Morning Coffee: Wind Farm Debate Continues
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.
The Baltimore Sun expressed its support for the proposed Somerset County wind farm in a Sunday editorial. After a nod to the economic importance of NAS Pax River’s $6.6 billion in annual economic activity and 41,185 jobs, the paper builds a case for not scrapping the $200-million wind project because of “theoretical” Navy technical concerns. The Sun reinforced its wind farm position in a Monday commentary that advocates a “win-win” solution that protects NAS Pax River interests while “taking advantage of the economic development wind energy provides in an area in need of good jobs and investment.” The Maryland General Assembly recently passed legislation that would bar approval of the wind-powered generating facility between now and July 1 of next year. That bill currently sits on Gov. O’Malley’s desk for his signature or veto.
NAS Patuxent River issued Noise Advisory from 7:30-9:30 am for April 22-25 and 28-29 anticipated as a result of flight testing including Field Carrier Landing Practice. NAS Patuxent River takes precautions to lessen the impact of testing activities on the surrounding community, and provides a noise hotline (866) 819-9028.
The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout program faces a mandatory review that could cancel the program, reports Reuters. The Navy is buying 49 fewer f the unmanned helicopter, which pushed costs sharply higher in 2013, the Pentagon announced last week. The law requires a mandatory “live-or-die” review if weapons systems see an increase of more than 25 percent in their unit costs. Defense officials think the program will probably survive since the cost increase was a result of reduced orders, but a final decision will not be made until the reviews are completed on June 17.
A $7.4 billion increase in the joint strike fighter’ program costs are attributed to a 33 aircraft cut from purchases planned over the next five years, according to Defense News. Program Manager Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan believes buying in bulk is key to lowering the overall cost of the F-35, saying, “For every dollar that we save in production cost on this airplane, 80 percent of it can be attributed to economies of scale.”
Northrop Grumman urged lawmakers on Thursday to enact cybersecurity legislation to limit the liability of American companies and allow them to take decisive action to protect their IT networks, reports Reuters. The defense giant provides cybersecurity equipment and services to the DoD and other national security agencies and is participating in industry-wide efforts to improve cybersecurity and information-sharing. Northrop CEO Wes Bush said it is critical to pass legislation that allows better information sharing between industry and government on threats to computer networks.
The Navy Times takes you along on a P-8A Poseidon flying a simulated combat mission as part of the 2014 Fleet Challenge exercise held earlier this month in Jacksonville, Fla. The competition brings the best patrol and reconnaissance crews from around the Navy to compete for top honors in the strategic game of sub-chasing.
NAVAIR is evaluating the FedBid online procurement tool to seek quicker and more affordable contracting procedures, reports SEAPOWER. FedBid is an online marketplace that matches government solicitations with qualified sellers, which accelerates the procurement of goods and services and reduces the administrative burden on contracting personnel.
Boeing and the Navy began testing an Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) radar system for the P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, reports Defense Update. The Raytheon radar is expected to be ready for deployment in 2016, as part of the P-8A Increment 2 upgrade.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company received a modification contract of $54.6 million from the Pentagon, according to Zacks. The company will provide manufacturing support and technical knowledge related to F-35 production for the Navy, Air Force and other international partner governments. Work under this contract is scheduled to complete by January 2015.
