GTRA hosts drone experts session

The Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Miss., was the site of an experts’ meeting Feb. 18 regarding unmanned aircraft systems regulations and safety tips for new drone-hobbyists. Among the experts providing information were representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Aurora Flight Sciences, Mississippi State University's Raspet Flight Research Center, and Columbus Air Force Base. There are FAA regulations for both hobbyists and drones used for commercial purposes. MSU’s Dallas Brooks, who works on researching UAS, talked about a drone-operation knowledge test (Part 107), similar to a driver's license, that is likely to come out from the FAA this summer. CAFB safety officer Capt. Jason Greer discussed ways drone operators could avoid interfering with air operations around the base – warning that some student-aviators fly as low as 500 feet at times. Other airfields fly at lower altitudes, he added. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 02/19/16)

Canine EOD collaboration

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Military Working Dog teams from Columbus Air Force Base, alongside other units from Lowndes County, the Highway Patrol, Fire Marshal’s office, South Haven and Mississippi State University, met with the FBI on Feb. 16 to perform joint explosives detection training on MSU’s campus in Starkville. FBI bomb technician Brandon Grant led the training to improve the canines’ detection of improvised and commercial explosives. A major focus of the event was improving relationships – and collaboration - between various units. “Without that collaboration, the ability to detect explosives at venues like this would be greatly diminished,” said Grant. (Source: Columbus AFB 02/18/16)

Aldrin highlights teamwork at MSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, one of the two NASA space explorers to first walk on the moon in July 1969, was guest speaker at Mississippi State University’s Global Lecture Series on Feb. 9. It was a NASA team effort, which got Apollo 11 into orbit and the landing module onto the surface, he told the audience – a number close to 400,000. While reminiscing about the moon walk with Neil Armstrong, Aldrin highlighted the power of teams working together to achieve success. “The true value of the Apollo program is the amazing story of teamwork that overcame many obstacles to make it to the moon.” The 86-year-old former astronaut is a bestselling author of biographies and children’s books. He continues to advocate for broadening space exploration. The Apollo 11 crew received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011. (Mississippi State University 02/09/16) Central Mississippi Note: MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is a leading-edge research, development, and does testing of manned/unmanned flight vehicles and aviation composite materials.

Fight brewing over Jackson airport

Despite its miniature size, the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Mississippi. It’s metro area has a population of about 500,000. It’s been an untapped resource. In early February, state Sen. Josh Harkins (R-Flowood) indicated plans to file a modified bill to change who sits on the airport board; and replacing the 5-member Jackson Municipal Airport Authority with a 7-person board—(two each from Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties) - appointed by the governor. Now, there’s a fight brewing as to who gets to do the tapping. The City of Jackson, which controls the 3,381 acres that the airport sits on is bracing for a battle for governance and control against the state. Are there racist tones to this battle? The Business Ministerial Alliance of Mississippi spoke out against the "hostile takeover" of the airport. On Jan. 15, alliance chairman Dwayne Pickett, pastor of New Jerusalem Church, argued that changing the governance of the airport would spur a major outcry from the city and its citizens. (Source: Jackson Free Press 02/03/16)

Airbus UH-72A mod contract

Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $8,648,399 modification (P00970) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 for logistics support for UH-72A (Lakota) helicopters. Work will be performed in Herndon with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2016. Fiscal 2016 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $8,648,399 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD, 01/29/16) Gulf Coast note: Airbus builds UH-72As in Columbus, Miss.

Aerospace prof headed to Howard

Former Mississippi State University dean of engineering, and professor of aerospace engineering, Dr. Achille Messac has been appointed dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Science at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Messac was at MSU from 2013-15. Messac will provide academic and administrative leadership, vision, and oversight for undergraduate and graduate programs in Architecture and Design, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering at Howard. (Source: Afro.com 01/22/16)

MDA biz trip to Germany

The Mississippi Development Authority will lead a delegation of Mississippi firms and economic developers on a business development mission to Hannover, Germany, from April 25-29, and to the world’s largest industrial trade show, Hannover Messe. The event features more than 6,500 industrial technology exhibitors. Hannover Messe will provide opportunities for Mississippi groups who may want to expand trade, create new business relationships and attract foreign direct investments. The Small Business Administration-funded Mississippi State Trade Export Promotion program reimburses eligible businesses up to 50 percent of travel costs. Deadline to register is Feb. 19. For more information contact MDA’s European Trade Specialist Aggie Sikora at (601) 359-2952 or (769) 798-5434 or e-mail at asikora@mississippi.org. (Source: MDA 01/21/16)

Navy force protection exercises

U.S. Fleet Forces and the Navy Installations Command will conduct its annual ‘Exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2016’ on some 300 Navy installations across the country from Feb. 1-12. The anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) exercise is designed to train Navy security forces to respond to threats to installations and units. Regional Navy bases - Pensacola and Whiting Field naval air stations, and NSA Panama City in Florida; NAS Meridian and Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss; and NAS/JRB New Orleans – will participate in the exercise. Some of the drills may temporarily affect base access. Also, people living near these bases may see additional movement of security personnel as they implement their force protection drills. SC/CS16 is not a response to any specific threat, but a regularly scheduled exercise. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 01/16/16)

AHI delivers 6 helos to Cali

Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered six H125 AStar helicopters to law enforcement agencies in California, including two each to the California Highway Patrol and Riverside County Sheriff’s Office; and one each to the Los Angeles and Ontario police departments. H125 AStars (formerly the AS350 B3e) are the best-selling helicopter - more than 225 in use nationwide - for airborne crime-fighting and rescue work. (Source: PR Web 01/18/16) (Central Mississippi Note: AHI headquarters is in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a large manufacturing and production facility at Columbus, Miss.

L-3 mod AF option worth $42M

L-3 Communications-Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded an estimated $42,017,407 modification option to a previously awarded contract for support to the T-1, T-6, and T-38 undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, Okla. Work will be performed at Vance AFB, with Option 1 completion by Sept. 30. There are five additional option periods under the contract. The estimated completion date after all options is Sept. 30, 2021. (DOD 01/15/16)

OSG aerospace seminar

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. - OSG-USA officials announced regional training sites for its 2016 Aerospace Seminars. The seminars are to focus on composite materials and high-temp alloys. OSG’s aerospace industry experts will introduce the latest in cutting tool geometries, substrates, specialized coating, and machining challenges. One of the closet training seminars to the Gulf Coast will be April 19 in Dallas, Texas. (Source: Aerospace Manufacturing and Design 01/18/16) OSG-USA is a manufacturer of taps, end mills, drills, fasteners and indexable cutting-tool products used in aerospace and automotive businesses. It is a subsidiary of the publicly-held OSG Corp. with HQs in Japan.

Marines’ SAR efforts

MARINE CORPS BASE KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii – The commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Brig. Gen. Russell A.C. Sanborn, will deliver remarks in a press conference (Sunday at 3 p.m. CT) on the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) efforts for 12 Marines after their two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters crashed into the water off the coast of Oahu’s Waimea Bay on Jan. 14. (Source: III Marine Expeditionary Force 01/17/16) Central Mississippi Note: Brig. Gen. Sanborn was commissioned in May 1986 after graduating from the University of Florida on an NROTC scholarship. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla. for primary flight instruction; and earned his Wings of Gold in October 1988 from NAS Meridian, Miss.

ATK-Iuka work on EELV pact

DULLES, Va. - Orbital ATK’s aerospace and defense technologies division announced Jan. 14 it had been awarded a $47 million Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center Launch Systems Directorate contract for the development of a solid rocket propulsion system prototype to support the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The award includes options for additional scope, valued at up to $133 million. Orbital ATK’s award is designed to advance proven domestic propulsion technologies and includes prototype development. Work on the program will take place at Orbital ATK’s facilities in Iuka, Miss.; Magna, Utah; and Chandler, Ariz., from 2016-19. (Source: Business Wire 01/14/16)

LINK to unveil biz park plan

The Golden Triangle Development LINK will unveil plans for a new industrial park at a Jan. 14 public meeting at East Mississippi Community College. The meeting is at 10:30 a.m. in EMCC’s CMTE seminar room on the Mayhew campus. The location of the proposed industrial park has not been publicly disclosed. The meeting is solely informational. Funds for the proposed industrial park would be provided through bonds from Oktibbeha County and the city of Starkville. LINK plans to present the plan to the Board of Alderman’s Jan. 19 meeting; and Board of Supervisors’ meeting Feb. 1. (Source: Starkville Daily News 01/07/16)

C-17 tail cone lands in Pearl yard

PEARL, Miss. - The tail cone of a Mississippi Army National Guard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fell off during a training mission, and landed in the yard of a home in Pearl, less than 10 miles southwest of the Jackson-Evers International Airport. No one on the ground was injured in the Jan. 6 incident. The Boeing C-17 landed safely at the airport. Lt. Col. Christian Patterson of the Mississippi Army National Guard said the plane lost its tail cone at about in the evening of Jan. 6. The aircraft is assigned to Flowood, Miss.'s 172nd Airlift Wing based at Jackson-Evers airport. The C-17 is a huge military transport used to move troops and cargo around the world. (Source: The Associated Press 01/07/16)

Small biz networking event

Small businesses looking to expand through increased contracting opportunities may want to make plans to join the Mississippi Development Authority’s networking event that can put you face-to-face with representatives from some of the state’s leading firms and government agencies. The contracting event will be held Feb. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Clyde Muse Center at Hinds Community College in Pearl. For more information, contact Joycie Lenoir at jlenoir@mississippi.org or call (601) 359--2904. (Mississippi Development Authority 01/06)

New bus route from MSU to GTRA

STARKVILLE, Miss. - A new bus route from the Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit (SMART) system aims to connect the public to global destinations via the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Lowndes County. The route was christened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 4 in the airport terminal. The new route offers free shuttle rides to the regional airport from The Mill at MSU Conference Center. Partnership-funding was between Mississippi State University, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the City of Starkville. (Source: Mississippi State University 01/04/16)

Raytheon-Forest radar work

Raytheon of Goleta, Calif., was awarded $41,926,566 order against a previously issued basic agreement to manufacture, test and deliver full rate production of Lot 15 AN/ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning Receivers for the Marines (30), and weapon replaceable assemblies for the government of Switzerland. Seventy-five percent of the work will be performed in Forest, Miss., and is expected to be completed in December 2017. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy) and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $41,926,566 will be obligated on this award; $24,266,800 of which will expire on Sept. 30. The contract combines purchases for the Navy ($36,113,146; 86 percent) and Switzerland ($5,813,420; 14 percent). (Source: Defense Department 01/03/06)

New Miss. manufacturing officers

Michael Thomas, manager of Land, Government and Public Affairs of the North American Coal Corp. in Ackerman, has been named the 2015-16 Chairman of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association Board of Directors. Andrew Mallinson, CEO/Owner of Multicraft International in Pelahatchie, was named Secretary-Treasurer. Among some of the other members of the Executive Committee are Chairman-Elect Jim McIngvale, Government & Community Affairs Director, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula; and Vice Chairman Earl Walker, Senior Director/Site General Manager-Mississippi of Airbus Helicopters, Inc., Columbus. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal 01/04/16)

L-3 TH-57 mod helo pact

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $25,493,729 modification to a previously awarded Navy contract for logistics and depot level services for TH-57 aircraft. The service work is in support of undergraduate helicopter pilot training at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. Work is expected to be completed in May 2016. (Source: DOD 12/29/15)