18-Sep-2012Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company (FNC IM, SIFI.MI) announced today that they have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement to respond to anticipated requests for both the new Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and the Navy’s recently announced program to develop a new “Marine One†Presidential Helicopter. A US built helicopter based... Read more
17-Sep-2012Source: US Navy
The U.S. Navy announced today that the Navy’s newest helicopters will become part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) and be forward deployed to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan. As part of the Navy’s master aviation plan (MAP) and to provide the most capable maritime forces forward, the Navy will transition from the... Read more
28-Aug-2012Source: US Navy
When a V-22 Osprey from Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22 landed for the first time on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) on July 19, it highlighted another in a series of firsts for the unique tilt-rotor aircraft that has become an integral part of the U.S. naval forces. And although... Read more
28-Aug-2012Source: US DoD
Coastal Helicopter, Inc.*, Panama City, Fla., is being awarded a $9,043,184 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for aircraft flight test support of programs such as the Advanced Littoral Reconnaissance Technologies, Office of Naval Research. Work will be performed in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. (70 percent) and Panama City, Fla. (30 percent), and is expected to... Read more
1-Aug-2012Source: US DoD
Croman Corp.*, White City, Ore., is being awarded a $25,862,717 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for airlift and recovery functions in support of all Hawaiian military ranges. In addition, this contract provides utility/transport missions to carry passengers/cargo and range clearing operations in the Hawaiian operating area. Work will be performed in Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii, and is... Read more
30-Jul-2012Source: US DoD
General Electric Aviation, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded an $8,237,834 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously issued order against a basic ordering agreement (FA8122-09-G-0001-M81) for the procurement of 1,068 T64 variable guide vane linkage improvement kits in support of the H-53 aircraft. The work will be performed in Lynn, Mass., and is expected to be completed... Read more
30-Jul-2012Source: US DoD
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a $22,534,680 firm-fixed-price modification to existing basic ordering agreement (N00164-12-G-JQ66) for 24 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems. This acquisition is for Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems that will be used by Navy MH-60R helicopters. The system is an airborne, electro-optic, forward-looking infra-red, turreted sensor package that provides long-range surveillance, high altitude target... Read more
19-Jul-2012
Helicopter crashed killing 2 of the 5 POB – later named as Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, MO, and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, LA. Â The helicopter was assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 15, based in Norfolk, Va and... Read more
16-Jul-2012Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has established a new training facility for Fire Scout unmanned helicopter operators that offers improved flight simulators, hands-on aircraft maintenance and classroom instruction. Opened July 10 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., the Fire Scout Training Center will meet increasing demands for trained operators as the system is used more during... Read more
10-Jul-2012Source: Sikorsky
The U.S. Army and Navy today signed an $8.5 billion contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), to buy a baseline quantity of 653 BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK® helicopters through December 2017. The five-year contract will yield significant savings for the U.S. Government compared with purchasing the same quantity across five... Read more
3-Jul-2012Source: ReportLinker
This research forecasts the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) helicopter market, including general trends and program analysis. This market includes seven classifications of helicopter platforms as well as miscellaneous helicopter parts and services. Military helicopters provide end users with many capabilities, including air-to-ground attack and assault, troop and cargo transport, intelligence and surveillance gathering, resupply,... Read more
2-Jul-2012Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, was awarded June 29 a not-to-exceed $10,883,860 for delivery order 0007 under a previously awarded contract (N00383-09-D-003N) for repair coverage of 66 items required to support the UH-1Y and AH-1Z aircraft. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, and is expected to be completed by June 29, 2013. The... Read more
29-Jun-2012
Emergency landing made in rice paddy field after indication of onboard fire during training flight. helicopter completely burned out on the ground after all occupants had swiftly embarked after the emergency landing... Read more
25-Jun-2012Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded a firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract with a maximum $8,725,338 for tail rotor pylons. Other location of performance is Oregon. Using service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through 2015 Navy Working Capital Funds. There was one proposal with one response. The date of performance completion is Nov.... Read more
28-May-2012Source: Enterprise Ventures
Enterprise Ventures Corporation (EVC) has been awarded a $12.5 million contract from Naval Surface Warfare Center – Panama City Division (NSWC-PCD). Under this contract, EVC will build the U.S. Navy Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS) for the MH-60S helicopter. The CSTRS provides the multi-mission MH-60S helicopter with the widest, largest minesweeping capability by... Read more
24-May-2012Source: US DoD
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $9,064,199 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00383-06-D-003F) for the incorporation of two Naval Air Systems Command approved engineering change proposals supporting the H-53 helicopter: Dynamic Component Change No. 97 swashplate, and Dynamic Component Change No. 94 gearbox. Work for the nose gearboxes will be... Read more
15-May-2012Source: Telephonics
Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), announced today that the U.S. Navy conducted an exercise to demonstrate several Anti Surface Warfare concepts of operation using an MH-60S (Sierra) helicopter in conjunction with a Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The exercise included the use of Telephonics’ multi-mode, maritime surveillance radar on the... Read more
14-May-2012Source: US DoD
Enterprise Ventures Corp., Johnstown, Pa., is being awarded a $12,529,511 firm-fixed-price contract for the production of 12 carriage, stream, tow, and recovery system kits in support of the Naval Air Systems Command, MH-60S Airborne Mine Countermeasures Program. The overall objectives of the program are to design, fabricate, test, and integrate a system for the carriage,... Read more
9-May-2012Source: US DoD
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $25,709,758 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0041) to purchase three Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles Lot 5 low rate initial production and one ground control station. Work will be performed in Moss Point, Miss.... Read more
1-May-2012Source: ManTech
The U.S. Navy has awarded ManTech International Corporation (NASDAQ:MANT) a contract to provide flight test support solutions for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Manned and Unmanned Air Vehicle Evaluation Division (AIR 5.1.6). The contract has a three-year period of performance and a value of $46 million. AIR 5.1.6’s charter is to integrate, test and evaluate: aircraft flying qualities and... Read more
30-Apr-2012Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $13,765,096 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-09-G-0005) for non-recurring and recurring efforts to design, develop, and produce new Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination (ARPDD) configured AN/APS 153 (V) retrofit kits in support of the MH-60R aircraft. This... Read more
26-Apr-2012
There were no injuries among the crewmen aboard and the helicopter suffered no damage as a result of the precautionary landing. 8 POB. C ode 540 from the press photo (link 2) leads us to believe this was Bu164771... Read more
11-Apr-2012Source: US Navy
The Naval Test Wing Pacific commander presented Air Medals to members of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 for a recent search and rescue (SAR) mission in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains during a ceremony April 2 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake. The rescue mission was significant because at 11,300... Read more
11-Apr-2012Source: US Navy
The Navy recently experienced two unrelated operational mishaps with the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. There were no injuries to personnel and no damage to other aircraft. On March 30, an MQ-8B Fire Scout operating off USS Simpson (FFG-56) was ditched at sea upon returning from a maritime surveillance mission in support of Africa Partnership... Read more
10-Apr-2012Source: US Navy ONR
Navy unmanned aircraft will be able to distinguish small pirate boats from other vessels when an Office of Naval Research (ONR)-funded sensor starts airborne tests this summer, officials said April 5. Called the Multi-Mode Sensor Seeker (MMSS), the sensor is a mix of high-definition cameras, mid-wave infrared sensors and laser-radar (LADAR) technology. It will be placed on... Read more
9-Apr-2012Source: US DoD
Oceus Networks, Inc.*, Reston, Va., is being awarded a $7,804,428 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N68335-12-C-0100) to exercise an option for a rapidly deployable fourth generation long term evolution tactical, wireless, maritime command and control communication solution and support the operational test and evaluation. This modification will provided for the installation of equipment... Read more
9-Apr-2012Source: Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $1.05 billion, five-year contract to provide more than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for the Navy MH-60R “Romeo” and MH-60S “Sierra” helicopters. “U.S. Navy crews operating the 300-plus MH-60 Romeo and Sierra helicopters already in the fleet understand just how critical these aircraft are... Read more
6-Apr-2012
MQ-8B operating in northern Afghanistan crashed while conducting a routine surveillance mission in support of Regional Command North.... Read more
30-Mar-2012
MQ-8B Fire Scout operating off USS Simpson (FFG-56) was ditched at sea upon returning from a maritime surveillance mission in support of Africa Partnership Station. The air vehicle was unable to achieve UAS Common Automated Recovery System (UCARS) lock on, a requirement for landing aboard a ship at sea. After multiple approaches and exhaustive troubleshooting... Read more
19-Mar-2012Source: US Navy
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Heard the adage the last CH-46 Phrog pilot hasn’t been born yet? Well, he or she may have been born, but they’re probably still in middle school, thanks to a collaborative program between PMA-226 and the State Department. “We are actively transferring CH-46E aircraft to the Department... Read more
16-Mar-2012Source: GE Aviation
GE Aviation has been awarded a contract by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to provide a stores management system for the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. The contract includes the installation, engineering, manufacturing and data development of GE’s Stores and Payload Controller (SPC) used to control Fire Scout’s new weapons system. “The stores and payload controller... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: US DoD
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded an $8,013,321 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0069) to exercise an option to provide AN/ARC-210(V) electronic radio and ancillary equipment for the H-1. Â The contract provides for the following: C-12561A/ARC control, radio sets, quantity of 15; MT-6567/ARC mounting bases, quantity of 86; MT-7006/ARC amplifier... Read more
21-Feb-2012
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $20,521,388 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) for special progressive aircraft rework of two VH-3D and one VH-60N executive helicopters, including vendor repairables and component overhaul. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Work will be performed in Stratford,... Read more
17-Feb-2012Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $56,750,000 advance acquisition contract to provide long lead parts and components required for the manufacture of Lot 10 UH-1Y (15) and AH-1Z (13) helicopters for the Marine Corps in support of the H-1 upgrade program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60... Read more
17-Feb-2012Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that it has elected retired U.S. Navy Admiral Gary Roughead to its board of directors. Roughead served as the 29th Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy prior to his retirement from the service in 2011. The addition of Roughead increases Northrop Grumman’s board of directors to 13 members, 12... Read more
8-Feb-2012Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) to repair avionics equipment on the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter and the EA-6B Prowler jet. Under a five-year, fixed-price contract valued at nearly $19 million with NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Northrop Grumman will repair the ASN-150 and ASN-123 tactical... Read more
6-Feb-2012Source: US DoD
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $55,406,826 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option for maintenance services in support of the V-22 AE1107C turboshaft engines. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent), and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2012. ... Read more
2-Feb-2012Source: US DoD
Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Irvine, Calif., is being awarded a $56,463,304 fixed-price modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N62473-12-C-1406) to exercise option 0001 which provides for the construction of a helicopter maintenance facility at Naval Air Station North Island. The work to be performed provides for the construction of a multi-story, steel-framed, three-bay maintenance... Read more
20-Jan-2012Source: US Navy
The MQ-8B Fire Scout, the Navy’s only unmanned aircraft to operate on land and at sea departed Jan.17 from Mayport, Fla., aboard USS Simpson (FFG 56) for a six-month deployment to western Africa. Personnel from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 60 Detachment 4 and Northrop Grumman took Fire Scout on its third at-sea deployment aboard... Read more
19-Jan-2012Source: US DoD
Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $7,283,403 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee V-22 multi-year production contract (N00019-07-C-0001) to provide for production line preparation and production incorporation of unique identification marked parts for MV and CV Lot 16 aircraft. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa. (73 percent); Fort Worth,... Read more
2-Jan-2012Source: Parker Aerospace
Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, is pleased to announce that a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement has been signed with the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center-Southwest (FRC-SW) in San Diego. The agreement was signed on September 27, with a formal signing ceremony... Read more
2-Jan-2012Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $24,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0020) for end of life components and FY12 long lead material and associated efforts required for the production and delivery of MH-60R Lot 10 mission avionics systems/common cockpit kits, and MH-60S Lot 14... Read more
2-Jan-2012Source: US DoD
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $72,928,060 advance acquisition contract for long lead components required for the manufacture and delivery of 17 (fiscal 2013) Lot 17 MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft for the Marine Corps and four (fiscal 2013) Lot 17 CV-22 tiltrotor aircraft for the Air Force. Work will be performed in... Read more
2-Jan-2012Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $20,359,785 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-10-C-0035) to exercise an option for logistics products and services in support of H-1 helicopter upgrade program. Services to be provided include logistics management support; technical material for maintenance planning; design interface; supply/material support; technical... Read more
2-Jan-2012Source: US DoD
Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co., Inc., Woodland Hills, Calif., is being awarded an $8,880,685 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0016) for 52 GEN II mission computers for the H-1 upgrades Lot 9 production aircraft. Work will be performed in Woodland, Calif., and is expected to be completed in January... Read more
23-Dec-2011Source: US Navy
The Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD) at China Lake completed two major restoration projects for the Centennial of Naval Aviation (CoNA), an AV-8A Harrier and a J-model AH-1 helicopter. Both aircraft are prominently displayed in front of the MAD headquarters at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS), China Lake. In 2010, MAD members and volunteers repainted the... Read more
22-Dec-2011
All five members of a Navy helicopter crew are reported to be unhurt after crashing during a training mission on the edge of the Sierra Nevada.... Read more
19-Dec-2011Source: US Navy
The V-22 Propulsion and Power Integrated Product Team received a Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Commander’s Award for improving engine time-on-wing and reducing costs during a ceremony here Dec. 7. The V-22 Propulsion and Power IPT formed the AE1107 Measured Gas Temperature Increase Team in response to an urgent need to improve V-22 engine... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: US Navy
The first U.S. Navy virtual reality device, the MH-60S Aircrew Virtual Environmental Trainer (AVET), located at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., is ready for training. The stand-alone, reconfigurable, full-motion simulator supports aerial gunnery; search and rescue; cargo replenishment training; confined area landings; and emergency procedures training for the MH-60S Knighthawk and HH-60H... Read more
13-Dec-2011Source: US DoD
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded a $10,441,880 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0013) for non-recurring engineering, highly accelerated life test, and integrated logistics services required to complete Part II Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 6515-E-022 for the MH-60R helicopter. ECP 6515-E-022 will integrate the Airborne Low Frequency... Read more
13-Dec-2011Source: US DoD
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo Texas, is being awarded $37,582,267 for delivery order #0015 under previously awarded cost- plus-fixed-fee contract (N00383-10-D-003N) for the repair of various components for the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Roanoke, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2013. The Navy Working Capital Funds being used... Read more
13-Dec-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $13,919,264 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00019-11-C-0023) for the systems engineering/program management and engineering investigations for the H-1 upgrades production aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2012. Contract funds will... Read more
9-Dec-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded an $85,201,239 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the software upgrades in support of the H-1 Upgrade Program. This contract includes design, development, studies, and implementation of the upgrades to existing software and ancillary hardware and/or improved functionality and obsolescence management of the aircraft. Work will be... Read more
7-Dec-2011Source: US Navy
Just in time for the holidays, a member from Fire Scout Detachment Alpha returned here after an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan. Lt. Cmdr. Tom Williams, Alpha detachment’s assistant officer in charge, returned to Pax River mid-November after supporting Fire Scout’s first land-based deployment. Williams is not a returning individual augmentee, rather he is a Navy... Read more
7-Dec-2011Source: Barco
Visualization pioneer Barco will provide itsCD-2260 collimated display system for CAE USA, the prime contractor developing the flight simulators used to train the Navy’s MH-60S/R Seahawk multi-mission helicopter pilots. Barco’s turnkey CD-2260 collimated display system is a comprehensive solution featuring a wide array of state-of-the-art components, including its industry-leading SIM 7 Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) projector, AutoAlign automatic... Read more
2-Dec-2011Source: AVX Aircraft Company
BAE Systems and AVX Aircraft Company have combined expertise in system and subsystem integration and rotorcraft design to compete for the U.S. Navy’s Medium Range Maritime Unmanned Aerial System (MRMUAS). The MRMUAS will provide a multi-intelligence, reconfigurable platform for operation from all air-capable ships. The joint team recently submitted its response to the Navy’s Broad... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $15,634,738 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option for maintenance services in support of the V-22 AE1107C turboshaft engines. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent), and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2012. ... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Sierracin-Sylmar Corp., Sylmar, Calif., is being awarded $10,001,687 for delivery order #5002 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-11-G-011F) to manufacture V-22 Osprey windshields. Work will be performed in Sylmar, Calif., and is expected to be completed December 2013. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Moog, Inc., East Aurora, N.Y., is being awarded a $12,001,770 firm-fixed-price order 7038 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-09-G-002D) to repair the swashplate actuator for the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in East Aurora, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2012. Navy Working Capital Funds will not expire... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $13,735,723 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option for maintenance services in support of the V-22 AE1107C turboshaft engines. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent), and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2012. ... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Sandel Avionics
Sandel Avionics has announced it has completed the ground test phase of a U.S. Navy demonstration evaluation (Demval) of its ST3400H HeliTAWS wire and terrain avoidance system in a Sikorsky SH-60 test bed, successfully interfacing with the helicopter’s existing avionics and electrical systems. The next step of the program will be to install the COTS... Read more
9-Nov-2011Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) Fire Scout unmanned helicopter has improved ground commanders’ ability to see potential threats and increase fighting effectiveness in Afghanistan – prompting the U.S. Navy to extend the system’s service through most of next year. A team of U.S. Navy sailors and Northrop Grumman employees began their mission in May to gather... Read more
9-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $7,049,944 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for the Block 20/C upgrade to the CV-22 to include co-site communications; multi-mission advanced tactical terminal replacement; standby flight instrument; global positioning system repeater system; parking brake light; and environmental control system upgrades. ... Read more
9-Nov-2011Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation has started work outfitting the U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter with a weapons system. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System laser-guided 70mm rocket — in production for the Navy since 2010 — will allow ship commanders to identify and engage hostile targets without calling in other aircraft for support. “By... Read more
4-Nov-2011Source: Flightglobal
Northrop was recently awarded a $1 million contract to integrate a payload called Twister on the MQ-8B – but the notice did not identify what specific function the Twister payload performs. (see full story)... Read more
16-Oct-2011Source: IHST
Aviation experts from the U.S. Navy and the Federal Aviation Administration will be highlighted speakers at the fifth annual International Helicopter Safety Symposium taking place in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 8-9. The theme of the symposium will be Human Factors: our Collective Challenge – Our Individual Responsibility. The event is a gathering of helicopter... Read more
6-Oct-2011Source: Kaman
The Marine Corps will deploy the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Kaman [NASDAQ-GS: KAMN] unmanned K-MAX® to Afghanistan next month. The decision follows the successful completion of a five-day Quick Reaction Assessment for the U.S. Navy’s Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. A formal report, released last week by Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, confirmed that... Read more
4-Oct-2011Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $14,089,047 firm-fixed-price order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00164-11-G-JQ97) for target sight system (TSS) spare parts and program support. This acquisition is for AN/AAQ-30 TSS spares that will be utilized for the current TSS that are installed into AH-1Z Cobra attack... Read more
3-Oct-2011Source: US Navy
The Navy and Marine Corps recently fired the first shots of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II from a UH-1Y helicopter at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif., Sept. 9-13. The recent shots, part of the program’s low-rate initial production phase, mark the start of APWKS testing on the UH-1Y... Read more
3-Oct-2011Source: US Navy
The Navy reached a milestone in its quest to gain energy independence today, when an MQ-8B Fire Scout successfully flew the first unmanned biofueled flight at Webster Field in St. Inigoes, Md. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Directorate piloted the helicopter fueled with a combination of JP-5 aviation fuel and plant-based camelina. The biofuel blend... Read more
1-Oct-2011
Crashed from 20-25 ft on climb out, heavy landing with wheels broken off and fuselage impacting ground... Read more
30-Sep-2011Source: US DoD
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems Unmanned Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $7,550,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-10-G-0003) for software sustainment services in support of the MQ-8B vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle. Services to be provided include analysis of engineering change proposals; development... Read more
30-Sep-2011Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded an $8,200,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0098) for non-recurring efforts required to provide form, fit, and function resolutions to known obsolescence issues affecting MH-60R/MH-60S aircraft. Work will be performed in Owego, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in November 2013.... Read more
30-Sep-2011Source: US DoD
Raytheon System Co., McKinney, Texas, was awarded on Sept. 28 a $9,840,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 10 multispectral targeting systems in support of Navy MH-60S helicopters. The multispectral targeting system provides long-range surveillance, high-altitude target acquisition, tracking, range-finding, and laser designation for the Hellfire missile, and for all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions. Work will be... Read more
29-Sep-2011Source: Concurrent Technologies
Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) announced today that it has been awarded United States Patent No. 7,950,113 for the “Device for Retaining Splitting Forces of a Cable Stop.” This device, also referred to as a “cable ferrule,” is currently in use on the Navy’s MH-60S mine hunting helicopter. The device provides an improved structural interface between... Read more