FAA Will Miss UAV Deadline
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.
A DOT IG audit concludes, the FAA will miss a 2015 deadline to allow UAVs to freely fly the nation’s skies, reports the Washington Post. The report cites technical and regulatory obstacles unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. The audit found the FAA significantly behind schedule in defining standards to ensure UAVs are airworthy, pilots trained, and how to prevent UAVs interfering with other air traffic. The problems are so numerous it is unclear when, or if the FAA can safely integrate UAVs into US airspace.
It is the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s chance to shine at its international debut in the UK beginning with a fly by of the July 4 launch of the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth and appearances at two international airshows, according to Aviation Week. In 2012 the F-35 took a backseat to the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Russian Sukhoi Su-35 stole last year’s Paris air show. This year the F-35’s demonstrations will include a 15 minute routine with a short takeoff, high- and low-speed passes and hovering. Three F-35Bs flew on Friday from Arizona to NAS Pax River, where they will be readied for their first trans-Atlantic flights.
A woman will be pinned with a fourth star for the first time in the Navy’s 236-year history, reports the Navy Times. Vice Admiral Michelle Howard will become the vice chief of naval operations, the service’s No. 2 officer. A 1982 Naval Academy graduate, she was the first black woman to command a ship.
Former Pentagon comptroller Robert Hale provides his perspective on future DoD funding issues in an interview with Defense News. Mr. Hale managed the Pentagon’s money through budget reductions and government shutdowns. He stepped down on June 27 after five years on the job and will be replaced by his deputy, Mr. Michael McCord.
The Washington Post believes President Obama’s selection of Procter & Gamble ex-CEO Bob McDonald to lead the VA is an unusual choice that could reap benefits for the troubled agency. Mr. McDonald is a West Point grad but not a military general, like many recent VA leaders. His experience leading P&G isn’t consistent with running a benefits or health-care organization. However, he dealt with difficult stakeholders which will be valuable as leader of the embattled agency. His outsider status and experience with P&G’s process-driven culture could also be an asset.
Federal News Radio provides a download of F-35 Program Director Lt. General Christopher Bogdan’s appearance on “Federal Drive.” General Bogdan described the F-35’s progress as slow but steady and discusses the Pentagon’s new plan to reduce F-35 costs by asking Lockheed and other contractors to invest their own funds in the program.
The Navy, faced with Congressional opposition to decommissioning the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, prepares to begin refueling and modernizing the ship, according to Defense News. Navy sources confirm a $182 million advanced planning contract could be awarded “soon” so a Newport News shipyard can begin overhaul work. A separate award of about $63 million is still necessary to plan for defueling the flattop’s nuclear reactors.
The Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to enhance the service’s C4ISR data exchange capabilities in an effort to improve information sharing, according to Defense Systems. The IDIQ contract has a ceiling of up to $35 million over five years and will upgrade how the Navy’s space, air, surface, subsurface and unmanned sensors would collect and disseminate data.
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Mississippi, is being awarded a $151,365,660 indefinite-delivery requirements contract to provide organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance and logistics services in support of approximately 200 T-45 aircraft based at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi; NAS Kingsville, Texas; NAS Pensacola, Florida; and NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Logistics services to be provided include sustaining engineering, supply and government property management, and procurement of associated parts and materials. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas (48 percent); Meridian, Mississippi (44 percent); Pensacola, Florida (7 percent); and Patuxent River, Maryland (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2015. Contract funds will not be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; four offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-14-D-0011).
