29 mai 2020 | International, Terrestre

IM-SHORAD delayed by pandemic, but first unit equip date remains in place

By:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army's newest short-range air defense system is one of several projects that are facing delays due to COVID-19, but top officials insist that all major acquisition programs remain on track for their planned delivery dates to the field.

For programs in the two largest categories of acquisition programs, “we remain on track for first unit equipped for all the programs,” Bruce Jette, the Army acquisition head, said Wednesday.

However, “that doesn't mean that some of the programs aren't having adjustments to delivery schedules or adjustments to milestone. We're making adjustments as necessary, and then working with the companies to try and catch up.”

One of the programs to fall behind is the Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (IM-SHORAD) system, which had been scheduled to wrap up developmental testing by June. Last week, Janes reported that there were software issues with integrating the weapons package onto the Stryker combat vehicle-based system used for the IM-SHORAD design. The Army plans to procure 144 of the systems, which would be deployed in Europe.

“I think we flipped a few months to the right, based upon some software issues,” said Gen. Mike Murray, the head of Army Futures Command. “And matter of fact, I was just talking to the CEO today on the software issues, and we're jumping on that and they got an update yesterday and we're making great progress, but we did slide that a little bit to the right.”

In addition to the software challenge, Murray said the need for COVID-19 safety measures was causing a delay in testing, as well.

“When you're working tests like that, the run up like that for the test, it's almost impossible to maintain the 6 feet of social distancing. So it was getting the right [personal protective equipment] in place, and then the software issues we had,” Murray said.

The general declined to say which CEO he had discussions with on the program. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is the lead integrator for the program, with a mission equipment package designed by Leonardo DRS. That mission equipment package includes Raytheon's Stinger vehicle missile launcher.

The two officials appeared on a call hosted by the Defense Writers' Group.

Jette said there is only one program that has had to make a “significant” change to its schedule, but described that program as an ACAT 3 level effort — the smallest acquisition category — with the delay a direct result of the small size of the company.

“The greatest sensitivities tend to be down in those programs which have connectivity to small companies, as their major source of technology, delivery services, etc. Because if one person gets sick in the company, you often end up with the entire company being in quarantine for 14 days. And then if they do it again, it gets worse,” Jette said.

“So with only one program having a major slip, and that being a small one, I think that's a pretty good success and tells you a little bit about how hard industry is working to try and stay on track,” he added.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/05/27/im-shorad-delayed-by-pandemic-but-first-unit-equip-date-remains-in-place/

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  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - May 13, 2019

    14 mai 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - May 13, 2019

    NAVY C.E.R. Inc.,* Baltimore, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0011); Repaintex Co.,* Leesburg, Virginia (N40080-19-D-0012); Veterans Construction Coalition LLC,* Norfolk, Virginia (N40080-19-D-0013); Belt Built-CFM JV,* Crofton, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0014); G-W Management Services LLC,* Rockville, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0015); EGI-HSU JV LLC,* Gaithersburg, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0016); Desbuild Inc.,* Hyattsville, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0017); Tuckman-Barbee Construction Co. Inc.,* Upper Marlboro, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0018); Tidewater Inc.,* Elkridge, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0019); and Donley Construction LLC,* Aberdeen, Maryland (N40080-19-D-0020), are awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington area of operations (AO). The maximum dollar value including the base period and one option year for all 10 contracts combined is $240,000,000. C.E.R. Inc. is being awarded the initial task order at $4,338,999 for the renovation of Rooms A143A through 162, Building 209 at Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by December 2020. All work on this contract will be performed primarily within the NAVFAC Washington AO to include Washington, District of Columbia (40 percent); Virginia (40 percent); and Maryland (20 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of May 2024. Fiscal 2019 supervision, inspection, and overhead; and fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds (NWCF) in the amount of $4,338,999 are obligated on this award, of which $10,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps); and NWCF. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 50 proposals received. These 10 contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. NAVFAC Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $139,808,430 for modification P00009 to a previously awarded, fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-16-D-1002). This modification increases the ceiling of the contract to procure up to 12,000 additional Precision Laser Guidance Sets for the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (68.23 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (10.1 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (9.38 percent); Odessa, Missouri (4.37 percent); Simpsonville, South Carolina (4.03 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (1.68 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (2.21 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2020. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Applied Research Laboratory, University of Hawaii, Menoa, Hawaii, is awarded a maximum value $77,209,225 five-year, sole source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, task order contract for research, development, engineering, and test and evaluation for programs throughout the Department of Defense. Running concurrently with the maximum ceiling announcement is an initial delivery order of $777,710. Work will be performed in Manoa, Hawaii, and is expected to be complete by May 2024. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of a $777,710 will be obligated at initial delivery order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is awarded pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c) (3), as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-3; industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-D-6400). BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is awarded a $32,324,635 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the medium auxiliary repair floating drydock (non-self-propelled) ARCO (ARDM 5) fiscal 2019 docking service craft overhaul availability. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the ARCO. 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Stresau Laboratory Inc., Spooner, Wisconsin, is awarded a $19,982,892 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for MK18 MOD0 electric blasting caps and MK20 MOD2 electric squibs in support of the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Special Operations Command. The MK18 MOD0 electric blasting cap is initiated by an electric source such as a blasting machine or battery and is used in multiple explosives. The MK20 MOD2 electric squib is a stand-alone device used to ignite smokeless powder and pyrotechnic compositions used in electric demolition operations. Work will be performed in Spooner, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019 procurement of ammunition (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $3,048,863 will be obligated at the 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, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana is the contracting activity (N00164-19-D-JR66). AIR FORCE UES Inc., Dayton, Ohio (FA8650-19-D-2904); and University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio (FA8650-19-D-2905), have been awarded a not-to-exceed $99,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for scientific research. This contract provides for scientific exploration for the discovery and/or advancement of power, energy, thermal, integration and control (PETIC) technologies in order to develop enabling materials, processes, devices, modeling and simulation for advanced high performance military weapon systems and emerging applications. Work will be performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory Wright Research Site, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 21, 2024. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $4,341,500 are being obligated on task orders at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $36,739,122 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-CB04) against a five-year basic ordering agreement (SPRPA1-19-G-CB01) with no option periods for aircraft spare parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.301-1. Location of performance is Texas, with a Sept. 30, 2022, performance completion date. Using customer is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 Navy aircraft procurement funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serco Inc., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $21,113,749 modification (P00011) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP3300-17-C-5003) with four one-year option periods for chemical management services. This is a firm-fixed-price contract with cost-reimbursement and cost-plus-fixed-fee line items. Locations of performance are Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and California with a May 15, 2020, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. United Technologies Corp., doing business as Pratt & Whitney Military Engines Division, East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $9,048,256 firm-fixed price contract for TF-33 aircraft engine first stage turbine blades. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.301-1. This is a two-year, six-month contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Connecticut, with an Oct. 29, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (SPRTA1-19-F-0249). Safety Kleen Systems Inc., Richardson, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $8,334,836 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for engine lubricating oil. This was a competitive acquisition with one offer received. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Louisiana and California, with a May 12, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A6-19-D-0023). DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC, Melbourne, Florida, was awarded a sole-source, firm-fixed-price delivery order (HC1084-19-F-0145) with a face value and approximate total contract value of $28,600,000, under contract NNG15SC08B on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement contract vehicle for additional Army installation kits and spares in support of the Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical Project Manager, Mission Command. This action is funded by fiscal 2019 procurement funds. Performance is throughout the continental U.S. The contract period of performance is 12 months. 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  • What does Australia think of the F-35? One Air Force commander details his experience

    1 mars 2019 | International, Aérospatial

    What does Australia think of the F-35? One Air Force commander details his experience

    By: Nigel Pittaway MELBOURNE, Australia — The commander of the Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group has provided insight into his experience with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, during the 2019 Avalon Airshow this week. Australia has 72 F-35As on order to replace the F/A-18A/B “Classic” Hornet fleet, as it's known Down Under; the country has received 10 aircraft to date. Two aircraft were delivered to RAAF Base Williamtown, north of Sydney, in December 2018, and a further eight are based in the United States at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, in support of international F-35 pilot training with the U.S. Air Force's 61st Fighter Squadron. Air Commodore Mike Kitcher said two more aircraft will be delivered to Australia in early April and eight will have arrived by the end of 2019. “Those two jets at Williamtown are flying five to six sorties a week, largely for aircrew training at the moment. We'll add another two aircraft to that fleet in early April, and we'll have another four by the end of this year and eight aircraft in Australia by the end of the year,” he said. Kitcher also described a sortie he flew in the Red Flag 19-1 exercise held in Nevada in February, in which RAAF Hornets flew with U.S. Air Force F-35As as part of an international strike package. “One of the key strike missions I did that day was to watch an eight-ship [formation] of F-35s kick open a door, which was a fairly hard door to open. Some F-22s came in after that to hold the door open, and the F-35s went back and picked up a strike train that consisted of [RAAF] Hornets, Super Hornets from the U.S. Navy, Typhoons from the [British] Royal Air Force and U.S. Air Force F-16s, supported by U.S. Navy [EA-18G] Growlers and U.S. Air Force F-16s,” Kitcher said. “That was the first time I've been in a high-end exercise, involving a significant air threat, a significant surface-to-air threat and even a cyberthreat. You could see the way the F-35 was working with Classic Hornets, Super Hornets, Typhoons and Growlers to solve a very difficult problem. I'm confident that we'll be doing that in Australia with our F-35s and our Super Hornets and Growlers within the next couple of years.” Two RAAF F-35As from No. 3 Squadron were present at Avalon, and one of them participated in the daily flying display. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/avalon/2019/02/28/what-does-australia-think-of-the-f-35-one-air-force-commander-details-his-experience/

  • Pratt to start receiving F-35 engine upgrade contracts in early 2024

    28 novembre 2023 | International, Terrestre

    Pratt to start receiving F-35 engine upgrade contracts in early 2024

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