DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, For Logistics Services in Support of The AC-130W and AC-130J

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, For Logistics Services in Support of The AC-130W and AC-130J 

Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD CR-054-15 Dated March 24, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 25, 2015: Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, has been awarded a $15,117,867 modification to exercise and option (P00006) to previously awarded contract FA8509-14-C-0001. The modification provides for contractor logistics services in support of the AC-130W and AC-130J precision strike package.

Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; Hurlburt Field, Florida; and various deployment locations, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2016. Fiscal year 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $15,117,867 are being obligated at the time of award. 

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD CR-054-15 Dated March 24, 2015
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DTN News - AIR SHOW: Melbourne Air & Space Show Rocks Florida'

DTN News - AIR SHOW: Melbourne Air & Space Show Rocks Florida's Space Coast 

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Spaceflight Insider
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 24, 2015 (MELBOURNE, Fla):  The skies above the Melbourne International Airport roared with the sounds of jet and propeller-driven aircraft this weekend. The show was held from March 21-22 and included the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the F-22 Raptor demonstration team, U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team – and an array of other government and civilian organizations.

From our perspective in the control tower, the show comes across as an exercise in logistics. In particular, we were able to witness first-hand the interaction between the air-traffic control tower, the “show boss” who controls the airspace during the rehearsals, and the show and the Blue Angels administrative officer they send to the tower. The coordination involved – is nothing short of amazing.

Melbourne Air and Space Show - Friday Dress Rehearsals F-16 Viper Demonstration Team photo credit Michael Seeley SpaceFlight Insider
An F-16 leaves its wake in the sky. Photo Credit: Michael Seeley / SpaceFlight Insider

Another aspect that was particularly notable is that the show’s producers value partnerships with schools and universities. The reason behind these efforts is to inspire youth to pursue education and fields that relate to Science Technology Engineering and Math, more commonly known as “STEM”. Brevard Schools sent students out to see the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels arrive, and the Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Aeronautics students and faculty were on hand at a “hangar party”.

SpaceFlight Insider was surprised to find how maneuverable the C-130 – called “Fat Albert” – that the Blue Angels utilizes is.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angel Demonstration Team in their F/A-18 Hornets fly in a tight formation during rehearsals caried out on March 19, 2015. Photo Credit: Michael Seeley / SpaceFlight Insider

Major Dusty Cook (USMC) is one of the aircraft’s pilots. He spoke about how his performance (steep climbs, tight turns and a fast landing with a very short stop) serves to demonstrate the capabilities of the C-130. Cook detailed that he has a special sense of responsibility toward the iconic aircraft and its vital role in allowing the Blue Angels to perform.

Fat Albert carries pallets of repair supplies and equipment to maintain the Blue Angels fleet, and 40-60 mechanical/maintenance staff. Cook noted that he and the team he works with strive to maintain the craft within operational specs.


“I’m leaving it for someone else to fly, so I feel a duty and obligation to turn it over in perfect condition,” Cook said.

*Related Images of Melbourne Air & Space Show;

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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, For One USAF HC-130J And Other Previous Awarded Contracts

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, For One USAF HC-130J And Other Previous Awarded Contracts

Source: DTN News + CR-053-15 Dated March 23, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015: Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $72,721,898 modification (P00394) to previous awarded contract FA8625-11-C-6597 for fiscal year2013 congressional add aircraft procurement. 

Contractor will provide one HC-130J production aircraft under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2017. 

Fiscal year 2013 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $36,360,949 are being obligated at the time of award. 


Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-11-C-6597).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + CR-053-15 Dated March 23, 2015
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US DoD Awarded $ 220 Million Contract To Lockheed Martin For Support of Conventional Take Off And Landing (CTOL) For Israeli F-35A

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US DoD Awarded $ 220 Million Contract To Lockheed Martin For Support of Conventional Take Off And Landing (CTOL) For Israeli F-35A

Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-207-14 October 28, 2014

(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala India - October 28, 2014: Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $220,748,611 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0070). 

This modification provides for the System Development and Demonstration Phase I Increment 2, to continue support of F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) air system for the government of Israel under the foreign military sales program. 

This modification includes the development and demonstration of the hardware and software for the Israel F-35A CTOL air system. 

Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2019. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $77,777,441 are being obligated on this 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.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-207-14 October 28, 2014
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US DoD Awarded $ 391 Million Contract To Lockheed Martin Support For Delivered Air Systems Related To The F-35 Lightning II Program

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US DoD Awarded $ 391 Million Contract To Lockheed Martin Support For Delivered Air Systems Related To The F-35 Lightning II Program 

Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-207-14 October 28, 2014

(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala India - October 28, 2014: Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $391,607,952 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide recurring sustainment support for delivered air systems for the F-35 Lightning II program including, but not limited to: ground maintenance activities; action request resolution; depot activation activities; Automatic Logistics Information System operations and maintenance; reliability, maintainability and health management implementation and support; supply chain management; and activities to provide and support pilot and maintainer initial training for the U.S Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and international partners. 

Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, California (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Florida (10 percent); Nashua, New Hampshire (5 percent); and Baltimore, Maryland (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2015. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps) funds, and international partner funds in the amount of $360,313,730, are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured according to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Maryland is the contract activity (N00019-15-C-0031).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-207-14 October 28, 2014
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Top Air Force General Doesn't Know If F-22 Successor Will Even Fly

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Top Air Force General Doesn't Know If F-22 Successor Will Even Fly

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Joel Gehrke - Washington Examiner

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 24, 2014: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh doesn't know if the successor to the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force's fifth generation fighter, will fly.

"I don't even know that it's an airplane," Welsh told reporters Wednesday morning. "I wouldn't try and characterize it or describe it. I have no idea yet what it's going to look like, even is, whether it flies, or whether it's a combination of things — just don't know."

Welsh said that Air Force officials have to begin thinking about "what does air superiority look like 30 years from now" because the government doesn't react quickly enough to be prepared with the necessary technology if the research doesn't begin very far in advance.

Lockheed Martin, which made the F-22, would like the fighter's successor to have "greater speed, range, stealth and self-healing structures; developments that will require new breakthroughs in propulsion, materials, power generation and weapon technology," according to a 2012 report from Air Force Technology.

The development of the F-22 was undermined by high costs, though. "Alarmed by soaring costs, the Defense Department shut down production last year after spending $67.3 billion on just 188 planes -- leaving the Air Force to rely mainly on its fleet of 30-year-old conventional fighters," the Los Angeles Times noted in 2013.

"The Air Force began laying plans to build the F-22 in the early 1980s. A decade later, it estimated it would take nine years and $12.6 billion to develop the jet, but it ended up taking 19 years and costing $26.3 billion, not including the production of any aircraft. By the time production was completed, the F-22 cost an average of $412 million each, up from the original estimate of $149 million."

Related U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Aircraft Images;

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Joel Gehrke - Washington Examiner
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas Related To V-22 Tiltrotor Aircraft For U.S. Air Force

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas Related To V-22 Tiltrotor Aircraft For U.S. Air Force

Source: This article compiled by K. V. Seth  DTN News - Defense-Technology News & U.S. DoD issued No.  CR-43 -14 March 7, 2014 & Bell Boeing

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 12, 2014:  Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $76,100,722 modification to the previously awarded V-22 fixed-price-incentive-fee lot 17-21 multiyear contract (N00019-12-C-2001).  

This modification exercises an option for the manufacture and delivery of one CV-22 tiltrotor aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.  

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (24.6 percent); Ridley Park, Pa. (19.2 percent), Amarillo, Texas (10.4 percent), Dallas, Texas (4.3 percent); East Aurora, N.Y. (2.5 percent); Park City, Utah (1.7 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (1.3 percent); Endicott, N.Y. (1 percent); Ontario, Canada (.9 percent); Tempe, Ariz. (.8 percent); Rome, N.Y. (.7 percent); Torrance, Calif. (.7 percent); Luton, United Kingdom (.6 percent); Clifton, N.J. (.6 percent); Salisbury, Md. (.6 percent); Los Angeles, Calif. (.6 percent); Cobham, United Kingdom (.6 percent); Irvine, Calif. (.6 percent); San Diego, Calif. (.5 percent); Yakima, Wash. (.5 percent); Brea, Calif. (.5 percent); Rockmart, Ga. (.5 percent); McKinney, Texas (.4 percent); Albuquerque, N.M. (.4 percent); Whitehall, Mich. (.4 percent); Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (.4 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (.4 percent); Erie, Pa. (.3 percent); Vergennes, Vt. (.3 percent); Kilgore, Texas (.3 percent); Shelby, N.C. (.3 percent); Avon, Ohio (.2 percent); Santa Clarita, Calif. (.2 percent); Garden City, N.Y. (.2 percent); El Cajon, Calif. (.2 percent); Corinth, Texas (.2 percent); Sylmar, Calif. (.2 percent); Westbury, N.Y. (.1 percent); and various other locations inside and outside the United States (21.8 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016.  
Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Air Force and Special Operations Command funds in the amount of $76,100,722 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, Md., is the contracting activity.

Inside the Osprey
At twice the speed of a helicopter, the Osprey carries 24 combat troops, or up to 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg) of internal cargo or 15,000 pounds (6,804 kg) of external cargo. Its cargo bay can accommodate nine litters with medical personnel and equipment.

Powerful and Reliable Engines
Two Rolls-Royce AE1107C Liberty turboshaft engines supply power for the V-22, producing 6,150 shp (4,586 kW) each. For safe, reliable flight, the V-22's cross-coupled transmissions allow either engine, separately or together, to power the rotors.

Ship Shaped
Designed with folding rotors and a rotating wing, the V-22 fits nicely in the maritime base. It stores compactly on board an aircraft carrier or assault ship in a minimal footprint. With air-to-air refueling capability, it meets the U.S. Navy requirements for combat search and rescue, fleet logistics support, and special warfare support.

Multi-Missioned
The V-22's multi-mission capability is like no other. From all manner of assault, support or transport to whatever the need requires in a speed-to-scene, coupled with a hovering capability, the Osprey delivers faster, better - and without peer.

Production Facts:
• The V-22 is produced under a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and The Boeing Company.

• Under the current program of record, the Marine Corps will purchase 360 MV-22s for missions including amphibious assault, ship-to-objective maneuvers and sustained operations ashore.

• The Navy is also slated to get 48 MV-22s, which could be used for fleet logistic support and search and rescue.

• The Air Force Special Operations Command acquired 50 CV-22 variants, with enhanced capabilities tailored for their unique mission requirements. The CV-22 reached initial operational capability in 2009, while the Marines' variant deployed in late 2007.


• The first operational Marine Osprey squadron, VMM-263, stood up at New River,NC, on March 3, 2006, with many of its pilots going through training at VMMT-204. The first operational AFSOC unit received the CV-22 was the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL, on November 16, 2006.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources US DoD issued No.  CR-43 -14 March 7, 2014 & Bell Boeing
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DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: US Deploys Fighter Jets In Poland And Lithuania Amid Ukrainian Turmoil

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: US Deploys Fighter Jets In Poland And Lithuania Amid Ukrainian Turmoil

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources RT
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 11, 2014: The US is sending a dozen F-16 fighter jets and nearly 300 service personnel to Poland by Thursday as part of a training exercise in response to the crisis in neighboring Ukraine, the Polish defense ministry confirmed.

The agreement to deploy US military forces in Poland was made between US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and Poland’s Minister of National Defense Tomasz Siemoniak during a telephone conversation on Sunday, March 9, 2014, according to a statement on the official website of the Polish Ministry of National Defense.

"The squadron will number twelve F-16 planes and will transport 300 soldiers," Polish Defense Ministry spokesman, Jacek Sonta, confirmed to AFP.

Initially, the training exercise was planned to be smaller but was increased and pushed forward because of the “tense political situation” in neighboring Ukraine, added Sonta.

The ministry also said that the aim of sending the units is to “strengthen Polish - American cooperation.” Part of the preparation team of US Air Force has already arrived on Polish territory.

The fighters were sent on the initiative of the Polish government, an initiative immediately accepted by Washington.

On Monday, NATO also gave the go-ahead to Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) for reconnaissance flights over Poland and Romania in order help monitor the crisis in Ukraine.

Poland is a western neighbor of crisis-torn Ukraine - between the countries’ capitals, Warsaw and Kiev, there is less than 700 km.

Earlier, the Polish media reported that US fighter jets would be stationed at the Lask air force base in central Poland.

Washington is also sending four F-15 planes to Lithuania in response to “Russian aggression in Ukraine and increased military activity in Kaliningrad,” according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.

On Saturday, US Navy destroyer, the USS Truxtun, crossed Turkey's Bosphorus and entered the Black Sea. The ship, with around 300 crew, was heading to “previously planned” training exercises with the Bulgarian and Romanian navies. When the vessel appeared in the Black Sea, Fox News declared that NATO’s bolstering presence in the Black Sea is a “defensive” measure to counter “Russian military aggression” in Ukraine.

USS Truxton, one of the largest destroyers ever built for the US navy, will reportedly stay in the Black Sea till mid-March as the Montreux Convention allows a warship of any non-Black Sea country to stay in the region for 21 day only.

The situation in Ukraine is close to financial and humanitarian catastrophe after the armed coup which took place in February. There are mass protests in eastern and southern parts of the country against the self-proclaimed authorities in Kiev.

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea has scheduled a referendum for March 16 on whether it wants to remain part of Ukraine, or join Russia.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources RT
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DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: NATO To Fly AWACS Planes Over Poland, Romania To Monitor Ukraine Crisis

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: NATO To Fly AWACS Planes Over Poland, Romania To Monitor Ukraine Crisis

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 11, 2014: NATO will start reconnaissance flights over Poland and Romania to monitor the situation in neighboring Ukraine where Russian forces have taken control of Crimea, the alliance said on Monday.

Ukraine is not a NATO member but Russia's intervention in Crimea has alarmed neighboring countries, including alliance members that used to be dominated by the Soviet Union.

Acting on a recommendation from the alliance's top military commander, U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, NATO ambassadors gave the go-ahead to the AWACS flights, a NATO spokesman said.

AWACS (airborne early warning and control) planes will fly from their home airbases in Geilenkirchen, Germany, and Waddington in Britain, the spokesman said.

"These flights will enhance the alliance's situational awareness and all will take place solely over alliance territory," he said.

The flights will start soon and go on for as long as required, he added.

The Western military alliance announced a review of its cooperation with Moscow last week after Russian forces tightened their grip on Crimea, home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, following weeks of upheaval in Ukraine which culminated in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovich.

NATO allies met last Tuesday after Poland invoked a rule allowing any ally to consult with the others if it feels its security is under threat.

Soon after that meeting, U.S. officials said the Pentagon would more than double the number of U.S. fighter jets on a NATO air patrol mission in the Baltics and do more training with Poland's air force in an attempt to reassure allies.

The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U.S. and NATO air defense forces. As proven in Desert Storm, it is the premier air battle command and control aircraft in the world today.

(Reporting by Adrian Croft; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
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DTN News: U.S. To Provide A C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft To Airlift Rwandan Soldiers To Central African Republic

DTN News: U.S. To Provide A C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft To Airlift Rwandan Soldiers To Central African Republic

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 3, 2014: Rwandan soldiers wait in line to board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in Kigali, Rwanda, Jan. 19, 2014. 

U.S. forces were dispatched to provide airlift assistance to multinational troops in support of an African Union effort to quell violence in the Central African Republic. 
(DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane, U.S. Air Force/Released)

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The F-18 Fighter Jet - America’s Go-To Multipurpose Strike Fighter

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The F-18 Fighter Jet - America’s Go-To Multipurpose Strike Fighter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources  Washington Times

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 16, 2014: Since the 1960s, the U.S. Navy has needed a reliable carrier-based strike fighter, and the F-18 and its different iterations have answered the call.

To this day, the fighter jet is considered “the most advanced multi-role strike fighter available” to the U.S. Armed Forces, according to the U.S. Navy.

Also known as the “backbone of U.S. naval aviation strike warfare,” the F-18 Hornet — the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model — is capable of performing “virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum,” the U.S. Navy reported.

Today, Northrop Grumman plays a principal role in the aircraft’s design and production. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block II, which can reach speeds of 1,360 mph and altitudes up to 50,000 feet, boasts a combat range of 1,275 nautical miles, according to the Navy.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a combat-proven strike fighter with built-in versatility. The Super Hornet's suite of integrated and networked systems provides enhanced interoperability, total force support for the combatant commander and for the troops on the ground.


Both the single seat E and two-seat F models convert quickly from one mission type to the next with the flip of a switch to provide consistent air dominance:

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Washington Times
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Another C-130J Super Hercules Rolls to “The Rock”

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Another C-130J Super Hercules Rolls to “The Rock”

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 14, 2013: The 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., received another C-130J Super Hercules that was ferried from the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] plant here by a U.S. Air Force crew, Dec. 12, 2013.

The 61st, which has operated C-130s since 1956, is part of Air Mobility Command's 19th Airlift Wing.

The US Air Force (USAF) is planning to procure another set of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

USAF has expressed its interest in awarding second multi-year procurement contract for 79 C-130J Hercules tactical transports, according to a notice issued by the agency's Federal Business Opportunities.

"The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), is planning for the procurement of seventy-nine (79), C-130J aircraft or C-130J variants, associated mission equipment, and related support for all systems for FY14-FY18 Multi-Year buy, with an option to purchase USCG five (5) HC-130J aircraft," the document reported.

Being the latest version in the C-130 Hercules family, C-130J turboprop military transport aircraft comes with updated technology including four engines, flight deck and various other features, which help in military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations of the Air Force.

USAF is contemplating to award the contract on a sole source basis based on a set of requirements and on the outcome of assessment of technical and programmatic risk to the government.

Stating that the delivery of 79 aircraft would be scheduled during FY2016-FY2020, USAF has formally invited interested parties to submit their proposals for the proposed multi-year procurement contract II, through the notice.


Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (LM Aero) is the prime contractor for the ongoing C-130J production programme in full rate production.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Ashton B. Carter Being Briefed on F-35 JSF And F-22 Raptor By Gen. Jeffrey Lofgren At Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Ashton B. Carter Being Briefed on F-35 JSF And F-22 Raptor By Gen. Jeffrey Lofgren At Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources US DoD
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - November 12, 2013: Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter, third from left, receives a briefing on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor by Air Force Major Gen. Jeff Lofgren, second from right, and several pilots as he visits Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 6, 2013.   

DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett. (Released)


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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To DRS C3 & Aviation Co., For $50,892,583 Related To E-6B Mercury Program

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To DRS C3 & Aviation Co., For $50,892,583 Related To E-6B Mercury Program

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth +  U.S. DoD issued No. 773-13 November 5, 2013

(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - November 7, 2013:  DRS C3 & Aviation Co., Gaithersburg, Md., is being awarded a $50,892,583 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-11-C-0011) to exercise an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury program, including the procurement and repair of operational, depot and Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures spares and associated shipping and data. 

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Okla. (70 percent); Offutt AFB, Neb. (10 percent); Travis AFB, Calif. (10 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (10 percent); and is expected to be completed in November 2014. 

Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $13,325,899 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 


The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

Depiction
The US Navy's Boeing-built E-6B Mercury aircraft has successfully completed an internet protocol bandwidth expansion (IPBE) upgrade, as part of its service life extension programme (SLEP) overhaul.

The IPBE upgrade will enable the E-6B Mercury aircraft to enhance its capability to support missions during any crisis, while replacing more than 5,000lb of backup equipment from the aircraft.

A part of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, US, the aircraft 410 is the third fleet E-6B airborne command post aircraft to receive the IPBE upgrade.

Enhancement to the aircraft's secure local area computer network also enables the onboard battle staff members to operate the aircraft virtually, while saving space and weight.

E-6 Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) IPBE team lead Curt Rosenbery said: "The IPBE upgrade is an expanded secure local area computer network for the aircraft currently consisting of two live feeds, an ultra-high frequency line of sight digital data feed used while operating over the US and a commercial Inmarsat satellite feed for use when operating outside the US."

The IPBE upgrade is also scheduled for 12 additional E-6B aircraft with the last installation expected to be completed in the middle of 2019, Rosenbery said.

PMA-271 programme manager captain Dana Dewey said that the IPBE upgrade will provide the onboard aircraft crew with faster, more reliable internet access to both classified and unclassified information.

"A fully integrated system with no requirement for carry-on equipment is our ultimate goal for the operational crews," Dewey added.


Equipped with an airborne launch control system, the E-6B dual-mission aircraft has been designed to offer survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the users.

Mission;
Communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. Provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control, and communications between the National Command Authority (NCA) and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. Two squadrons, the "Ironmen" of VQ-3 and the "Shadows" of VQ-4 deploy more than 20 aircrews from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. to meet these requirements.

Boeing derived the E-6A from its commercial 707 to replace the aging EC-130Q in the performance of the Navy's TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out") mission. TACAMO links the NCA with naval ballistic missile forces during times of crisis. The aircraft carries a very low frequency communication system with dual trailing wire antennas. The Navy accepted the first E-6A in August 1989.


The E-6B was conceived as a replacement for the Air Force's Airborne Command Post due to the age of the EC-135 fleet. The E-6B modified an E-6A by adding battlestaff positions and other specialized equipment. The E-6B is a dual-mission aircraft capable of fulfilling either the E-6A mission or the airborne strategic command post mission and is equipped with an airborne launch control system (ALCS). The ALCS is capable of launching U.S. land based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The first E-6B aircraft was accepted in December 1997 and the E-6B assumed its dual operational mission in October 1998. The E-6 fleet was completely modified to the E-6B configuration in 2003.

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*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth +  U.S. DoD issued No. 773-13 November 5, 2013
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin Corp., Amounting $422 Million For F-35 Lightning II JSF Covering U.S. Armed Forces And Foreign Sales Requirements

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin Corp., Amounting $422 Million For F-35 Lightning II JSF Covering U.S. Armed Forces And Foreign Sales Requirements

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. 763-13 October 31, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - November 1, 2013: Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $422,063,723 modification with cost-plus-incentive-fee line items to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-12-C-0004) for recurring sustainment support for F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

Sustainment support to be provided includes ground maintenance activities, action request resolution, depot activation activities, Automatic Logistics Information System operations and maintenance, reliability, maintainability, and health management implementation and support, supply chain management, and activities to provide and support pilot and maintainer initial training. 

Work will be performed in Ft. Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2014. Fiscal 2012 operations and maintenance, Navy; fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, Air Force; fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; and international partner funds in the amount of $369,304,921 are being obligated on this award, $22,055,168 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($188,287,831; 44.6 percent), U.S. Marine Corps ($125,641,895; 29.7 percent), the U.S. Navy ($66,558,160; 15.8 percent); and the governments of the United Kingdom ($18,291,583; 4.3 percent); the Netherlands ($8,392,726; 2 percent); Australia ($4,856,254; 1.2 percent); Turkey ($2,975,016; .7 percent); Italy ($2,676,868; .6 percent); Canada ($1,933,807; .5 percent); Norway ($1,556,986; .4 percent); and Denmark ($892,597; .2 percent). 

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. 763-13 October 31, 2013
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS