight, the night vision camera sometimes displays green striations that make it difficult for all F-35 variants to see the horizon or to land on ships.

On nights where there is little ambient light, horizontal green lines sometimes appear on the night vision camera feed, obscuring the horizon and making landing on a ship more dangerous.

The problem is different than the notorious “green glow” issue, caused when the F-35 helmet-mounted display's LED lights produce a greenish luminescence that inhibits a pilot's ability to land on an aircraft carrier on nights with very little light.

At one point, both Lockheed and the government's program office believed both problems could be solved by the F-35 Generation III helmet that the U.S. military began fielding last year.

Although the program office no longer considers the “green glow” problem a deficiency, it appears that the new helmet did not completely solve the night vision camera issue. The program office told Defense News that it intends to develop software improvements and test them in flight later this year, but the deficiency will not be considered “closed” until at least 2021.

The sea search mode of the F-35's radar only illuminates a small slice of the sea's surface.

Unlike the other problems, which are the result of the contractor not meeting technical specifications or the jet not working as planned, this deficiency is on the books even though the jet's Northrop Grumman-made AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar fulfills its requirements.

Currently, the radar can only illuminate what is directly in front of it when in sea search mode. That performance is not good enough for the Navy, which wants to be able to search a wider area than is currently possible.

Although this problem can be fixed with software modifications and an upgrade to the radar's processing power, it will continue to be on the books for some time. According to the program office, “[the] U.S. services agreed to plan for an improved radar mode, which will require the Technology Refresh-1 avionics update, for software release in [calendar year] 2024.”

‘A line in the sand'

Although Defense Department and military leaders have criticized the F-35 program for high operations and sustainment costs, the operational community has rallied around the performance of the jet, praising its advanced computing capability that allows the aircraft to mesh together data from different sensors and provide a more complete picture of enemy threats.

Brig. Gen. David Abba, who leads the Air Force's F-35 integration office, said in March that he was comfortable with the path forward to correct open deficiencies, downplaying the impact of those issues on daily operations.

“Is it important to hold folks' feet to the fire and make sure that we're delivering on the capabilities that we need? Yes,” he said. But, he added, it's also difficult to balance the need to meet a stated technical requirement against the reality of a fielded technology that may already be performing well in daily operations.

“That's the crux of the acquisition and the delivery problem that we have,” Abba said. “When we say ‘I need this to work exactly like this,' I'm drawing a line in the sand. If I'm a half degree on one side of that line versus the other, is it really that different? That's where the art comes in.”

“We've got to kind of get over ourselves a little bit and acknowledge that we never field perfect weapon systems,” he continued. “I don't want to diminish the fact that it's critical that we get after open DRs, but every weapon system in the United States Air Force — and frankly around the planet — has open deficiencies. What matters is the severity of those deficiencies and ensuring that we have a robust process between government and industry to triage those and deal with them appropriately.”

Aaron Mehta and David B. Larter contributed to this report.

https://www.defensenews.com/smr/hidden-troubles-f35/2020/04/24/the-pentagon-has-cut-the-number-of-serious-f-35-technical-flaws-in-half/

On the same subject

September 5, 2018 | International, Aerospace

Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Boeing compete for laser-armed drone
By Stephen Carlson Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin, General Atomics and Boeing have received contract modifications for drone-mounted Low Power Laser Demonstrator system missile defense testing. Lockheed Martin's contract has increased to a total value of $37.7 million, while General Atomics and Boeing's have been increased to $34 million and $29.4 million respectively, the Department of Defense announced on Friday. Work for all three companies will take place in various locations across the United States. The contract modifications come from the Missile Defense Agency and can extend as far as July 2019. Specifications listed include a flight altitude of at least 63,000 feet, the endurance to stay on station for at least 36 hours after a transit of 1,900 miles, and a cruising speed of up to Mach .46 while patrolling its station. The aircraft needs to be able to carry a payload between 5,000 and 12,500 pounds and sufficient power generation to operate a 140 kilowatt laser, with the possibility of up to 280 kw or more. The system must also be able to operate the laser for at least 30 minutes without affecting flight performance, and be capable of carrying a one- to two-meter optical system for the laser. The Missile Defense Agency is responsible for the defense of U.S. territory and its allies from ballistic missile threats. It coordinates a network of land-based and ship-based missile interceptors, along with radars and satellites to detect and destroy enemy ballistic missiles. ICBMs are at their most vulnerable during their boost phase. A UAV capable of targeting them before they exit the atmosphere would greatly increase the possibility of intercept, the Pentagon said. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2018/09/04/Lockheed-Martin-General-Atomics-Boeing-compete-for-laser-armed-drone/9251536091266/
August 27, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - August 22, 2019
NAVY Diversified Maintenance Systems Inc.,* Sandy, Utah, is awarded a maximum amount $90,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for other specialty trade contractors construction alterations, renovations and repair projects at Naval Bases Coronado, Point Loma, and San Diego, and Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar. Projects will be primarily design-bid-build (fully designed) task orders or task order with minimal design effort (e.g. shop drawings). Projects may include, but are not limited to, alterations, repairs, and construction of electrical, mechanical, painting, engineering/design, paving (asphaltic and concrete), flooring (tile work/carpeting), roofing, structural repair, fencing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and fire suppression/protection system installation projects. Work will be performed in San Diego, California. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 18 proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-2626). General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded a $64,838,526 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the Strategic Weapon System Fire Control Subsystem hardware, associated deliverables, and spares for production efforts supporting the second hull of the United Kingdom (U.K.) Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines, nuclear, recently named as HMS Valiant, and the U.K. Software Facility. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed Aug. 22, 2025. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $7,570,000 will be obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded on a sole-source basis to General Dynamics Mission Systems in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(4) and was previously synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunity website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Butt Construction Co. Inc.,* Dayton, Ohio (N69450-19-D-0517); CORE Engineering & Construction Inc.,* Winter Park, Florida (N69450-19-D-0514); Healtheon Inc.,* New Orleans, Louisiana (N69450-19-D-0515); OAC Action Construction Corp.,* Miami, Florida (N69450-19-D-0518); Optimum Construction,* Lafayette, Louisiana (N69450-19-D-0516); and Signature Renovations LLC,* Loretto, Tennessee (N69450-19-D-0513), are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-bid-build construction contract for construction projects located within the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South area of responsibility. The maximum dollar value for the five-year ordering period for all six contracts combined is $45,000,000. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, general building type projects (new construction, renovations, alterations, demolition, roofing, repair work), including industrial infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory and community support facilities. Signature Renovations LLC is awarded the initial task order at $234,859 for Building 789, chiller equipment upgrades, located at NSA Mid-South, Millington, Tennessee. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by February 2020. All work on this contract will be performed in Tennessee. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of August 2024. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance Navy (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $239,859 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be funded by O&M, N. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 19 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $44,454,546 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for UHF/VHF standard rack mounted receiver/transmitter radios and accessories to replace out-of-date, non-upgradable radios currently deployed at tactical training ranges worldwide in support of the Systems Replacement and Modernization Program. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed by August 2024. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,689,585 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, Corona, California, is the contracting activity (N64267-19-D-0006). BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $34,872,647 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for up to 505,560 man-hours of technical, engineering, operations and maintenance support for communication-electronic equipment/systems and subsystems. These services are in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Communications Mission Solutions Division. Work will be performed at various locations outside the continental U.S. (90%); and California, Maryland (10%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-19-D-0077). Raytheon Co., Intelligence, Information and Services, Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $29,919,648 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N00421-19-F-0531) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0003). This order provides for the procurement of V-22 Software Support Activity (SSA) systems and software engineering, avionics integration and testing, software testing, avionics acquisition support, and SSA operations to include classified and unclassified laboratories, configuration and data management, and release of avionics software products and related systems. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Air Force and Defense Wide) funds in the amount of $29,919,648 will be obligated at time of award, $13,464,417 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($17,456,960; 58%); the Air Force ($10,847,531; 36%); and the Department of Defense ($1,615,157; 6%). The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $23,664,866 for modification P00017 to previously issued order 0025 placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-16-G-0001. This modification exercises an option for engineering, logistics, and program management of F/A-18A-D, E/F, and EA-18G aircraft in support of reducing fleet out of reporting rates and maintenance planning. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,822,000 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. I.E.-Pacific Inc.,* Escondido, California, is awarded $13,231,000 for firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-5136 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-17-D-4628) for construction of a supply warehouse and administrative facility at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The work to be performed provides for construction of a new supply warehouse facility with administrative spaces that will consolidate all supply and administrative support functions for the School of Infantry, West, into one building. In addition, the project will construct an outdoor covered training structure to support and conduct training of personnel for assembly and equipment issuance. The task order also contains one planned modification, which, if awarded, would increase cumulative task order value to $13,332,316. Work will be performed in Oceanside, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,231,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Barnhart-Reese Construction Inc.,* San Diego, California, is awarded $11,456,209 for firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-5115 under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N62473-17-D-4635) for construction of a satellite fire emergency response station in Area 27 of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The building square footage should not exceed 15,285 square feet. The fire station is anticipated as a single-story building constructed with concrete masonry unit exterior bearing walls, concrete slabs, foundations and a steel frame supported standing seam metal roof. The complex will include administrative spaces, living quarters, changing areas, showers, laundry rooms, training facilities, storage spaces, a fitness room, kitchen/dining/day room facilities, a covered patio, bathrooms, maintenance areas, storage areas and vehicle apparatus bays. The task order also contains one planned modification, which, if awarded, would increase cumulative task order value to $11,490,362. Work will be performed at Camp Pendleton, California, and is expected to be completed by June 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $11,456,209 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Insight Pacific LLC,* Brea, California, is awarded $8,577,620 for firm-fixed-price task order N62478-19-F-4209 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62478-18-D-4026) for repair and maintenance of pumps at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The work on Main Pumps 3 and 4 at Dry Dock 4 includes disassembly, removal, main pump overhaul, motor cleaning/repair rewind and reinstallation. The work will also include the repair/replacement of the pump thrust bearings, shaft, shaft couplings and sleeves, bearing supports, piping, baffle plates, hydraulic blade angle systems and controls, oil head and the complete removal and reinstallation of the existing pump impellers. Work will be performed in Oahu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,577,620 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded $7,229,582 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N00019-19-F-4153 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0003) in support of the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) Rapid Deployment Capability. This delivery order provides for an updated technical data package of the guidance test set, upgrade of existing units to support the MST upgrades, including hardware, software. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (85.2%); Logan, Utah (14%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (0.8%), and is expected to be completed in July 2021. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,229,582 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. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Phoenix Textile Corp., O'Fallon, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $42,261,856 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for medical surgical products. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a one-year base contract with nine one-year option periods. Location of performance is Missouri, with an Aug. 24, 2020, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 warstopper funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2D0-19-D-0006). CORRECTION: The contract announced on Aug. 15, 2019, for Sysco Alabama, Calera, Alabama (SPE300-19-D-3234), for $37,893,960, was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is Aug. 20, 2019. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY The University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, California, was awarded a $19,843,137 cost-no-fee contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research project. Work will be performed in Marina del Rey, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Columbia, Maryland, with an expected completion date of August 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $2,905,000 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition under a broad agency announcement and nine offers were received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-19-C-0084). ARMY Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded an $8,385,050 firm-fixed-price contract for furnishing one fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Lafourche, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 7, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Recovery Act, civil funds in the amount of $8,385,050 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-19-C-0061). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1941859/source/GovDelivery/
March 20, 2024 | International, Aerospace

GKN Aerospace signs a significant agreement with Safran Aircraft Engines to expand support fort the LEAP Engines
Through this Contract GKN will support Safran with its significant future demand and will start up new Shaft production at GKN Aerospace’s global center of excellence in Kongsberg, Norway.

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