U.S. Air Force’s Newest Fighter Completes First Exercise

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  November 25, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - November 22, 2019

  ARMY Pegasus Support Services LLC,* Woodstock, Georgia, was awarded a $176,853,950 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration and modernization services for the full spectrum of facility types to include ranges, barracks, warehouse, administrative buildings, bridges, worship centers, gyms, and airfields. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W9124M-20-D-0001). CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded an $112,531,961 modification (P00062) to contract W15QKN-15-C-0049 for build and test of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $10,702,978 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) contract for the integration and retrofit of 23 AH-6i aircraft with DVR, equipment stowage, and APKWS II capabilities. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $10,702,978 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-C-0001). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded an $8,072,570 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the M230 30MM automatic gun and the Bevel Gear. 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 Nov. 19, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0003). NAVY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $97,334,085 cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price, and cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5501 to exercise the options for Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. This option exercise is for performance of the integration and production support for continued combat system integration and test, engineering, training, software and depot maintenance in support of the Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPS-6(V). Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64%); Kauai, Hawaii (18%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8%); San Diego, California (7%); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2%); and Moorestown, New Jersey (less than 1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2016, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $27,075,110 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colorado (N62470-13-D-6019); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (N62470-13-D-6020); Kellogg, Brown, and Root Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N62470-13-D-6021); and URS Group Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina (N62470-13-D-6022), are awarded a $92,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for global contingency construction projects worldwide. The work to be performed provides for the Navy, the Navy on behalf of the Department of Defense, and the Navy on behalf of other federal agencies, when authorized, an immediate response for construction services. The construction and related engineering services would respond to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, conflict or projects with similar characteristics. Work will be predominately construction. The contractor, in support of the construction effort, may be required to provide initial base operating support services, which will be incidental to construction efforts. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $1,150,000,000. The term of the contract is not to exceed 71 months with a completion date of May 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on subsequent modifications for work on existing individual task orders. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $14,576,017 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-5112 to exercise an option for the AN/SPY-1 radar solid-state switch assembly mod kit. This contract modification is for the production of solid-state switch assembly ordnance alteration kits for the Navy to support AEGIS modernization efforts. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, (75%); Chesapeake, Virginia (15%); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (10%), and is expected to be completed by April 2023. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,576,017 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is awarded an $8,230,603 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-5418 to exercise options for NATO Sea Sparrow missile system design agent engineering and technical support services. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (94%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (3%); and San Diego, California (3%), and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); non-expiring other funds; and Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $4,251,731 will be obligated at time of award, and $2,162,681 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Raytheon Missiles Systems Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $72,000,000 cost-plus, fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive fee, firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced medium range air to air missile (AMRAAM) technical support. The contractor will provide technical services and analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. 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 $238,173 in fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0010). BrainGu LLC,* Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been awarded a $12,376,710 commercial firm-fixed price, level of effort direct award for development, security operations teams. This contract provides expert experience in Kubernetes and Istio Mesh implementation utilizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) process. Work will be performed at San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 21, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition as the SBIR Phase III vendors are selected from a previously competitive pool of small businesses in Phase I. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8307-20-C-0004). Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,954,391 fixed-price incentive (firm) modification (P00018) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production program. This modification provides for acceptance of a voluntary value-engineering change proposal resulting in non-recurring engineering costs for qualification of a second source for the AMRAAM Integrated Wing Restraint rocket motor. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Romania and Morocco. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,252,588,656. Fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds (Air Force and Navy) in the amount of $7,096,254; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $3,858,137 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Northrup Grumman, McClellan, California, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production of spare parts in support of the Guardrail/Common Sensor Modernization system. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is California, with a Nov. 21, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (SPRBL1-20-D-0002). ENGlobal Government Services Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a maximum $11,552,569 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated fuel handling maintenance. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S .Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 15-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are Virginia, Georgia, Hawaii, California, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Spain, Greenland and Japan, with a May 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0002). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2024886/source/GovDelivery/

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  September 22, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

  Germany tries to forge a deal on who can play ball in Europe

  Sebastian Sprenger COLOGNE, Germany — Time is ticking for Germany to find a compromise on letting American, British and other non-European Union countries tap into the bloc's emerging defense cooperation scheme. The government of Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken on the task of sorting out the issue by the end of the year, when Germany's six-month term at the helm of the European Council concludes. “It is an important issue to solve, particularly for close NATO partners,” Karl-Heinz Kamp, special envoy of the political director at the German Ministry of Defence, said during a panel discussion at the annual Defense News Conference this month. The challenge is to find common ground between two camps within the EU: member states seeking ties with outsiders, and those countries who prefer treating the nascent defense agenda as a members-only affair. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/21/germany-tries-to-forge-a-deal-on-who-can-play-ball-in-europe/ Poland, Sweden and the Netherlands are leading a group of nations advocating for openness. But France, for example, is pursuing a more restrictive stance, especially toward Turkey and the United States. From the beginning, the Trump administration has eyed the EU's creation of a defense cooperation mechanism, dubbed PESCO, and the proposed multibillion-dollar European Defence Fund with a degree of mistrust. The efforts run the risk of undermining NATO if America and its powerful defense companies are kept out, Washington claims. The tone has softened more recently, however, as officials on both sides of the Atlantic try to broker a compromise. “One of the things that COVID-19 has really brought into sharp focus is the significance of our integrated defense industrial base,” said Gregory Kausner, executive director for international cooperation, who works in the Pentagon for acquisition chief Ellen Lord. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, leaders are striking a similar chord. “We welcome the EU's effort to invest in defense, and I think altogether this is a good-news story. In a way, the more money put into defense, including by EU institutions, the better,” said Camille Grand, the alliance's assistant secretary general for defense investment. “Then there is a second point: that it is important those projects are allowed as full as possible [the] involvement of non-EU allies. Because the reality is indeed that those non-EU allies have strong connections with the European defense market, with the European defense industry,” Grand added. German officials have been optimistic about reaching a compromise since they took on the third-country challenge this summer. That is because their proposal piggybacks on a paper by the previous, Finnish-run presidency that was only narrowly rejected last year. A few modifications would be enough to clinch a deal. According to a German MoD spokesman, officials aim to present a workable solution to defense ministers at an EU foreign affairs council meeting slated for Nov. 20. Poisoned politics The current political context hasn't exactly been helpful for forging a deal. For one, there is the frosty climate between Germany and United States that stems from President Donald Trump's testy relationship with the country, and his assertion that the EU is taking advantage of American taxpayers on trade and defense. That rift makes the proposition of importing the powerful American defense industrial base into the bloc's defense cooperation calculus an uphill battle, especially in the European Parliament, a Brussels-based analyst argued. And Turkey, which is part of NATO but not the EU, is creating the perfect case study against allowing nonmembers into the inner workings of European defense cooperation because of its dispute with Greece and Cyprus over gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. “The German government is fairly optimistic that we will be able to find a compromise. The problem is that currently neither the Turkish policy nor the U.S. policy terribly helps to find such a consensus,” Kamp said. “We have a severe problem in NATO with its internal cohesion because some allies have issues with other allies,” he added. “We have a Turkish-French dispute in the Mediterranean and we have a Greek-Turkish dispute. Turkey is not always behaving in — let me say — in the way of an ideal NATO ally, and that just makes things a little bit more difficult.” At the same time, the flareup has yet to touch the ongoing third-party access negotiations, according to officials and analysts. “Concerns over dependencies, intellectual property and security predate the standoff between Greece and Turkey," said Yvonni-Stefania Efstathiou, a Greece-based defense analyst. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials have begun diving into a set of case studies designed to help them think through the nitty-gritty involved in setting up future cooperative programs under an EU umbrella, according to Kausner. “Those case studies illuminate the potential challenges on things such as intellectual property and re-transfer that we feel are still problematic,” the Defense Department official said. Another avenue to glean lessons for a wider EU application lies in the so-called European Defence Industrial Development Programme, or EDIDP, which aims to boost the bloc's defense industry cooperation through all manners of military technology. In June, the European Commission announced 16 projects eligible for funding from a two-year, €500 million (U.S. $593 million) pot. The selection includes “four participants controlled by entities from Canada, Japan and the United States,” the commission statement read. In theory, those projects “demonstrate the possibility to involve EU-based subsidiaries controlled by third countries or third country entities provided they fulfill appropriate security-based guarantees approved by Member States,” the statement noted. The commission has yet to say which participants hail from North America and Japan, and what roles they play, which suggests their integration into the project structure remains unfinished. As officials continue to sort out the details on intellectual property rights, liabilities and consortium structures, for example, a few principles are beginning to take shape. For one, the four non-EU countries in the European Free Trade Association — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — stand to get rights to partake in EU defense projects similar to member states. In addition, officials consider it easier to include British or American companies in projects when they are removed from immediate funding through the European Defence Fund. While European companies have their eyes on possible subsidies from the fund whenever they enter into PESCO agreements, there may not be an automatic funding eligibility for outside participants. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/21/germany-tries-to-forge-a-deal-on-who-can-play-ball-in-europe/

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  April 2, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  FlightSafety International And TRU Simulation + Training Have Established FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training

  NEW YORK (April 1, 2019) – FlightSafety International and TRU Simulation + Training, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, have formed a new company called FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training. This new joint venture will provide training services for Textron Aviation‘s broad product line of business and general aviation aircraft. “Our main goal in establishing FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training is to further enhance the training and services our Customers receive,” said David Davenport, FlightSafety International Co-CEO and President, Commercial. “Combining the strengths and resources of FlightSafety and TRU Simulation + Training will also increase efficiency, promote innovation, and ensure the extension of our high-quality training programs into new and upcoming Textron Aviation aircraft.” “This joint venture brings together two of the most well-respected and trusted names in aviation,” said Gunnar Kleveland, President of TRU Simulation + Training. “By leveraging our teams' strengths and combination of world-class training capabilities, I am confident this will provide an enhanced training experience for our customers as Textron Aviation continues to expand its portfolio.” “We're pleased that FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training will offer our customers more flexible training options,” said Brad Thress, Textron Aviation Senior Vice President of Global Parts and Programs. “Textron Aviation has customers all around the world, and they deserve best-in-class pilot and maintenance training programs. This combination of FlightSafety and TRU Simulation + Training assets, capabilities, and courseware better supports our customers' global training needs.” Brian Moore has been named CEO of FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training. “Brian is highly experienced and a very capable leader, and the best choice to lead this very important new company,” said David Davenport. Moore joined FlightSafety more than 20 years ago and has held positions of increasing responsibility since then, including Manager of the FlightSafety Wichita East Learning Center, and most recently Executive Director of Operations. FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training will offer training for 48 Cessna, Cessna Citation, Beechcraft, Beechjet, King Air and Hawker aircraft models at 16 locations, using a fleet of 89 simulators. ABOUT FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL FlightSafety International is the world's premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. Over 2,000 highly qualified instructors provide more than 1.4 million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world's largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and the United Kingdom. ABOUT TRU SIMULATION + TRAINING TRU Simulation + Training Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, delivers innovative, total aviation training solutions to the commercial and military markets while providing superior technical support and customer service. Headquartered in Goose Creek, S.C., the company is known for its high-fidelity training devices, pilot and maintenance training, military mission training, and aviation training services and support. More information is available at www.TRUSimulation.com. ABOUT TEXTRON AVIATION INC. Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The Textron Aviation brands represent unrivaled innovation, performance and leadership in the industry, and offer an unmatched value proposition rooted in the total ownership experience. Leveraging unparalleled speed-to-market, Textron Aviation provides the most versatile and comprehensive business and general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft and a complete global customer service organization. Textron Aviation has delivered more than 250,000 aircraft in over 143 countries. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry's most capable global service network. For more information, visit www.txtav.com. ABOUT TEXTRON INC. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the risk that the joint venture will not perform as planned, including, for example, the risk that the venture will not achieve revenue and profit projections. https://news.flightsafety.com/pressrelease/flightsafety-international-tru-simulation-training-established-flightsafety-textron-aviation-training/