11 octobre 2019 | International, Aérospatial
The U.S. Army is looking to improve its aviation technology and recently called upon the AEDC National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at Moffett Field in Mountain View, CA, to advance this effort.
Engineers from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and The Boeing Company, in partnership with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Army Aviation Development Directorate, recently conducted a series of tests at NFAC to support the development of the SB>1 DEFIANT, a military helicopter being developed for the Army's Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR TD) program.
The goal of this wind tunnel test was to validate the aerodynamic performance and flight mechanics of Sikorsky's X2 Technology aircraft. These configurations, which are being utilized on the SB>1 DEFIANT, include a lift-offset coaxial rotor system, composite fuselage and rear-mounted pusher propulsor that provides increased speed.
The SB>1 DEFIANT, which made its first flight in March, is a technology demonstrator for a medium-lift utility helicopter. Future uses of this type of air vehicle could include attack and assault, troop transport or MEDEVAC.
The testing was conducted throughout the first half of 2019 and concluded in mid-June. To accomplish the tests, a 1/5 scale model of the SB>1 DEFIANT airframe with powered coaxial main rotors was placed in the NFAC 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. Measurements included forces and moments on the various components, as well as fuselage, empennage and blade surface pressures.
David Wang, NFAC test engineer, said the recent tests expanded on data collected from a JMR wind tunnel entry conducted at NFAC in 2016 by gathering data at faster speed ranges. “From the NFAC perspective, the wind tunnel test was successful,” Wang said. “The test customer was able to collect performance and handling qualities data for their subscale model up to their maximum design flight speed.”
Data collected during the recent tests is undergoing review and analysis. It is unknown at this time if there will be future testing of the SB>1 DEFIANT model at NFAC.
The full-scale SB>1 DEFIANT flight demonstrator is currently undergoing ground and flight tests at Sikorsky's flight test facility. According to the Sikorsky-Boeing JMR Team, data from SB>1 DEFIANT will help the Army develop requirements for new utility helicopters expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
A previous DOD study concluded that upgrades to the aging DOD rotary wing aviation fleet would not provide the capabilities required for future operations. Significant improvement in several attributes of fleet aircraft, such as speed, payload, range, survivability and vertical lift are required to meet future needs. It was determined this improvement could be achieved through application of new technologies and designs.
To accomplish its goal, the Army has been executing a science & technology (S&T) effort to mitigate risk associated with maturity of critical technologies, feasibility of desired capabilities and cost of a technical solution. An aspect of this effort is the air vehicle development associated with the JMR TD program.
JMR TD is the alignment of Army Aviation's S&T with the Future Vertical Lift initiative, which seeks to develop a new family of system to modernize and replace the government's current fleet of rotorcraft. According to the Army, the intent of the JMR TD is to mitigate risk for the Future Vertical Lift program through means that include the testing of advanced technologies and efficient vehicle configurations.
NFAC, managed and operated by Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), is the largest wind tunnel complex in the world. It consists of both the 40- by 80-foot and 80- by 120- foot wind tunnels. These tunnels, which share a common drive system, are primarily used for aerodynamic and acoustic tests of rotorcraft and fixed wing, powered-lift V/STOL aircraft and developing advanced technologies for these vehicles.
Both subscale and full-scale models are tested at NFAC. The speed range of the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel test section is continuously variable from 0 to 300 knots, while the speed range in the 80- by 120-foot wind tunnel section is continuously variable from 0 to 100 knots.
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=021bcb83-4df9-4253-b7a3-ff3805b7b16a
9 décembre 2023 | International, Terrestre
The prestigious F126 project reached a major milestone today: the cutting of the first steel for the new multi-purpose frigates for the German Navy. Main contractor Damen Naval and project partner...
25 novembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
ARMY Pegasus Support Services LLC,* Woodstock, Georgia, was awarded a $176,853,950 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration and modernization services for the full spectrum of facility types to include ranges, barracks, warehouse, administrative buildings, bridges, worship centers, gyms, and airfields. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2024. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the contracting activity (W9124M-20-D-0001). CACI-ISS Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded an $112,531,961 modification (P00062) to contract W15QKN-15-C-0049 for build and test of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $10,702,978 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) contract for the integration and retrofit of 23 AH-6i aircraft with DVR, equipment stowage, and APKWS II capabilities. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $10,702,978 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-20-C-0001). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded an $8,072,570 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the M230 30MM automatic gun and the Bevel Gear. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 19, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-D-0003). NAVY Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $97,334,085 cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed-price, and cost only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5501 to exercise the options for Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPY-6(V) integration and production support efforts. This option exercise is for performance of the integration and production support for continued combat system integration and test, engineering, training, software and depot maintenance in support of the Air and Missile Defense Radar AN/SPS-6(V). Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts (64%); Kauai, Hawaii (18%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (8%); San Diego, California (7%); Fair Lakes, Virginia (2%); and Moorestown, New Jersey (less than 1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2016, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $27,075,110 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colorado (N62470-13-D-6019); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (N62470-13-D-6020); Kellogg, Brown, and Root Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N62470-13-D-6021); and URS Group Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina (N62470-13-D-6022), are awarded a $92,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for global contingency construction projects worldwide. The work to be performed provides for the Navy, the Navy on behalf of the Department of Defense, and the Navy on behalf of other federal agencies, when authorized, an immediate response for construction services. The construction and related engineering services would respond to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, conflict or projects with similar characteristics. Work will be predominately construction. The contractor, in support of the construction effort, may be required to provide initial base operating support services, which will be incidental to construction efforts. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $1,150,000,000. The term of the contract is not to exceed 71 months with a completion date of May 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on subsequent modifications for work on existing individual task orders. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $14,576,017 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-19-C-5112 to exercise an option for the AN/SPY-1 radar solid-state switch assembly mod kit. This contract modification is for the production of solid-state switch assembly ordnance alteration kits for the Navy to support AEGIS modernization efforts. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, (75%); Chesapeake, Virginia (15%); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (10%), and is expected to be completed by April 2023. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $14,576,017 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is awarded an $8,230,603 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-5418 to exercise options for NATO Sea Sparrow missile system design agent engineering and technical support services. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, Rhode Island (94%); Marlborough, Massachusetts (3%); and San Diego, California (3%), and is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); non-expiring other funds; and Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $4,251,731 will be obligated at time of award, and $2,162,681 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Raytheon Missiles Systems Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $72,000,000 cost-plus, fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive fee, firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced medium range air to air missile (AMRAAM) technical support. The contractor will provide technical services and analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated on the action at the time of award. Concurrently, the first task order will be awarded with $238,173 in fiscal 2019 missile procurement funds. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8675-20-D-0010). BrainGu LLC,* Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been awarded a $12,376,710 commercial firm-fixed price, level of effort direct award for development, security operations teams. This contract provides expert experience in Kubernetes and Istio Mesh implementation utilizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) process. Work will be performed at San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 21, 2020. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition as the SBIR Phase III vendors are selected from a previously competitive pool of small businesses in Phase I. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA8307-20-C-0004). Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $10,954,391 fixed-price incentive (firm) modification (P00018) to previously awarded contract FA8675-18-C-0003 for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production program. This modification provides for acceptance of a voluntary value-engineering change proposal resulting in non-recurring engineering costs for qualification of a second source for the AMRAAM Integrated Wing Restraint rocket motor. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 15, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Romania and Morocco. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,252,588,656. Fiscal 2018 missile procurement funds (Air Force and Navy) in the amount of $7,096,254; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $3,858,137 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Northrup Grumman, McClellan, California, has been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production of spare parts in support of the Guardrail/Common Sensor Modernization system. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is California, with a Nov. 21, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2025 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (SPRBL1-20-D-0002). ENGlobal Government Services Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a maximum $11,552,569 cost-plus-fixed-fee, bridge contract for automated fuel handling maintenance. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S .Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 15-month base contract with one three-month option period. Locations of performance are Virginia, Georgia, Hawaii, California, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Spain, Greenland and Japan, with a May 12, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services Office, Columbus, Ohio (SP4702-20-C-0002). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2024886/source/GovDelivery/
13 novembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial
by Charles Forrester Qatari pilots will soon be training at Italy's International Flight Training School (IFTS), following an agreement between the Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, and Italy's minister of defence Lorenzo Guerini on 11 November. In a release by the Italian Ministry of Defence, Guerini said, “The partnership between Italy and Qatar in the defence sector is confirmed as having a high strategic value. I am here to renew our commitment to deepen the ongoing collaboration that embraces all sectors.” Part of the two countries' co-operation agreement would include the training of Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) pilots at the IFTS, which is operated as a joint venture by Leonardo and the Italian Air Force at Lecce-Galatina, and the soon-to-be-opened facility at Decimomannu Air Base in Sardinia. Qatar currently operates the Pilatus PC-21 and PAC Super Mushshak aircraft in the training role. The country has also ordered nine BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers. According to Janes World Air Forces, in-country flight training is conducted at Qatar's Armed Forces Air Academy (also known as the Al Zaeem Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College), established at Al Udeid in 2014. The establishment of the academy is seen as a tangible step towards bringing additional training capacity within Qatar's borders, rather than the heavy reliance upon foreign states and allies that Qatar has previously required. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/qatar-signs-up-for-leonardos-ifts