26 octobre 2022 | International, C4ISR
Pentagon setting up office to speed JADC2 integration across military
The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, which reached full operations in June, is also working on JADC2 data integration.
18 septembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial
Should the Air Force spend even more on missile warning satellites?
By: Nathan Strout
Senate appropriators have a message for the Air Force: Make early warning missile satellites a priority.
The Senate Appropriations Committee expressed concern over the Air Force's plan for funding the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system in a report on their annual defense spending bill. While the Pentagon requested $1.4 billion for the program in fiscal year 2020, the Senate spending committee noted that the request was $630 million short of what the program needs. With such a gap, senators questioned whether OPIR was a priority for the Air Force.
OPIR is the next-generation early warning missile defense satellite system that will ultimately replace the Space Based Infrared System. The Pentagon has contracts with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to build three satellites in geosynchronous orbit and two covering the polar regions, respectively.
In order to close the funding gap, the Air Force has made a number of reprogramming requests. But according to Senate appropriators, that's not a responsible path forward.
“If the program is to have any chance of success, the department cannot continue to rely on reprogramming requests for its funding,” the committee's report read.
Instead, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a far larger budget of $1.9 billion for OPIR. While that is still less than the program need, it represents an increase of $535.5 million. Those funds are in addition to reprogramming requests that could meet the more than $2 billion program need.
Lockheed Martin representatives told reporters at the annual Air Force Association conference Sept. 17 that the requested increase in fiscal year 2020 funding doesn't represent a growth in costs for the program, but is the result of the rapid acquisition approach to the OPIR program.
“This shouldn't be perceived as cost growth,”said Kay Sears, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager for military space. “But it is an accelerated schedule, so it comes with an accelerated budget.”
“Next Gen is an absolutely critical capability. We've been asked to deliver that capability in a ‘go fast' environment by 2025 and we are planning to do that. That comes with a funding profile that is a little bit different than a traditional defense program,” she added.
Part of that go fast approach, which Sears says results in higher up front costs, includes a payload competition between a Northrop Grumman/Ball team and a Raytheon team.
“There's a lot of spending that can happen at all of those companies at the same time,” explained Sears. “That is what is driving the funding profile ― it's the payload development and the fact that (...) we have two payload developers and two capabilities that we're going to have to choose from in that critical mission area.”
Senate appropriators noted in their report that OPIR is breaking ground for how to provide rapid prototypes for programs in the future and needs to be fully funded as an example.
“The Committee believes the program will be an exemplar for rapid acquisition of space programs, whether the program succeeds or fails,” read the report. “Failure will have implications for Congress's willingness to fund future programs using the National Defense Authorization Act section 804 rapid prototyping and fielding authorities for similarly large, or even middle tier programs, for years to come.”
OPIR has been a point of contention between the House and Senate as they work through the two annual defense bills. Earlier in the summer the House balked at the massive increase in what the Pentagon wanted for OPIR in fiscal year 2020. While the $1.4 billion Pentagon request is $630 million below what the program needs, it's $459 million above what the Pentagon projected it would need for the program in fiscal year 2020 in the previous years' budget.
The House Armed Services Committee ultimately authorized just $1 billion for the program in their National Defense Authorization Act citing unexplained growth, prompting a letter from the White House arguing that a failure to fund the Pentagon's full budget request now would lead to delays and higher costs over time.
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18 février 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense
Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - February 14, 2019
NAVY GE Aviation Systems LLC, Vandalia, Ohio, is awarded a $68,177,707 long-term contract for repair of 33 items that are part of the G2/G3 generator converter units used on the F/A-18 aircraft. The contract will include a three-year contract with one two-year option period which, if exercised, the total value of the contract will be $87,116,502. Work will be performed in Coronado, California (70 percent); and Vandalia, Ohio (30 percent). Work is expected to be completed by February 2022; if the option is exercised, work will be completed by February 2024. Working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source, non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(C)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The requirement was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-UJ01). CDM Federal Programs Corp., doing business as CDM Smith, Fairfax, Virginia, is awarded a $33,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-15-D-4002) for architect–engineering services for utilities engineering and management support projects located throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) area of responsibility (AOR) worldwide. The primary tasks anticipated under this contract include producing utility system master plans, engineering studies, surveying, field testing, hydraulic modeling, recommended treatment and distribution improvements, electric load and demand modeling, arc-flash and safety hazard analysis, relay coordination, life cycle cost analysis, 1391 documentation and design, development and implementation of standard processes and tools to inventory and manage utility assets, collecting direct condition ratings; performing risk assessment on functional groups of assets, creating a risk based investment strategy, and capital improvement plans; development of standard operating procedures, preventive maintenance plans, and operator training; process and instrumentation drawings/electric system one-line drawings for utility systems; development of Geographic Information Systems for utilities using GPS and mobile field data development and integration of utility information systems to increase the reliable, safe and efficient delivery of utility services; development of best practices and documentation, development of staffing plans, and organizational analysis of public works departments with staffing recommendations, organizational improvements and other related services. After award of this modification, the total cumulative not-to-exceed contract value will be $55,000,000. Critical projects are planned to be performed in the NAVFAC AOR worldwide, including but not limited to, Japan (24 percent); Florida (22 percent); Italy (22 percent); Hawaii (19 percent); Texas (10 percent); and Washington, District of Columbia (2 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of February 2020. Future task orders will be primarily funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds. NAVFAC Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. L3 Communication Systems - West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is awarded a $29,610,900 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order to previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-19-G-2304) for the manufacture, integration, test, and delivery of the Tactical Common Data Link Maritime Shipboard Terminal Surface Terminal Equipment (TCDL MST STE) system. This order is for the procurement of the TCDL MST STE system equipment, program management, and respective support, integration, and fitting out. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2017, 2018, and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $25,424,516 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. L-3Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, is awarded a $23,420,937 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide contractor owned and operated aircraft for airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems operations and aircrew to counter enemy electronic warfare and electronic attach operations. Work will be performed at various locations inside and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed in February 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00421-19-D-0031). Bahfed Corp.,* Portland, Oregon (N6893619D0011); Impact Components, a California Limited Partnership,* San Diego, California (N6893619D0012); Laguna Components Inc.,* Laguna Beach, California (N6893619D0013); Pacific IC Source,* Yucaipa, California (N6893619D0014); and Vizocom ICT LLC,* El Cajon, California (N6893619D0015), are each awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. The estimated aggregate ceiling for all contracts is $20,000,000, with the companies having an opportunity to compete for individual orders. These contracts provide for various types of commercially-available electronic components, manufactured from several different materials, in different forms, shapes, sizes, and complexity in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division's Applied Manufacturing Technology Division (Code 475000D). Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon (20 percent); San Diego, California (20 percent); Laguna Beach, California (20 percent); Yucaipa, California (20 percent); and El Cajon, California (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2024. Fiscal 2019 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $21,886 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via a 100 percent small business set-aside electronic request for proposals with six offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $17,288,213 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-17-C-6259 to exercise options for Navy equipment, engineering services and required material. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (65 percent); Clearwater, Florida (32 percent); Syracuse, New York (2 percent); and Marion, Florida (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2022. Fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $16,823,290 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. Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, was awarded $10,656,686 for modification P00002 to a previously issued delivery order (N0001918F1645) placed against basic ordering agreement, N00019-17-G-0002. This modification exercises the option to procure 12 A-Kits to retrofit legacy fleet aircraft with the AN/APR-39D(V)2, AN/AAQ-24B(V)27, and the ALE-47 Power Performance Computing, upgrading the MV-22 from Configuration A to Configuration C. In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 12 APR-39D(V)2 A-Kits to install the AN/APR-39D (V)2 system on any of the 48 previously Integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment retrofitted aircraft, upgrading the MV-22 from Configuration B to Configuration C. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (65 percent); Miramar, California (14 percent); New River, North Carolina (13 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (6 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,656,686 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Feb.11, 2019) AIR FORCE Tecolote Research Inc., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $38,784,990 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Space and Missile Systems Center acquisition and financial support services. This contract provides the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate with a broad range of acquisition, financial, and administrative capabilities to execute effective and responsive integrated program management of space-related research, development, production, sustainment, and lifecycle acquisition activities. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 17, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2019 space procurement funds in the amount of $939,196; fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $707,006; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,952,516 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center Remote Sensing Systems Contracting Division, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8810-19-F-0003). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Redondo Beach, California, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $20,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission (ATTAM) capability Phase I. The mission of the ATTAM Phase I program is to develop, demonstrate, and transition advanced turbine propulsion, power and thermal technologies that provides improvement in affordable mission capability. This approach extends to a range of legacy, emerging, and future military propulsion, power and thermal technology needs in multiple applications. Work will be performed in Redondo Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 8, 2027. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 54 offers were received. No specific funds are obligated on the basic IDIQ, although in conjunction with the basic IDIQ award, the first task order is incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,000; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $315,000 at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-19-D-2060, FA8650-19-F-2075). ARMY PAE Government Systems Inc., Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $27,574,855 modification (P00010) to Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan) contract W56HZV-17-C-0117 for contractor logistic support efforts to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Work will be performed in Hikia, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $27,574,855 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Norfolk Dredging Co., Chesapeake, Virginia, was awarded a $9,136,250 firm-fixed-price contract for Canaveral Harbor maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Canaveral, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,163,250 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-19-C-0010). DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY System High Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,200,840 modification (P00019) to previously awarded task order HR0011-17-F-0001 for program security services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the task order to $69,223,019 from $45,022,179. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an expected completion date of March 2020. Fiscal 2019 research and development funds in the amount of $21,769,143 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Vane Line Bunkering Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, has been awarded contract modification (P00030) on contract HTC71113CW015 in the amount of $16,952,486. This modification provides continued transportation of bulk jet fuel and marine diesel fuel by barge for the Defense Logistics Agency-Energy in the U.S. Atlantic Region. Performance is from Mar. 1, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds were obligated at award. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $139,538,998 from $122,586,512. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $9,763,000 cost-plus fixed-fee contract. The contract is to provide assessments and alternatives of offensive capabilities within the domains of air, land, sea, space and cyberspace, missions and warfare areas that asymmetrically mitigate threat effectiveness, impose cost, and/or create ambiguity in adversary decision-making. Work performance will take place in the National Capital Region, including Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia. Fiscal 2018 - fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,460,000; fiscal 2019 – fiscal 2020 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,576,000; and fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $727,000 are being obligated on this award. The expected completion date is Dec. 29, 2019. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-13-D-0003). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1758484/source/GovDelivery/
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6 février 2019 | International, Aérospatial
GKN Fokker and LM Aeronautics Collaborating on Future F-35 Long Term Agreement
Manufacturing of the Flaperons, Inflight Opening Doors (IFOD), and Electrical Wiring and Interconnection Systems (EWIS) for the F-35 Follow-on agreement will cover a five year extension up to 2024 Continuous employment for approximately 600 employees At the roll-out event of the first operational Dutch F-35 in Fort Worth, Texas USA both GKN Fokker and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics confirmed via a protocol document the continuation of GKN Fokker's efforts on F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter specific to the manufacturing of Flaperons, Inflight Opening Doors (IFOD), Arresting Gear, and Electrical Wiring and Interconnection Systems (EWIS) content. Production will take place at GKN Fokker's sites in The Netherlands and Turkey with delivery taking place over the next five years. The protocol document was signed by Lockheed Martin's Vice President of F-35 Supply Chain Management, Drew Ruiz and by GKN Fokker's CEO John Pritchard. State Secretary of Economic Affairs Mona Keijzer, Royal Netherlands Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Lt. Gen. Dennis Luyt, and the Netherlands' Special Envoy for industrial participation, Maxime Verhagen all attended the ceremony. GKN Fokker has been a valued supplier on the F-35 program since 2002 and has produced and delivered the flaperons, inflight opening doors (IFOD), arresting gear, and designed and produced the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) for all F-35 aircraft that are currently flying and in production. Source: GKN Aerospace http://www.asdnews.com/news/defense/2019/02/01/gkn-fokker-lm-aeronautics-collaborating-future-f35-long-term-agreement