Nouvelles

By: Valerie Insinna and Jeff Martin EVERETT, Wash., and MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — On the chilly morning of Jan. 25, just as the sun was beginning to rise, two KC-46 refueling tankers took offfrom Boeing's Everett, Washington, delivery center and began flying toward McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. Later that day, it touched down, to cheers from airmen assigned to the base's 22nd Air Refueling Wing. It took only minutes for the aircraft to taxi and take to the skies — a welcome lack of drama for a program that has seen prolonged challenges: a virulent competition between two companies, two years of schedule delays and more than $3 billion in cost overrunsthat manufacturer Boeing had to pay out of pocket. The delivery of the first two KC-46 Pegasus planes was almost two decades in the making. As such, the event was treated as a momentous celebration by Boeing officials, who held a ceremony Thursday marking the occasion with its Air Force customer. On Friday, Air Force leadership, congressional representatives and Boeing executives witnessed the aircraft's arrival at McConnell for yet another event. “To me, its personal to bring on this capability,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said after arriving on base. “This is a big day for us.” “I think we all know the journey over the last several years,” Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said Thursday. “It hasn't been easy. In fact, it's been hard. But this team stuck to it. This team worked together.” At the Everett ceremony, Boeing brought in a band to play classic rock songs by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin before the ceremony, dispersed cookies and chocolate lollipops featuring the KC-46, and had a tanker-themed “selfie station” where visitors could take photos of themselves with the Pegasus on display. Over the KC-46 flight test program, the aircraft clocked 3,800 hours in the sky and pumped more than 4 billion pounds of fuel, Muilenburg said. Leanne Caret, who heads Boeing's defense business, said the delivery solidifies the firm's legacy as “the tanker company for the U.S. and the world.” “We're looking at delivering not only great capability that works today, but we're looking at staying on that leading edge of technology going forward, and we will continue to lean in throughout this process,” she told reporters after the event. But numerous obstacles remain. Boeing needs to correct the KC-46's deficient remote vision system — the series of cameras and sensors that are the sole source of situational awareness for boom operators trying to move fuel from the tanker to a receiver aircraft. The company is redesigning that system at its own expense, and Caret declined to comment on the projected costs of the upgrades. In order to hit a contractually obligated milestone, it also needs to move forward with getting wing aerial-refueling pods certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, an event that Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson confirmed will not happen until 2020. Despite those problems, Air Force officials sounded an optimistic note about the current status of the program. Wilson, who previously criticized Boeing for seemingly not paying enough attention to the tanker's problems, touted the new capabilities the KC-46 will bring to the tanker force, such as infrared countermeasures, protection against electromagnetic pulses and armor that will make it more survivable in the field. “This aircraft is able to defend itself in ways that the KC-135 can't. It also has some other capabilities that allow us to refuel completely in the dark,” she said. “So there are things about this aircraft that we're really keen to get into the hands of our airmen.” Full article: https://www.defensenews.com/air/2019/01/25/the-air-force-gets-its-first-new-kc-46s-an-event-decades-in-the-making

By: Gerard O'Dwyer HELSINKI — Finland's left-leaning political parties have cast a shadow of doubt of the fate of the HX-FP fighter procurement program, questioning the number of multirole aircraft that the Finnish Air Force needs to acquire. The Air Force wants to retire its fleet of F/A-18 Hornet jets over the next 10 years. The HX-FP carries an estimated price tag of €11.4 billion (U.S. $12.9 billion). Life cycle service and maintenance are included in this cost. Finland will hold fresh parliamentary elections in April, and the leaders of election campaign-focused Left Alliance, Greens and Social Democratic parties have declared a willingness to revisit the center-right government's plan to purchase 64 multirole fighters. Similarly, the right-wing Finns Party's leadership is also open to reducing the number of aircraft Finland will buy. Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö described the “negative” pre-election positions adopted by the leftists and the Finns Party to the HX-FP program as “irresponsible.” “I am surprised by the positions the leftist parties are taking on the procurement. The purchase of new fighter aircraft is about whether we are interested in defending our country or not. If we reduce the number of planes, then we need to have a debate about which are the priority areas in our defense. In my opinion, this is irresponsible politics,” Niinistö said. The common positions taken by the leftist parties and the Finns Party have assumed a more significant stature given that the Social Democratic Party — which is leading popular polls ahead of the April election — may end up leading Finland's next coalition government in partnership with either the Greens or the Left Alliance. Finland's coalition government parties, the Center and conservative National Coalition, remain firmly supportive of a plan to procure 64 aircraft as part of the HX-FP. Other center-right parties in Parliament, including the Swedish People's Party, the Christian Democrats and Blue Reform, also back the Air Force's plan to purchase 64 jets. “This matter is not about a specific number of planes, but finding an overall solution. The number of fighter jets that can be bought is not written in stone. That number will not be known until responses to the invitation for tenders have been properly processed. We will then have different mapped-out options to examine,” said Sanna Marin, a spokeswoman for the Social Democratic Party. Niinistö is a staunch supporter of the HX-FP and favors the acquisition of 64 planes. He recently told a meeting of Parliament's Defence Committee that the Air Force, were it were not for budgetary spending constraints, ought to have up to 100 multirole fighters at its disposal to provide an enhanced level of air defense for Finland's borders. The dispute over potential HX-FP numbers comes as Lt. Gen. Jarmo Lindberg, the Finnish Defence Forces' chief, plans to step down from his role when his five-year term ends in August 2019. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2019/01/25/irresponsible-politics-blamed-for-potential-hiccup-in-finnish-aircraft-purchase

(B2 – exclusif) Peu importe les émois à Westminster et les tourments de Downing Street, ou la conduite sans ceinture du Prince Philippe, dans le domaine des opérations de stabilisation menées par l'Union européenne (au titre de la PSDC), le départ des Britanniques est désormais bien engagé et devrait se terminer bientôt Un mouvement engagé Le transfert du QG de l'opération anti-piraterie Première concernée, la plus emblématique, l'opération anti-piraterie de l'UE (alias EUNAVFOR Atalanta) va déménager de Northwood (près de Londres) à la Rota et à Brest, le commandant britannique cédant sa place au commandant espagnol avec un second français. Le QG de La Rota est en pleine préparation, le QG secondaire de Brest — qui accueille la liaison avec la marine marchande — également. Les officiers ont commencé à rejoindre leur poste. Le « tuilage » est en cours, selon nos informations (lire : La revanche de Trafalgar). Le changement de commandement en Bosnie-Herzégovine Deuxième concernée, l'opération EUFOR Althea en Bosnie-Herzégovine. Plus discrète, après avoir été l'opération phare (de l'OTAN sous le nom IFOR) et de l'Union européenne, elle ne rassemble plus aujourd'hui que 600 hommes maximum. Elle n'en est pas moins importante, car un « poste d'observation » important de ce qui se passe dans les Balkans, notamment en matière de retour des combattants étrangers. Un Français va prendre la tête de l'opération, à partir du QG de l'OTAN à Mons (le SHAPE). Un petit noyau de Français est aussi prévu à Sarajevo au sein de l'état-major de la force (lire : Le retour de la France dans l'opération de l'UE en Bosnie-Herzégovine). L'abandon d'un poste de numéro 2 en Somalie Enfin, au sein de la mission civile EUCAP Somalia chargée d'assurer le conseil et la formation des Somaliens pour la sécurité maritime, le poste de numéro 2 assuré par un Britannique est en voie de changer de main, selon nos informations. Les Britanniques ne pouvant assurer de poste de commandement des opérations européennes. Le retrait du planning des battlegroups De même, en matière de force de réaction rapide de l'UE, les Britanniques se sont retirés du tour d'astreinte des battlegroups (lire : La prise d'astreinte française au battlegroup 2019 se prépare). Du personnel détaché au titre d'un pays tiers Des Britanniques resteront dans quelques unes de ces missions et opérations qu'ils estiment ‘stratégiques', en particulier celles déployées en Somalie et dans l'Océan indien. Mais en tant que pays tiers, dès que le Brexit sera consommé. Un officier britannique de la marine marchande devrait ainsi être positionné à Brest, chargé d'assurer le lien (précieux) avec toutes les structures britanniques de la marine marchande. Et dans la mission EUCAP Somalia, Londres entend détacher un de ses officiers pour occuper le poste de chef des opérations. Une transition en douceur Dans toutes ces opérations et missions, le départ des Britanniques est désormais non seulement acté, mais leur remplacement est assuré, sans difficulté. Il est difficile désormais, voire quasi impossible, de faire machine arrière. Les Britanniques ont perdu leur tour. Difficile de faire machine arrière Si le Brexit devait être repoussé, il ne changera pas les changements opérés dans les commandements : la relève est déjà en place. Les Britanniques qui occupaient ces positions ont déjà (ou vont) retrouver d'autres fonctions dans l'armée britannique, l'OTAN ou d'autres opérations multinationales. Et dans les générations de force actuelles, ce serait un pari insensé pour les planificateurs britanniques de miser sur une possible annulation ou prolongation longue du Brexit pour faire de nouvelles offres de participation importante. Quelques leçons du départ A cette transition en douceur, si en douceur qu'elle passe inaperçue, on peut tirer d'ores-et-déjà quelques leçons. Premièrement, contrairement à ce qu'avaient affirmé certains dignitaires britanniques, assis confortablement dans leurs sièges en cuir dans des ministères londoniens, et quelques observateurs, peu au fait du fonctionnement réel de l'Union européenne, l'apport britannique dans les missions et opérations de l'Europe de la défense reste modeste. Il peut être facilement compensé, avec juste un peu de bonne volonté de quelques pays membres. Deuxièmement, le départ britannique consacre en fait le retour français dans des opérations et missions qu'ils avaient, ces dernières années, un peu délaissées. Au final, il reste tout de même un pincement au cœur. Les officiers de sa Royale Majesté, croisés durant ces années, m'ont toujours fait bonne impression, avec ce mélange de courtoisie, de rudesse, d'ironie et d'enthousiasme qui fait le charme et l'efficacité de l'armée outre-Manche. Dommage... (Nicolas Gros-Verheyde) https://www.bruxelles2.eu/2019/01/28/le-brexit-deja-en-marche-pour-la-defense/

Jean-Dominique Merchet La ministre des Armées a annoncé le lancement d'un « démonstrateur », qui s'inscrit dans la relance de la course aux armements. Florence Parly a annoncé le 21 janvier avoir notifié un contrat à ArianeGroup pour le lancement d'un démonstrateur de « planeur hypersonique » qui devrait effectuer son premier vol d'ici à la fin 2021. Ces systèmes, dont s'équipent les grandes puissances nucléaires, permettent d'échapper aux défenses antimissiles et de réaliser des frappes très précises. Beaucoup d'experts estiment qu'ils ont un rôle « déstabilisateur » des équilibres stratégiques. Une simple phrase glissée au milieu d'un long discours de vœux. C'est ainsi que la ministre des Armées Florence Parly a annoncé le lancement d'un « planeur hypersonique », un projet d'importance stratégique. Ce « démonstrateur », qui devrait voler d'ici « à la fin 2021 », s'inscrit dans la relance actuelle de la course aux armements stratégiques entre les grandes puissances. Cette annonce a provoqué la surprise dans les milieux spécialisés et le ministère des Armées est réticent à fournir publiquement beaucoup plus de détails. Toutefois, plusieurs experts et proches du dossier, tenus à l'anonymat, se sont confiés à l'Opinion et permettent de mesurer l'importance de ce projet. Article complet: https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/international/defense-france-veut-planeur-hypersonique-175912

Les spécialistes en armement ont jusqu'en 2020 pour produire un rapport en vue du choix du prochain avion de combat helvétique. Les cinq candidats sollicités pour le prochain avion de combat suisse ont transmis leurs offres vendredi à armasuisse. Cette étape marque le début de la phase d'analyse et d'essais. Les offres portent sur les avions suivants: Eurofighter (Airbus, Allemagne), F/A-18 Super Hornet (Boeing, États-Unis), Rafale (Dassault, France), F-35A (Lockheed-Martin, États-Unis) et Gripen E (Saab, Suède). De février à mars, les spécialistes d'armasuisse et des Forces aériennes procéderont aux essais des avions dans les simulateurs correspondants, indique vendredi le Département fédéral de la défense dans un communiqué. Ces activités auront lieu chez les candidats et se dérouleront parallèlement aux audits de support produit. Au cours de ces audits, les forces aériennes des pays de fabrication présenteront l'exploitation et la maintenance des avions ainsi que le déroulement de la formation. Ils seront suivis par l'analyse des réponses au questionnaire que les fabricants devaient remplir dans leurs offres. Essais à Payerne Parallèlement, entre avril et juillet, les avions de combat seront soumis à des essais en vol et au sol à Payerne. Pour chaque candidat, armasuisse, en coopération avec l'État-major de l'armée, les Forces aériennes, la Base logistique de l'armée et la Base d'aide au commandement, rassemblera dans des rapports spécialisés les connaissances tirées de la phase d'analyse et d'essais. Ces rapports constitueront la base de la comparaison entre les candidats qui sera réalisée au deuxième semestre 2020. Ils serviront aussi à déterminer pour chaque modèle d'avion la taille nécessaire de la flotte. Deuxième appel d'offres Sur cette base, armasuisse élaborera un deuxième appel d'offres qui sera transmis aux candidats. À partir des connaissances acquises avec la deuxième offre, armasuisse comparera les candidats entre eux et déterminera l'utilité globale pour chaque candidat. Le rapport d'évaluation mettant en parallèle cette utilité avec les coûts d'acquisition et d'utilisation pour une période de 30 ans sera alors élaboré. Le Conseil fédéral décidera du modèle retenu. https://www.lematin.ch/suisse/Nouvel-avion-de-combat--5-geants-font-leurs-offres/story/21758047

NAVY The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $2,458,707,154 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0067). This modification provides for the production and delivery of 19 P-8A lot 10 aircraft to include 10 for the Navy, four for the government of the U.K. and five for the government of Norway. In addition, this modification includes engineering change proposal 4 SilverBlock for the government of the U.K. and Lot 10 segregable efforts consisting of unknown obsolescence, Class I change assessments and obsolescence monitoring. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (80.6 percent); Baltimore, Maryland (2.6 percent); Greenlawn, New York (2.4 percent); Cambridge, U.K. (1.6 percent); and various locations within and outside the continental U.S. (12.8 percent),and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $2,458,707,154 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($1,256,865,203; 51 percent); the government of Norway ($694,971,086; 28 percent); and the government of the U.K. ($506,870,865; 21 percent), under the FMS program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4416); Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4417); and General Dynamics, National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California (N00024-16-D-4418), are each awarded firm-fixed-price modifications under previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple-award contracts to exercise Option Period Three for complex, emergent and continuous maintenance and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) availabilities on surface combatants (DDG and CG) homeported in San Diego, California. These three contractors will have the opportunity to provide offers for individual delivery orders during option period three, with an estimated cumulative value of $90,275,086. Exercising these options ensures continued facilities and human resources capable of completing complex, emergent and continuous maintenance, repair, modernization and CNO availabilities on surface combatant ships assigned to or visiting the port of San Diego, California. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2020. No funding will be obligated at time of award. Operations and maintenance (Navy) funds will be obligated as the delivery orders are issued. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $26,332,225 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the depot repair of T56-A-427 engines, utilized on E-2 Hawkeye aircraft, including the repair of the power section, torque meter, gearbox, and accessories in accordance with Navy depot manuals and approved repair practices. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas (55 percent); Winnipeg, Canada (25 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (15 percent); and Oakland, California (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2020. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be issued against individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; two offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-D-0024). Ocean Ships Inc., Houston, Texas, is awarded a $20,800,875 firm-fixed-price contract for the operation and maintenance of Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) vessels. This contract includes a 12-month base period, four 12-month option periods and a six-month option under Federal Acquistion Regulation 52.217-8, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $118,985,659. Work will be performed at sea worldwide and is expected to be completed, if all options are exercised, by November 2024. Working capital contract funds in the amount of $20,800,875 are obligated for the base period, and will not expire. The Navy's Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C3003). Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $19,590,756 modification (P00020) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-17-C-0033). This modification provides for the procurement of software design and system integration, qualification testing, and cybersecurity activities as well as engineering services in support the MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Air System. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance; and aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,590,756 will be obligated at time of award, $12,080,557 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded a $13,930,396 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for engineering, training, integrated logistics support, installation/checkout of developed systems and support services for Harpoon Ship Command Launch Control Set, Encapsulated Harpoon Command and Launch Systems, and Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System, Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response, and Harpoon missiles. These efforts are in support of the Navy and the governments of Brazil, Chile, Israel, Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, Turkey, U.K., Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Germany, India, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Thailand, Greece, Qatar, and Belgium. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri, and locations inside and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed in December 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be issued against individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-D-0010). Joyce & Associates Construction Inc.,* Newport, North Carolina, is awarded $9,058,945 for firm-fixed-price task order N4008519F4580 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-16-D-6302) for repairs to waste water collection system core area at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The work to be performed provides for various repairs to the sanitary and industrial waste water system including gravity lines, force mains, lift stations and appurtenances and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Havelock, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by April 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $9,058,945 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-16-D-6302). Lyon Shipyard, Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $7,994,140 firm-fixed-price, single-award contract for the repair, maintenance and modernization of USNS Prevail (TSV 1) during the ship's docking phased maintenance availability. The work of this contract consists of temporary services, structural repairs, hull gauging, electrical, mechanical, piping and other miscellaneous repair work. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,994,140 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. This contract was procured as a competitive small business set-aside under the North American Industry Classification 336611 for shipbuilding and repair. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N50054-19-C-0002). DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY Military Produce Group LLC, Norfolk, Virginia, is being awarded an indefinite-delivery, requirements type contract to provide fresh fruits and vegetable products for commissaries located in the east areas of the continental U.S. The award amount is estimated at $146,066,237 for the base year. Actual obligations using Resale Stock Activity Group, Defense Working Capital Funds will occur upon issuance of delivery orders during the period of performance. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is for a 24-month base period beginning Feb. 11, 2019, through Feb. 7, 2021. The contract includes three one-year option periods. If all three option periods are exercised, the contract will be completed Feb. 4, 2024. The Defense Commissary Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HDEC02-19-D-0001). AIR FORCE Robbins-Gioia LLC, Alexandria, Virginia (FA7014-19-D-5001); and Synergy Solutions and Innovations, Arlington, Virginia (FA7014-19-D-5000), have been awarded a ceiling $50,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-priced with time and material elements, multiple award contract for the Business Capability Lifecycle Management Projects. This contract is for exploring more effective and efficient ways to support Air Force business operations and refine the development of Defense Business System requirements supporting the business mission area information technology by leveraging existing technologies owned by the Air Force, streamlining and standardizing business processes across the Air Force, and developing integrated solutions that are achievable in a constrained fiscal environment. This contract shall also be used for technical and engineering; information and data management, process engineering, performance assessment, change management, facilitation, project management, and scheduling. Work will be performed primarily in Washington, District of Columbia., and is expected to be completed Jan. 24, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and seven offers were received. A total of two task orders using fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $27,405 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $33,732,110 ceiling requirements contract for C-130J long-term sustainment support for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The estimated value of the first order is $6,155,584. Contractor will provide the Royal Norwegian Air Force with return and repair support, spares support, engineering support, and in-country representative support for their C-130J aircraft platform. Work will be performed in Marietta, Georgia, and Gardermoen Air Station, Norway, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and is 100 percent Foreign Military Sales for Norway. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8553-19-D-0001). Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $18,728,697 modification (P00007) to exercise an option on contract FA8106-16-D-0006 for engineering services to provide support the C-20 and C-37 fleet for Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. This modification adds the third increment of the five-year, multi-year basic contract. Work will be performed in Savannah, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2020. Fiscal 2019 Air Force, Army, and Navy operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,495,503 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $83,700,000. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Space Dynamics Laboratory, North Logan, Utah, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $18,295,163 undefinitized contract action for the tasking, collecting, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (TCPED) capability to support the Republic of Korea Global Hawk program. This contract provides for the procurement of the TCPED system, spares and support equipment, sustainment support, and system familiarization. Work will be performed at North Logan, Utah, and is expected to be completed by May 2020. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Republic of Korea. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $9,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-19-C-1002). ARMY Pate Construction Company Inc.,* Pueblo West, Colorado, was awarded a $23,978,896 firm-fixed-price contract for a procurement project consisting of 8,100 feet of reinforced concrete lined channel or concrete box culvert for the existing McKinley ditch. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Alamogordo, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 15, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $23,978,896 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (W912PP-19-C-0014). Vertex Aerospace, Madison, Mississippi, was awarded a $9,086,502 modification (P00300) to contract W58RGZ-13-C-0044 for aviation field maintenance services. Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,086,502 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Shilog LTD,* McAlester, Oklahoma, was awarded a $7,777,536 firm-fixed-price contract for Polybutadiene, Liquid, Hydroxyl-Terminated, Type II. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W52P1J-19-D-3015). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Bren-Tronics Inc.,* Commack, New York, has been awarded a maximum $9,832,972 firm-fixed-price contract for storage batteries. This is a six-month base contract with a five-month option that is being exercised at the time of award. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. Location of performance is New York, with a Dec. 23, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7L719C0005). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1741001/source/GovDelivery/

AIR FORCE Harris Corp., Space and Intelligence Systems, Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $72,261,464 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Combat Mission Systems Support (CMSS) program. The CMSS contract will sustain the Space and Missile Systems Center portfolio of ground-based electronic warfare systems and develop the Counter Communications System Block 10.3. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Palm Bay, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 29, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $11,733,417; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,190,818 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8819-19-C-0002). Spectrum Federal Solutions LLC, St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded an $8,585,466 firm-fixed-price modification (P00003) to contract FA7014-18-C-1000 for procurement of various health care providers. The contract modification is for exercise of an option for embedded health care providers into various high-risk units and locations to provide assistance and treatment for airmen. Work will be performed in St. Louis, and is expected to be completed Jan. 31, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Jan. 10, 2019) ARMY Olin Corp. - Winchester Division, East Alton, Illinois, was awarded an $85,131,683 modification (P00036) to contract W52P1J-16-C-0003 for 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 caliber ammunition. Work will be performed in Oxford, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2020. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $85,131,683 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. L3 Technologies Inc., Victor, New York, was awarded a $68,964,170 modification (P00005) to contract W56JSR-17-D-0006 to test, inspect and repair components of the CSS VSAT AN/TSC-183A system. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Ibis Tek Inc.,* Butler, Pennsylvania (W15QKN-19-D-0016); and O'Gara Hess & Eisenhardt Armoring Company LLC,* Fairfield, Ohio (W15QKN-19-D-0017), will share in a $49,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for armor hardware turret systems, platform integration kits, spare parts and hardware kits. Bids were solicited via the internet with 14 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 23, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. AECOM Management Services Corp., Germantown, Maryland, was awarded a $9,050,209 firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of linear demolition charge systems, spares and data items for the Assault Breacher vehicle weapon system. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 17, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0003). Goodwill Industries of San Antonio,* San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $7,886,436 modification (P00003) to contract W81K04-18-C-0002 for record processing services. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 operations and maintenance, Army (subject to availability of funds) funds in the amount of $7,886,436 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. NAVY Thales Defense and Security Inc., Clarksburg, Maryland, is awarded a $30,931,029 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the continued procurement, manufacturing, testing and delivery of High Frequency Distribution Amplifier Group system components and engineering services. This contract has a five-year ordering period up to the contract award amount. Work will be performed in Clarksburg, Maryland (55 percent); and West Sussex, United Kingdom (45 percent). Work is expected to be completed by January 2024. Contract actions will be issued and funds obligated as individual delivery orders. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds will be placed on contract with an initial delivery order issued shortly after award of the base contract. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured because it is a sole-source acquisition pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source (Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 6.302-1). The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-19-D-0001). Harper Construction Co., Inc., San Diego, California, is awarded $17,281,265 for firm-fixed-price task order N6247319F4183 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-18-D-5853) for design and construction of a Marine Corps Reserve Training Center and a vehicle maintenance facility at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, California. The task order also contains two planned modifications, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $17,429,251. Work will be performed in Seal Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by February 2021. Fiscal 2019 military construction (Navy Reserve) contract funds in the amount of $17,281,265 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $16,322,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee order against previously awarded contract N00024-11-C-2301 to provide engineering, management, and production services in support of prefabrication efforts, material procurement, and execution of work items for littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS-20) extended industrial post-delivery availability (EIPDA). The EIPDA is accomplished within a period of approximately 12 weeks between the time of ship custody transfer to the Navy and the shipbuilding and conversion, (Navy) obligation work limiting date. Efforts will include program management, advance planning, engineering, design, prefabrication, and material kitting. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, and is expected to be complete by August 2019. Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,011,000; fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $2,550,000; and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $600,000 will be obligated at time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair Gulf Coast, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1739856/source/GovDelivery/

Par Yann Cochennec Après s'être vu confier la fourniture et le MCO des 36 Airbus H120 pour la formation des pilotes militaires, HeliDax vient de remporter le contrat de maintenance des Airbus Fennec de l'ALAT. La nouvelle Direction de la maintenance aéronautique (DMAé) vient d'attribuer à la société HeliDax le MCO des 18 hélicoptères Airbus AS355N ou Fennec de l'ALAT au Cannet des Maures. Un contrat d'une durée de dix ans dont le montant n'est pas précisé et qui vont se traduire par la création de 26 emplois, souligne HeliDax. Huit seront affectés au siège de la société à Dax, trois dans un régiment de l'ALAT dans le nord-est de la France et quinze au Cannet des Maures, au sein de l'Ecole de l'ALAT et de la base Ecole Général Lejay. HeliDax s'est déjà vue confier la fourniture, le MCO et la gestion des 36 Airbus Helicopters H120 destinés à la formation des pilotes des forces françaises et de l'armée belge. http://www.air-cosmos.com/helidax-fera-le-mco-des-airbus-fennec-de-l-alat-119655

L3 MAS announced on Jan. 24 that it was competitively awarded the Flight Sciences Technical Investigation and Engineering Support (FS TIES) contract from the Government of Canada for the provision of flight sciences engineering support to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) across all its fleets. The one-year contract includes four one-year option periods. “L3 MAS is honoured to be selected by the Royal Canadian Air Force to offer technically superior, innovative and cost-effective flight sciences solutions for its fleets of aircraft,” said Jacques Comtois, vice-president and general manager of L3 MAS. “For nearly 15 years, under this very specialized contract, L3 MAS has successfully provided the RCAF with FS TIES services that encompass numerous engineering disciplines.” L3 MAS has an exceptional range of engineering skills, strategic suppliers and experience managing complex projects that include FS TIES in a collaborative team environment. With over 200 engineers and technologists, L3 MAS provides innovative and cost-effective solutions for its customers. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/l3-mas-wins-flight-sciences-technical-investigation-and-engineering-support-contract