Morning Coffee: NAVAIR Head Seeks Contracting Reform

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Leader’s owners or staff.

NAVAIR commander, VADM David Dunaway, believes the Navy needs to make significant changes to acquisition of planes, helicopters and other aviation systems, according to Federal News Radio. VADM Dunaway said  future overhead costs overwhelm NAVAIR’s ability to implement new technology and that there is a “stranglehold” of proprietary systems adding cost without always adding value. He proposes open architectures and modular systems and ending the outsourcing of systems integration.

Congress is also addressing problems in the military procurement system by asking defense industry groups for input and to identify specific contracting obstacles. National Defense goes on to report that, after years of failed reform efforts lawmakers are now investigating why current laws and regulations have not worked before implementing additional contract legislation. Lawmakers also identified overhead costs as a root cause of soaring weapon prices. An industry consultant said, “People are seriously looking not only at the cost and schedule of weapon systems but also at the administrative costs of the acquisition process itself, and the time involved.”

Australia will probably commit this month to buying 58 more Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings instead of consolidating its combat aircraft fleet with Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, reports Aviation Week. The $8 billion order will increase Australia’s F-35 commitment to 72 and comes on top of a separate order for 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.

The Pentagon is developing a system that turns any helicopter into a remotely operated unmanned aircraft, according to Gizmodo. The Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (ACCUS) is a combined hardware and software system that utilizes a variety of visual sensors to supplement the onboard optical camera. Ground troops, who can learn the system in 15 minutes, program the aircraft from a tablet-based mobile app. Although a successful test flight was conducted last month there is no deployment deadline. Developers are already defining possible ACCUS missions including delivering supplies to humanitarian and natural disaster areas.

Russia and China are increasing military spending while the US is cutting back, according to the Hill. A report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute specifies that US military spending fell by 7.8 percent in 2013, while spending in the rest of the world increased 1.8 percent. China and Russia spend the most on defense, with the US ranked third, and both posted significant increases last year. China’s spending increased 7.4 percent, and Russia’s 4.8 percent.

PilotOnline provides a harrowing account of an F/A-18 Super Hornet trying to return safely to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier last April. An in-flight refueling accident over Afghanistan resulted in critical fuel and engine emergencies.

The White House announced several new programs to expand support and services to caregivers for injured or sick troops including financial and legal guidance, employment opportunities and training, reports the Military Times. The announcement follows the recent release of a Rand Corp. study that found many of the one million caregivers of the nation’s veterans face challenges ranging from isolation and financial strain to poor health and inadequate training.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is ramping up preparations to manufacture F-35 fighter wings, reports UPI. IAI signed a contract with prime contractor Lockheed Martin in April 2013 to manufacture the wings and has invested in advanced systems and an automated production line. Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed’s top executive, said, “IAI has been manufacturing several components for our products for many years and the production of F-35 wings will be a continuation of this process.”