Friday, March 27, 2015

DTN News - U.S. DOD: Naval Air Systems Command Awarded Contract $11.7 Million To Beechcraft Corp., For Procurement of One UC-12W Aircraft For The Navy

DTN News - U.S. DOD: Naval Air Systems Command Awarded Contract $11.7 Million To Beechcraft Corp., For Procurement of One UC-12W Aircraft For The Navy
Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 27, 2015: Beechcraft Corp., Wichita, Kansas, is being awarded an $11,703,143 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of one UC-12W aircraft for the Navy, including engineering technical services. 

Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed in July 2016. 

Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,703,143 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). 

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-15-C-2017).

*UC-12W ~ U.S. Navy version based on the King Air 350 - UC-12W  Provides Essential Airlift Capabilities For VIPs, Cargo

Like “Rudy” Ruettiger of the 1975 Notre Dame football team, the Marine Corps UC-12W aircraft is respected among large tactical aircraft in current theaters of war, despite its smaller-than-average stature. Forward-deployed in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), the UC-12W Huron provides time-sensitive airlift of high-priority passengers and cargo.

“The UC-12W has proven to be extremely beneficial in satisfying fixed-wing assault support requirements,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Michelle Guidry, program manager, Tactical Airlift, Adversary and Support Aircraft Program Office (PMA-207). “The UC-12 utilizes commercial off-the-shelf designs that are cost effective and can efficiently support distributed operations in theaters of war and in support of forward-deployed Marines.”

The UC-12W, a modified version of Beechcraft Corporation’s King Air 350, is equipped with a cargo door, military required equipment, and is a modern and improved variant of the Navy’s current UC-12 Beechcraft King Air 200. A slightly larger aircraft than its predecessor, the UC-12W has 23.5 percent more engine power,  improved speed and rate of climb, added aircraft survivability equipment, enhanced avionics suite and allows more load-carrying capacity than the legacy UC-12B/F/M variants, according to Beechcraft Corporation data.

With the initial “proof of concept” deployment of the UC-12W in 2011, tactical assets in Afghanistan, such as the KC-130J Hercules, MV-22 Osprey, and CH-53 Sea Stallion, began resuming their traditional assault support missions instead of intra-theater light lift operations. After receiving a fleet request for improved cargo handling capabilities, PMA-207 teamed with industry partners to design and manufacture a lightweight cargo decking system for the UC-12W.  The first set of cargo decking delivered to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, provided Marines with the ability to remove passenger seats and quickly install cargo decking -- further increasing the mission flexibility of the UC-12W through multiple seating and cargo configurations. “Since 2011, the amount of cargo and passengers airlifted has more than doubled,” Guidry said. “Due to the success of the proof of concept deployment, UC-12W forward deployed missions will continue.”

To date, Camp Bastion-based UC-12W’s have flown 1,677 sorties and 1,822.8 flight hours, moved 4,221 Marines and 132.7 tons of cargo. “They [Operational support airlift] did a great job for us and I only wish they could have been out here more,” said Lt Col. Richard Coates, commanding officer, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Black Sea Rotational Force. “They filled the gap where KC-130s would have been overkill and commercial flights were expensive and/or inconvenient.”

The UC-12W’s success is not limited to Marines in Afghanistan.  Marines operating in the Asia-Pacific region have been utilizing the UC-12W’s improved cargo capacity and extended range fuel tanks, which increased operational range from 800 nautical miles to 1500 nautical miles at maximum payload to support MAGTF operations across the expansive Pacific Ocean. “The performance of the C-12W in the Western Pacific has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Lt Col. Michael Coletta, commanding officer, headquarters and headquarters squadrons, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. “Whether servicing day to day frags [fragmentary order] in support of the Marines and Sailors in Westpac, participating in theater level exercises, or executing real world missions, the C-12W has definitely earned its keep. Based on the parameters of passengers/cargo capacity, fuel burn, and range the C-12W is uniquely suited to handle the long, overwater flights that are a routine occurrence in the Western Pacific.”

Operational support airlift squadrons have been providing light-lift support in the Marine Corps Forces Central Command since 2004. (http://www.navair.navy.mil/)

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
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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 - U.S. DOD: Naval Air Systems Command Awarded Contract $42 Million To Northrop Grumman For Maintenance And Services In Support of 44 F-5N/F Aircraft

DTN News - U.S. DOD: Naval Air Systems Command Awarded Contract $42 Million To Northrop Grumman For Maintenance And Services In Support of 44 F-5N/F Aircraft
Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 27, 2015: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., St. Augustine, Florida, is being awarded a $42,096,911 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-14-D-0022) to provide depot level maintenance and services in support of 44 F-5N/F aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps Reserves. 

Services to be provided include aircraft inspections, repairs, overhauls, emergency repairs, modification, engineering support and procurement of structural components required to sustain continued safe, reliable, and available operations. 

Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Florida (96 percent); Springville, Utah (3 percent); and Emmen, Switzerland (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2016. 

Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy Reserve) and 2013 National Guard and Reserve equipment funds in the amount of $2,499,866 are being 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, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Description
The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode.

Features
As a tactical fighter aircraft, the F-5N accommodates a pilot only in a pressurized, heated and air conditioned cockpit and rocket-powered ejection seat while the F-5F is a two-seat combat- capable fighter. This aircraft has an upward opening canopy, which is hinged at the rear. The design places particular emphasis on maneuverability rather than high speed, notably by the incorporation of maneuvering flaps. Full-span leading-edge flaps work in conjunction with trailing-edge flaps and are operated by a control on the pilot's throttle quadrant. The F-5 also has anti-skid brakes, Initial Navigation System (INS), ALR-87 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), AN/APQ-159 radar and ALE-40 chaff/flare capability. This aircraft carries AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on wingtip launchers.

Background
The F-5 was developed by Northrop Grumman for export through the Military Assistance Program (MAP) in February 1965. This aircraft was initially offered as a candidate for a U.S. lightweight fighter, but became extremely popular as an export finding its niche in the overseas market. In December 1970, Northrop Grumman began development and production on the F-5A-21, an aircraft design that emphasized maneuverability rather than high speed and was officially reclassified as the F-5E. The F-5N/Fs are third-generation F-5 fighter aircraft designed for replacement of the F-5A/B/E production models. These aging aircraft will be replaced by low-houred F-5N/F acquired from the Swiss Air Force surplus by United States Navy (USN).

Currently, the Swiss F-5N Replacement Program replaces the present high-time Navy F-5Es with low-time F-5Ns allowing the USN/USMC to operate the F-5N aircraft to Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. The Phase Depot Maintenance (PDM) required modifications to USN configuration provides a safer, lower-flight time Adversary aircraft with increased capability for Department of Navy (DoN) pilots. These aircraft are assigned to Government facilities, namely, NAS Key West, Florida, MCAS Yuma, Arizona, and NAS Fallon, Nevada.

Service
USN, USMC, USAF and current worldwide air forces

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
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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 - U.S. DOD: Army Contracting Command Awarded Contract $48.6 Million To Northrop Grumman For Continue Logistic Services For The Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System

DTN News - U.S. DOD:  Army Contracting Command Awarded Contract $48.6 Million To Northrop Grumman For Continue Logistic Services For The Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System
Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 27, 2015: Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Sierra Vista, Arizona, was awarded a $48,691,384 modification (P00033) to contract WR8RGZ-13-C-0010 to continue contractor logistic services for the Hunter unmanned aircraft system. 


Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $27,745,692 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is March 29, 2016. 

Work will be performed in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and Afghanistan. 

Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD No: CR-055-15 Dated March 25, 2015
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
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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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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Rolls Royce Corp., For Integrated logistics Support Services For KC-130J Aircraft Propulsion Systems

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Rolls Royce Corp.,  For Integrated logistics Support Services For KC-130J Aircraft Propulsion Systems 
Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD CR-054-15 Dated March 24, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 25, 2015: Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is being awarded a $59,513,856 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for integrated logistics support services for KC-130J aircraft propulsion systems (installed and spares), including supplies. 

Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana (41 percent); Winnipeg, Canada (21 percent); Oakland, California (16 percent); Sterling, Virginia (14 percent); Al Mubarak, Kuwait (2.1 percent); Iwakuni, Japan (2 percent); Cherry Point, North Carolina (1.3 percent); Miramar, California (1.3 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (1.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2016. 

Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy and Navy Reserve) and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $21,216,339 will be obligated at time of award, $16,252,549 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the FAR 6.302-1. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($54,981,135; 92.38 percent) and the government of Kuwait ($4,532,721; 7.62 percent). 

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-15-C-0009).

KC-130J
The KC-130J is the global leader in aerial refueling for both tactical aircraft and helicopters, and it is also capable of conducting rapid ground refueling. The KC-130J is assigned to U.S. Marine Corps units and has more than 20,000 hours of flight in Iraq. It is battle-tested and it delivers capabilities that keep the fleet flying high. 

The KC-130J aerial refueling (AR) tanker is the latest in a long lineage of combat proven C-130 Hercules tanker technology. The new KC-130J builds on proven tanker designs while taking full advantage of tremendous technological and performance improvements inherent in the basic C-130J aircraft

Related Image - DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Rolls Royce Corp.,  For Integrated logistics Support Services For KC-130J Aircraft Propulsion Systems 


*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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*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: 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
*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 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Beechcraft Defense Co., Wichita, Kansas, For One King Air 350 Modified Aircraft

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Beechcraft Defense Co., Wichita, Kansas, For One King Air 350 Modified Aircraft 
Source: DTN News + U.S. DoD CR-054-15 Dated March 24, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 25, 2015: Beechcraft Defense Co., Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $27,048,576 firm-fixed-price contract for purchase of one King Air 350 extended range aircraft modified with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability; one Scorpion ground station and one complete spare Scorpion ground station. 


Work will be performed at Wichita, Kansas, and San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by March 23, 2017. 

This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. 

This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales to Iraq. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-15-C-3016).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD CR-054-15 Dated March 24, 2015
*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 
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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 24, 2015

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 24, 2015
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-054-15 March 24, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 24, 2015U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March 24, 2015 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
 
AIR FORCE
 
Raytheon Co., Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $528,797,459 fixed-price incentive firm contract modification (P00004) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA8675-15-C-0022. Contractor will provide Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) Lot 29 production and other AMRAAM system items. Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2018. This contract involves foreign military sales. Fiscal year 2015 Air Force and Navy production funds in the amount of $294,661,588 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
 
Beechcraft Defense Co., Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $27,048,576 firm-fixed-price contract for purchase of one King Air 350 extended range aircraft modified with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability; one Scorpion ground station and one complete spare Scorpion ground station. Work will be performed at Wichita, Kansas, and San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by March 23, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales to Iraq. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-15-C-3016).
 
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.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
 
TW Metals, Exton, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $120,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, prime-vendor contract for metals, metal products, and incidental services for the Northeast region. Estimated value cited is based on demand quantities for the life of the contract. This contract was a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. This is a five-year base contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a March 23, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8E5-15-D-0013).

NAVY
 
Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is being awarded a $59,513,856 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for integrated logistics support services for KC-130J aircraft propulsion systems (installed and spares), including supplies. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana (41 percent); Winnipeg, Canada (21 percent); Oakland, California (16 percent); Sterling, Virginia (14 percent); Al Mubarak, Kuwait (2.1 percent); Iwakuni, Japan (2 percent); Cherry Point, North Carolina (1.3 percent); Miramar, California (1.3 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (1.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2016. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy and Navy Reserve) and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $21,216,339 will be obligated at time of award, $16,252,549 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the FAR 6.302-1. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($54,981,135; 92.38 percent) and the government of Kuwait ($4,532,721; 7.62 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-15-C-0009).
 
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a $15,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62583-11-D-0515) to exercise option period four for environmental services and technologies support at Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California. The work to be performed provides for environmental services and technology support to satisfy overall operational objectives of the Navy and Marine Corps installations and to other federal organizations worldwide. Support services include technology implementation, technical consultation, research and development, testing and evaluation, administrative support, range cleanup, sustainability and management, site operation and maintenance, climate change initiatives, green and sustainable remediation practices development, leadership in environmental and energy design support, and training. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $75,000,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various installations worldwide; and work for this option is expected to be completed in March 2016. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity.

ARMY
 
General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Arizona, was awarded a $49,107,571 modification (P00002) to contract W15P7T-15-C-0002 to support software, logistics documentation, and hardware for the manpack radio. Fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $23,006,909 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2016.Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Arizona. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
 
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a $32,359,523 modification (P00016) to contract W52P1J-12-C-0026 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm M865 recapitalization cartridges for 120mm tank training ammunition. Fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $32,359,523 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2017. Work will be performed St. Petersburg, Florida. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
 
Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded a $29,184,589 modification (P00023) to contract W52P1J-12-C-0027 to procure 120mm M1002 new production cartridges and 120mm M865 recapitalization cartridges for 120mm tank training ammunition Fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $29,094,589 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Oct. 31, 2016. Work will be performed at Plymouth, Minnesota. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
 
AM General, South Bend, Indiana, was awarded a $9,458,080 firm-fixed-price multi-year contract with options for 60 power packs, part number 5717314, and 650 power packs, part number 5717268. Work will be performed in South Bend, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of March 24, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of the complete appropriation are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-15-D-0024).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-054-15 March 24, 2015 
*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 
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DTN News - AIR SHOW: Melbourne Air & Space Show Rocks Florida's Space Coast

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;






*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Spaceflight Insider
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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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