International F-35 Buys a Program Breakthrough
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.
Recent decisions by Australia and Turkey to purchase F-35s are seen by Forecast International analysts as a major upturn for the JSF program, reports Menafn. Australia approved purchase of 58 more fighters, for a total of 72 and Turkey ordered their first two F-35As and reconfirmed intentions to acquire at least 100 jets. The multinational JSF effort continues to struggle against rising costs and technical issues but is now attracting nations interested in flying the world’s most advanced stealth aircraft. South Korea and Singapore are also expected to place orders.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) chairman, Gen. John H. Tilelli (Ret), testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee to eliminate sequestration and support for a high quality all-volunteer force, according to Digital Journal. Debt reduction is important, says Gen. Tilelli but a disproportionate share of the ensuing burden harms military families. He stressed that Congress needs to end negative sequestration effects by supporting a bipartisan debt reduction package to end sequestration cuts or “place national security at risk.”
The 10 biggest defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, increased political action committee contributions by 29 percent in advance of the 2014 midterm congressional elections compared with 2012, reports Bloomberg Business Week. The contracting giants seek protection from sequestration driven automatic federal spending reductions which hurt sales as agencies tighten spending.
Federal News Radio provides an interview with Horace Blackman, a Lockheed Martin VP, where he presents tips on cutting agency IT costs. Mr. Blackman reduced the budget of the Veterans Affairs Central Office by 33 percent as well as cutting network costs by 80 percent and received a Fed 100 Award in March. His comments on federal agency virtualization efforts lead to observations about mobile apps, networking, and big data.
DefSec Chuck Hagel ordered the four services to find new ways to “improve safety and reduce the risks posed by alcohol” and prepare an “implementation plan” no later than November 1, according to the Military Times. Two out of every three sexual assaults involve alcohol, a finding that has spurred a new anti-drinking campaign that will target the way alcohol is served and sold on military bases and in nearby communities.
Lorraine Rardin, of NAVAIR’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), says the Navy is increasingly looking to small businesses to help meet its “three pillars of acquisition, which are cost, schedule and performance,” reports NAVAIR News. OSBP plans to use National Small Business Week, May 12-16, as an opportunity to increase awareness, provide timely education and give small businesses the chance to interface with NAVAIR leadership. Small and large businesses are invited to a Small Business Roundtable at 8 am May 16 at the Engility Corp. conference room in Lexington Park. The event will feature presentations from NAVAIR leaders about the command’s initiatives, goals and objectives for 2014. Advanced registration is required.
Arcturus launched a pair of new unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) which appear to be designed to compete with the AAI RQ-7 Shadow, according to Flightglobal. The Cat-25 and Jump-25 will feature a new gimballed payload and Arcturus hopes to be the first company to fly with the sensors. Development activities on both UAVs have already begun with a first flight scheduled for the fourth quarter and delivery of both platforms in early 2015.
Bipartisan lawmakers are backing a House bill to increase the length of maternity leave for women in the military from six to 12 weeks, reports The Washington Post. The legislation, known as the Military Opportunities for Mothers (MOM) Act, would bring the military in line with federal guidelines for female civilian federal workers established through the Family and Medical Leave Act.
NAVAIR and NAWCAD employees provided hands-on experiences to students at the 3rd annual USA Science and Engineering Festival from April 26-27, according to NAVAIR News. Seven engineers from several NAVAIR sites hosted a booth during the two-day event where more than 325,000 people, including students of all ages, along with their families, came from around the country to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
