$1.9B to Support US Air Force Materiel Command

The Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, UT issued a $1.9 billion indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (FA8222-05-D-0001, 0010) for Engineering and technical services in support of all U.S. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) weapon systems, subsystems, and related processes via the Design and Engineering Support Program II.

The Air Force can issue delivery orders to the various winning companies totaling up to maximum amount indicated, though actual requirements may necessitate less. Solicitation began October 2004, negotiations were completed May 2005, and the contract will end by June 2012.

KC-135 Design Innovation Could Save $583M

KC-135 with refuelling
boom extended
(via richard-seaman.com)

After years of development, a new wheel and brake system on the KC-135 “Stratotanker” is ready for installation by Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center personnel at Tinker Air Force Base, OK. The system replaces the steel brakes currently used on the KC-135 with carbon brakes (the KC-135 is based on the Boeing 707, but the planes have been heavily modified over the years). Other changes include the brakes operating on three rotors instead of five, a pressure of 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi) instead of 965 psi and different wheels used on the aircraft.

At a time cost of 16 hours for initial installation, the new system allows the aircraft to complete 1,000 landings as compared to 100 landings before needing replacement, which means the new system could last up to 10 years instead of the average one-year lifespan of the old brakes. The changes could save the Air Force $583 million throughout the life of the program, said Cathy Klea, 327th TSG KC-135 program manager.

Titan Awarded New $405.9M U.S. Army IT Contract

Recent L-3 acquisition Titan announced that it has received the Department of the Army Information Management Support Center (IMCEN) Desktop Support Services contract. Titan will compete against other awardees to provide Information Technology (IT) services to over 10,000 military personnel, civilian employees and contractors working within the Pentagon and the more than 90 agencies that comprise the Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA).

Under this multiple-awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract having a potential value with options, if exercised, of $405.9 million over approximately seven years.

Japan Orders Thales Optronic Submarine Masts

Thales CM010
Optronic Mast

Thales UK received a contract from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for the development and manufacture of optronic-mast technology for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s submarines. Contract figures were not disclosed.

The optronic mast’s design means that it doesn’t go through the hull like a normal periscope, which allows greater flexibility in craft design. The MELCO deal represents the first export contract for the optronic mast, which uses high-resolution cameras that are mounted in the submarine’s sensor head. The images provided are then displayed on console screens in the submarine’s operations center via an electronic link.

$63.6M to Support UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters

UH-60 Blackhawk

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received a $63.6 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Unique Configuration, Aircraft Warranty, Contractor Support, Manuals, Training, Tools, and Test Equipment, and Aircraft Support Equipment for the USA’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2010. This was a sole source contract initiated on March 3, 2005 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (DAAH23-02-C-0006).

$41.5M to Rebuild AH-64 Apache Helicopters

AH-64D Apache Longbow

Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. in Mesa, AZ received a $41.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for Reset of Apache AH-64 attack helicopters.

“Reset” is a term used by the Land-Based Weapon Systems Group’s Long Term Contracts Team at Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSSC), to capture the business of repairing equipment and replenishing stocks used in Operation Iraqi Freedom so they’re “reset” to good as new condition.

$15.3M more for A-10 Video & Data Recorders

A-10 Thunderbolt II

Enertec America in Alpharetta, GA received a $15.3 million firm-fixed-price modification to provide digital video and data recorders for the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka. “Warthog”) close support aircraft. Total funds have been obligated. This work will be complete by November 2006. Negotiations were completed June 2005. The Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, UT issued the contract (FA8202-04-C-0023, P00005).