Contract: Raytheon, $497.1M

Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $497,131,017 firm-fixed-price contract to procure missiles, instrumentation units, test equipment, guidance sections, hardware, and contractor logistics support. The location of the performance is Tucson, Ariz. Work is to be completed by Jan. 31, 2015. AAC/EBAC, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/30/12)

F-22 oxygen issue a mystery

The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board can't explain what caused blackouts and dizziness among pilots flying F-22 Raptors. A separate investigation of the oxygen problem by Lockheed Martin is continuing. The F-22 is considered safe and continues to fly, with pilots using sensors, filters and other safety steps to mitigate potential problems. The fleet was grounded for four months last year after pilots complained of lack of oxygen. Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is the home of the 325th Fighter Wing, whose primary mission is to provide air training for F-22 pilots, as well as maintenance personnel and air battle managers. (Sources: multiple, including AP via Business Week, Military, 03/30/12, ABC News, Panama City News Herald, 03/29/12)

Eglin's top civilian retiring

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Bruce Simpson, executive director of the Air Armament Center, plans to retire April 3 after a 31-year tenure. As head of AAC, Simpson was the center acquisition chief in charge of buying and developing weapons systems, as well as the top-ranking civilian on base. His retirement comes on the eve of a planned reorganization. The Air Force wants to absorb the Air Armament Center and two other centers into the new Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/29/12)

Historic engines to be recovered?

The five Rocketdyne F-1 engines that in July 1969 powered the first stage of the Saturn V rocket that launched Apollo 11 for its rendezvous with the moon have been found in the Atlantic Ocean. They were found by Bezos Expeditions, owned by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com. He said he hopes to raise one or more of the engines, which are owned by NASA, to put on display. The five engines, built in California, were assembled into the first stage at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Michoud was the manufacturing center for the entire Saturn V system. (Sources: multiple, including MSNBC, Time, New Orleans Times Picayune, 03/29/12) The F-1 engines were tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. When the five-engine cluster was test-fired for the first time in March 1967, windows shattered in nearby communities from the 7.5 million pounds of thrust; Bezos also founded Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., which soon will test its BE-3 engine thrust chamber assembly at Stennis Space Center’s E-1 test stand.

New type plastic bleeds, heals

A self-repairing plastic that turns red to show it's damaged could be important for big structures like bridges, aircraft and even battlefield weapons systems. Self-healing plastic isn't a new concept, but researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., developed one that keeps repairing itself. Professor Marek Urban presented the results of the research at the National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, Calif., this week. The research is partly funded by the Department of Defense. (Sources: PCWorld, 03/27/12, CNET, 03/28/12)

F-35 lifetime cost: $1.45 trillion

The government projects that the total cost to develop, buy and operate the Lockheed Martin F-35 will be $1.45 trillion over 50-plus years, according to a Pentagon document obtained by Reuters. The estimate is up from about $1 trillion a year ago, and includes inflation -- a third of the projected F-35 operating costs. Military officials and industry executives point out that no other weapons program's costs have been calculated over such a long period. (Source: Reuters, 03/29/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.

EU balks over merger

The European Commission is taking a closer look at the proposed $16.5 billion merger between United Technologies and Goodrich. One of the concerns is the high market share of a combined UT/Goodrich in areas such as engine controls and power generators, where UT's Hamilton Sundstrand unit and Goodrich are competitors. UT unveiled the takeover in September last year, which would reinforce its presence in the civilian aerospace market. Goodrich parts are used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus' A320neo. The probe, which could last until August, may lead to the sale of assets to get approval for the deal. Hartford, Conn.-based UT's aviation activities include Sikorsky and Pratt and Whitney. It makes an array of products, including rocket engines, helicopters and elevators. Charlotte, N.C.-based Goodrich makes aircraft equipment including landing gears and electrical power systems. (Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, 03/27/12) Previous. Gulf Coast note: UT's Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne has an operation at Stennis Space Center, Miss.; Goodrich has a service center in Foley, Ala.

Ribbon-cutting set for expansion

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Avionics company LSI's Pensacola branch will have a ribbon-cutting Thursday for its newest expansion. The company retrofits helicopters for the military to use as training platforms. LSI operates out of a 20,000 square foot building and is expanding into a recently completed 10,000 square foot adjacent building. The company has said that by the end of the year it expects to add 20 workers to the 40 now working there. LSI is based in Jacksonville, Fla. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 03/27/12) Previous

Group tackling space debris

Although the U.S. Air Force tracks space debris swirling around the planet, some of the world's biggest commercial satellite operators are sharing data to help prevent collisions in what's considered a growing problem. They've formed the Space Data Association to create computer tools that help in what's called "space situational awareness." The swirling mass around Earth includes operational spacecraft and debris, and it's getting harder to track, much less clean up. (Source: Aviation Week, 03/27/12) Gulf Coast note: The 20th Space Control Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., tracks some 22,000 orbiting satellites with the world's most powerful radar. Previous post

CHARTS used in survey

BELIZE CITY, Belize -- The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) has been using airborne laser and imagery systems since early February to conduct cooperative hydrographic surveys in the coastal waters of Belize. It's part of a long-term project to survey the western Caribbean Sea off the coasts of Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua. The surveys are designed to improve safety of navigation by mapping the seafloor and locating shallow reefs and other obstructions in the approaches to Belize's major ports, Belize City and Big Creek, and are being conducted in cooperation with the government of Belize. The airborne laser system, called Compact Hydrographic Airborne Rapid Total Survey (CHARTS) system, uses light to map the bottom. U.S. and Belize governments will use the data for new charts. (Source: NNS, 03/27/12) NAVOCEANO is based at Stennis Space Center, Miss., and the CHARTS program is run by the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Miss.

Mississippi company showcased

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NVision, a Mississippi company that partnered with Stennis Space Center to create a disaster information system, is one of seven companies that will be highlighted in the 2012 NASA Technology Day on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. NVision, located at the Stennis Technology Park adjacent to SSC, teamed with NASA to create the Real-time Emergency Action Coordination Tool (REACT), which incorporates maps, reports, Internet-driven data and real-time sensor date into a geographical information system-based display to provide information during emergency and disaster situations. NASA Technology Day on Capitol Hill is sponsored annually by the agency's Office of the Chief Technologist to showcase technologies that improve life, and to inform Congress and the public about the secondary benefits of NASA partnerships and technology. (Source: NASA/SSC, 03/27/12)

F-35s continue sorties

F-35 pilots at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., have flown more than a half-dozen local area orientation flights around the base since flight operations began March 6, Flightglobal reports. Two pilots, one from the Air Force and the other from the Marine Corps, are flying the local sorties to gauge the readiness of the 33rd Fighter Wing's new F-35A, a conventional take-off and landing variant. (Source: Flightglobal, 03/27/12) Eglin will train pilots and maintainers from all branches of the services that will use the F-35, as well as pilots and maintainers from foreign purchasers.

Is BRAC 2013 dead?

Lawmakers are taking issue with the Pentagon over the request for two new BRAC rounds. One reason lawmakers are balking is the high cost of a BRAC at a time of belt tightening. Savings won't come for years. Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., the chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Armed Services' Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee, both denounced the Pentagon's request for a base closure round in 2013. McCaskill said she's willing to allow the closure of bases overseas, but not domestic bases at this point. Unless the Pentagon can change her mind, her opposition kills a 2013 BRAC round. (Sources: Defense Communities Daily, Navy Times, 03/21/12) Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the request for two new rounds of BRAC should be compared to the cost effectiveness of the first four BRAC rounds, not those done in 2005 to transform installations to match force structure. (Source: American Forces Press Services, 03/21/12)

Forest threat tool released

A Web tool that tracks threats to the nation's forests has been released by the USDA Forest Service. Called ForWarn, it's a satellite-based monitoring and assessment tool that can detect threats from fire, disease or other causes before the threat increases in severity or extent. It provides information on weekly changes in forest canopy conditions as they are impacted by insects, diseases, wildfires or extreme weather events. NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss., worked with the Forest Service to develop the system. The prototype has successfully operated since January 2010 and uses NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite to track changes in vegetation. ForWarn uses a web-based map tool, the Forest Change Assessment Viewer, to provide an 8-day coast-to-coast snapshot of the landscape. The coverage area is immense. According to the U.S. Forest Service, there are some 747 million acres of forest in the United States. (Source: Tcp, 03/22/12) Website and release. Background story

SBIRS beats expectations

The first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous earth orbit satellite is exceeding performance requirements in a series of tests. SBIRS GEO 1 was launched by an Atlas V in May 2011 from Florida. Within two months it began sharing initial data with mission partners to determine performance. Sensors are detecting targets 25 percent dimmer than requirements, and payload pointing is nine times more precise than required. SBIRS provides early missile warning capability and improves other critical mission areas. "We've been extremely pleased with the performance of this first-of-its-kind spacecraft," said Col. James Planeaux, director of the Infrared Space Systems Directorate. (Sources: Spaceflight, 03/19/12, Space War, 03/21/12) Gulf Coast note: SBIRS is an A2100 satellite-based spacecraft. Work on the A2100 core's propulsion system, which positions the spacecraft in orbit, is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous

US Airways to add flight

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- The start of daily direct flights between Northwest Florida Regional Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is still a few days away. But it's popular enough US Airways plans to add a second flight. The late afternoon flights start next week on a 50-seat regional jet. Starting July 11 the airline will add a second, morning flight. Northwest Florida Regional Airport is at Eglin Air Force Base. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/20/12)

CSG test shows fix needed

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Testing of a vital component for the A-3 test stand did exactly what it was intended to do: it showed a problem in the chemical steam generator (CSG) that needs to be fixed. In testing at the E-2 facility, the two-inch angle-globe valves supplied with the unit were unable to stand up to operating conditions. Pieces of the seat material were "liberated" from the seat and valve stem, possibly allowing propellants to leak into the combustion chambers after minimal operational cycles, according to NASA. The procurement office is issuing a request for proposal from small businesses for 27 liquid oxygen (LOX) valves, 27 isopropyl alcohol (IPA) valves and related items. The new A-3 test stand will use nine three-module CSG units to generate superheated steam needed to create a vacuum that allows operators to test next-generation rocket engines at simulated high altitudes up to 100,000 feet. (Source: Tcp, 03/21/12) NASA solicitation; Previous related post

Robot to robot refueling tested

WASHINGTON -- The Naval Research Laboratory successfully demonstrated the robotic fluids transfer from a stationary platform to an unmanned surface vehicle in wave heights greater than three feet. The Rapid Autonomous Fuel Transfer project was able to track the motion of a Sea Fox naval vessel, emplace a magnetic refueling fitting to an on-board receptacle and complete fluids transfer. The testing was done at the Army Aberdeen Test Center wave simulator facility. Further robotic transfer tests may include land-based autonomous vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicle. (Source: NRL via Business Wire, 03/20/12) Gulf Coast note: This region is heavily involved in unmanned systems, including aerial and maritime, and is a major shipbuilding region; the NRL has an operation at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Blue Angels back home

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team is back in Pensacola after 12 weeks of training in El Centro, Calif. The team's practice sessions are open to the public. Regular practice takes place most Tuesdays and Wednesday through November. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 03/19/12)

NASA: E-4 a "great opportunity"

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- A NASA official says an under-utilized test stand at Stennis Space Center is a "great opportunity" for a company interested in a partnership with NASA. The federal agency since November has been gauging industry interest in the E-4 Test Facility, which consists of a high-bay work area, control room space, personnel offices and concrete test cells. It also has road and barge canal access and utilities. The E-4 Test Facility can also be expanded to meet future requirements. "This is a great opportunity for a commercial company to explore partnership possibilities with NASA," said Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate Associate Director John Stealey. Projects conducted at the E-4 Test Facility also will have the ability to access Stennis onsite amenities and support capabilities, including cafeteria, medical clinic, laboratory, component, information technology, institutional and other services. (Source: NASA/SSC, 03/19/12) Previous