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New Advisory Bulletin on drone-related disruption to aircraft operations published Montreal, 28 January 2019 – Airports Council International (ACI) World has today published an Advisory Bulletin to help airports address the risks posed by drone-related disruption to aircraft operations. ACI World believes that, while regulators and police will likely be the authority in addressing both enforcement and the preparation of anti-drone measures, all industry stakeholders must work with the relevant agencies to take action to protect the safety of aircraft operations. The recent disruption caused by the reported drone sightings at London Gatwick Airport – and recent temporary cessation of some operations at London Heathrow Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport following reported sightings of a drone – are the most widely-publicised of a series of incidents which have created debate about the best approach to preparing for – and dealing with – drone-related issues. ACI's latest Advisory Bulletin proposes that airports lead the discussion and work closely with national authorities and local law enforcement agencies to develop a risk-based approach to dealing with the risks of drone incursions. This approach should take into account the impact on aircraft operations and available mitigation measures including anti-drone actions. “The recent drone-related disruption at airports in Europe, and their potential impact on airport safety and operations, have raised significant questions for airport operators around the world on their preparedness to handle situations like this,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. “The highest authority for enforcement activities and initiating anti-drone measures will clearly be the relevant national authority, such as the Civil Aviation Authority in the case of the UK, and local law enforcement agencies. “It is incumbent on all industry stakeholders, however, to take action to protect the safety of aircraft operations in coordination with these agencies. Airport operators should be aware of national laws and regulations pertaining to drones, with an understanding that these may reside outside of civil aviation.” The Advisory Bulletin lays out actions that an airport could take to lead the discussion with governments, regulators and law enforcement agencies to strengthen anti-drone measures and mitigations; they include: Coordinating with national authorities on the creation of bylaws governing the operation of drones in the vicinity of the airport Identifying geographic boundaries of “No Drone Zones” (no fly zones for drones) on and in the vicinity of the airport, especially approach and take-off flight paths Coordinating with authorities on regulations and obtaining guidance on the requirements for airports to implement anti-drone technologies Reviewing its assessment of the security risks associated with the malicious use of drones as part of the airport Security Risk Assessment Establishing means to suppress/neutralize unauthorized drones within the airport boundary especially adjacent to runways and flight paths, and agreeing which agency is responsible for areas outside the airport boundary or not on the airport operator Ensuring that any new anti-drone measures do not create unintended safety hazards and unmitigated risks to other manned aircraft, authorized drones and aviation infrastructures, and Establishing a Concept of Operations and Standard Operating Procedure for anti-drone measures based on advice from the national authorities. ACI World has requested that members share their experience and lessons learnt on anti-drone measures and drone related incidents so that relevant practices can be adopted across the industry. Notes for editors Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world's airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2019, ACI serves 646 members, operating 1,960 airports in 176 countries. ACI World's Advisory Bulletin – Airport preparedness – Drone related disruption to aircraft operations – has now been published. ACI has issued an Advisory Bulletin in July 2016 and a Policy Paper on Drones in July 2018. https://aci.aero/news/2019/01/28/industry-government-and-law-enforcement-have-a-responsibility-to-work-together-to-protect-aircraft-and-airports-from-drones/

Christian Trottmann est un passionné d'avions de combat. Il est non seulement commentateur officiel de la Patrouille Suisse, mais aussi rédacteur pour l'équivalent alémanique de la «Revue militaire suisse». Mais tout ça appartient désormais au passé, a révélé dimanche la «SonntagsZeitung». Viola Amherd, nouvelle ministre de la Défense, a décidé de l'exclure de la Patrouille Suisse. Il ne pourra plus non plus écrire pour le magazine. Depuis décembre dernier, Christian Trottmann travaille en effet en tant que lobbyiste pour Saab. Sa mission est de convaincre la Suisse d'acheter les Gripen du constructeur suédois. Raison pour laquelle le Département de la défense (DDPS) craint que sa double casquette n'engendre un conflit d'intérêts. Or, selon le journal dominical, Viola Amherd n'a réglé que la moitié du problème. Car le premier-lieutenant continuera à remplir ses obligations militaires en tant qu'officier de milice au sein du service de communication des Forces aériennes. Renato Kalbermatten, chef de la communication du DDPS, n'a pas précisé pourquoi cette fonction pose moins de problème que celle à la Patrouille Suisse. En attendant, la situation est vivement critiquée par des membres du DDPS et des politiciens de tous bords. Le conseiller national Thomas Hurter (UDC/SH) a qualifié la décision du DDPS d'«incohérente». L'élue Priska Seiler Graf (PS/ZH) dénonce pour sa part une situation «malheureuse et délicate». https://www.20min.ch/ro/news/suisse/story/Dans-la-com-de-l-armee-et-lobbyiste-pour-le-Gripen-16612589

Pascal Kümmerling Pour faire suite au développement des essais de bio-kérosène dans l'aviation civile de mon dernier article, je vous propose cette fois de nous intéresser à ce qui se fait déjà pour l'aviation militaire. A plus forte raison, que nous sommes également concernés en suisse depuis la semaine dernière avec la dépose des offres pour le renouvellement de la flotte d'avions de combat. Les F-16 hollandais volent au biofuel La dernière bonne nouvelle provient des Pays-Bas. En effet, le ministère néerlandais de la Défense (MoD) a annoncé que les F-16A/B « Fighting Falcon » de l'armée de l'air néerlandaise (RNLAF) basés à Leeuwarden utilisent des biocarburants depuis le 14 janvier dernier. Le ministère a indiqué que la base avait reçu au cours de la semaine du 14 janvier 400'000 litres de bio-kérosène recyclé à partir d'huile de cuisson. Le biocarburant est produit par la société américaine World Energy, qui, selon le ministère de la Défense des États-Unis, est le seul producteur au monde. Il est fourni par SkyNRG et Shell Aviation, avec le soutien de l'organisation néerlandaise des matériels de défense et du service de ravitaillement. Le mélange utilisé réduit les émissions de CO2 de 60 à 80% par rapport au carburant conventionnel. Le colonel Paul de Witte, responsable de la réglementation et du développement de la logistique matérielle à la Royal Dutch Air Force, a déclaré: « La transition vers une aviation durable est d'une importance capitale pour la Royal Dutch Air Force. En 2010, nous avons effectué le premier vol de démonstration avec un hélicoptère Boeing AH-64 « Apache » utilisant du biocarburant. Nous souhaitons maintenant travailler à l'exploitation structurelle de tous nos avions en service à partir de tous nos sites. En 2030, l'armée de l'air veut réduire la dépendance aux combustibles fossiles de 20% et, en 2050, pas moins de 70%. L'US Air Force & L'US Navy engagées Les vols avec du biocarburant tant civils que militaires ne datent pas d'hier, mais jusqu'ici les appareils testés n'emportaient qu'un maximum de 50% de biocarburant mélangé avec du kérosène d'origine fossile. L'US Air Force a été la première à lancer une série de tests en vol avec un A-10 « Thunderbolt II » en mars 2010 , dont les moteurs étaient alimentés à 50/50 par un mélange de kérosène JP-8 et de cameline. Ce premier vol d'une durée de 90 minutes a eu lieu depuis la base d'Eglin en Floride. De son côté, l'US Navy n'est pas en reste avec le programme «Green Hornet», et a fait voler avec le même mélange un F/A-18F « Super Hornet » en avril 2010. L'USN a fixé un objectif de diminuer de moitié ses besoins énergétiques à partir de sources alternatives d'ici 2020. Appliquées aux aéronefs militaires d'aujourd'hui, l'initiative «Green Hornet» peut accroître la capacité en réduisant la dépendance sur les combustibles fossiles par des sources étrangères et de la volatilité liée aux conduites de carburant et de transport. Les Gripen suédois certifiés avec 100% de biocarburant L'avionneur suédois a réussi une première mondiale en avril 2017 avec le premier vol d'un avion de combat Gripen D alimenté exclusivement au biocarburant. Ces vols à 100% verts d'un avion de combat Saab JAS-39D Gripen démontrent le fruit d'une volonté politique associée à une détermination de l'avionneur suédois. En parallèle, cette stratégie vise à soutenir et à développer les conditions pour la technologie environnementale. La stratégie suédoise inclut le support pour l'innovation et la promotion des exportations. L'ambition du gouvernement est de créer les conditions pour le développement du secteur de la technologie suédoise en matière d'environnement et de contribuer ainsi à un meilleur environnement en Suède et dans le monde. Car, pour la Suède, il devient également possible de partager son savoir faire avec les futurs acquéreurs potentiels des avions de la famille Gripen. D'un point de vue stratégique, il s'agit également de diminuer la dépendance vis-à-vis des énergies fossiles, notamment en cas de crise pétrolière. Ces vols, avec 100% de biocarburant, démontrent aujourd'hui que les ingénieurs ont acquis suffisamment de connaissances pour l'utilisation future de carburant de remplacement. Ces vols prouvent également que la famille d'avion « Gripen » est « sûr » avec ce nouveau carburant. Les vols avec un Gripen D biplace ont été réalisés depuis les installations de Saab à Linköping. En terme fonctionnement moteur, l'équipe de test n'a noté aucune différence entre le biocarburant et le kérosène ordinaire, ce qui signifie que le biocarburant peut être utilisé comme une alternative parfaitement satisfaisante au carburant ordinaire dans Gripen. Le carburant testé CHCJ-5 est constitué d'huile de colza. Par ailleurs, ce biocarburant satisfait aux mêmes exigences de combustion que le carburant fossile. Le prochain avion pour la Suisse volera au biofuel Nous connaissons les cinq avions en course pour le renouvellement de notre flotte. Deux appareils se distinguent en matière de certification au biofuel, il s'agit du Gripen suédois de Saab et du Super Hornet de Boeing. Les trois autres concurrents ont un peu de retard sur la certification d'un kérosène vert, mais les trois avionneurs confirment que les appareils proposés le deviendront dans un avenir proche. Reste que nous devrons opter en Suisse soit pour l'achat de biofuel ou d'en produire directement dans notre pays. Cette dernière solution permettrait non seulement de créer de l'emploi est serait un atout pour la fourniture de notre aviation militaire et des transporteurs aériens civils. https://blogs.letemps.ch/pascal-kuemmerling/2019/01/28/dossier-biocarburant-les-avions-de-chasse-a-la-pointe/

AIR FORCE Honeywell International Aerospace, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded an $85,676,969 contract for C‐5 Honeywell software and engineering support services. This contract provides hardware and software support for the C-5 aircraft. Work will be performed at the following locations: Warner Robins, Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Redmond, Washington; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed Jan. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. A combination of fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital funds; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount $9,359,960 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8525‐19‐D‐0002). Diligent Consulting Inc., San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a $17,490,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursable modification (P00003) to contract FA8770-18-F-1009 for undefinitized contract action against the maintenance, repair and overhaul initiative task order. The modification will better align capabilities with user needs by realigning the fielding strategy to match the needs of individual units through the use of agile methods, and incorporate two financial processes necessary to be compliant with Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness and the Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual. Work will be performed in at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed Jan. 28, 2023. This contract is being funded with fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds, and total cumulative face value of the contract is $49,257,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY SeKON Enterprise Inc., Arlington, Virginia, is being awarded a $32,696,823 modification to previously awarded cost-reimbursable task order HT0011-14-F-0030 to exercise an option for engineering, cybersecurity, and configuration management support services. The cumulative maximum value of the task order is $144,344,198. HT0011-14-F-0030 provides services in support of the Program Executive Office (PEO) - Defense Healthcare Management Systems (DHMS) in its efforts to provide systems engineering processes, cybersecurity processes, data management and governance, synthetic test data, process and software tool support, and enterprise solutions architecture for PEO DHMS programs. The period of performance for the option is 12 months with an estimated completion date of Jan. 28, 2020. Work location is at the contractor's facility in Arlington, Virginia. The modification is funded with fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds. The original task order was issued on a competitive basis, with fair opportunity being provided to contract holders under the National Institutes of Health Chief Information Officer – Solutions And Partners 3 (CIO-SP3) Small Business Government-Wide Acquisition Contract. The Defense Health Agency - Contracting Office - Defense Healthcare Management Systems, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Division, Moorestown, New Jersey, has been awarded a $13,113,482 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00314) under contract HQ0276-10-C-0001. This modification increases the total cumulative contract value from $2,917,816,118 to $2,930,929,600. Under this modification, the contractor will provide installation; test and training; logistics and material planning; and additional program planning, technical coordination and scheduling for Aegis BMD 4.x aboard AEGIS destroyers for the AEGIS BMD program office. The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with an expected completion date of June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2019 defense wide procurement funds in the amount of $7,127,611 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract modification is the result of a sole-source acquisition. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity. NAVY General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded $13,067,576 for contract modification P00006 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N00030-18-C-0005) for sustainment of the U.S. and United Kingdom SSBN Fire Control System; and the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, including training and support equipment and research and development. The work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (97.50 percent); and other various locations less than one percent each (2.50 percent), with an expected completion date of December 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,004,025; United Kingdom funds in the amount of $2,240,000; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $823,551 are obligated on this award. Funds in the amount of $823,551 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. ARMY MedTrust LLC, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $12,939,322 firm-fixed-price contract for registered nursing services. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2019. U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W81K04-19-D-0009). https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1743253/source/GovDelivery/

ARMY Syracuse Research Corp., Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $108,209,591 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Vehicle Integrated Defeat System. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; operations and maintenance, Army; and other procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $53,022,699 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-C-0005). NAVY The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $56,755,269 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that provides program management support as well as engineering and integrated logistics support by the original equipment manufacturer for the post-production support phase of the T-45 aircraft lifecycle. This contract includes special tooling and test equipment, data accessibility and obsolescence identification, and resolution in addition to field services support that will provide subject matter expertise in the areas of environmental control systems, cockpit pressurization and On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems integration. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (96.1 percent); Meridian, Mississippi (1.3 percent); Kingsville, Texas (1.3 percent); and Pensacola, Florida (1.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (N61340-19-D-0003). Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $31,335,203 for modification P00044 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0004) for sustainment services for F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production Lot X aircraft for the government of Australia. Work will be performed in Williamtown, Australia, and is expected to be completed in January 2021. Non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $31,335,203 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. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Archbald, Pennsylvania, is awarded $16,089,088 for modification P00005 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0022). This modification provides for the procurement of 4,320 Laser Guided Training Rounds BDU-59B/B. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pennsylvania (45 percent); Marlton, New Jersey (10 percent); Vaudreuil-Dorion, Canada (6.5 percent); Rochester, New York (5.5 percent); Westford, Massachusetts (3 percent); Plainville, Connecticut (2.75 percent); Joplin, Missouri (2.75 percent); Hauppage, New York (1.5 percent); Quakertown, Pennsylvania (1.5 percent); San Jose, California (1.5 percent); Laconia, New Hampshire (1.5 percent); Dunedin, Florida (1 percent); Clifton, New Jersey (1 percent); Londonderry, New Hampshire (1 percent); Canton, Pennsylvania (1 percent); Honesdale, Pennsylvania (1 percent); Mount Laurel, New Jersey (1 percent); Medford, New Jersey (1 percent); Irvine, California (.5 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (11 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $16,089,088 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $10,930,390 fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification to previously awarded contract N00024-14-C-5106 to exercise options for AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 4.0.2 equipment for Shipset 23 and BMD spares. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (54 percent); and Clearwater, Florida (46 percent), and is expected to be complete by November 2020. Fiscal 2019 Defense Wide Procurement funding in the amount of $10,339,481; and fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $590,909 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. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $9,998,560 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-14-C-2104 for digital voltage regulator system material. The contractor will be providing five ship sets of material and one ship set ready for ship installation. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by December 2020. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $9,998,560 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Groton, Connecticut, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Multibeam Corp., Santa Clara, California, has been awarded a $22,900,000 firm-fixed-price modification to contract FA9453-17-C-0015 for the Electron-Beam Direct Write subsystems. This contract is to continue demonstration of the advanced lithography tool for government integrated circuits developed under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Santa Clara, California, and is expected to be completed May 19, 2021. Fiscal 2017 Defense Production Act Title III funds in the amount of $22,900,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $32,300,000. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND SeaCube Container Leasing International, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey (HTC71119DR008); Textainer Equipment Management, San Francisco, California (HTC71119DR009); and Triton Container International, Hamilton, Bermuda (HTC71119DR010), have been awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contracts for leasing and transportation of intermodal container equipment, in the amount of $16,227,246 (estimated) for the base year. Performance is from March 1, 2019, to Feb. 29, 2020. Work will be performed at multiple continental U.S. and outside continental U.S. locations. The contracts utilize fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funding. The U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Schuyler Line Navigation Co. LLC, Annapolis, Maryland, has been awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract (HTC71119DW001) in the amount of $7,101,934. The contract provides ocean liner service between Jacksonville/Blount Island, Florida, and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. The contract base period of performance is from March 1, 2019, to Feb. 29, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Transportation Working Capital Funds were obligated at award. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1742153/source/GovDelivery/

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 28, 2019 — The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $2.4 billion production contract for the next 19 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The contract includes 10 aircraft to add to the current inventory of P-8As in the U.S. Navy fleet, all five jets currently under contract for Norway and the four aircraft remaining for the existing United Kingdom contract, bringing the total United Kingdom acquisition to nine aircraft. The United Kingdom and Norway are acquiring the Boeing aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales process and will receive a variant designed and produced for the U.S. Navy called the P-8A Poseidon. The United Kingdom will receive their first aircraft in 2019 and Norway will begin receiving aircraft in 2021. The P-8 is a long-range multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. A military derivative of the Boeing Commercial Next-Generation 737 airplane, the P-8 combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the battle space. The P-8 is militarized with maritime weapons, a modern open mission system architecture, and commercial-like support for affordability. The aircraft has been modified to include a bomb bay and pylons for weapons – two weapons stations on each wing – and can carry 129 sonobuoys. The aircraft is also fitted with an in-flight refueling system. With more than 180,000 flight hours to date, P-8 variants, the P-8A Poseidon and the P-8I, patrol the globe performing anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; humanitarian; and search and rescue missions. For more information on Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace. # # # Contact: Nanette Feeney Defense, Space & Security Mobile: +1 206-304-2002 nanette.m.feeney@boeing.com https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-01-28-Boeing-Receives-2-4-Billion-P-8A-Poseidon-Contract-From-U-S-Navy

By: Ben Werner Lockheed Martin is committed to producing the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for $80 million each by next year and further reducing the overall program costs as part of the next production contract negotiations with the Department of Defense, the company said on Tuesday In 2022, Lockheed Martin officials expect to negotiate the next multiyear F-35 contract with the Joint Program Office. The goal is to use the steady cash flow from a multiyear contract to drive down further the production costs once the contract kicks in. As part of a pitch for multiyear contract, Lockheed Martin officials say such a deal will lower the F-35A price to less than $80 million per fighter, Marillyn Hewson, chief executive of Lockheed Martin, told analysts during a conference call today discussing the company's 2018 year-end results and expectations for 2019. “That's our target, to continue to drive the unit cost down,” Hewson said. “And we won't stop there, we will always be looking at ways that we can take the cost down in the program as it continues to mature and grows.” Currently, the F-35A, the standard take-off and landing variant primarily used by the U.S. Air Force and foreign partners, has a price tag of $89.2 million. The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant used by the Marine Corps and some foreign partners currently cost $115.5 million each, and the F-35C carrier variant used by the Navy cost $107.7 million per fighter, according to Lockheed Martin. As production increases, the price per F-35 is expected to decrease due to efficiencies in the production process and the ability to lock in lower prices for large quantities of raw materials and components. Lockheed Martin plans to deliver 131 fighters this year, compared to the 91 F-35 fighters delivered in 2018. Within two years, company officials expect to deliver more than 161 fighters per year. However, with F-35 production is closing in on what's considered the full capacity for the program of record, Hewson said the company could build more. Increasing the production rate would require coordination with the JPO, the supply chain and international customers, but Hewson said the company could handle increased demand. Germany, Switzerland and Finland are currently considering buying the F-35, Hewson said. Already the U.S. and 12 other countries are either part of the program of record or committed to purchasing F-35 fighters, according to Lockheed Martin. “We could certainly go to a higher rate if the demand were such that we needed to do that,” Hewson said. Other segments of Lockheed Martin's weapons systems portfolio are also expected to perform well in 2019. The company's Missiles and Fire Control business are expected to record a profit of between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion in the year. The Rotary and Mission Systems business is expected to record a profit of about $1.3 billion for the year, Bruce Tanner, Lockheed Martin's chief financial officer, said during the call. After the call, the U.S. Department of State's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced it approved the sale of two Aegis Weapon Systems, two Multi-Mission Signal Processors and two Command and Control Processor refreshes to Japan. Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems division is the prime contractor for the Aegis Weapon System and Multi-Mission Signal Processor portion of the $2.1-billion total buy. Japan selected Lockheed Martin in July to outfit its Aegis Ashore system but needed State Department approval before finalizing the deal. In September, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully tested its sea-based Aegis ballistic missile defense capability with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Japan currently has four Aegis-equipped destroyers and is in the process of building two more. The following is the State Department notice it approved a proposed Aegis Weapon System sale to Japan. AEGIS Weapon Systems Transmittal No: 19-08 WASHINGTON, January 29, 2019 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of two (2) AEGIS Weapon Systems (AWS), two (2) Multi-Mission Signal Processors (MMSP) and two (2) Command and Control Processor (C2P) Refreshes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.150 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Japan has requested to buy two (2) AEGIS Weapon Systems (AWS), two (2) Multi-Mission Signal Processors (MMSP) and two (2) Command and Control Processor (C2P) Refreshes. Also included is radio navigation equipment, naval ordnance, two (2) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Systems, Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M) hardware, and two (2) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), U.S. Government and contractor representatives' technical, engineering and logistics support services, installation support material, training, construction services for six (6) vertical launch system launcher module enclosures, communications equipment and associated spares, classified and unclassified publications and software, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $2.150 billion. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability. This proposed sale will provide the Government of Japan with an enhanced capability against increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile threats and create an expanded, layered defense of its homeland. Japan, which already has the AEGIS in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing this system into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor for the Aegis Weapon System and Multi-Mission Signal Processors will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Washington, DC. The Command and Control Processor Refresh will be provided by General Dynamics, Falls Church, VA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to Japan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately eight years. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. https://news.usni.org/2019/01/29/40708

By JAMES BOLINGER | STARS AND STRIPES MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Using 3D printers, Marines based in southern Japan created two products that reduce the time it takes to repair F/A-18 Hornets and may save the Defense Department money. Called an engine ship kit, the first innovation is a set of plastic clips and plugs to prevent oil and hydraulic fluid leaking from aircraft engines removed for repairs. The other is a tool that helps maintainers grease the bearings on the F/A-18's high-speed Gatling gun. Designed by Marines from MCAS Iwakuni's Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, the engine ship kit will have an immediate impact on operations, squadron commander Lt. Col. Javier Garcia recently told Stars and Stripes. The kit eliminates the need for maintainers to travel to austere locations to drain oil and hydraulic fluids so an engine can be taken safely back to Iwakuni for repair. The plastic drain plugs prevent the fluid from leaking and the clips ensure the plugs are not dislodged as the engine is readied for transport. The kit is the brain child of 1st Lt. Simon Miller and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark Willems, who needed to get a broken F/A-18 engine from Wake Island to MCAS Iwakuni late last year. The engine began to leak while a C-130 crew tried to load it, Garcia said. In the past, a team of maintenance Marines would have traveled to the location to prepare the engine for safe transport, but that takes away from their mission at MCAS Iwakuni. To solve the problem, Willems had the idea of creating plugs that would stop the leaks. Miller created the pieces using 3D drafting software and MALS 12's new 3D printers. “I'm not really sure why no one thought to make this kind of kit before, but this design is going to have an impact across the Navy and Marine Corps,” Garcia said. The same team behind the engine ship kit also created a tool that makes it easier for maintenance Marines to grease the bearing on the F-18's M61A Vulcan, a Gatling-style rotary cannon that can fire 6,000 rounds a minute. The bearing on the cannon must be packed with grease every 30,000 rounds, a job that used to take two Marines more than 30 minutes, said Cpl. Christian Smellie, an aviation life-support systems technician who works at Iwakuni's 3D printing lab. Full article: https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/iwakuni-marines-use-3d-printers-to-revolutionize-maintenance-for-fighter-jets-1.566446

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has been given assurances by top Pentagon leaders that the F-35 program will not be negatively impacted by a potential U.S. Air Force buy of Boeing's F-15X, Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson said Tuesday. “If they choose to have an order of the F-15, it won't be at the expense of F-35 quantities,” she told investors during an earnings call. “I'm hearing that directly from leadership in the Pentagon, and I think that's an important point for me to make. It's not just our suspicion, but I've been told that directly.” The U.S. Air Force is expected to roll out a plan to begin buying new F-15s in its upcoming fiscal 2020 budget release. In December, Bloomberg reported the service intends to purchase 12 new F-15X aircraft in 2020 for $1.2 billion. On Friday, Gen. Dave Goldfein, the Air Force's chief of staff, confirmed to Defense News that the service will procure new F-15s if the budget grows enough to allow it, but that the F-35 program of record would remain the same with no slowdown to the buy rate. “I'm not backing an inch off of the F-35” Goldfein said. “The F-35 buy that we're on continues to remain on track. And I'm not interested in taking a nickel out of it when it comes to buying anything else in the fighter portfolio.” Goldfein added that the Air Force wants to increase fighter procurement to 72 aircraft a year. The Air Force has about 230 F-15 "C" and "D" models currently in service, and the F-15X will replace the portion of the fleet owned by the Air National Guard, according to Bloomberg. The new F-15 model will have new radar and electronic warfare equipment, the ability to carry more weapons, and include other improvements originally designed for Saudi Arabia's and Qatar's F-15s. If the service maintained a rate of one F-15X a month, it would be free to boost its F-35 production rate to 60 aircraft a year — a number that Air Force officials had cited as key for production ramp up. However, the FY19 budget forecast showed that the service would likely be unable to procure the F-35 in those quantities before FY23. “If we had the money, those would be 72 F-35s. But we've gotta look at this from a cost/business case.” Goldfein said. “An F-15 will never be an F-35. Never. But I need capacity.” Hewson's statement indicates that support for the F-35 continues to be strong both within the Air Force and among Pentagon leaders. However, earlier on Tuesday, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters he wants to see “more performance” from the F-35, although he did not specify particular areas of improvement. “I am biased towards giving the taxpayer their moneys' worth. And the F-35, unequivocally, I can say has a lot of opportunity for more performance,” said Shanahan, a former Boeing executive. When investors asked Hewson to respond to Shanahan's critique, the Lockheed CEO said the company remains on the same page with the Pentagon on the need to reduce the cost per plane. “We're on a path to drive it to an $80 million [unit cost] for the F-35A by full-rate production,” which is projected to begin in Lot 15 with deliveries starting in 2023, Hewson said. “So as long as we stay on our procurement rate plan — which by all accounts we're going to continue to ramp up at the rate that we envisioned — then we're going to continue to drive the price down." Aaron Mehta in Washington contributed to this story. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2019/01/29/lockheed-ceo-boeings-f-15x-wont-disrupt-f-35-program