14 avril 2020 | International, Aérospatial
Lee Hudson
The U.S. Army is aggressively upgrading its legacy AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and HH-60 Black Hawk fleets, but is encountering some delays in these efforts related to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
These platforms will continue to be in the service's inventory for many years to come and the Army must continue making them relevant as the Pentagon pivots to Joint All-Domain Command and Control, Patrick Mason, program executive officer for aviation, told Aerospace DAILY.
The majority of Mason's team is teleworking and monitoring COVID-19's effect on production, engineering work and supply chain flow. The Army acknowledges issues related to COVID-19 may not materialize until the summer or fall because the supply chain currently has sufficient inventory, he said.
“Obviously, this is an incredibly unique and unprecedented time that we're dealing with right now,” Mason said.
The Army intends to introduce the Gen III Day Side Assembly, formerly known as the Modernized Day Sensor-Assembly (MDS-A), into the Boeing AH-64E Apache Version 6 (V6) kit this fall. During operational testing users were impressed with the technology's clear picture for target acquisition and the ease of locating a designation site made possible through electro-optical/infrared fusion.
“The good thing about the way we've architected this program is that the production line will be switched to V6, and then we'll also have the ability to upgrade any of the V4s into the V6 configuration,” Mason said.
The service has not determined the number of aircraft that will be equipped with the new V6 kit off the production line or retrofitted. The V6 kit includes upgrades for a Gen III Day Side Assembly, fire control radar frequency interferometer, and an expanded manned-unmanned teaming capability.
“It's just another example of the kinds of technology that we can insert into these legacy platforms,” Mason said.
The service expects industry to integrate a multispectral targeting capability into Future Vertical Lift platforms, he added.
The Army is also planning to outfit the Apache and General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle with air-launched effects in the mid-2020s. Mason's unmanned aircraft system program office is conducting a technology assessment while Army Futures Command is leading demonstrations, he said.
The service funded the effort by issuing an other transaction agreement through the Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium. It will run through year's end. Mason anticipates by 2021 the service will have a better idea of which technologies will compose the initial increment for air-launched effects.
The next upgrades on tap for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook are additional software loads for the digital flight control system and the common avionics architecture system. These are slated for June, but because of COVID-19 the timetable may shift, Mason said.
“We're trying to monitor and understand exactly what we're going to be able to do as we get into June,” he said.
The Army does not want to speculate on when these upgrades will wrap up because this is based on unit availability and the requirement not to interfere with operations and training.
The service is still plugging ahead with Block II flight testing in Mesa, Arizona, to support the special operations community.
“We have some disruption obviously due to COVID and the pandemic,” Mason said.
The limited user test is scheduled to begin in March 2021 at Fort Bliss in Texas, but it may be delayed if not enough progress is made in flight testing. The flight testing in Mesa is not paused, but the team is not generating a sufficient number of sorties because of travel restrictions imposed on government workers in response to COVID-19. The crews comprise both government and industry personnel.
The Army is reaping substantial cost savings by upgrading UH-60Ls to the V model for about $12 million per unit instead of buying a new UH-60V for roughly $21 million in fiscal 2020 dollars.
Mason's team partnered with the Corpus Christi Army Depot to convert the aircraft and is completing the initial tranche intended to field the first unit next year, he said. The Army intends to upgrade 760 L models to the V configuration.
“It's a very unique and cost-effective way to increase the capability of the L models,” he said.
Mason's team is unable to conduct user assessments, which is delaying full-rate production. The Army anticipates the effort will enter full-rate production in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. This is two quarters behind the previous schedule because the team is experiencing travel restriction delays related to COVID-19.
27 mai 2024 | International, Aérospatial
Both the CF Snowbirds and CF-18 Demonstration Team are moving ahead with celebrating the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th anniversary in Canada and beyond.
20 novembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $379,377,099 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for maintenance, repair and consumable material support for the V-22 platform. 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. Locations of performance are Maryland, Texas and Pennsylvania, with a Nov. 20, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE4AX-20-D-9401). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $232,003,560 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-20-D-000U) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-14-D-002U) for the AH64 CH47 Global Material Support Program. 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 four-year option period. Locations of performance are Missouri and Arizona, with a Nov. 18, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MOOG Inc., East Aurora, New York, has been awarded a maximum $13,658,400 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aviation pneumatic accumulators. This was a limited competitive acquisition with two offers received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a Nov. 1, 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 Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-20-D-0007). NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Orlando, Florida, is awarded a $92,205,970 firm-fixed-price modification (P00008) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract (N68335-18-C-0681). This modification exercises an option to procure 34 electronic Consolidated Automated Support System (eCASS) units to include 32 for the Navy and two for the government of Kuwait. Additionally, this modification procures eCASS related equipment such as self-maintenance and test/calibration operational test program sets, calibration equipment suites/kits, rack rail kits, shore installation kits and ship installation kits in support of the Navy and the government of Kuwait. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed in December 2022. Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $92,205,970 will be obligated at time of award, $641,592 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded an $84,769,892 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) and firm-fixed-price contract modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-5418 to exercise options in support of the fiscal 2020 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 low rate initial production (LRIP) requirements. This contract modification will procure the remaining materials in support of the ESSM FY20 LRIP Lot 3 all up rounds and spares requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (50%); Richmond, Australia (6%); Raufoss, Norway (6%); Andover, Massachusetts (5%); Mississauga, Canada (4%); Ottobrunn, Germany (3%); Hengelo Ov, Netherlands (3%); Grand Rapids, Michigan (3%); San Jose, California (2%); Ottawa, Canada (2%); Aranjuez, Spain (2%); San Diego, California (2%); Koropi Attica, Greece (2%); Hopewell Junction, New York (1%); Ankara, Turkey (1%); Westlake Village, California (1%); Eight Mile Plains Brisbane, Australia (1%); Grenaa, Denmark (1%); Torrance, California (1%); Canton, New York (1%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (1%); Newmarket, Canada; Lystrup, Denmark; Milwaukie, Oregon; and Cincinnati, Ohio, are less than 1% each and make up the remaining 2%. Work is expected to be complete by June 2023. Fiscal 2020 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $84,769,892 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Kellogg Brown and Root Services Inc., Houston, Texas, is awarded a $56,255,635 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to exercise the second option period for base operating support services at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The work to be performed provides for all management and administration, public safety, galley, ordnance, air operations, fire and emergency services, bachelor quarters, housing, pest control, integrated solid waste, base support vehicles and equipment, custodial, electrical, water, wastewater, port operations, supply, morale-welfare-recreation, facilities investment and environmental services to provide base operating support services. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $188,808,738. Work will be performed at various installations in the territory of Djibouti, Africa, and other areas within Africa, and work is expected to be completed November 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, (Navy), contract funds in the amount of $56,255,635 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe Africa Central, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity (N62470-17-D-4012). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $54,597,891 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract N00024-17-C-6259 to exercise and fund options for Navy equipment, production support and required long lead materials. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (65%); Clearwater, Florida (32%); Syracuse, New York (2%); and Marion, Florida (1%), and is expected to be complete by September 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy); and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $46,832,561 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. SeaFix Inc., Saipan, Marianas Protectorate, is awarded a not-to-exceed $15,214,417 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a four-year ordering period for Navy Watercraft Afloat Maintenance Services. This contract provides for full range of logistics support services to include maintenance and associated material management for Afloat Navy Lighterage in support of the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program and deployed forces world-wide. This contract includes one six-month option period which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $18,930,294. Work will be performed outside the continental U.S. aboard Military Sealift Command Ships (98%), primarily in Guam, Saipan, Diego Garcia and South Korea; and in Jacksonville, Florida (2%). Work is expected to be completed Jan. 14, 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through July 14, 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively solicited and procured via the Federal Business Opportunity website as a total HUBZone set-aside, with two offers received. The Marine Corps, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (M67004-20-D-0002). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $13,046,971 modification for the firm-fixed-price portion of a previously awarded contract (M67854-19-C-0043). This modification is for the purchase of gallium nitride full rate production diminishing manufacturing sources and communications equipment group shelter integration in Lot One in support of Program Executive Officer Land Systems, Quantico, Virginia. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland, and is expected to be complete by May 2, 2022. Fiscal 2020 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $13,046,971 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract modification was not competitively procured. The base contract was prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and 10 U.S. Code § 2304(c)(1). The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-19-C-0043). BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair, Jacksonville, Florida, is awarded an $11,161,336 cost-plus-award-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-2302 to exercise options for the USS Billings (LCS 15) post-shakedown availability. Post-shakedown availabilities (PSA) are accomplished within a period of approximately 10-16 weeks between the time of ship custody transfer to the Navy and the shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding obligation work limiting date. The PSA encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish the PSA. The work to be performed will include correction of government-responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise the building yard's responsibility under the ship construction contract. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,431,018; fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,431,015; and fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $202,227 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity. Melwood Horticultural Training Center Inc., Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is awarded an $8,639,459 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) modification for the exercise of Option Four under an IDIQ contract for custodial services at U.S. Naval Academy complex. The work to be performed provides for custodial services such as trash removal, cleaning, vacuuming, floor cleaning and scrubbing, re-lamping, specialized cleaning of the John Paul Jones Crypt, and basketball floor installation and removal. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $41,707,319. Work will be performed in Annapolis, Maryland. This option period is from December 2019 to November 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,639,459 for recurring work will be obligated on individual task orders issued during the option period. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Public Works Department, Annapolis, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N40080-16-D-0303). ARMY SAF Inc.,* Akron, Ohio (W91237-20-D-0001); and A&H - AMBICA JV LLC,* Livonia, Michigan (W91237-20-D-0002), will compete for each order of the $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for an indefinite-delivery contract for design-build and design-bid-build construction projects. Bids were solicited via the internet with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 18, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington, West Virginia, is the contracting activity. SIG Sauer Inc., Newington, New Hampshire, was awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of .300 Winchester Magnum Ammunition. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-20-D-0003). CSRA,* Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $9,178,300 modification (0029 42) to contract W31P4Q-05-A-0028 for non-standard rotary wing aircraft project office systems engineering and technical assistance support services. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 19, 2020. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,178,300 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE CORRECTION: The Nov. 13, 2019, announcement of a $32,266,994 modification to ManTech International Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, exercising Option Year One to previously awarded contract FA8819-18-C-1001 for security support, included the wrong modification number. The correct modification number is P00018. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2021006/source/GovDelivery/
2 mai 2024 | International, Terrestre
A critical flaw (CVE-2023-7028) is being actively exploited, allowing account takeover by sending password reset emails to unverified addresses.