FY 2006 Contracts for US Carrier Pilots' T-45 Training System (updated)

Do you feel lucky...?
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DID has covered the T-45 Training System before, which includes T-45 Goshawk aircraft, advanced flight simulators, computer-assisted instructional programs, a computerized training integration system, and a contractor logistics support package. The integration of all five elements is designed to produce a superior pilot in less time and at lower cost than previous training systems.

The US Navy used the T-45TS to train its pilots for the transition to modern jet fighters - and carrier landings. This is not a risk-free assignment, by any means; nevertheless, it's a critical link in the naval aviation chain. DID recaps its coverage of the complete T45TS system, notes the budgetary figures, and covers the FY 2006 contracts for this system.

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US Navy Spends $35M on SkillsNET e-Learning

Small business qualifier SkillsNET Government Ltd. in Waxahachie, TX received a $35 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract to provide operation, maintenance, analysis, training, technical services, and a commercial-off-the-shelf Skills Management System software application suite. Here's an example of that sort of work, involving the Navy's Chaplain Corps.

This work is part of the US Navy's ongoing Total Force occupational data capture and analysis efforts, which encompasses all Navy personnel, enlisted, officers (active and reserve, afloat and ashore components), civilians (government and contractor). Work will be performed in Waxahachie, TX and is expected to be complete in March 2011. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in Orlando, FL (N61339-06-D-0010).

US Army Purchases 5 Linux Supercomputers for TI-06 Upgrades

Ammo turbulence
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The ability to use open-source operating systems like Linux with "clusters" of computing hardware that include many commodity components has really changed the supercomputing landscape. Complex physics-based problems that are three dimensional and time-dependent are especially difficult, and benefit greatly from the additional computing power per dollar that's rapidly becoming available. This has had a significant impact in sectors like movies and TV, energy, and pharmaceuticals - not to mention the defense industry.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) recently placed an order with Linux Networx for 5 supercomputers as part of the Technology Insertion 2006 (TI-06) initiative. They are part of a broader effort to modernize the US DoD's computing capabilities, by providing the supercomputer services, high-speed network communications, and expertise for U.S. Defense laboratories. The recipients, and the type and capabilities of the systems they received, are detailed below:

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EDO's AVEL Missile Ejection System: Extending the Raptor's Claws

F-22, showing us his
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EDO Corporation has been awarded a not-to-exceed, $17.2 million contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for continued production of its LAU-142/A AMRAAM Vertical Ejection Launcher (AVEL, pron. "ayy-vell") for the F-22 Raptor. This latest order covers production for up to 24 Lot-6 aircraft, each of which is equipped with 6 AVEL launchers. Production Lot-6 will bring the total number of F-22 aircraft under order to 131, all of which are equipped with the AVEL. These aircraft are slated for delivery to the Air Force in 2008.

Why is the AVEL significant to the F-22's performance, and how was it developed? DID has done some research, and spoken to EDO...

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Sikorsky Announces CSAR-X Helicopter Partnerships, Platform

H-92 does SAR
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As DID noted in our October 24, 2005 article "V-22 Bows out of CSAR-X/PRV Competition," all of the key bidders except Sikorsky had formally announced their helicopter platforms for the $8-10 billion, 141-helicopter combat search and rescue contract to replace existing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The gap has now been filled, however, as Sikorsky has just made its declaration along with some recent partnership announcements.

Aerospace Integration Corporation (AIC) will provide system engineering and related services, while Rockwell Collins will provide training systems that leverage work already done on Canada's Maritime helicopter program. Both MoU signings took place at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, FL - and the most significant aspect was Sikorsky's public acknowledgement that the H-92 Superhawk would be its base CSAR-X platform.

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Australian Study/RFI re: Combat ID

DID has quite a few readers in Australia's defence department and related organizations. They're looking for information, and DID's readers may be able to help them out and share (cleared) knowledge with an ally - possibly helping their own companies in the process. Here's the request:

"The Australian Department of Defence has recently initiated Phase 2 of Project LAND 146 - Combat Identification for Land Forces in response to an Australian Government priority to provide a combat identification (CID) capability for Australian Land forces.... To gain a better understanding of the technology that will form the basis of this capability, the Defence Department is conducting a market technology survey in which technology suppliers and agents are asked to provide a range of technical, human systems integration, operational employment, logistics and cost information about Terminal Air Controller (TAC)-related products and technologies."

They are looking for technologies that would serve to provide a general CID capability suitable for use in the following roles:

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GBP 100M to BAE for Surface Warship Combat Sims

Type 45 Concept
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The UK Mininstry of Defence has placed a GBP 100 million contract (about $178 million at current conversion) with BAE Systems Insyte for "a very sophisticated system which can replicate the combat command systems used across most of our major surface warships, including the aircraft carriers, as well as the new Type 45 destroyers now under construction." New facilities will be installed in Devonport Naval Base and the shore base HMS Collingwood near Portsmouth, in time to be ready to train Type 45 destroyer crews later this decade. The idea is that men and women who 'fight the ship' in computerized command centers will be better prepared for combat and emergencies. The simulation system will be specifically designed for easy upgrade and technology improvement, and is a long-term investment that is expected to remain in service past 2040.

DID has covered Britain's CVF future carrier project. Regarding the UK's Type 45 Daring Class destroyers, they will be anti-air warfare specialty platforms that use the PAAMS combat system integrating the Alenia Marconi Sampson radar and MBDA Aster 15/ Aster 30 missiles. They will have less multi-role capability than the AEGIS-based DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class, however, or Australia's SEA 4000 Air Warfare Destroyer project.

MathWorks Strengthens Position as Emerging Standard With $10M Order

Simulink screenshot
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The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, CA has awarded MathWorks Inc. of Natick, MA a $10 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for MathWorks Software products. This includes MatLab, Simulink, and MathWorks toolboxes, plus maintenance, training, and consultation.

MatLab and Simulink provide a flexible software environment for model-based design, interpreting test data, simulating high-fidelity behavioral dynamics, and generating safety-critical flight computer code. The products also promote agility and communication along the supply chain, by providing a common software environment for sharing data, designs, and specifications across organizations.

MathWorks Inc.'s key products appear to be moving toward a status as a mainstream or even a default choice in the US aerospace and defense sector, and the China Lake contract is simply the latest illustration of the position it is building...

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SURVIAC: Booz Allen Receives 4 More Years, $56M

Booz Allen, Hamilton Incorporated in McClean, VA received a $56.6 million (estimated) cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification for operation of the Survivability/ Vulnerability Information Analysis Center (SURVIAC) for a 4-year option period beginning January 2006. "The mission is to perform the functions of a full service Department of Defense Information Analysis Center as described in DoD Regulation 3200.12-R-2, "Centers for analysis of scientific and technical information in the vital technical area of non-nuclear survivability/ vulnerability."

Well, that's what DefenseLINK says. Enlightening, isn't it? So, what is SURVIAC, really...

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NAVAIR Issues V-22 Osprey Contracts Worth $1.17B

V-22 Osprey

The USA's Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD has issued a series of contracts over the last week or so related to the twin-engine V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft. The V-22 Osprey remains controversial given its $100 million per plane cost, and performance questions over the course of the program. Cuts may also be forthcoming in 2007.

These contracts cover both the US Marines' planned MV-22 machines which are approved for full-rate production, and Special Operations Command's CV-22 which is still being modified and has yet to enter Operational Evaluation (OpEval). The total value of these six contracts, options, and delivery orders is approximately $1.17 billion.

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