MDA heading group to east Europe

JACKSON – Mississippi Development Authority officials will lead a delegation of companies on a Central European business development mission to Poland and the Czech Republic from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4. The mission may include an additional stop in a third country. The trip will be a multi-industry mission with prospects in the fields of aerospace, information technology, electrical power systems, telecommunications, automotive and agricultural and medical equipment. Among the top focuses will be the defense sector surrounding the International Defense Industry Exhibition, the largest trade fair dedicated to military equipment in Central and Eastern Europe. For more information visit www.mississippi.org. (Source: Hattiesburg American 05/26/15)

Lockheed Martin small biz outreach

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is in the process of a second-phased renovation project and is reaching out to small businesses to form a supplier data base for services needed during the renovation period. In an effort to reach those businesses, LMA is conducting a ‘Lunch and Learn’ meeting May 28 at Union Station in Meridian, Miss. The event is open to the public; and small businesses are encouraged to attend. Karmyn Norwood, general manager for Lockheed Martin, will discuss vendor services. LM is widely known for its work in aeronautics, but the company also researches and develops advanced information technology. It’s also one of the world’s largest defense contractors. Register at http://www.mscpc.com] Source: Meridian Star 05/21/15)

Ala. lawmaker to visit AHI

U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, an Alabama congresswoman whose district includes Fort Rucker, the Army’s primary helicopter pilot training facility where Mississippi-built UH-72A Lakota helicopters are being phased into the training regimen will tour Airbus Helicopters Inc.’s production facility in Columbus on May 26. Roby is on the House Appropriations Committee. (Source: Clarion Ledger 05/2/15) Central Mississippi Note: Airbus Helicopters Inc.is producing more than 400 Lakotas for the Army.

Aurora earns Sikorsky gold

STRATFORD, Conn. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation announced May 13 its 2015 Supplier of the Year awards and 14 Gold Suppliers for best-in-class performance. The 2015 Supplier of the Year in the Industrialization category went to Aurora Flight Sciences, which operates a fabrication and aerostrutures composite final assembly plant in Columbus, Miss., for defense and commercial aerospace customers. Among the 14 Sikorsky Gold Suppliers is the Arnold-Hanafin Corporation, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based engineering services firm that supports tactical and strategic goal objectives with breakthrough engineering and IT contract labor services. A-HC first achieved UTC Gold in 2012. The company first opened its Panama City (Fla.) Low Cost Engineering Design Center in 2011. The companies were recognized at Sikorsky's annual Supplier Summit in West Palm Beach, Fla. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. and owns Pratt & Whiney, makers of the F135 engine for all variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

State’s growing aero industry

Florida has long been the world’s premier gateway to space and the aerospace industry. But a growing number of global aerospace companies are finding competitive advantages needed for success in Mississippi: Affordable operating and energy costs; seamless one-stop permitting process; robust transportation network; proximity to military bases; and a skilled, productive workforce are all assisting businesses position themselves to compete in the market. Mississippi has a long, rich history in the aerospace industry, dating back to the 1930s when Pioneer Aerospace, became the state’s first aerospace company. Since that time, Mississippi’s aerospace industry has grown significantly, and is primed for future prosperity. The state’s well-trained workforce is a primary factor is that accomplishment with partnerships with the state’s 15 community colleges and MSU’s Raspet flight laboratory. Today, Mississippians are producing everything from helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles to composite jet components. Central Mississippi note: Among the successful aerospace leaders are Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Aurora Flight Sciences. (Business Facilities 05/07/15)

MSU team named COE UAS

The Federal Aviation Administration has chosen the Mississippi State University team as the FAA's Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (COE UAS). The center will focus on research, education and training in areas critical to integration of unmanned systems into the nation's airspace. The team includes 15 leading UAS and aviation universities. The research areas will include detect and avoid technology, low-altitude operations safety, control and communications, spectrum management, human factors, compatibility with air traffic control operations, and training and certification. Other team members are Drexel University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Kansas State, Kansas, Montana State, New Mexico State, North Carolina State, Oregon State, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, North Dakota, and Wichita State. The COE will be able to begin research by September 2015 and be fully operational by January 2016. Once the team develops detailed research plans, the FAA will determine the relationship between the new COE and the six UAS sites the FAA announced last year. The FAA expects COE flight testing to occur at one or more of the existing test sites. (Source: News Wire Mississippi State University 05/08/15) Central Mississippi note: The Gulf Coast region is heavily involved in unmanned systems, including work on the Northrop Grumman Fire Scout and Global Hawk systems.

AHI Lakota modified contract

Airbus Defense and Space Inc. of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $24,012,980 modification (P00878) to multi-year contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 for mission equipment packages to be cut into the UH-72A Lakota Helicopter production line as part of the Army Aviation Restructure Initiative for training aircraft. Work will be performed at Airbus Helicopter Inc.'s Columbus, Miss., plant with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2017. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $ 24,012,980 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD 05/07/15)

MDA biz ops conference

The Mississippi Development Authority’s 2015 Government Procurement Opportunities Conference and Trade Fair is May 5 in Southaven. Businesses are invited to make connections with federal and state purchasing offices and private sector firms at the biennial event, sponsored by MDA and the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program. Dr. Donna Peebles, associate director of the Office of Small Business Programs of the National Guard Bureau will be the opening-session speaker. Invited federal agencies and defense contractors include: Air Force, Army and Navy installation officials, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Homeland Security, the VA, Lockheed Martin, Huntington Ingalls Industries and NASA. For more information, call (601) 359-2904. (Source: MDA 04/30/15)

McCullough to lead MDA

Former Tupelo mayor Glenn McCullough Jr. is the new executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Gov. Phil Bryant made the announcement April 30 at the Mississippi Economic Council's annual PowerPlay meeting in Jackson. McCullough succeeds Brent Christensen, who is to leave MDA June 1 to take over the Greensboro (NC) Partnership. McCullough, 60, was mayor of Tupelo from 1997-99. Former president Bill Clinton appointed him to the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority afterwards; and former president George W. Bush appointed him TVA chairman of that board in 2001. (Source: Clarion Ledger 04/30/15)

Miss.-Israel biz meetings

JACKSON, Miss. - Leaders of Mississippi and Israel want to increase their small trade arrangements in an effort to build on that economic relationship amidst international politics. Gov. Phil Bryant and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, hosted a trade meeting here April 28. The ambassador said Mississippi businesses can benefit from access to Israel's technological innovations. Bryant said he wants the state to enhance its economy by trading with the American ally – despite fractured relations between the White House and Israel’s prime minister. "That's what it's about, doing business with our friends ...” Bryant said. Mississippi has a tiny trade relationship with Israel – with the state’s chief exports being transportation equipment, chemicals, electronic products and appliances. In meetings April 28, Israeli businesses were meeting with Mississippi companies. The governor said he hoped Raytheon Corp. could sell radars to the Israeli military. "There's nothing better than the most advanced radar helping protect Israel, unless it's made in Forest, Mississippi," he said while pushing the state-based Raytheon Corp. (Source: Biloxi Sun Herald 04/28/15) Central Mississippi Note: Among the speakers at the meeting was Robert Fogelsong, a former Mississippi State University president, the current CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries North America - that includes Stark Aerospace, a Columbus-based maker of unmanned aerial vehicles.

MDA to shutter regional offices

The Mississippi Development Authority is closing its eight regional offices across the state in an effort to streamline operations. The move will close offices in Senatobia, Tupelo, Greenwood, Meridian, Jackson, Summit, Hattiesburg and Gulfport; and eliminate 11 positions, 10 of which are currently filled. MDA has operated regional offices to assist local economic development agencies, chambers of commerce and Main Street programs. The closure will be effective June 30. (Source: Clarion-Ledger 04/23/15)

CAFB contractor named tops

DynCorp International of McLean, Va., has been recognized as a top veteran employer by the Military Times website for the fourth consecutive year. "Veterans are critical to our success,” said Jim Geisler, DI’s chief executive officer, and “bring skills … and values” that give DI “a competitive advantage." The contractor maintains T-6 aircraft at Columbus AFB, Miss. (Source: Business Wire 04/14/15)

T-6As' temp-grounding at CAFB

The Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has temporarily grounded more than 440 training aircraft – including all T-6A Texan IIs - because of potential malfunctions in the engines' oil line, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, officials confirmed April 14. The groundings include 445 aircraft to be inspected at five bases including Columbus AFB, Miss. CAFB uses the T-6A Texan II single-engine turboprop to train pilots in basic flying. AETC temporarily ground the fleet last Friday "following indications of an engine oil line malfunction." Inspectors would determine if any follow-up action is required. The T-6A was first put into use as the AF's primary trainer in 2000. (Source: Biloxi Sun Herald 04/14/15)

AHI & Columbus’ strong economy

Columbus, Miss., is the Golden Triangle’s strongest micropolitan economy in the state and one of the strongest in the U.S. Columbus ranked in the Top 10 of 576 cities evaluated nationwide by the Florida-based independent economic firm Policom Corp. Its closest in-state competitors: Oxford (17th) and Tupelo (71st); and Jackson (92nd) in a list of 381 metropolitan areas. Starkville’s ranking among national micropolitan cities dropped to 216. Twenty-three factors were used to measure economic behavior: monetary flow, growth and elements that negate growth, including wages, job availability and government welfare dependency. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 04/14/2015) Central Mississippi Note: Airbus Helicopters is among the largest employers in Columbus with some 300 workers. AHI was awarded a $220.5 million contract in February for the production of 41 UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the Army at its plant in Columbus. The work order has an estimated July 2017 completion date.

Aviation partners for farmers

A new partnership between Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University will change the role of aviation for local farming practices. Precision Agriculture 2 Plus 2 is a joint effort between the schools to bring data in real time to farmers, officials announced April 9 at a hangar at Joe Bell Williams Airport in Raymond, Miss. The program will offer classes this fall in commercial aviation, aviation maintenance and aviation technology. (Source: Clarion Ledger 04/09/15)

Raytheon Space ground-breaks

JACKSON, Miss. - Gov. Phil Bryant and Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems' officials ribbon-cut the company’s new 20,000-square-foot Far Field Test Facility in Forest, Miss. The facility will created 150 new jobs. The expansion at Raytheon’s Forest Consolidated Manufacturing Center was announced in Noveber 2013 in conjunction with Veteran’s Day and the facility’s 30th anniversary. (Source: Mississippi Development Authority 04/08/15)

Emerson: New AHI prez

Airbus Helicopters Inc. has named Chris Emerson its president/CEO effective June 1, Airbus Group announced April 10. Emerson, a veteran Airbus executive, will also serve as the head of Airbus Helicopters North America Region and will oversee both the U.S. subsidiary and Airbus Helicopters Canada. Emerson replaces Marc Paganini, who has taken a new assignment with Airbus Group as head of Special Projects. (Source: Dallas Business News 04/10/15)

$9.4M contract to Airbus D&S

Airbus Defense & Space Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $9,360,135 firm-fixed-price foreign military sales contract for UH-72A "Lakota" helicopter support, hardware, and services for the Royal Thai Army. Work will be performed in Thailand with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2017. One bid was solicited with one received. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $9,360,135 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-15-C-0027). (Source: DoD, 04/03/15) UH-72A helicopters are built at Airbus Helicopter Inc.'s Columbus, Miss., plant.

Columbus AFB scores ‘effective’

The Columbus Air Force Base’s 14th Flying Training Wing received an “effective” rating on its first-ever unit effectiveness inspection (UEI) that concluded March 30. The 14th FTW’s inspector general office demonstrated an exceptional inspection program and was selected as the ‘Major General Junius W. Jones Award’ winner for the Air Education and Training Command. Capt. Nicholas L. Powers, the wing’s IG, received the ‘Lt. Gen. Howard W. Leaf Award’ for AETC. Feedback from the lead inspector was “extremely positive," said Col. John Nichols, 14th FTW’s commander. "We still have challenges … but our wing is doing an exceptional job of producing pilots, advancing airmen, and feeding the fight." (Source: Columbus AFB 04/02/15)

Air development grant gets $750K

The Mississippi Legislature passed a bill March 29 that contains $750,000 for the Mississippi Air Service Development Program. The grant is designed to enhance air service at commercial airports in Mississippi by marketing and advertising a new air carrier, service and frequencies of flights. The grant program will be administered by the Mississippi Development Authority and communities that are required to provide a 40 percent match. Communities and states are very aggressive when recruiting air service, said Mike Hainsey, director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in East-Central Mississippi; and the program should help the state become more competitive. (Source: Sun Herald 03/31/15)