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  22 mai 2020 | International, Sécurité

  Coulson’s CU-47 is ready for the fire fight

  Posted on May 22, 2020 by Howard Slutsken Leveraging its experience with fixed-wing air tankers, Coulson Aviation has unveiled its latest aerial firefighting conversion, based on the Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. In early March, the first Coulson-Unical CU-47 was flown from the company's Port Alberni, B.C., base to the Aerial Firefighting North American 2020 conference in Sacramento, Calif. Featuring a 3,000 gallon roll-on/roll-off internal tank and an advanced Garmin avionics suite, up to 12 CH-47Ds will be converted into next-generation heli-tankers, in a partnership with Unical Aviation that was announced a year ago. “Unical provides us with the aircraft and a vast supply of parts,” explained Britt Coulson, president and COO, in an interview with Skies. “They bought the entire Canadian Forces CH-47 parts inventory and were the largest purchaser of CH-47Ds from the U.S. Army.” The twin-rotor Chinook is well known for its speed, size and payload. While the helicopter is often deployed on fire attack missions carrying a water bucket as an external load, Coulson wanted to give the CU-47 more flexibility and capability. The company's engineers had already developed a 4,000 gallon Retardant Aerial Delivery System RADS-XXL for its Lockheed C-130 Hercules tanker conversions, and that tank was shrunk to create a 3,000 gallon RADS-L for the CH-47D conversion. “It's the same overall design as the C-130. It shares most of the same hydraulic components, the same doors and the same design of a roll-in, roll-out tank,” said Coulson. Other CH-47 internal tank systems utilize the small hook well in the centre of the helicopter as the water and retardant delivery port, but according to Coulson, that has its limitations. “The other tank designs are plagued with flow rate issues, which means they don't pack enough punch to really get through [forest] canopies or drop in heavy timber – the hook well opening just isn't big enough. “The lower the flow rate you have out of your tank, the slower and lower you have to fly. The problem with a big helicopter like a Chinook is if you fly too slow and low, your downwash is going to negatively affect the ground fire conditions and your drop is going to be ineffective.” To increase and optimize the flow rate for the RADS-L, the belly of the CH-47D was modified by cutting the helicopter's lower skin and adding structure below the floor to accommodate the tank installation and a pair of drop doors, controlled by the pilots through a state-of-the-art touchscreen controller. From the same touch panel, the pilots also control the CU-47's newly-developed retractable snorkel system to refill the RADS-L tank from water sources close to a fire's location. Installed internally, the snorkel head sits flush with the belly when retracted, so that with no additional external drag, the helicopter can maintain its fast 140-knot cruise speed. In a hover, the snorkel takes just four seconds to deploy and six seconds to retract, and the pilots and flight engineer can monitor the system's operation via a high-definition belly-mounted camera feed, displayed on the touchscreen controller. “The snorkel system has exceeded our expectations and we're filling the entire tank in under two minutes,” said Coulson. With the advanced capabilities of the Garmin avionics, the relocation of the flight engineer's panel, and the new RADS-L tank, Coulson originally believed that the CU-47 could be crewed solely by two pilots, without a flight engineer. But recent operational experience led the company to rethink that strategy. “We realized that with a helicopter of this size, going into some of the smaller dip sites, to have an additional set of eyes looking out the side or back is valuable to the pilots. So we've de-modified the helicopter and gone back to a full-time flight engineer to provide that increased safety and situational awareness.” Like Coulson's C-130 conversions, the CU-47 can also be tasked with night-time firefighting missions, thanks to the Night Vision System (NVS) certification of the helicopter's avionics suite. Wearing NVS googles, the CU-47's crew work in tandem with a fire attack “Intel” helicopter's pilots. The Intel crew uses a thermal camera to evaluate the behaviour of a fire, and if a drop is required, they take a page from military ground-attack operations. Using a laser, the Intel crew designates the target for the tanker. “With a geo-referenced lock, the Intel helicopter can orbit, and the laser beam will stay on the same spot. It illuminates an area on the ground about the size of a car,” said Coulson. The first CU-47 will soon be joined by a second RADS-L equipped helicopter, two CU-47's with upgraded avionics that will fly “bucket” missions, and a fifth, tank-equipped CU-47 that will deploy as a spare. “All of our FAA testing [on RADS-L] has finished, we're just waiting for the final Supplemental Type Certificate signature,” said Coulson. “We're doing some minor cleanup to the helicopter to make sure that it's ready to go fight fires this summer.” Howard Slutsken's lifelong passion for aviation began when he was a kid, watching TCA Super Connies, Viscounts, and early jets at Montreal's Dorval Airport. He's a pilot who loves to fly gliders and pretty much anything else with wings. Howard is based in Vancouver, B.C. https://www.skiesmag.com/features/coulsons-cu-47-fire-fight

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  25 novembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

  Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - November 22, 2019

  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/

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  3 juillet 2018 | International, C4ISR

  French firm makes moves to fund cybersecurity expansion

  By: Pierre Tran Communications & Systèmes, a specialist in mission critical systems, launched July 2 a capital increase to raise €10.2 million (U.S. $11.9 million) and finance an announced expansion in European defense and security. The rights issue is intended to raise finance for a mergers and acquisition plan, dubbed Plan Ambition 2021, and follows the approval June 26 by a CS shareholders meeting for the acquisition of Novidy's, a cybersecurity company. “I am rather delighted. This is a step forward,” CS CEO Eric Blanc-Garin told Fifth Domain July 2. “The capital increase will enlarge the shareholder base, bring in more institutional investors and improve the stock liquidity.” The main aim is to fund the company's expansion by mergers and acquisition. “We have targets; we are in active discussion,” he said, when asked if CS has a list of companies in its M&A plan. An issue of new stock is intended to raise €10.2 million, which could rise to €11.5 million if the offer meets demand from the stock market. The new stock will be priced at €5.90 per share, a 22.2 percent discount on the closing price June 28. Current shareholders are offered two new shares for every 25 shares held. A core shareholder, Sopra Steria Group, has committed to subscribe to the stock issue. Sopra Steria holds 10.36 percent of CS and has pledged to inject €1.1 million into the company by exercising its preferential rights. “This capital increase will allow CS to have the means necessary to realize other operations of external growth with priority in Europe in the growth sectors of defense and civil security, space and cybersecurity,” the company said in a statement. Current shareholders will have a preferential right for subscribing to the stock issue. The shareholders meeting approved the capital increase, which had been announced as a second step in the Plan Ambition 2010 and follows the agreed offer for Novidy's. The acquisition of Novidy's boosts CS's annual sales in cybersecurity to €40 million, with the sector accounting for 20 percent of the company's total revenue, the company said in a June 26 statement. “We are delighted that our shareholders have unanimously approved this acquisition, which allows CS to mark a new stage in its development,” Blanc-Garin said in the statement. “This is the first significant step in our strategic plan, Ambition 2021.” https://www.fifthdomain.com/industry/2018/07/02/french-firm-makes-moves-to-fund-cybersecurity-expansion/