Falcon-1 Launch Today, as US Moves Toward “Operationally Responsive Space”

Article pulled, pending revision.

USJFCOM Rolls Out AGATRS System to Manage Bilateral Logistics Agreements With Allies

USJFCOM

The DoD has being going through efforts to streamline its logistics system, along with RFID implementation efforts that may one day allow logistics tracking and monitoring between allies. When that day comes, a new system being rolled out by U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) will probably be involved. USFJCOM has begun training on AGATRS, a new Web-based tool that helps manage Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreements (ACSA) – bi-lateral agreements between U.S. and allied nations that provide for the exchange of logistics support, supplies and services (LSSS) during exercises, training or operations.

Using AGATRS enables tracking for payment, but a barter/trade capability is also built in. See the USFJCOM release for more details.

Raytheon Gets $13M for 110 ALE-50 “Little Buddy” Controllers

ALE-50 “Little Buddy”

Raytheon Co. Sensors and Electronic Systems Div. in Goleta, CA is being awarded a $13 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-05-C-0031), exercising an option for the full rate production of 110 integrated multi-platform launch controllers for the ALE-50 Advanced Expendable Airborne Decoy system used by US F-16 Falcon/Viper, F/A-18 Hornet family, and B-1B Lancer heavy bomber aircraft. At least one US pilot who came home safe referred to the ALE-50 as “my little buddy” in a letter to Raytheon.

So, what do you with a “little buddy,” and how does it work?

The Largest Ever: CCIP Program Keeping USAF F-16s Potent

Squeezing the pickle…

In DID’s Valentine’s Day article “Multi-National F-16 Fleets Increase Staying Power With Enhancements,” we noted that the efforts in question were part of something called the F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). In “Largest Ever F-16 Modernization program Enhances Aircraft,” the US Air Force describes the $2 billion program aimed at keeping the F-16 fleet right up there as a potent force into the new century.

$34.5M to Support F-18 Weapons Management Systems

Screenshot: stores mgmt.

Smiths Aerospace LCC, Customer Services Americas in Clearwater, FL received a $16.5 million requirements contract to provide performance-based logistics in support of the AN/AYK-22 stores management system upgrade used on all 483 of the US Navy’s the F/A-18 C-F variants, plus the forthcoming EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare aircraft. This performance based logistics program provides the Navy with comprehensive equipment and support of the F/A-18 stores management system upgrade. The overall program includes DefenseLINK’s announced five-year contract worth $16.5 million, plus a potential $18 million follow-on contract option for another five years. Work on this contract will be performed in Clearwater, FL (95%) and Grand Rapids, MI (5%), and is expected to be complete by March 2016. This contract was not awarded competitively by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-D-034D).

$12.2M for Blasting Caps

Stresau Laboratory, Inc. in Spooner, WI won an estimated $12.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for MK17 Mod 1 electric blasting caps. Work will be performed in Spooner, WI and is expected to be complete by March 2011. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via Federal Business Opportunities, with 8 proposals solicited and 3 offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, IN is the contracting activity (N00164-06-D-4236).