Leidos awarded $276 million Defense Department contract to research and develop critical minerals and materials for use in munitions

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  14 septembre 2024 | International, Aérospatial

  Italian Air Force’s famed acrobatic squad changes course on new planes

  The Frecce Tricolori is to switch to flying the Leonardo M-346 jet trainer after using the aging M-339 for decades.

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  1 mars 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 25, 2019

  NAVY DZSP 21 LLC, Marlton, New Jersey, is awarded a $106,378,427 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for base operations support services at Joint Region Marianas, Guam. The work to be performed provides for facility and base operating support for the following services: management and administration, port operations, ordnance, material management, facility management, sustainment, restoration and modernization, electrical, wastewater, steam, hot water and demineralized water, potable water, transportation, and environmental. Work will be performed at various locations on the island of Guam and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 working capital funds (Navy and Defense); fiscal 2019 and 2020 transportation Air Force working capital funds; fiscal 2019 and 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy, Air Force, Defense); fiscal 2019 family housing operations and maintenance (Navy); fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps, Army, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard); fiscal 2019 health program funds (Defense); and fiscal 2019 commissary agency (Defense) contract funds in the amount of $106,378,427, of which $96,495,650 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and $9,882,777 are subject to the availability of funds. This contract was issued as a sole-source procurement under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-19-C-1175). Micro Systems Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is awarded a $22,986,171 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production, repairs services and associated ancillary equipment for the systems for Naval Target Control Block II and III in support of Navy aerial targets. Work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,219,199 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001919D0020). L-3 KEO, Northampton, Massachusetts, is awarded a $19,299,276 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-6252 to exercise options for the production of the Universal Modular Mast. The Universal Modular Mast serves as a lifting mechanism for Virginia class mast payloads. Work will be performed in Bologna, Italy (74 percent); and Northampton, Massachusetts (26 percent), and is expected to be complete by August 2021. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $19,299,276 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. Leidos Corp., Reston, Virginia, is awarded an $11,560,339 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure non-recurring engineering efforts to analyze, define and document system and subsystem requirements for capability enhancements to integrate the adaptive radar countermeasures program on the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (50 percent); Clifton, New Jersey (25 percent); Goleta, California (10 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (10 percent); Raleigh, North Carolina (3 percent); and Huntsville, Alabama (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,560,339 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0051). Clark Nexsen-CH2m Hill JV Norfolk, Englewood, Colorado, is awarded a $9,500,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineering services design projects located throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) area of responsibility worldwide (AOR). The primary tasks anticipated under this contract include DD Form 1391 documentation, design-build request for proposals, plans, specifications, cost estimates, related studies, field investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, program management, conceptual designs, soil borings, hazardous materials identification, energy computation, life safety code studies, interior space comprehensive planning/design, conceptual designs, value engineering, other associated engineering services, shop drawing review, as-built drawing preparation, operation and maintenance support information, commissioning, and construction inspection and engineering consultation services during construction. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $24,500,000. Critical projects are planned to be performed in the NAVFAC AOR worldwide, including but not limited to, Djibouti (53 percent); Italy (30 percent); Spain (12 percent); and Greece (5 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of November 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-17-D-5004). DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is awarded $8,893,970 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0002419F5617 under previously-awarded contract N00024-15-D-5201 for 18 Technology Insertion 16 air-cooled Common Processing System cabinets and two remote access servers. The Common Processing System provides the computer processing and memory, data storage and extraction and input/output interfaces to support host software applications of Navy combat systems. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,893,970 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. Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co., Chandler, Arizona, is awarded an $8,892,173 firm-fixed-price modification under previously-awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract N00174-17-D-0016 to exercise an option for development, product improvement and prototyping support of various aircrew escape systems managed under the Joint Program Office for Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Device Tri-Service Charter. This requirement is for engineering, technical, administrative and programmatic management support for total life cycle management of the various aircrew escape systems. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by January 2020. No additional funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,968,022 modification (P00031) to previously awarded contract HR0011-16-F-0005 for Enterprise Support Services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $95,553,943 from $70,585,921. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of May 2020. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $24,632,633 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a $19,459,236 firm-fixed-price delivery order (FA8504-19-F-0008-P00001) to previously awarded contract FA8504-17-D-0002 for C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. This delivery order provides for funding Option II flying hours. Work will be performed primarily at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and also at various locations that support C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. Work is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award, and this order brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $90,165,776. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins AFB, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Textron Defense Systems, Wilmington, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $15,956,064 firm-fixed-price modification (P00009) to previously awarded contract FA8204-14-D-0001 for the MK12A Mod 5 F Midsection remanufacturing program. This modification extends the ordering period of the original requirements contract by five years. Work is being performed at Wilmington, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by March 5, 2025. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. LoadPath, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded a $14,899,737 ceiling cost-reimbursement contract for Advanced Spacecraft Systems with Integrated Structural Thermal Technologies (ASSISTT). This contract provides for the advancement of the technology and scientific knowledge in the areas of deployable structures, thermal systems, RF antenna structures, integrated structural sensing, and advanced manufacturing. Work will be performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2024. This contract was the result of a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $440,670 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-19-C-0002). Engineered Arresting Systems Corp., doing business as Zodiac Arresting Systems America, Aston, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $9,679,711 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the Textile Aircraft Arresting Systems (TAAS) This contract provides for the production of the TAAS, a onetime emergency use overrun aircraft arresting system designed for use with tail hook equipped fighter aircraft, or non-hook equipped aircraft when couples with a net barrier engaging system. Work will be performed in Merpins, France, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 28, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition, and no funds were obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8533-17-D-0001). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2017) ARMY Next-CEI JV LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0002); R&I Construction Inc.,* Aiea, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0003); D&D Construction Inc.,* Waipahu, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0004); and Amethyst Builders LLC,* Ewa Beach, Hawaii (W912CN-19-D-0005), will compete for each order of the $16,800,000 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration and modernization. Thirty bids were solicited with 19 bids received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. U.S. Army 413th Combat Support Battalion, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Silver Oak Leaf, Inc.,** Alpharetta, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $16,074,375 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for blouses and trousers for the Type III, Navy Working Uniform. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is an 18-month base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Puerto Rico and Georgia, with a Feb. 24, 2021, estimated performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1135). * Small Business **Service-disabled veteran-owned small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1766751/

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  19 janvier 2021 | International, Aérospatial

  Key Upgrades Mark 2021 As Turnaround Year For KC-46A

  Guy Norris As progress accelerates on a key visual system redesign, a wing refueling pod certification and the hopes for more international sales, Boeing believes its troubled KC-46A tanker program has finally turned a corner. Marking a shift away from more than three years of delays, challenges and frustration for the U.S. Air Force, the program's brighter outlook builds on two agreements announced between Boeing and the service last April. The first covered the redesign and retrofit of a fully compliant boom operator remote vision system (RVS), at no cost to the government, while the second released $882 million of withheld payments to Boeing for previous noncompliance in 33 KC-46A deliveries. “That was a real turning point, and it's been extremely collaborative since then,” says Boeing KC-46A Vice President and General Manager Jamie Burgess. “That's really been cultivated by the agreement that we reached on the new RVS system,” he says, acknowledging the change to the relationship with the Air Force. “For a while, we were at a bit of an impasse in terms of what needed to be done to address the Air Force's concerns. There's a lot of hard work left to go, but it's been a really long relationship now,” he adds. Boeing is working on a two-phase approach to correct the well-documented RVS deficiencies that were revealed during flight tests. These defects mostly center on the oversensitivity of the aft-looking camera system to direct sunlight, which led to image issues in the hybrid 2D-3D video feed to the boom operator. “The first phase is really just intended to address that distortion piece of it, and that's primarily a software change that's being implemented now,” Burgess says. The fix, dubbed the enhanced RVS, “digitally addresses the distortion around the edges of the picture,” he adds. The fix will also make viewing the system “more comfortable for the operator when looking through the 3D glasses,” says Sean Martin, KC-46A global sales and marketing leader, referring to the stereoscopic eyewear required for the system. “It makes the image more like what they are used to seeing in real life.” The second phase, and the subject of the Air Force agreement, is RVS 2.0. Described by Burgess as “a full technological refresh of the system,” the revised package will include new cameras, new displays, a light-detection and ranging (lidar) system and all new supporting computing infrastructure. The redesigned aerial-refueling operator station will feature much larger 40-in. displays compared with the current 24-in. screens, giving the position “much more of a kind of home theater feel to it,” Burgess says. The image will remain in 3D but will be presented in color and 4K resolution. The Air Force has also opted for a collimated mirror projection method over an LCD option, “so we are working with them to mature that design,” the manufacturer adds. In collaboration with the Air Force, Boeing completed the RVS 2.0 system readiness review in December and remains on track to hold the preliminary design review in the second quarter. The system is due to be fielded around late 2023 or early 2024. The redesign will also be provisioned for semi-autonomous or autonomous aerial refueling (AAR), satisfying a long-term capability vision of both the Air Force and Boeing. “The computing-system upgrade will be able to handle the processing for future automation,” Burgess says. “In parallel, we're working toward developing all of the computing algorithms that will be required to track the receiver [aircraft] using machine-learning-type software. We will feed that into our boom control laws, so that it can go find the receptacle on that receiver,” he adds, referring to the KC-46A's fly-by-wire controlled boom. The algorithm development work builds on the company's long-running collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory on autonomous refueling as well as other related efforts, such as the unmanned MQ-25 tanker for the U.S. Navy. “We have a lab now where we're developing those algorithms that we can move into KC-46 when the Air Force has a requirement for it,” Martin says. “We want to bring the capability to them, but we haven't received a requirement from them that says they need that. But we're working on it, and we're committed to it.” Boeing says the end is also in sight for another issue that has overshadowed the tanker development: the long-delayed certification of the Cobham-developed wing air-refueling pods (WARP). The wing-mounted pods, along with a centerline station, form part of the tanker's hose-and-drogue system, which can deliver up to 400 gal. of fuel per minute, compared with 1,200 gal. per minute for the boom. All KC-46As are provisioned at delivery to carry the pods, but in line with Boeing's initial decision to pursue both military and civil certification for the tanker and its systems, the aircraft cannot be operationally equipped with the system until the FAA approves the WARPs. The pods performed well during flight testing, but “the FAA has required a tremendous amount of testing in order to certify them,” Burgess says. “Similar pods have flown for years on other military aircraft, but they have never been FAA-certified.” Although Cobham seriously underestimated how much work would be required for FAA certification, Burgess says: “We're at the very end of that testing and are just about done.” FAA approval is expected for the pod by the end of the first quarter. Previously, all certification work related to pods was concerned with ensuring that carriage of such systems was safe and would not affect the control and safe landing of the aircraft. “Now we had to look at certifying it to operate, so all the components—such as the ram air turbine on the front of the pod—had to be cleared for safe use,” Martin adds. “That's been the challenge for them, and they've done a great job stepping up to it.” Another ongoing area of modification is revising a valve for the boom actuation system to correct a refueling issue specific to the Fairchild Republic A-10 attack aircraft. “The boom flies down and telescopes out to connect with the receiver aircraft, which pushes the boom up into a nominal refueling position,” Burgess says. At altitude, the A-10 with wing stores was only able to generate a force of about 650-lb. thrust resistance compared with the international standard of 1,400 lb. to which the boom was designed. “We're changing the actuation system to make it just require less force to push it up,” Burgess says. “That's currently going through the critical design review with the Air Force.” He adds that the first qualification units are now being assembled. “We're also building up for a big full-scale lab test, and so that's well underway.” Boeing is also preparing to design, develop and test a secure communications system, dubbed the Pegasus Combat Capability Block 1 upgrade, and expects to receive a contract for the enhancement package this year. The Air Force is studying which elements to include in the upgrade, and that puts the KC-46A on a path to play a potentially wider role as a battlespace communications node. But Boeing adds that a wing-mounted, podded, radio-frequency countermeasures system is not currently in the Block 1 suite. With 42 tankers delivered by the end of 2020 and the firm orderbook bolstered by a $1.6 billion contract for the sixth production lot covering an additional 12 aircraft, Boeing is focused on maintaining a smooth assembly flow despite the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. The process includes rigorous new quality controls introduced after a series of discoveries of foreign object contamination caused the Air Force to temporarily suspend accepting the aircraft in April 2019. “It's no secret that we realized that we had an issue as far as foreign object debris [FOD] on airplanes,” Burgess says. “We stopped the production line, and we stopped deliveries for a while and put in place a number of controls. There's a whole lot of work that goes on in the factory around what we call ‘clean as you go.' At the end of the shift, there is a cleanup to make sure that the airplanes that roll out of the factory are perfectly clean.” The decontamination focus continues when airframes are rolled from the factory into the nearby Everett Modification Center, where all the military equipment is installed. “We do a complete FOD sweep of the airplane when it enters and again when it leaves to go to the delivery center,” Burgess says. “The aircraft delivering today are very clean. It's been a big cultural shift for the program.” Production is currently split roughly evenly between commercial 767-300F freighters and KC-46A variants—a divide that sustains the line at about three airframes per month. With the latest order, confirmed on Jan. 12, Boeing is now on contract for 79 tankers out of an intended total of 179. The firm orderbook is expected to grow again to 94 when the Air Force awards the next contract for a further 15 aircraft under production Lot 7, which legislators approved in December. Although program delays held up initial deliveries to the Air Force until January 2019, Burgess says the subsequent flow of operational aircraft to four bases marks an unprecedented pace for any recent modern weapons system. “I'm not aware of any other major military program that's done this,” he adds. “We delivered 28 in 2019. We'll do 14 this year.” Boeing maintains the flexibility to introduce slots into the production skyline for international sales, the first of which is to Japan. The aircraft, the first of four that the Japan Self-Defense Force has ordered, is due to make its first flight sometime this quarter. The U.S. Congress has also approved the sale of eight aircraft to Israel, and Boeing is pursuing other prospects in Southwest Asia and the Middle East, particularly in Qatar. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/key-upgrades-mark-2021-turnaround-year-kc-46a