O’Malley Vetoes Wind Farm Delay Bill

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.

Gov. Martin O’Malley vetoed a bill on Friday that would have delayed and possibly eliminated a proposed wind farm in Somerset County, reports The Washington Post. The governor said the legislation would send “a chilling message” to the clean-energy industry if it became law and the veto was praised by environmentalists and some local officials who touted the potential jobs creation for an area that is struggling economically. The decision was criticized by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer who said, “This veto fails to demonstrate Maryland’s strong commitment and support for the mission of Patuxent River Naval Air Station.” Mr. Hoyer and other Southern Maryland lawmakers believe that a wind farm would compromise sensitive radar that tests the stealth capabilities of fighter jets at NAS Pax River. Delegate John Bohanan also released a statement that said, “This veto ignores the $2M study currently underway to find a real solution to allow wind energy and sensitive radar systems to coexist.”

Lockheed Martin recently revealed that the number of sophisticated cyber attacks aimed at its computer networks has more than quadrupled since 2007, reports Reuters. Lockheed and other US weapons makers are regularly targeted by nations including Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea and by other hackers seeking to gain valuable information about high-end weapons systems. Ms. Chandra McMahon, a Lockheed IT VP, said she expected “steep increases” in cyber security investments by private-sector companies in coming years, and the company expects double-digit growth in its cyber business, which now accounts for 10 percent of revenues in the $8 billion information systems sector.

NAVAIR plans to issue a formal RFP for the next generation UCLASS aircraft in July despite headwinds from Congress, according to USNI News. RADM Mat Winter, NAVAIR’s unmanned program executive officer, said the final RFP would be issued following an industry day with the four companies that participated in the draft RFP process, Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop and General Atomics. The House Armed Service Committee put a hold on the UCLASS program in the draft FY15 funding bill until a new study on the program is completed. It claims the Navy’s current requirements for the program are insufficient.

The Navy’s 4th Annual Wounded Warrior and Veteran Hiring and Support Conference will be held on May 28-29 in Raleigh, North Carolina, according to NAVAIR News. During the first day of the free two-day conference, employers, human resources professionals, hiring managers and military leaders will discuss the benefits, challenges and resolutions to hiring and retaining wounded warriors and veterans. The second day features the Hiring Heroes Career Fair with more than 60 federal agencies and private industry employers with job opportunities for wounded warriors, veterans and their spouses. Register for the event online.

Sikorsky announced plans to launch an autonomous version of its UH-60 A Black Hawk helicopter at last week’s Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference, according to Defense News. The UH-60A will be converted into a proof-of-concept development cargo carrier that can take off, fly and land safely while under control of a computer. A fully autonomous helicopter builds on the company’s last year’s rigging of an aircraft to give it limited autonomy, although a pilot on the ground could control it by remote control. There is no formal timeline for the program to take its first flight but a Sikorsky representative said it would likely be more than 14 months before the program can take off.

Legislation to increase access to specialized therapy for military children with autism and other developmental disorders was recently introduced by a bipartisan group of senators, reports the Military Times. The Caring for Military Children with Developmental Disabilities Act would require Tricare to pay for certified specialist therapy as prescribed by a doctor or psychologist.

The first flying CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter, dubbed the “King Stallion, was revealed by Sikorsky and the Marine Corps this month, according to Intercepts. The CH-53K is the largest, most powerful helicopter ever designed and built by Sikorsky, and continues the line of H-53s in production since the 1960s. The huge chopper is designed to meet Marine Corps requirements for a vertical lift aircraft able to deliver an externally-slung load of 13.5 tons for 110 nautical miles, hover for 30 minutes, and return to base.

The Navy plans to release the petty officer quotas and the much-awaited advancement list this week, reports the Navy Times. The service will post individual advancements to BUPERS Online, Navy Knowledge Online, and the Navy Enlisted Advancement System on Friday, May 23.