Falcon-1 rocket

The inaugural flight of SpaceX’s two-stage Falcon-1 rocket ended in failure on Friday, as the rocket and its satellite payload was lost just after liftoff. SpaceX had launched the two-stage Falcon 1 rocket at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 GMT) from the U.S. military’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific’s Marshall Islands. Webcast video from the rocket appeared to show a rolling motion before the feed was lost, but a precise analysis of the problem is not yet available. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk promised that “more information will be posted once we have had time to analyze the problem.”

The rocket was expected to deploy the small, $800,000 FalconSat-2 micro-satellite built by U.S. Air Force Academy. The little satellite cube was sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and was designed to measure the effects of space plasma on communication and global positioning satellites.

The mission as a whole carried a $6.7 million price tag. It also had larger significance to the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation as part of their “Operationally Responsive Space” plans, and for DARPA’s larger F.A.L.C.O.N. program. Low-cost launch success by SpaceX could even have implications for the larger rocket launch market. The goal remains within reach, but the failure of the inaugural launch is definitely a setback for all concerned.

Desert Hawk UAV

DID covered the U.S. Defense Department’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Planning Task Force’s “Unmanned Systems Roadmap 2005-2030” back in August 2005. The US Air Force did not get the full authority over UAVs that it wanted, but it has recently completed a vision document focused on UAV operations and management.

“The U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Strategic Vision” [USAF release | PDF format] is not directive in nature. Instead, it lays out a broad vision and provides recommendations. These include developing common terminology, adequately funding relevant science and technology, coordinating efforts with other services, managing cost and performance expectations, reviewing and updating laws and policies, and integrating unmanned aircraft with manned and space platforms. The new strategic vision document also addresses the historical context of UAVs, the unique attributes of the aircraft, and the various challenges in fielding them.

Electronic Data Systems Corp. in Herndon, VA received a $3.12 billion modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00024-00-D-6000). It exercises an option for three additional years of Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) services, in particular seat management services across the US Navy and Marine Corps.

The option, which is being exercised subject to the availability of funds, will extend the period of performance of the contract from October 2007 through September 2010. Work will be performed at Navy and Marine Corps installations and bases across the country and in the Far East. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, in San Diego, CA issued the contract.

Article pulled, pending revision.

USJFCOM

The DoD has being going through efforts to streamline its logistics system, along with RFID implementation efforts that may one day allow logistics tracking and monitoring between allies. When that day comes, a new system being rolled out by U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) will probably be involved. USFJCOM has begun training on AGATRS, a new Web-based tool that helps manage Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreements (ACSA) – bi-lateral agreements between U.S. and allied nations that provide for the exchange of logistics support, supplies and services (LSSS) during exercises, training or operations.

Using AGATRS enables tracking for payment, but a barter/trade capability is also built in. See the USFJCOM release for more details.

ALE-50 “Little Buddy”

Raytheon Co. Sensors and Electronic Systems Div. in Goleta, CA is being awarded a $13 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-05-C-0031), exercising an option for the full rate production of 110 integrated multi-platform launch controllers for the ALE-50 Advanced Expendable Airborne Decoy system used by US F-16 Falcon/Viper, F/A-18 Hornet family, and B-1B Lancer heavy bomber aircraft. At least one US pilot who came home safe referred to the ALE-50 as “my little buddy” in a letter to Raytheon.

So, what do you with a “little buddy,” and how does it work?

Squeezing the pickle…

In DID’s Valentine’s Day article “Multi-National F-16 Fleets Increase Staying Power With Enhancements,” we noted that the efforts in question were part of something called the F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). In “Largest Ever F-16 Modernization program Enhances Aircraft,” the US Air Force describes the $2 billion program aimed at keeping the F-16 fleet right up there as a potent force into the new century.

Screenshot: stores mgmt.

Smiths Aerospace LCC, Customer Services Americas in Clearwater, FL received a $16.5 million requirements contract to provide performance-based logistics in support of the AN/AYK-22 stores management system upgrade used on all 483 of the US Navy’s the F/A-18 C-F variants, plus the forthcoming EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare aircraft. This performance based logistics program provides the Navy with comprehensive equipment and support of the F/A-18 stores management system upgrade. The overall program includes DefenseLINK’s announced five-year contract worth $16.5 million, plus a potential $18 million follow-on contract option for another five years. Work on this contract will be performed in Clearwater, FL (95%) and Grand Rapids, MI (5%), and is expected to be complete by March 2016. This contract was not awarded competitively by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-D-034D).

Stresau Laboratory, Inc. in Spooner, WI won an estimated $12.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for MK17 Mod 1 electric blasting caps. Work will be performed in Spooner, WI and is expected to be complete by March 2011. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via Federal Business Opportunities, with 8 proposals solicited and 3 offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, IN is the contracting activity (N00164-06-D-4236).

Recent news has been alternately bad and good for the JSF program. Fortunately, the good news came last. DID has covered the saga of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, and especially the controversy in the UK over its planned purchase of at least 150 F-35B STOVL fighters for its carriers, and the problems created by technology sharing issues et. al. Past DID articles covering this topic have included our March 10 article “F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program: UK Update,” wherein Britain’s ‘Plan B’ carrier fighter alternative became clear. Also:

• AESA Radar to Be Trialed on UK’s GR4 Tornados By 2007 (March 2/06). Britain doesn’t have an AESA radar. Which has real advantages. But the F-35 would give it one, plus outstanding sensor capabilities. Is that enough?

• P&W, Rolls Royce Define Cooperation on F135 Jet Engine (Feb 27/06). Rolls, and Britain, still want their F136 engine to go ahead.

• UK Defence Committee Continues Questions RE: CVF, F-35 (Jan 10/06)

• Reports: Cuts on the way to F-35 JSF R&D, Engine Programs (Jan 6/06). Britain isn’t happy.

• ITAR Fallout: Britain to Pull Out of F-35 JSF Program? (Dec 7/06)
• UK Warns USA Over ITAR Arms Restrictions (Dec 1/06)

So, what’s happening now? First, there’s more bad news…