Airbus bids on Polish helos

Poland has received three bids in a $3 billion military helicopter tender and expects to sign a deal in the second half of 2015, according to the defence ministry. Airbus Group, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp, a unit of U.S. contractor United Technologies Corp., and AgustaWestland, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica, offered bids, the ministry said. Poland has embarked on a $41 billion program to modernise its armed forces by 2022. (Source: Reuters, 12/30/14) Central Mississippi Note: Airbus Helicopters Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Airbus Group, is located in Columbus, Miss.

Miss. to build on economic strengths

Brent Christensen, Mississippi Development Authority’s executive director, foresees the state in 2015 to continue to build on its economic strengths. MDA expects the state to reap the rewards of several large projects that begin production in the coming year. MDA is targeting seven industries in the state for growth: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, automotive, energy, healthcare and shipbuilding sectors. McDermott International plans to locate a pipeline operation at the Port of Gulfport expected to create 100 jobs, in addition to longshoremen who will be employed while vessels are at port. McDermott represents the first major jobs announcement of the Port of Gulfport Restoration Project. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal, 12/30/14) Central Mississippi Note: Mississippi is also home to aerospace companies Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, SpaceX, GE Aviation (Batesville), Airbus Helicopters (Columbus), Northrop Grumman, Aurora Flight Sciences (Columbus), ATK’s Aerospace Structures (Iuka), Stark Aerospace (Columbus). Another major asset is the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.

Rea to lead EMBD chamber

Meredith Rea has been named manager of the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. (EMBD) Chamber of Commerce. She joined EMBDC as public relations coordinator in 2010. As manager, Rea will manage Leadership Lauderdale, ambassadors, member services, Business Before and After Hours, and various other programs of the EMBDC Chamber. The Meridian native is in the process of completing her Institute for Organization Management certification. EMBD is a not-for-profit organization committed to improving economic vitality and quality of life for area citizens; and serves as the COC and economic development organization for the community. (Source: Meridian Star, 12/28/14) Central Mississippi Note: Among some of Meridian’s aviation-community partners are Lockheed Martin’s aircraft parts and sub-assembly (with about 300 employees) facility for the C-130J Super Hercules; and Meridian Naval Air Station (3,000 personnel), home to Navy jet training.

Hub City applies for runway grant

Hattiesburg’s Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport may be getting a facelift. The city has put in an application to the U.S. Department of Transformation for a $2.6 million grant to repave the airport's 6,100-foot runway. The grant would be a 90/10 percent match; but the city would split the latter cost with the state DOT. Hattiesburg would have to contribute $130,000. The city hopes to hear from the FAA on the application in the first quarter of 2015. The "Application for Federal Assistance" indicates a 5-month project that could start by May. (Source: Hattiesburg American, 12/26/14)

New Way to Reach Mars Cheaply

Getting spacecraft to Mars can be a hassle – and very costly - not to mention actions the spacecraft would have to perform to swing into orbit that requires hundreds of extra pounds of fuel; and could find up as a potential failure. The Hohmnn transfer brute force approach of attaining orbit has worked well historically. But in times of shrinking science funding, there is new research that lays out a smoother, safer way to achieve Martian orbit. It’s called ballistic capture - also called a low-energy transfer. "It's an eye-opener," says James Green, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division. While at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 25 years ago, Edward Belbruno, now a visiting associated researcher at Princeton University, laid out the Hohmann fuel-and-cost-shaving orbital insertion method for probes to the Moon. But pulling off a similar maneuver for Mars seemed impossible because of the planet’s velocity. "I gave up on it," Belbruno says. However, while recently consulting for Boeing, one of four major contractors for NASA's Space Launch System, Belbruno and colleagues stumbled on an idea that would let the spacecraft be ballistically captured. Boeing, intrigued by the approach funded the study in which the authors crunched numbers and developed models for the capture. ATK Space Systems is among the four partners with NASA. (Source: Scientific American, 12/22/14) Central Mississippi Note: ATK’s aerospace and defense businesses operate in 21 states, including a machining and testing equipment site at ATK’s Aerospace Structures division in Iuka, Miss.

ATK partners with NASA

ATK Space Systems and NASA have announced an unfunded partnership agreement to support core technologies for space logistics, payloads and space transportation. ATK will also be joined by SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Final Frontier Design as part of a ‘Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities’ (CCSC) initiative to bring new space technologies to market in five years. The Space Act Agreement (SAA) allows ATK’s Space Systems division and NASA to collaborate on technologies and new product development. SAA allows ATK and NASA to develop solutions that support NASA’s 2014 Strategic Plan to advance commercial space efforts, said Tom Wilson, VP/GM of ATK’s Space Systems division. (Source: ATK, 12/23/14) Central Mississippi Note: ATK is an aerospace and defense firm operating in 21 states including a machining and testing equipment site for ATK’s Aerospace Structures division at Iuka, Miss. ATK’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., supports NASA’s new Space Launch Program.

GA earns logistics work for AF

The Air Force awarded General Atomics’ Aeronautical Systems Inc. a $375.2 million contract for logistical support for its unmanned Predator and Reaper aircraft. Work will be performed in Poway, Calif., and extend through the end of 2015. (Source: San Diego Business Journal, 12/23/14) Central Mississippi Note: GA Electromagnetic Systems Group has a manufacturing and testing facility outside of Tupelo, Miss., that provides advanced launch and recovery systems for aircraft carriers; manufactures large robotics, electrical motor winding equipment and a full range of computer numerical controlled machining and milling equipment - primarily for the U.S. Navy.

Forest to add AESA to SK order

WASHINGTON - Raytheon Co. was awarded a contract valued at $491 million to continue production of its Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for the U.S. Air Force. The contract includes missiles, radars and other related equipment, and runs through Feb. 28, 2017. The latest AMRAAM contract includes missiles to be sold to South Korea, Oman, Singapore, and Thailand under government-to-government foreign military sales. (Source: Reuters, 12/22/14) Central Mississippi Note: Raytheon’s Space and Airborne System’s Forest, Miss., assembly plant produces hundreds of tactical Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars for F/A-18s, F-15 and F-16s jets. It recently produced its 500th AESA drop-in radar design that can track both air and surface targets at the same time. South Korea had chosen the F-16 AESA model, known as the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR), to upgrade its fleet.

USM studies Gulf’s ‘blue tech’ biz

JACKSON, Miss. - USM looks at Gulf’s ‘Blue tech’ biz A new Mississippi maritime industries study spotlights the importance of shipbuilding, fishing, oceanography and marine technology as a dominant force in the state’s economy. Data from the Mississippi’s Blue Economy: An Analysis of Mississippi’s Maritime Industry study shows that 35 percent of the workforces in the three coastal state counties are in “blue industries.” And it’s not just the Mississippi Gulf Coast that has a stake in the blue economy. The study looked at employment and other data on shipbuilding and fishing as well as industries such as construction that have maritime and non-maritime activities. It also included maritime technology or “blue tech” companies. The study was compiled by three members of the Masters of Economic Development Program at the University of Southern Mississippi. Laurie Jugan, project coordinator for the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology at Stennis Space Center, said the study confirms an expansive amount of marine science and technology work being done: along the Mississippi Coast. “Until now, there was no way to quantify the importance of this industry sector in our area,” she said. “With the USM study, we now have a place to start.” The Small Business Administration awarded MSET a competitive $523,742 grant based on the study’s findings. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal, 12/18/14)

DAs want airport study records

The district attorney offices of both Madison and Rankin (Miss.) counties have requested, and want to review, records regarding a $1.2 million study to determine the feasibility of another airport in Madison County. (Source: Clarion-Ledger 12/19/14

GTRA: Critical west-bound proposal

COLUMBUS, Miss. - Golden Triangle Regional Airport Director Mike Hainsey has a plan to help achieve westbound air-carrier service from the Columbus airport. He believes the plan is critical to the airport's long-term viability. In January, he will ask for $100,000 each from Columbus, Lowndes County, Starkville and Oktibbeha County; and $50,000 each from West Point and Clay County to help fund an incentive package essential to attracting an air carrier with a potential Dallas connection. (Routes to Houston or Denver are also possibilities.) The $500,000 is part of a $1.5-million package that includes a USDOT $750,000 Small Community Air Service Development grant. The remainder of the package includes $200,000 in gate fee waivers and $50,000 in marketing expenses that the airport will provide the carrier. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 12/20/14) Central Mississippi Note: The only airline serving GTRA currently is Delta, which operates three daily flights to and from Atlanta.

Jackson part of Army launcher pact

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $32,416,755 modification (PZ0011) to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract W31P4Q-14-C-0124 for life cycle launcher support III which provides technical and maintenance support services for all U.S. Army high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) fire control systems and launcher modules and M270A1 fire control systems. Support is also provided to the Marine Corps' HIMARS program. FY14 and FY15 operations and maintenance (Army) and FY14 and FY15 military construction funds in the amount of $28,692,202 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2018. Work will be performed in Gulf Coast states at Jackson, Miss.; Huntsville and Brownsboro, Ala.; and Avon Park, Malabar and Boca Raton, Fla. Other sites include: Aberdeen, SD; Budd Lake, NJ; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Chambersburg, Pa.; Concord, NH; Dallas, Fort Worth, Fort Hood and El Paso, Texas; Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Chaffe, Ark.; Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Lee, Va.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Oklahoma City and Fort Sill, Okla.; Grayling, Mich.; Hauppauge, NY; Jackson, Miss.; Lovell, Wyo.; Pulaski, Tenn.; Sumter, SC; Sussex, Wis.; Whippany, NJ; York, Pa.; Afghanistan; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Seoul, South Korea. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal (Missile), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD, 12/19/14)

6 of 8 universities to raise tuition

JACKSON - Mississippi’s College Board gave final approval to plans Dec. 18 for the state’s eight public universities to raise tuition by an average of 3.2 percent beginning in the 2015 fall semester. Under the plan, Delta State and Mississippi Valley State’s tuitions will remain flat for the third consecutive year. The other six universities would increase charges from 2.5 percent to 5 percent. The largest increases would come at Ole Miss and Mississippi State, both raising tuition by 5 percent to about $7,500 per year. (The AP, 12/18/14) Central Mississippi Note: MSU offers a bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering focused on design, fabrication, testing, and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft. Its Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is one of only a handful of university-based flight labs in the nation. Delta State offers a Commercial Aviation Program that provides courses in general aviation, aviation management, and airway science.

AF Secretary Lee at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James was onboard Columbus, Miss., AFB for a two day visit which began Dec. 17. She will tour squadrons and meet with airmen to learn about key initiatives and base-wide missions. The 14th Flying Training Wing is “honored to have Secretary James visiting Columbus AFB,” said Col. John Nichols, 14th FTW commander, and are “excited about showing off our mission and our world-class airmen." Secretary James will get a first-hand view of Team BLAZE, and how it works to execute its mission of “producing pilots, advancing airmen, and feeding the fight." (Source: Columbus AFB, 12/17/14)

Tale of 2 helo markets

The rotorcraft industry is engulfed in “A Tale of Two Markets,” according to Raymond Jaworowski, senior aerospace analyst for Forecast International. The civil sector is growing; while the military market is likely to shrink. Light military helicopters’ production likely will be cut by about 50 percent through 2023. It will peak in 2016 with 208 buys; fall to 55 around 2028. In 2014, the two biggest potential competitions – Army’s Kiowa Warrior replacement, and India’s light utility helos – were cancelled. Manufacturers are going to have to “rethink their business strategy,” he said. They’re going to have to look hard to the civilian market to compensate for lost military sales and focus on customer support and sustainment. (Source: National Defense, 01/15) Central Mississippi Note: Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., is expected to manufacture 431 helicopters from 2014-28. Most are near-term sales of the Tiger attack helicopter - used by France, Germany, Australia and Spain - and the UH-72A Lakota, which the Army plans to buy to replace TH-67 training helicopters primarily used at Fort Rucker, Ala.

IAI-Boeing missile fails

JERUSALEM – The test-exercise of an advance missile defense system, a development between Israel Aerospace Industries and the U.S. aviation firm Boeing, failed Dec. 16 following a launch from the Mediterranean Sea. A senior Israeli Defense Ministry official said the exercise was to test the first live interception by the Arrow 3. The system locked and did not deploy. Arrow 3 is part of the multi-layered system Israel is developing to protect itself against both long- and short-range missile threats. (Source: The Associated Press, 12/16/14) Central Mississippi Note: Stark Aerospace of Columbus, Miss., is an American subsidiary of IAI and located at the GTR Global Industrial Aerospace Park. Stark operates Unmanned Aerial Systems, Sensors, Production Services and Engineering divisions. Stark’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Division produces the ArrowLite – a small UAS system - and supports the Army’s Hunter MQ-5B UAS. Stark’s Sensors Division assembles and repairs payloads and variants used on the Army RQ-7 Shadow UAS.

Wicker retains Senate seniority

JACKSON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has retained his seniority positions on the Senate Armed Service and Commerce committees. The senator will also serve on the Budget, Environment, Public Works and Rules committees. Wicker is the second ranking Republican on the Commerce Committee, which works on issues related to ports, aviation, NASA, and the Coast Guard. (Source: The Associated Press, 12/16/14)

Miss. STEP gets SBA boost

The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded the Mississippi Development Authority funding for the Mississippi State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program that allows MDA to provide financial/technical assistance to Mississippi companies interested in growing through trade. STEP helps reduce some of the financial obstacles qualifying businesses face when identifying export opportunities. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal, 12/16/14) Central Mississippi Note: Among companies that have participated in STEP are aviation and aerospace firms such as Hyperion Technology Group of Tupelo and Mississippi Aerospace Corporation of Picayune.

AeroDef conference in April

DEARBORN, Mich. - Aerospace manufacturers have an established – and growing - presence across the South; and some notable ones (Northrop, Be.., GE Aviation) will be partnering with SME to produce an AeroDef Manufacturing Conference from April 20-23 in Dallas. SME’s AeroDef will feature keynote speakers and panel discussions on the most promising technologies, including flexible manufacturing and the digital tapestry; additive manufacturing/advanced materials resource center; and a comprehensive technical conference. Registration is free. Visit aerodefevent.com/papers to download complimentary SME technical papers on aerospace manufacturing, including the drilling and machining of composites and advanced materials. For more information visit aerodefevent.com. (Source: PR Wire, 12/11/14)

Lakotas in spending bill

The Senate voted Saturday night to approve a $1.1 trillion deal sending the legislation to President Barack Obama for his signature after an unusual weekend session and days of drama in the House. In the end, the Senate passed the $1.1 trillion spending bill, 56-40. Mississippi’s Ingalls Shipyard secured a 12th LPD 17 San Antonio-class amphibious warship - saving about 3,000 jobs. Also, some other key Gulf Coast provisions are: 55 Lakota Light Utility Helicopters, which are made by Airbus Helicopters in Columbus, Miss.; three Littoral Combat Ships - plus advanced funding for a fourth - and an 11th Joint High Speed Vessel for the Mobile, Ala.-based Austal USA shipyard; nearly $1 billion for partial funding of a new amphibious ship, LPD 28 expected to be built at Ingalls in Pascagoula. (Source: Defense News, 12/12/14) Gulf Coast Note: The 56-40 Senate roll call vote Saturday. Gulf Coast states' senators voting for and against the measure: "Yes" is for passage: Landrieu, D-La.; Nelson, D-Fla.; Cochran, R-Miss.; Wicker, R-Miss. “No” votes: Sessions, R-Ala.; Shelby, R-Ala.; Vitter, R-La. Not voting: Feinstein, D-Calif.

Gov. touts state econ power

Gov. Phil Bryant touted Mississippi's success as an economic power and a job creator during a stop in Southaven on Dec. 10 - hosted by the DeSoto County Economic Council - as part of his statewide tour of "Mississippi Works". "Good things are happening," he said, referring to job-related growth. Bryant touted the state’s 120 aerospace industries from testing “engines that will put man on Mars someday" regarding work at Stennis Space Center in Hancock County to providing for the nation's most advanced warships built in Pascagoula. Workforce development is critically important, he Bryant. "If we don't have a supply chain coming out of the community colleges we are going to lose." (Source: DeSoto Times Daily, 12/11/14)

Nashville demand at TRA

TUPELO – With demand for flights to Nashville higher in demand than to Memphis from Tupelo Regional Airport, SeaPort Airlines hopes to find a near-term solution. At a reception Dec. 11 at TRA, SeaPort President Rob McKinney said passenger preferences are running 10-to-1 favoring Nashville. SeaPort began subsidized air service from TRA in October and offering 18 round-trips per week to Nashville and 12 to Memphis. SeaPort VP Tim Sieber said there are plan to meet with TRA’s Josh Abramson to look at the possibilities of switching more flights to Nashville. SeaPort is getting an annual $2.5 million subsidy through the federal Essential Air Service program to operate at TRA. (Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 12/12/14)

MS transportation cooperation

TUPELO – Major transportation sector leaders in Mississippi were stressing the necessity for intermodal cooperation – to move the economy forward – at an Itawamba Community College-sponsored event that included representatives of highways, railroads, airports, waterways and ports. Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert stressed the need to maximize, coordinate and cooperate across transportation sectors. Mississippi is a state of mostly small airports, with only two airports – at Jackson and Gulfport – having robust passenger service. Tupelo Regional Airport produces a $114 million economic impact; Golden Triangle Regional near Columbus a $272.5 million impact; Jackson’s impact is $873.5 million and Gulfport’s is $426 million. (Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 12/12/14)

New CEO for Jackson airport

JACKSON, Miss. – Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport general manager Carl D. Newman was named the new CEO for the Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Jackson on Dec. 11. The first order of business is to evaluate the airport with input from the community and business leaders. "What we need to do over time is assess what the real transportation needs are from an airport development standpoint and we'll work collaboratively with the community," Newman said. Among those assessments is to find a new air carrier to replace Southwest, which pulled out of Jackson in early 2014. (The Associated Press, 12/12/14)

Memphis hires airport manager

The Memphis-Shelby County (Tenn.) Airport Authority tapped former American Airlines network planner Will Livsey to serve as its new senior manager of Air Service Research and Development at Memphis International Airport. Livsey will be responsible for researching, developing and executing an increase of air service at MIA, which lost dozens of flights following Delta Airlines’ downsizing. He will serve as liaison between passengers, regional corporations, and leisure and convention travel executives to help target appropriate destinations. Livsey is a Memphis-area native. (Source: Memphis Daily News, 12/13/14)

CAFB ‘Pilot Partner’ honors

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Col. John Nichols, commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing, recognized a pair of community business leaders for their support of CAFB’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class graduation Dec. 12. Nichols presented plaques of support, as part of the community’s ‘Pilot Partner’ program, to Chuck Bigelow of Stark Aerospace and Marleen Hansen of Cartney-Hunt House Bed & Breakfast. The business leaders were community liaisons and mentors to the pilot training class during their one-year journey toward earning their Air Force silver pilot wings. The Pilot Partner program is a partnership with the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce, the local chapter of the Air Force Association and CAFB. (Source: Real Media, 12/12/14) Central Mississippi Note: Stark Aerospace develops, produces and supports unmanned aerial systems. Stark produced ArrowLite, its first completely organic sUAS. Stark’s main manufacturing and support facility is located at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus.

81st FS to reactivate at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - The 81st Fighter Squadron – first activated in January 1942 at Key Field - will be reactivated on January 15 under the 14th Operations Group at Columbus Air Force Base for training up to 30 international pilots and 90 maintenance personnel on the A-29 Super Tucano. "This is a great opportunity for the 14th Flying Training Wing to continue to support international training," said Col. John Nichols, 14th FTW commander. The squadron will eventually grow to 65 personnel and 20 aircraft with training slated to begin in February. This is a temporary training mission programmed to be complete by 2018. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James had announced Aug. 22 that the overall program for coalition partner-training would be based at Moody AFB, Ga. (Source: Columbus AFB, 12/11/14)

Thunderbirds to fly at KAFB

NELLIS AFB, Nev. - The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron – known as the Thunderbirds - recently released its 2015 air show schedule. It will be the squad’s 62nd season and they will perform 71 demonstrations at 39 locations. Among multiple Gulf Coast states’ appearances include these dates/sites: March 28-29 at Keesler AFB, Miss.; April 11-12: Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Oct. 17-18 at Houston, Texas; and Oct. 24-25 at Lake Charles, La. Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, an experienced fighter pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours, will take the lead of the squadron for the 2015-16 seasons beginning January. (Source: Thunderbirds, 12/10/15) Gulf Coast Note: Left-wing #2 pilot is Maj. Joshua Boudreaux of Covington, La. Talks about action in Afghanistan.)

Miss. ‘Doc’ of Army-Navy football

Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer Felix ‘Doc’ Blanchard, one of the U.S. Military Academy’s Heisman Trophy award winners and retired Air Force Colonel, would be 90 years old Dec. 11 on the eve of the 84th consecutive Army-Navy football game Saturday in Baltimore, Md. During his three years of football at West Point, Army compiled an undefeated 27-0-1 record – tying Notre Dame 0-0. In 1945, Blanchard played against the Naval Academy’s Leon Bramlett, a two-time All-American running back who had played at Ole Miss and Alabama before going to Annapolis. Army won, 32-13. Both Blanchard and Bramlett, later a farmer-politician from Clarksville, Miss., were inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and 1988 respectively. Saturday's game will air at 2 p.m. CT on CBS. (Wikipedia 12/11/14)

Romney at MSU

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be featured speaker on the Mississippi State University campus Jan. 28 as part of the Global Lecture Series. The event is a free, public lecture at Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium. (Source: Clarion-Ledger, 12/10/14)

MDA #9 in econ development

The Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s lead economic and community development agency, ranked No. 9 among the Top 10 State Economic Development Organizations in the U.S. based on research from the American Economic Development Institute. Louisiana ranked sixth and Alabama No. 8. MDA works to recruit, retain and expand Mississippi’s businesses. The annual study is designed to analyze and identify the most effective state economic development organizations. “Economic development in Mississippi is a team sport,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. ”It would not be possible without the great business relationships we have with our economic development partners at the regional and local levels throughout Mississippi.” AEDI is a non-partisan public policy and economics research institution with the mission to improve the American economy by fostering economic growth and prosperity through employment creation and international trade. (Source: AEDI, 12/09/14)

Happy birthday Mississippi

Today, Dec. 10, is the 197th anniversary of Mississippi becoming the 20th state admitted into the United States of America. David Holmes, who had previously been President Thomas Jefferson’s appointed governor of the Mississippi Territory, became the first elected governor of the state.

Orbital’s limited options

With heightened political tensions between the U.S. and Russia, the American government and the spaceflight industry wants to reduce space reliance on the Russian rocket engines that power a number of American private and military space launch vehicles. While Congress considers banning Russian launch technology, Orbital Sciences’ search for a new rocket engine demonstrates the difficulty of those type firms to wean themselves off Russian rocket hardware - or field American-made replacements. Orbital announced it would stop using the Russian AJ26 engine. But how will they replace it? With contract obligations to NASA and no obvious replacement option on the market, they may not have any choices. It can’t just go to the local hardware story and pick up cutting edge pieces of equipment. That’s a problem for the domestic rocket engine industry dominated by two non-competitive companies: Aerojet Rocketdyne, which produces liquid-fueled rocket engines, and Alliant Techsystems (ATK), whose expertise lies in solid-fuel rockets. ATK especially serves government clients that tend to push up the price of hardware beyond what the private space industry wants to pay. (Source: Fortune, 12/09/14) Centeral Mississippi Note: See previous story of potential merger.

ATK, Orbital talk merger

A prospective $4.5 billion merger between Orbital Sciences Corp. and its largest supplier, Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) has gained the go-ahead from the Department of Justice following an antitrust review. Orbital developed the Antares rocket - a booster that exploded in October after launching from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on a re-supply mission to the International Space Station. Antares had previously made four successful launches. ATK is an aerospace and defense contractor and ammunition manufacturer. If the merger is OK’d by shareholders in special meetings in January, the combo-firm would be known as Orbital ATK. The merger could be completed as early as February. Such mergers must pass federal muster under antitrust laws. (Source: Daily Press, Va., 12/08/14) Central Mississippi Note: In 2009, ATK announced it would locate high-tech aerospace and defense operations, in the area of manufacturing composite structures, at Iuka, Miss.

GC military housing kudos

Balfour Beatty Communities, the property and facilities management service company for military housing at NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport, Miss., was awarded 2014 Multifamily Real Estate Awards for Customer Service by CEL & Associations across 115 neighborhoods. The “A List” awards are the results of military customers’ feedback. Balfour earned the awards for resident satisfaction at 16 Air Force, 15 Navy and six Army bases. Across the Gulf Coast, Balfour’s other properties include Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field, Naval Support Activity Panama City and Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. (Balfour Beatty, 12/09/14)

TANG pumps $73M into Memphis

MEMPHIS - The 164th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard (TANG) does exactly what one would expect of an airborne unit operating out of the world's second largest cargo airport – moves supplies and equipment around the world. It operates at the NE corner of Memphis International Airport. The base has an economic impact of about $73 million it pumps directly or indirectly into the region. TANG provides jobs and payroll, and makes local purchases and capital improvements into the area - like a $1.2 million flight simulator and training facility unveiled last week. The 164th AW has 870 employees and annual payroll of about $43 million, says base commander, Col. Mark Devine. The flight simulator marked one of the final steps in the wing's conversion to C-17 Globemaster III from the C-5 Galaxy aircraft. Devine believes the Air Force has increased utilization of the wing to support combat operations and missions such as combat-related medevac flights between the Middle East, Germany and the U.S. (Memphis Commercial Appeal, 12/06/14)

3 Rivers partners with Itawamba

FULTON, Miss. – The Itawamba County Board of Supervisors has contracted with the Pontotoc-based Three Rivers Planning and Development District on a trial basis to serve as interim director of the Itawamba County Development Council through September 2015. The 3-person economic development team will begin immediately. Three Rivers is a non-profit that promotes economic development and provides guidance in an 8-county area - many of NE Mississippi’s major economic projects were completed with at least some guidance from them. Three Rivers served as administrator of the Pontotoc Union Lee (PUL) Alliance, which helped recruit Toyota. Three Rivers’ 30-day focus will be to complete at least 10 industrial site visits, get up to speed on the county’s current projects and industries by the end of December; and move forward in promoting Itawamba’s economic growth. (Source: Itawamba County Times, 12/04/14)

USM: Among tops in mil.edu

The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University were named "Top Schools" for the 2015 Military Advanced Education Guide to Colleges & Universities guide. The December-released guide measures best practices in military and veteran education; and presents the results of a questionnaire of the military-supportive policies at more than 600 colleges. The institutes were evaluated on their military culture, financial aid, flexibility, on-campus support and online support services. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond, director of veteran and military student services at USM, said the university was honored to receive the designation. (Source: Hattiesburg American, 12/06/14) Central Mississippi Note: USM’s School of Aerospace Engineering provides education in the field of aeronautics and astronautics through comprehensive learning and research activities to meet the nation’s aerospace demands. The school offers an accredited Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering as part of building human capitals of aerospace engineers for the country.

L-3 wins OK flight ops pact

For the first time since civilian contractors began providing most services at Vance AFB, Okla., two firms will split the work load. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace took over all flight operations at Vance when awarded a $35.2 million pact to perform all aircraft support functions. The contract runs through Sept. 30, 2015. Previously, PAE-Applied Technologies LLC provided comprehensive base services on the flight line and off. But PAE was awarded a $43.5 million bridge contract to perform all other service functions at Vance through February 2016. (Source: Enid News, 12/06/14) Central Mississippi Note: L-3 Vertex has a Madison, Miss., location that provides aviation and aerospace technical services primarily for U.S. government customers including aircraft maintenance at Pensacola and Whiting Field Naval Air Stations in Florida.

Iuka eyes’ affixed to the heavens

IUKA, Miss. - Workers at the ATK Aerospace manufacturing plant in Tishomingo County will have their eyes toward the heavens Friday. ATK Aerospace built components for the Orion EFT-1 rocket, which is tentatively set to be launched by NASA from Cape Canaveral, Fla., weather permitting. It's the nation's first new spacecraft intended for outer-space travel by humans since the Apollo moon program. Many critical parts of the launch vehicle and capsule were made at the North Mississippi site. (Source: WTVA-Tupelo, 12/03/14)

Aerospace command tracks Santa

PETERSON AFB, Colo. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command’s ‘NORAD Tracks Santa’ website has launched; and it features a mobile version, a holiday countdown, new games and daily activities. It’s also available in eight languages. (Source: NORAD, 12/01/14)

DOD seeks tech ideas

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department is seeking technology and innovative ideas – from space to undersea technologies - as part of its Long Range Research Development Plan within the Defense Innovation Initiative, a broad effort examining future capabilities, dominance and strategy. The newly-released LRRDP Request for Information will provide a way for DOD technology scouts to collaborate with industry, academia, and the general public to explore topics and ideas to better identify the “art of the possible,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering Stephen P. Welby. (Source: Defense Media Activity, 12/03/14)

Japan defense chief at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff was onboard Dec. 1-2 to check in on 10 of his nation’s student-pilots undergoing Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training with the Air Force. Columbus AFB is “one of the best places for flight training," said Gen. Harukazu Saitoh. “The extensive training range … enables the U.S. Air Force to train pilots quite effectively, and its three runways allow them to respond to unexpected situations flexibly." Saitoh said the U.S.-Japan Security Arrangements are a cornerstone of Japan's security. The JASDF student-pilot training with the Air Force began in 1991. To date, 215 JASDF pilots have completed their training with the Air Force. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing, 12/03/14)

Boeing mum on AF T-X

ORLANDO, Fla. - Boeing continues to develop a custom-designed solution for the US Air Force’s T-X trainer replacement program with an eye on contract award in 2017. But Boeing VP Bob Gower indicated Dec. 1 that a preview is still a ways away. “We have not defined the timeframe that we will roll out the family of systems, including the new aircraft,” he told reporters. Boeing’s T-X plans are closely guarded. Almost nothing about its design has leaked. It is known that Boeing has teamed with Sweden-based Saab to develop the aircraft. But Boeing officials have insisted it won’t be a modified version of Saab’s Gripen fighter. The winner of the T-X competition will replace the service’s T-38 trainers with 350 new aircraft. (Source: Defense News, 12/02/14) Central Mississippi Note: Columbus AFB, Miss., is home of the 14th Flying Training Wing. Its mission is specialized undergraduate pilot training in the T-6 Texan II, T-38C Talon and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft. Following the T-6 phase of training, student pilots enter specialized track specific training - depending on the type aircraft they've been selected to fly – they use T-38s for fighter and bomber pilots or T-1As for tanker and airlift pilots. Student pilots selected to fly helicopters conduct training at the Army’s Fort Rucker, Ala.

AHI delivers helos to OKC police

The Oklahoma City Police Department’s aviation unit has placed two new Airbus AS350B3e AStar helicopters into service. The helicopters, built by Airbus Helicopters Inc. at its facility in Columbus, Miss., include technological and equipment upgrades to enable the OKC police department to significantly improve its airborne law enforcement and public safety mission capabilities. “The successful process of transitioning to a helicopter that allows for greater functionality, safety and reduced pilot fatigue is a testimony to Airbus Helicopters and their product,” said OKC Police Chief William Citty. (Source: PR Web, 12/01/14)