UH-72 contract support

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $17,361,275 contract for logistics, parts and sustainment support of the Army’s UH-72 light utility helicopter. Procurement includes program management, sub-engineering services, cyber security, logistics labor, and other direct costs, contractor manpower reporting, mission equipment packages, pilot transition training, functional check flight training, airframe training, power plant training and contractor field teams. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Work will be performed in Texas with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. (Source: DOD 12/19/16) Gulf Coast Note: The helicopters will be assembled at AHI's Columbus, Miss., manufacturing facility.

AHI to exhibit 2 helos in NC

Airbus Helicopters Inc. will exhibit a pair of its helicopters at the Air Medical Transport Conference Dec. 13-15 at the Charlotte (NC) Convention Center. On display will be AHI’s H135-series aircraft operated by STAT MedEvac, a western Pennsylvania provider of emergency medical service and inter-hospital patient transports. Also, the company will exhibit an H130 high-performance single-engine helicopter operated by JeffSTAT, the medical transportation service affiliated with the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. (Source: AHI 12/09/16) Gulf Coast Note: AHI operates a large manufacturing facility at Columbus, Miss.

Communiversity underway

Communiversity, a workforce educational training center at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, is now under construction. Officials were on-hand Dec. 9 for a groundbreaking ceremony in Lowndes County. Communiversity, which is to specialize in advanced manufacturing training in the Golden Triangle region, is a partnership between the Golden Triangle Development LINK, Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties, and EMCC. Communiversity, formally called the Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence 2.0, will host manufacturing and technical training-based programs. Regional industries will also be able to use bays at the site to train employees on their own equipment. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2018. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 12/10/16) Gulf Coast Note: The Golden Triangle region was selected by Southern Business and Development Magazine as the best mid-south small market for the Aerospace Industry and GTR Global Industrial Aerospace Park in Columbus as best mid-south megasite for 2016.

Ex-Gulfport OIC coaches Navy

Navy Cmdr. Gregg Gellman, deputy chief of staff for base operations and medical installations at Navy Medicine East, was the defense coach for the Army-Navy hockey game Dec. 5 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The NHL's Washington Capitals hosted the game to celebrate the spirit of sports rivalry between two of the nation's military academies. Gellman was also the only Navy Medicine person selected to be on the roster as the back-up goalie. (Source: Navy Medicine East 12/08/16) Gulf Coast Note: Gellman was Officer in Charge of Naval Branch Health Clinic Gulfport, Miss., from June 2008 to August 2011. The clinic is one of 10 branch clinics that fall under Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla. – a member institution under the auspices of NME.

MS-Raytheon to show new trainer

There’s likely going to be some competition for the Air Force’s contract to supply 350 new jet-trainers by 2017: Lockheed’s T-50A, Boeing/Saab’s T-X, Northrop Grumman’s Model 400, and Raytheon/Leonardo’s T-100. Lockheed expects the AF to release a final Request for Proposal by year’s end which will start a 90-day clock for bidders. The AF evaluation could take months. The proposed bidders are pursuing different strategies for promoting their products. Raytheon will host its first public event Dec. 12 on the site of a greenfield factory in Meridian, Miss. (Source: Flight Global 12/08/16)

Have Mayor, Will Travel

Tupelo (Miss.) Mayor Jason Shelton spent last week in Israel as part of an economic development trip hosted by the Mississippi Development Authority. He was the only mayor to make the trip. “I think it was very productive.” In February 2017, he plans to visit Cuba. The trips are intended to build business relationships. MDA averages nine trade missions aboard per year. He and Gov. Phil Bryant met with an Israeli corporation that, according to Shelton, appears committed to conducting a site visit to Mississippi. Two Israeli companies currently have operations in Mississippi: Stark Aerospace, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, in Columbus; and Emilia Cosmetics in DeKalb. Mississippi exports to Israel have increased 27 percent to $43 million as of 2015. (Source: Daily Journal 12/09/16)

‘Spirit of the Lakota’

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Descendants of the Lakota warrior Eagle Elk shared stories of his bravery and hunting prowess, but family worried his legacy would be forgotten. Airbus Helicopters Inc. commissioned a painting of Eagle Elk - “The Spirit of the Lakota” - to capture the spirit of its UH-72A Lakota helicopters and the heritage of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe for which it is named. “We always told ourselves his time would come, and now it has. I believe he is with us in spirit,” Robert Eagle Elk, the warrior’s grandson, said at a recent unveiling of the artwork here at AHI headquarters. “The artwork was created by Dallas artist David Gail Smith. The piece features a towering image of the Lakota warrior as well as the Lakota Army helicopter in flight. The painting portrays Eagle Elk as being part of the open sky and mountains, watching over Earth. AHI leadership consulted with the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribal Council to ensure the painting was culturally accurate and respectful. Family members offered a Native American prayer, sang a song about Lakota life and presented Smith and AHI executives with tribal flags. (Source: AHI 12/07/16) Gulf Coast Note: The UH-72A Lakota is a multi-mission helicopter that was selected by the Army in June 2006. AHI’s manufacturing and production facility is in Columbus, Miss.

OATK-Iuka aids with launch

Orbital ATK, an aerospace and defense technologies’ company, provided propulsion, composite and spacecraft technologies that enabled both the United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket and the eighth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-8) satellite launched Dec. 7 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Both the satellite and Delta IV rocket use cutting-edge technologies from multiple Orbital ATK facilities. For the rocket, Orbital ATK provided four 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-60) solid rocket boosters. OATK produced the solid rocket motors in Utah. In addition to the GEM-60, Orbital supplied a combined 13 Delta IV and GEM-60 key composite structures. The largest of the structures are four-to-five meters in diameter and produced using either advanced wet winding or hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at Orbital ATK’s manufacturing facilities in Iuka, Miss., and Utah. (Source: Business Wire 12/08/16)

CAP: Still going at 75

One week before Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941, the Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer organization under the U.S. Army Air Corps was formed. They’re still going strong 75 years later. The Mississippi Wing of CAP flew one its largest missions since WWII with its involvement in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. CAP Colonel Robert Arn flew anti-submarine missions during WWII for the Florida Wing out of Coastal Patrol Base No. 14 at Panama City from September 1942 to June 1943. Of the 12 original pilots at Panama City, six were killed. Arn flew 179 missions totaling 557 hours of flight time over the GoM. From hurricanes Betsy and Camille in the 1960s to Katrina in 2005, the Louisiana Wing has established key ground radio network capabilities; transported key officials and equipment; conducted aerial surveillance of evacuation routes, levees and other affected areas; and demonstrate the value of airborne video and still photography. The Louisiana Wing used its skills after 9/11 to assist the Coast Guard and providing air support for port security, photo documentation and daily alert aircraft for the Port Authority and Lake Charles Waterway. (Source: Oxford Eagle 12/06/16)

Gulf armories contaminated

More than 400 of 1,304 National Guard armories across America have been contaminated by dangerous amounts of lead dust, an 18-month investigation by The Oregonian of Portland found. The Defense Department and state guard officials knew about the toxins at the armories for nearly two decades, but was slow to address problems leaving soldiers, civilians and children exposed. Lead was found it 424 armories; no lead was found at 55; and 827 had not been inspected (or had reported). (Source: Times-Picayune 12/02/16) Gulf Coast Note: At least 36 armories across the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi were found with contaminants. Among coastal state armories in Alabama were Fairhope, Foley, and Fort Whiting in Mobile. In Mississippi, armories were located in and around Jackson, McComb and Yazoo City. In Louisiana: Lafayette and Breaux Bridge just to name some.

Golden Triangle & 60 Minutes

Mississippi’s Golden Triangle was in the national TV spotlight Dec. 4 on the region's industrial boom during CBS’ "60 Minutes" broadcast. The segment focused on the GT’s industrial development in recent years, spearheaded by the Golden Triangle Development LINK, which works with local governments in Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties, as well as Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College. "I think it was very positive," he said. "I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop … you know … now here's the bad news." The segment focused on Higgins, who has been an integral part of attracting developments like (Steel Dynamics), PACCAR and Airbus, all located in the Golden Triangle Industrial Aerospace Park. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 12/05/16)

L-3 mod contract: $13.6M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded $13,674,743 modification to a previous contract for aircraft maintenance and logistics in support for 49 C-12 aircraft. Work will be performed in Corpus Christi, Texas (42%); Patuxent River, Md. (6); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (6); Manama, Bahrain (6); Atsugi, Japan (6); Beaufort, S.C. (4); San Angelo, Texas (4); Yuma, Ariz. (4); New Orleans (4); Iwakuni, Japan (4); New River, N.C. (3); Kadena, Japan (3); Manassas, Va. (2); Miramar, Calif. (2); Futenma, Japan (2); and Misawa, Japan (2). Work is expected to be completed in March 2017. (Source: DoD, 12/01/16)

Ex-CAFB grad challenges pilots

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - The deputy director of operations at the Hurlburt Field, Fla.-based headquarters of the Air Force Special Operations Command was guest speaker for the graduation of the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training course Nov. 18 at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Col. John Cline thanked audience members for their support to the new graduates; and congratulate to the pilots. “It is a monumental effort to make it through pilot training,” he said. To progress through the rigors of commissioning, medical and aptitude screenings, pilot selection, and flight training was a monumental challenge. Cline, who trained at CAFB, told the pilots: “Now, the work really begins.” But warned graduates that the path they chose is not an easy one and they would face much danger and challenges over the years, but it would be outweighed by the risk. (Source: Columbus AFB 11/23/16)

Paris Air Show delegation

The Mississippi Development Authority is seeking participates for a state-led trade delegation to the Paris (France) from June 19-25. The Paris Air Show draws nearly 150,000 trade visitors, 2,300-plus exhibitors and 296 official delegations from 91 countries. MDA and the Small Business Administration will provide financial and administrative support for two representatives from qualified state companies. Space is limited and available on a first-come basis. Deadline for register is March 31. For more information, call at 601-359-2952 or e-mail asikora@mississippi.org. (Source: Mississippi Minority Business Alliance 11/11/16)

Eaton contract for Army

Eaton Aerospace of Jackson, Miss., was awarded a maximum $11,191,231 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hydraulic motors for the Army. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. This was a sole-source acquisition. Location of performance is Mississippi, with a Nov. 21, 2020, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is FY 2017 through FY 2021 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Mich. (Source: DOD 11/18/16)

UM aero conference challenges

James B. Lackey, the Army’s director of aviation and missile research and development, was among guest speakers at the “Advanced Materials for Transformative Changes to the Defense, Aerospace and Civil Environments” conference at the University of Mississippi on Nov. 17. He spoke to the Army’s needs for research in the areas of lighter weight, stronger composite systems and materials for missile systems. The conference, in its second day at Ole Miss, was sponsored by the Mississippi Research Consortium, chaired by Gordon Cannon, VP for research at the University of Southern Mississippi. The consortium is made up of Mississippi’s four research universities: UM, USM, Mississippi State and Jackson State. Lackey’s presentation was a prime example of conference goals “to bring forward recent advances in materials science and mechanics in the various sectors (defense, aerospace and civil) and to bridge the gaps between them by increasing awareness of research needs and capabilities in order to create enabling technologies for various applications that have national impact.” Additional presentations were made by the National Science Foundation and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. (Source: Hotty Toddy 11/18/16)

MS joins Pan-Pacific UAS test range

Mississippi has joined the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Hawaii as full members of the University of Alaska Fairbanks-led Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex (PPUTRC) on Nov. 8, one of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) seven Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Sites. The Mississippi program will be led by Mississippi State University, and multiple UAS test and evaluation sites throughout the state. MSU is also the lead for the FAA’s UAS Center of Excellence - the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence. PPUTRC is the largest and most diverse of the seven test site programs offering a range of geographic and climactic test conditions, including arctic, tropical, high-desert, mountainous, maritime, controlled urban, and many others. The addition of Mississippi to the program provides local test site capabilities to support UAS stakeholders in the Southeastern United States. (Mississippi State University 11/08/16)

FPC fee rescinded for more input

The Federal Aviation Administration officially announced in the Federal Register that it is rescinding a controversial draft Passenger Facility Charge order and will provide “for public review and comment.” Airports raised concerns that FAA's plan could have created more bureaucracy further slowed the PFC application and approval process. The PFC program allows the collection of fees up to $4.50 for every enplaned passenger at commercial airports controlled by public agencies. (Source: Aviation News Today 11/07/16)

Aurora joins ‘Great Whites’ search

NANTUCKET, Mass. - Aurora Flight Sciences recently partnered with OCEARCH, a world-leading marine conservation organization, to provide aerial support in locating and tracking great white sharks off the coast of Massachusetts. The Centaur optionally-piloted DA-42 aircraft flew above the expedition area in a pre-determined flight pattern to help scientists onboard the M/V OCEARCH ship to target, identify and track the location of the great white sharks in real time. Remotely piloted onboard OCEARCH's vessel, Centaur scanned the mission area with a FLIR 230 infrared sensor to pick up heat signatures and movements in the waters below. The live down-linked imagery allowed OCEARCH to enhance its mission by widening their search capabilities. Aurora's Centaur Optionally-Piloted Aircraft flies above the vessel providing assistance in locating the sharks. "We are thrilled about our new partnership with OCEARCH and Centaur's ability to expand on the process for identifying sharks," said Aurora CEO John Langford. "The expedition allowed us to demonstrate the technological and operational capabilities of Centaur, and more importantly, the value and benefits of utilizing optionally-piloted aircraft for a variety of missions which now includes maritime." (Source: PR News Wire 11/09/16) Gulf Coast Note: Aurora operates an aerial production plant in Columbus, Miss.

Expect more holiday air-travelers

More than 27 million passengers - a record for the Thanksgiving holiday - will likely be flying U.S. airlines worldwide from Nov. 18-29, according to the Airlines for America group. The expected increase will add an average 55,000 daily passengers, which is less than the space added. “U.S. passenger airlines are ready and saving you a spot,” said Jean Medina, a spokeswoman for the group. Airlines expect to carry an average 2.27 million passengers daily during the period. The busiest days will be Sunday, Nov. 27; Monday, Nov. 28; and Wednesday, Nov. 23. The lightest day will be Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. The travel surge follows a 9.6% decline in fares during the second quarter of 2016, according to the Transportation Department’s bureau of statistics. The online travel agent Orbitz.com said the average airfare to the top 10 destinations for the Thanksgiving holiday is $409 this year, with hotel costs averaging $158 per night. (USA TODAY 11/02/16)