DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 29, 2012

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 29, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  434-12 May 29, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 29, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 29, 2012   are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

ARMY

            Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nev., was awarded a $250,000,000 firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of the Simple Key Loader - Panda, Foreign Military Sales kit, spares and repair and engineering support services.  Work will be performed in Sparks, Nev.; Oakland, Calif.; Torrance, Calif.; Irvine, Calif; Murrieta, Calif.; Tampa, Fla.; Belcamp, Md.; and Columbia, Md., with an estimated completion date of May 10, 2017.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-12-D-0019). 

            The Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded a $97,268,761 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure Block III Apache AH-64D attack helicopters in support of Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2017.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0147). 

            Engineering Solutions & Products, L.L.C., Eatontown, N.J., was awarded an $85,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the services in support of the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below/Blue Force Tracking System and Movement Tracking System.  Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 20, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-D-B201). 

            Alliant Techsystems Operations, L.L.C., Ronkonkoma, N.Y., was awarded an $84,809,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 1,469 FMU-143R/B bomb fuzes; 2,705 FMU-143S/B bomb fuzes; and 789 FMU-143T/B bomb fuzes.  Work will be performed in Rocket Center, W.Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-12-D-0046). 

            Balfour Beatty Construction, L.L.C., Fairfax, Va., was awarded a $50,995,657 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the design and construction of the unaccompanied enlisted personnel housing barracks at Fort Campbell, Ky.  Work will be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 25, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 27 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-12-C-0032). 

            Hunt Construction Group, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., was awarded a $44,568,206 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of an Armed Forces Reserve Center Building at Indianapolis, Ind.  Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 24, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 11 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-12-C-0029). 

            Jorge Scientific Corp., Arlington, Va., was awarded a $41,404,552 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the design and development services in support of new doctrine and training methodologies.  Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2012.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Adelphi, Md., is the contracting activity (W911QX-12-C-0011). 

            Zachary Federal Construction Corp., San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $32,234,496 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the design-build services for a reception complex at Fort Sill, Okla.  Work will be performed in Fort Sill, Okla., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 5, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 28 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa, Okla., is the contracting activity (W912BV-12-C-0010). 

            Textron Marine & Land Systems, New Orleans, La., was awarded a $30,512,354 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure field service representative support in Afghanistan.  Work will be performed in Slidell, La., with an estimated completion date of May 25, 2014. One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-11-C-0114). 

            EADS - NA, Herndon, Va., was awarded a $26,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to supply contractor logistics in support of the Light Utility Helicopter Program.  Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0194). 

            ImSAR, L.L.C., Salem, Utah, was awarded a $24,000,000 firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the services to build, test, and assess a lightweight ultra wide band synthetic aperture radar for use on small unmanned aerial vehicles.  Work will be performed in Salem, Utah, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2017.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-12-D-0011). 

            TJC Engineering, Inc., Louisville, Ky., was awarded a $23,597,213 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the design/build of two tactical equipment maintenance facilities in Fort Campbell, Ky.  Work will be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 13 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-12-C-0037). 

            Alliant Techsystems Operations, L.L.C., Plymouth, Minn., was awarded a $20,580,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure precision guided kits.  Work will be performed in Plymouth, Minn., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-06-C-0130). 

            Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc., Milford, N.H., was awarded a $20,024,189 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of Sapphire glass armor and new tooling for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.  Work will be performed in Milford, N.H., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-12-C-0168). 

            FN Manufacturing, L.L.C., Columbia, S.C., was awarded an $18,702,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for a maximum of 27,000 M240L lightweight short barrels.  Work will be performed in Columbia, S.C., with an estimated completion date of May 22, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with four bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-12-D-0074). 

            Harris IT Services Corp., Dulles, Va., was awarded a $17,214,375 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the information technology support services.  Work will be performed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015.  Sixteen bids were solicited, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Milford, Mass., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-07-D-0001). 

            NAN, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded a $17,141,771 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of a munitions complex at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.  Work will be performed in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 6, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with five bids received.  The National Guard Bureau, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W912J6-12-C-0002). 

            Alliant Techsystems Operations, L.L.C., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded a $16,152,872 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 600,000 lightweight 30mm M788 target practice cartridges; 300,000 25mm M793 target practice traced cartridges; and 11,000 30mm M883 high pressure test cartridges.  Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2014.  Two bids were solicited, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-12-C-0037). 

            Aerovironment, Monrovia, Calif., was awarded a $15,813,405 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure Raven Digital Data Link Gimball Systems and initial spares packages with Vampire simulator.  Work will be performed in Simi Valley, Calif., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-11-C-0055). 

            Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $15,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the industrial engineering services in support of missile, rocket, and launcher systems.  Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 2, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-12-C-0048). 

            General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems, Marion, Ill., was awarded a $14,763,572 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 400,000 lightweight 30mm M788 target practice cartridges and 440,000 25mm projectile gun unit 23/U target practice cartridges.  Work will be performed in Marion, Ill., with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2014.  Two bids were solicited, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-12-C-0042). 

            Oyster Point Construction Co., Newport News, Va., was awarded a $13,849,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of three applied instruction (aircraft maintenance) high-bay area building additions.  Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013.  Fifteen bids were solicited, with fifteen bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-12-C-0035). 

            QinetiQ North America, Watham, Mass., was awarded an $11,689,860 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 420 rocket-propelled grenade defeating nets, 420 battle damage Q-net kits, and proprietary tubes.  Work will be performed in Franklin, Mass., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 13, 2012.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HAV-12-C-0240). 

            Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., L.L.C., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded a $10,753,750 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the dredging services in St. Mary Parish, La.  Work will be performed in St. Mary Parish, La., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2012.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-12-C-0033). 

            Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $10,500,484 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure vehicles from the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.  Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0159). 

            ASRC Primus, Greenbelt, Md., was awarded a $10,115,260 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the services in support of aircraft refuel/defuel at Fort Rucker, Ala.  Work will be performed in Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 16, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  The Mission and Installation Contracting Center, Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity (W91247-12-C-0023). 

            Guild Associates, Inc., Dublin, Ohio, was awarded a $9,830,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the RESET of Laundry Advanced Systems.  Work will be performed in Dublin, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 18, 2014.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-12-D-0055). 

            CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc., Chantilly, Va., was awarded a $9,394,171 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of facilities in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of April 3, 2013.  There were 99 bids solicited, with nine bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-12-C-0029). 

            Complete Parachute Solutions, Inc., DeLand, Fla. (W911QY-12-D-0017), and Aerial Machine & Tool Corp., Meadows of Dan, Va. (W911QY-12-D-0018), were awarded a $9,253,325 firm-fixed-price contract between two contractors.  The award will provide for the procurement of modular airborne weapon cases for use in airborne assault training and missions.  Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of May 17, 2017.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity. 

            General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Poway, Calif., was awarded an $8,511,974 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to supply incremental funding in support of operational test and evaluation.  Work will be performed in Poway, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2012.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-05-C-0069). 

            Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded an $8,168,950 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure Griffin stand-off precision guided munitions and engineering services support.  Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-10-C-0239). 

            Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $7,055,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the installation of the underbody improvement kits for the Special Operations Command Marine All-Terrain Vehicle.  Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-12-C-0281).

NAVY

            M. A. Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $57,709,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the hangar, apron, parking garage and ordnance loading area addition at Marine Corp Air Station, New River, Camp Lejeune.  The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a Type II hangar, parking apron, privately-owned vehicle parking garage, arming de-arming pad, a combat aircraft loading area, asphalt taxiway, and a concrete taxiway.  Sustainable design principles will be included in the design and construction in accordance with Executive Order 13123 and other laws and Executive Orders.   Facilities will meet a minimum of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver rating and comply with Energy Policy Act of 2005.  The contract also contains one planned modification, which, if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $59,747,050.  Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by July 2014.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 18 proposals received.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-12-C-7722). 

            Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $32,774,936 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-08-C-0023) in support of the broad area maritime surveillance unmanned aircraft system system development and demonstration.  This modification provides for a maintenance concept change that will allow for the development of a logistics management system and implement the transition from contractor logistics support to organic military maintenance.  No funding will be obligated at time of award.  Work will be performed in Bethpage, N.Y., (74.54 percent), Rancho Bernardo, Calif. (20.82 percent), Melbourne, Fla. (4.59 percent), and Palmdale, Calif. (0.05 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in September 2015.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity. 

            BAE Systems, U.S. Combat Systems (formerly BAE Systems, Land & Armaments, Inc), Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $24,300,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-4137) for manufacture and delivery of propulsor systems in support of the Virginia-class submarine propulsor system requirements.  This modification is for propulsor system shipsets for SSN 788 and SSN 789, and long-lead-time material for SSN 790 and SSN 791.  Work will be performed in Louisville, Ky., and is expected to completed by May 2015.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. 

            Raytheon Co., Goleta, Calif., is being awarded a $9,399,992 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-10-G-0006) for the conversion and testing of 56 AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver countermeasure receivers to digital countermeasure receivers in support of F/A-18 E/F aircraft.  Work will be performed in Forest, Miss. (48 percent), San Diego, Calif. (38 percent), and Goleta, Calif. (14 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in September 2014.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. 

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

            Protective Products Enterprises, Sunrise, Fla., was awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to procure soft armor ballistic inserts with an estimated value up to $46,726,474.  The delivery period is not to exceed five years, and the contract minimum in accordance with the request for proposal is $150,000.  U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (H92222-12-D-0014).

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

            NetCentrics Corp., Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $20,684,453 firm-fixed-price contract to obtain information technology solutions development services for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), WHS supported organizations, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.  Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., Alexandria, Va., and Fort Belvoir, Va., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  Washington Headquarters Service is the contracting activity (HQ0034-11-D-0002).

AIR FORCE

            Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C., Pocatello, Idaho, is being awarded a $16,779,450 cost share/technology investment agreement to increase the availability of domestically produced visible imagers, manufactured using advanced complementary metal oxide semiconductors technology, that are designed to enable flexible visible imaging systems for use on-board satellite systems for Department of Defense and other U.S. government needs.  The location of the performance is Pocatello, Idaho.  Work is to be completed by August 2016.  AFRL/PKMD, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-12-3-5504). 

            Cessna Aircraft Co., Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a $12,377,992 firm-fixed-price contract to purchase four C-208B aircraft for the Special Defense Acquisition Fund inventory, as well as training for 16 pilots and 14 maintainers for future international partner needs by exercising the option against the subject contract.  The location of the performance is Wichita, Kan.  Work date for completion is undetermined.  ASC/WNZI, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8617-11-C-6209 P0009).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

            Invivo Corp., Orlando, Fla., was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM2D1-11-D-8346.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a maximum $11,912,478 for radiology systems, subsystems, and components.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were 48 responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012-2013 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is May 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. 

            Digirad Corp., Poway, Calif.*, was issued a modification exercising the third option year on contract SPM2D1-09-8330.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a maximum $11,745,917 for radiology systems, components, upgrades, accessories, and installation.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were 48 responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012-2013 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is May 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. 

            Hartland Fuel Products, L.L.C., Onalaska, Wis.*, was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a maximum $9,373,405 for fuel.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Air Force and federal civilian agencies.  There were 42 responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is June 30, 2015.  The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-12-D-4511). 

            Agland, Inc., Lucerne, Colo.*, was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a maximum $6,935,958 for fuel.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Air Force and federal civilian agencies.  There were 42 responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is June 30, 2015.  The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-12-D-4501). 

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  434-12 May 29, 2012
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Obamas Host Women Submariners, First Lady Sponsors Sub

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Obamas Host Women Submariners, First Lady Sponsors Sub
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Lisa Daniel - American Forces Press Service
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 29, 2012: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama yesterday welcomed the Navy’s first contingent of women submariners to the White House as part of a busy Memorial Day schedule.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet the first contingent of women sailors to be assigned to the U.S. Navy’s operational submarine force in the Blue Room of the White House, May 28, 2012. Also attending were Navy Adm. Mark Ferguson, left, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right. White House photo by Pete Souza   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The 24 young women visited the White House, along with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Navy Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, as part of a “Joining Forces” initiative. The first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, started the Joining Forces campaign last year to rally Americans to honor, recognize and serve military families.

As part of the meeting, the first lady accepted Mabus’ invitation to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Illinois (SSN 786), a Virginia-class submarine -- the Navy’s newest class of attack submarine -- being built in Groton, Connecticut and Newport News, Virginia. Illinois is expected to join the fleet in late 2015.

In sponsoring USS Illinois, Obama joins a tradition of first lady sponsorships of Navy submarines. First Lady Laura Bush is USS Texas’ (SSN 775) sponsor and christened it in 2004; First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is USS Columbia’s (SSN 771) sponsor and christened it in 1994.

“As sponsor, the first lady will establish a special link to Illinois, her sailors, and their families that extends throughout the life of the submarine,” a White House press release says.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as sponsor of the USS Illinois,” the first lady said yesterday. “I’m always inspired by the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Navy, as well as the families who support them. This submarine is a tribute to the strength, courage, and determination that our Navy families exhibit every day.”

“Naval tradition holds that a sponsor’s spirit and presence guide the ship and her crew throughout the life of the ship,” Mabus said. “Illinois and her crew are blessed to have such a wonderful sponsor and I am grateful Mrs. Obama accepted my invitation to serve as sponsor for this submarine.”

The first lady also serves as the sponsor for the recently commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, based in Alameda, Calif. The ship is named after Captain Dorothy Stratton, the director of the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve during World War II where she oversaw 10,000 enlisted women and 1,000 commissioned officers.

In 2009, Mabus announced that for the first time in U.S. Navy history, women would be assigned to the operational submarine force.

The 24 women who met with the president and first lady were accepted into the Navy’s nuclear submarine program after completing intensive training. They are serving on ballistic and guided missile submarines throughout the Navy.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Lisa Daniel - American Forces Press Service
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Afghan Security Forces, ISAF Counterparts Kill Senior al-Qaida Leader

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Afghan Security Forces, ISAF Counterparts Kill Senior al-Qaida Leader
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. - American Forces Press Service
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 29, 2012: Afghan security forces and their International Security Assistance Force partners killed a senior al-Qaida leader in Kunar province May 27, a senior Defense Department spokesman told reporters at the Pentagon today.

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, May 29, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“As a result of their efforts, alongside their coalition counterparts, they achieved a significant operational success in Kunar province … with the death of Sakhr al-Taifi,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters.

Sakhr al-Taifi, al-Qaida’s second-highest leader in Afghanistan, had commanded foreign insurgents and directed attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces, Little said.

“He frequently traveled between Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out commands from senior al-Qaida leadership,” the press secretary said. “He also supplied weapons and equipment to insurgents in the east and managed transport of insurgent fighters into Afghanistan.”

Little said security forces identified Sakhr al-Taifi and another al-Qaida terrorist in Kunar province’s Watahpur district, and took careful steps to ensure no civilians were in the area before conducting a precision airstrike.

A follow-on assessment determined no civilians were harmed in this operation, he added.

“This operation is another example of our ongoing efforts to degrade and weaken al-Qaida’s leadership,” Little said, “and a reminder of the mission we are pursuing -- to ensure that Afghanistan, never again, becomes a safe haven for al-Qaida or its militant allies.”

However, “despite the unprecedented pressure we have applied, al-Qaida remains a threat to our forces and to our homeland,” he said. “And we will continue to pursue our goal of dismantling and ultimately defeating them.”

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. - American Forces Press Service
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Australia-Europe Non-Stop Flights Promised By Long-Range Aircraft, But Airlines Don't See Demand

DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Australia-Europe Non-Stop Flights Promised By Long-Range Aircraft, But Airlines Don't See Demand
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CAPA -Aviation Analysis
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 28, 2012: The Australian market continues to be excited by the prospect of non-stop flights between Australia and Europe as new technology aircraft arrive, but the reality is their excitement does not convert into sustainable yields, making it unlikely in the foreseeable future for such flights to be operated.

Stiff competition – European carriers have pulled out while British Airways (BA) and Qantas whittle their presence – has reduced the route to one that is fought on cost, where intermediate Asian and Middle East network carriers have an advantage. Geography also poses disadvantages: an ultra long-haul route to asingle European point would still require onward European connections, diminishing much of the advantage of the non-stop service. And while arguments continue about whether Qantas should have ordered Boeing777s instead of 787s, the reality is that the 777 would probably have been of little help in Qantas' current position.

The ultra long-haul proposition is a difficult one. For similar reasons to Qantas, Southeast Asian carriers equally have struggled with their non-stop services to America. These services are primarily point-to-point, which necessarily forgoes many of the advantages of network economics.

Retaining stops in Asia permits attracting regional traffic and, pending bilateral agreement revisions with Europe, paves the way for a new transfer hub in mainland China, bringing the associated benefits of demand from the area.

Non-stop Australia-Europe flights, typically going to London in most scenarios, have been evaluated by airlines, the most notable recent case being Qantas' consideration of Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in 2005. Qantas ruled out the aircraft in Dec-2005 because, for weather reasons, certain months of the year would not allow a full payload. Those few months were to become a blessing to Qantas. Aviation was a remarkably different and less competitive world in 2005. Emirates was not the giant it is today, Etihad was barely two years old and had yet to enter Australia and fuel could occupy only 15% of total costs.

ULTRA-LONG-HAUL POINT-TO-POINT SERVICES CONTINUE TO BE A COMMERCIAL CHALLENGE

Ultra-long-haul point-to-point flights have proved to be a global struggle. Singapore Airlines has at times cut back on its non-stop services to Los Angeles and Newark; during the GFC load factors on the all-business class service, which is operated with A340-500s, dipped below 50%. Thai Airways ended its A340-500 non-stop flights to New York in 2008 and earlier this year ended its non-stop service to Los Angeles. Delta, which at one point studied its own non-stop flights to Singapore with 777-200LRs but quickly ruled it out, and American Airlines have each ended their non-stop services to India.

Nuances abound but the common theme is one-stop competition and limited O&D demand that is further aggravated by high fuel prices, from which even hedging strategies cannot fully insulate airlines.
See related articles:

• Non-stop US-India market continues to shrink with American Airlines ending Chicago-Delhi service
• Why Singapore Airlines is reducing Houston to less than daily service
• Rising jet fuel price spells more challenges for ultra long-haul flights

Since 2005 aircraft profiles have improved but market conditions have not for non-stop Australia-Europe services. This year's first wave of excitement came with the potential for Boeing's 777 successor to fly non-stop between Australia and Europe year-round. A second wave came recently with Airbus discussing conceptual performance for an enhanced A380.

Neither airframe is captivating carriers.

Neither airframe is captivating carriers. British Airways no longer views the market between Europe and Australia as core. At the end of Mar-2012 BA ended Bangkok-Sydney services, leaving only aSingapore-Sydney flight as part of a Europe-Australia network reduction conducted with joint service agreement partner Qantas. But even before the change, premium traffic was down considerably between the two continents. For all three months of 2012 that IATA has reported on premium traffic trends, Europe-Southwest Pacific has typically seen the sharpest declines by far: 16% in Jan-2012, 19% in Feb-2012 and 24% in Mar-2012. Without premium traffic prepared to pay an additional margin for the convenience of a non-stop, the route would struggle.

BA's pessimistic view comes with it already operating the 777, potentially making a 777 successor integration easier than at Qantas, which does not operate the 777. But even then the longest range version of the 777 successor, which could potentially operate the non-stop flights, would become a niche aircraft in BA's fleet, an undesirable position.

International premium traffic growth by route: Mar-2012

Source: IATA

While the 777 successor would conceptually reach Sydney from Australia, an improved A380 would barely make it to Perth – and that of course is at the airframe manufacturer's best case calculation. Domestic connections from the far more populous eastern Australia would still be required and connections through Singapore, Qantas' main Asian hub, would still offer a shorter journey time. A potential service from Perth would come at the partial expense of the Singapore hub, which not only provides local traffic but also cargo. Qantas' planned premium carrier, postponed for the short term, would have provided feed for its long-haul services.
See related article: Qantas may say Malaysia Airlines negotiations are over, but many more chapters still to be written

It was on the back of network feed that Continental Airlines, now part of United Airlines, announced a 787 route to Auckland from its home hub atHouston. As CEO Jeff Smisek rhetorically asked, this ultra long-haul route was not about point-to-point traffic: "How many Kiwis live in Houston who want to fly to Auckland on a daily basis?" he asked. "Three?" United's network and that of Star Alliance, combined with the efficiency of the 787, made the route economically possible, Mr Smisek said.

...connecting traffic is limited at both ends...

Australia-Europe non-stop lacks an efficient aircraft like the 787 – Air New Zealand has referred to the 777-200LR as a "flying petrol tank" – and connecting traffic is limited at both ends. The Australian market is small, while in Europe, connections from London would require backtracking to continental Europe, reducing the time saved going non-stop to London compared to a one-stop through Asia or the Middle East. Further, following United's announcement in May-2012 to deploy its 787 between Tokyo and Denver, the new combination hinted that its proposed Houston-Auckland service no longer has its favoured position.

See related article: New Denver-Tokyo 787 service to help boost United's sagging trans-Pacific performance

QANTAS' EUROPEAN PRESENCE COMPARED TO EMIRATES, BUT THE TWO ARE ON DIFFERENT SCALES

Prior to BA and Qantas' Mar-2012 Australia-Europe restructure, Emirates typically operated approximately 22,000 one-way seats into London area airports compared to 12,000 from Qantas. Qantas' 12,000 seats were dependent on the markets of Australia and New Zealand as well as its three Asian transfer points: Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore, a population pool of around 45 million.

For Emirates to fill its capacity into London, it has not only all of Qantas' markets but also additional points throughout North Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa (the traffic also obviously fills other points besides London). India alone has a population of 1.3 billion, and while travel propensity there may be low, it does indicate that Qantas was simply over-exposed to Europe. To bemoan a smaller presence in Europe from Qantas than Emirates, as has been done in the public, is a non sequitur.

QANTAS WRONGLY CRITICISED FOR LACK OF 777

Emirates has also been praised for its prolific fleet of 777s, the lack of which in the Qantas fleet has been a contention with its pilot union. The reality is that, even if Qantas had 777s prior to its 2005 examination of the -200LR, the viability of the -200LR would have been far from certain.Virgin Australia around its launch (and prior to the strategy from a new management that favours virtual flying) evaluated the -200LR to supplement its -300ER but also ruled the aircraft out for non-stop services to Europe and New York.

Qantas has rightfully defended its position against its decision to order the 777. The 777 either has not offered sufficient payload or, when it did, Qantas had already committed to other fleet strategies. "By the time the first B777-300ER was delivered in [2004] with the payload range to match Qantas B744 operations, we were already committed to the A380s. A good decision, because the A380s have a 7 per cent unit cost advantage over the 777-300ER," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce remarked in Oct-2011. Additionally, when the first -300ER was delivered, its full capability was not realised by many airlines. Indeed, at the time of delivery the -300ER had orders for 77 frames; today the figure is over 600. Not even Emirates ordered the -300ER before the first delivery, and Cathay Pacific, another -300ER proponent, would not order its first example until Dec-2005.

...the 787 is the aircraft of the future...

At that time Qantas had planned its high capacity needs – it was expecting its first A380s shortly – and was evaluating its medium-gauge widebody needs, a role ideal for the 787. "It would have been a retrograde step at that point to revert to the 777s because by then they were already an older generation of technology, where the 787 is the aircraft of the future. It has a 25% trip cost advantage over the 777-300ER," Mr Joyce said.

When remarks have been made about how Qantas should have ordered the 777, what is actually implied is the aircraft's capability. And what is meant by comments that Qantas should have ordered the 777 is that Qantas needs an efficient medium/high capacity aircraft – yet that is exactly the role the 787 will fulfill, with the early -8 variant overlapping with the 777-200ER.

Qantas was a major purchaser of the 787 – with all the bargaining economics that would have delivered – but no-one expected such a lengthy delay in deliveries. The issue of the lack of the 777 has come to a head because those 787 delays have left a gap in Qantas' fleet, but a similar issue is replicated at airlines throughout the world. Few airlines sufficiently shielded themselves from 787 delays; exceptions are a handful of carriers that ordered 767s or refurbished older aircraft. It is an understandable outcome: each delay was incremental, pushing first delivery off but never enough in one delay announcement to warrant a significant change in strategy.

CHALLENGES AT QANTAS ARE NOT FLEET CHOICES OR DESTINATIONS – BUT A CHANGED WORLD

The world has changed around Qantas and the carrier, being at the end of the line, is increasingly challenged, as is its neighbour Air New Zealand. Destinations and aircraft types are not the silver bullet to reverse these developments; whatever city or aircraft you have, your competitor can have too. Qantas is unique, not just as an end of line carrier, but for its Jetstar LCC that has captured growth in a strong market and, internationally, helped feed passengers back into Qantas' traditional market.

Another solution is to work with who you can engage partners, now the cornerstone of Virgin Australia's international strategy. The latest development is commentary from Emirates that it would be open to partnering with Qantas, but this may become controversial as oneworld, led by IAG CEO Willie Walsh, sizes up one of Emirates' competitors – likely Qatar Airways – for a partnership.

...it will still be no silver bullet...

An Emirates relationship would be a hard nosed recognition of how the world has changed in the past few years but it will still be no silver bullet.
Meanwhile, the prospect of Europe-Australia non-stops seems destined to remain a conversation piece for pilot blogs rather than a medium-term reality.

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CAPA - Aviation Analysis
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