The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (Casis) issued a request for proposals Oct. 17 for potential remote-sensing missions that could fly aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The nonprofit group tasked with managing research on the orbiting outpost’s U.S. national lab segment says it expects to award $1.5 million in grants to selected Earth-observation projects proposed in response to the request for proposals.
Beechcraft reportedly has instructed Credit Suisse to approach prospective buyers, including Cessna Aircraft, just months after the manufacturer emerged from an extensive Chapter 11 reorganization. Beechcraft is not commenting on the Bloomberg report, but CEO Bill Boisture last summer noted to Aviation Week that three of the company’s major shareholders are those that specialized in distressed properties. In those cases, he said, the question comes up on whether they’re long-term owners. “I wouldn’t think so,” he said.
MOSCOW — On Oct. 15, the first Mistral-class helicopter landing dock built for Russia was launched at the STX France shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship, named Vladivostok, had its keel-laying last February. Its after-body was built in Russia, at St. Petersburg Baltiysky Zavod, and arrived in France in July. The ship is expected to return to Russia for customization next year and to be handed over to the Russian navy in November 2014.
DEFENSE FORECAST: In a 10-year forecast for the Defense Department, TechAmerica sees investment accounts falling to $140 billion per year in fiscal 2014 and staying at that level through fiscal 2018, when the numbers increase to about $156 billion.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Donna Thomas at [email protected]. (Bold type indicates new calendar listing.) oct. 21 - 23— 2013 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.. For more information go to www.ausameetings.org/annual/ oct. 23 — 51st Annual SAFE Association Symposium. Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, Nev. For more information email to [email protected]
Applied DNA Sciences recently concluded a deal with a Pentagon contractor for a 10-year option agreement to provide DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology. The contractor’s name and the contract amount were not disclosed. The company is “a high-tech leader and supports military services such as: the Navy, Army, Air Force, and the Missile Defense Agency, as well as non-military end-users such as NASA and the Department of Homeland Security,” Applied DNA Sciences says.
President Barack Obama’s reported decision to nominate Jeh Johnson to be the fourth secretary of the Department of Homeland Sercurity (DHS) could be helpful for travel-related industries like airlines, and may even help the military and fedeal law enforcement officials to further introduce UAVs into domestic airspace, one of their highest domestic priorities.
While the U.S. Navy can afford to put off the christening of the futuristic DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyer for a while, the service cannot accommodate delaying the first deployment of a new Arleigh Burke-class DDG, especially to the Pacific. To that end, the guided-missile destroyer DDG-111 Spruance departed Naval Base San Diego Oct. 16 on its first deployment to the Western Pacific.
HOUSTON — Workers eagerly returned to their jobs at NASA’s Johnson Space Center Oct. 17, following a 16-day furlough, though many remained apprehensive about future budget clashes. The 3,200 civil servants among Johnson’s 14,000-member workforce have been assured by Congress they will be paid for the interlude, potentially along with their next scheduled paycheck on Oct. 25.
LONDON — The U.K. Royal Air Force’s (RAF) last five General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air systems are nearing delivery. Five additional Reapers, out of 10 requested through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, were ordered from General Atomics in 2010 to double the size of the fleet and increase the number of combat air patrols mustered by Reapers over Afghanistan. The aircraft have been purchased as an urgent operational requirement.
BEIJING — South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff in November will consider a navy request to build three air-defense destroyers next decade, doubling its force of ships equipped with the U.S. Aegis system. The proposal is far from a done deal, however, because—even if it is backed by the military—it also will need government and parliamentary approval. The navy made the request to the joint chiefs of staff a year ago, local media report, citing military officials who add that the program is on the agenda for a meeting early next month.
NEW DELHI — As part of its offset obligation, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has linked up with Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) to make electrical wirning harnesses for aircraft in India. The Swiss company entered into a $650 million contract with India in 2012 to supply 75 PC-7 Mk. 2 turboprop basic trainer aircraft to the Indian air force (IAF). The contract includes an integrated ground-based training system, a comprehensive logistics support package and a 30% offset obligation.
PROMISING MISSILES: The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans to award Raytheon a $3 billion contract for the production of up to 216 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB interceptors, Reuters reports. MDA has told the company it will make the sole-source award when funds are appropriated. The three-year contract will cover production of up to 72 missiles per year, starting in 2015. The SM-3 missile is part of the U.S. Navy’s Aegis ballistic missile defense program.
NEW DELHI — Japan is aggressively promoting its amphibious US-2 to India as the Indian navy prepares to issue a request for proposals for an unspecified number of search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft. India and Japan already have established a working group to study the possible export of the US-2, used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The Obama administration’s “reset” of relations with Russia might be fleeting, considering a recently canceled presidential summit and ongoing disagreements over a slew of issues, but administration officials believe they still can negotiate with Moscow over further eliminating nuclear arms. “It is no secret there are issues on which we disagree. This does not mean we stop trying to move ahead in a step-by-step fashion,” said Rose Gottemoeller, acting undersecretary for arms control and international security.
Very-light-jet (VLJ) pioneer Vern Raburn has been named CEO and chairman of Titan Aerospace, a New Mexico-based start-up developing solar-powered, high-altitude, ultra-long-endurance unmanned aircraft. Titan is developing the Solara series of “atmospheric satellites,” aiming to fill the gap between conventional aircraft and spacecraft with solar-powered UAVs that can stay aloft at 65,000 ft. for up to five years.
Angola has become a significant client for Russian weapons, signing a batch of defense contracts valued at $1 billion during the visit of a Russian delegation headed by Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin to Luanda last week, according to Russian news reports. The package would include 18 Sukhoi Su-30K fighters with associated weaponry, Mi-17 helicopters, small arms and light weapons, ammunition, tanks and artillery systems. Russia also agreed to build a production facility for small arms ammunition in Angola.
While the cost for completing Nimitz-class refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) work was lower than expected, U.S. Navy officials want to do a better job of meeting deadlines. So far, RCOH work has “underran” cost targets, representing a “good return on investment” for the Navy and contractors doing the work, says Rear Adm. Thomas Moore, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. But meeting deadlines has been a different matter. “We haven’t delivered one on time,” Moore tells Aviation Week. “We haven’t met schedule.”
