MQ-4C Triton Arrives at Pax
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 MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) arrived at NAS Pax River late last week after completing its inaugural cross-country ferry flight, bringing the Navy closer to delivering this new capability to the fleet, reports NAVAIR News. The flight marked the transition from initial flight test, which established basic safety of flight, to testing that will demonstrate Triton’s capability to perform operational missions in the maritime domain. The unmanned aircraft is expected to supplement the Navy’s new P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane, performing Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS), reports The Washington Post. Northrop Grumman said that two other Tritons will fly to NAS Pax River over the next few weeks.
Captain Heidi Fleming assumed the duties and responsibilities as NAS Pax River’s commanding officer during a recent change of command ceremony, reports dcmilitary.com. Captain Fleming served as the air station’s executive officer for the past 18 months, a position that falls under the Navy’s Fleet-Up program. The change of command marks the first time a woman takes the helm of the 71-year-old installation.
The Senate joined the House by passing a short-term spending bill that prevents a government shutdown until at least mid-December, according to Government Executive. The $1.01 trillion stopgap measure funds agencies at their current spending levels.
Budget concerns continue to delay the release of the Navy’s UCLASS RFP, reports IHS Jane’s 360. The DoD is weighing how much funding to allocate to the program before it opens the competition. Jane’s also reports that Russia is beginning production of large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in 2017.
Boeing may be out of the fighter jet business if production of the F/A-18 ends in 2017 and the F-15’s in 2019, according to 24/7 Wall St. A company exec says the defense giant could make up for the fighter jet losses with new military contracts for a long-range strike bomber, an Air Force trainer, and the Navy carrier-based drone program.
An increase in the number of overweight and out-of-shape service members poses a direct threat to the US ability to defend itself, reports The New York Times. A recent report found that about 12 percent of active-duty service members were obese, a number that has risen 61 percent since 2002.
U-T San Diego takes a look at “the four next big things in naval aviation.” They include the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, unmanned helicopters launched from ships, a Ford-class aircraft carrier, and fighter drones launched from aircraft carriers.
The USNS Bridge, will be made inactive after weeks of disagreement over the future of the Navy’s biggest supply ships, reports DefenseNews. The Bridge is one of four fast combat support ships operated by the Military Sealift Command.
Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and Naval Air Systems Command executives believe that US defense laboratories and Navy warfare centers are facing challenges that threaten their effectiveness at a time when their need is critical, according to Government Executive. An aging and shrinking workforce is eroding critical skills and experience required by the increasing complexity of our weapons systems.
Aviation Systems Engineering Co., Lexington Park, Maryland, is being awarded an $8,565,330 modification (P00010) to a previously awarded contract (N00189-11-D-Z040) to exercise option three to extend the term of the contract for technical, analytical, administrative and material support services to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX1) in support of the test mission of commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force. The contractor will be required to provide support services to test and analyze Navy aircraft. With the exercise of this option, the total contract value will be $31,703,616. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 5, 2015. No funds are being obligated at the time of award and will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders issued against the contract. The contract was competitively procured via Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two offers received in response to the solicitation. The NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.
