Aerotech News - May 17, 2013

X-47B launch a pivotal moment in Naval aviation The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator completed its first ever carrierbased catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia May 14.

“Today we saw a small, but significant pixel in the future picture of our Navy as we begin integration of unmanned systems into arguably the most complex war fighting environment that exists today: the flight deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier,” said Vice Adm. David Buss, commander, Naval Air Forces.

The unmanned aircraft launched from the deck of George H.W. Bush at 11:18 a.m., EDT. It executed several planned low approaches to the carrier and safely transited across the Chesapeake Bay to land at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., after a 65-minute flight.

Buss called the launch a “watershed event” in naval aviation and said he expects that decades from now, a future “Air Boss” will have a picture of the X-47B launching from Bush behind his or her desk just as he has a picture of aviation pioneer Eugene Ely’s first-ever landing on the deck of a ship in 1911 behind his desk today.

Completing another important first for the UCAS-D program, the team demonstrated the ability to precisely navigate the X-47B within the controlled airspace around an aircraft carrier at sea and seamlessly pass control of the air vehicle from a “mission operator” aboard the carrier to one located in the Mission Test Control Center at NAS Patuxent River for landing.

“The flight today demonstrated that the X-47B

See X-47B, Page 3

Northrop Grumman photograph

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the first aircraft carrier to successfully catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck.

California Air National Guard battles raging wildfires The California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing is providing two specialized firefighting C-130J aircraft and crews to assist with wildfires raging across the state.

Acting on a request for support from state emergency agencies, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. directed Army Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, California’s adjutant general, to provide the support.

Baldwin also authorized air tanker base operations to be staged out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Station here, where the C-130Js are stationed, allowing shorter response times for all civilian and military aircraft working the fires in Ventura County.

The air tankers will land and reload with fire retardant at the Guard station, which is within five miles of the fires.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection members are working with Air National Guard airmen to get the tanker operations up and running.

“Wildfire season is upon us, and our Guardsmen are in the fight,” Baldwin said. “When the lives and property of our fellow Californians hang in the balance, our tireless training and coordination with [the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection] pay great dividends.”

The 146th Airlift Wing has responded to numerous state and federal firefighting missions in the past, but this is the first time the wing’s flightline will be used as a tanker base.

“California is no stranger to wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “Our well-exercised and long-standing relationship with the California National Guard allows for rapid, effective deployment

May 17, 2013 • Volume 28, Issue 8 May 17, 2013 www.aerotechnews.com

of these additional resources during times of elevated fire activity.”

The California Air National Guard’s C-130J aircraft are equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System II, which is capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. The system slides into the back of an aircraft, and water or retardant is released through a nozzle on the rear left side of the plane.

MAFFS equipment and aircraft are activated to supplement U.S. Forest Service and civilian air tankers during periods of high wild-

fire activity throughout the nation.

“The activation of California Air National Guard aircraft equipped with MAFFS strengthens our firefighting arsenal as needed and is a timely addition to current resources considering the extended heat and wind conditions we anticipate through the weekend,” said Mark Ghilarducci, secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, which is responsible for overall coordination of the state’s response to major emergencies.

Courtesy photograph

A C-130J from the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing is prepared for possible use against wildfires. The aircraft from the California Air National Guard is equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, or MAFFS, and can drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant.

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Briefs

Turkey: contact lost with fighter jet Turkey’s military says it has lost contact with a fighter plane in southern Turkey.

A military statement said May 13 it lost contact with the F-16 jet over a mountainous area in Osmaniye province, which is close to the border with Syria. The plane had taken off from a base in northern Amasya province, some 450 kilometers away.

The statement said the pilot radioed in to say he was ejecting before contact was lost.

Turkey’s NTV television said the pilot ejected safely from the plane. There was no confirmation of that report. AP

as drones.

The Dayton Daily News reports the contest is expected to draw competing teams from across the country to fly robotic aircraft in restricted airspace above the Camp Atterbury military operating range in southern Indiana.

The program executive of the NASA Centennial Challenges Program in Washington says the first stage of the competition to start next year will test the unmanned vehicles’ capabilities to avoid aircraft broadcasting their location and direction.

Area officials say getting such a test zone could generate major economic benefits. AP

North Korea replaces hard-line defense chief North Korea has replaced its hard-line defense chief with a little-known army general.

The significance of Jang Jong Nam’s appointment wasn’t immediately clear. The announcement comes amid tentative signs of an interest in diplomacy after weeks of rising animosity and dueling threats on the Korean Peninsula.

Little is known about Jang. Mention of his new role was buried May 13 in a state media dispatch listing those who attended an art performance with leader Kim Jong Un. It’s not known when Jang replaced Kim Kyok Sik. Kim is the former commander of battalions believed responsible for deadly attacks on South Korea in 2010. State media previously identified Jang as head of the army’s First Corps who pledged allegiance to Kim Jong Un and threatened South Korea in a speech last December. AP

Former presidential aircraft to hit auction block An airplane that was once part of the presidential fleet is going on the auction block.

The U.S. General Services Administration says the DC-9 was part of the Air Force Two fleet and at one point may have served as Air Force One, the plane reserved for the president’s use.

The plane is currently being stored at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Ariz.

While it still has the white and blue paint scheme, there is no presidential seal on the side.

The auction begins May 15. The starting bid will be $50,000.

Federal officials say serious buyers can schedule appointments to inspect the plane. AP

Israel grounds drone aircraft fleet after crash Israel’s military has grounded a fleet of high altitude surveillance drones after one was downed over the Mediterranean Sea. The military says it intentionally crashed the unmanned aircraft late May 11 because of a malfunction.

The military would not say how many aircraft were grounded. The planes will stay down during an investigation.

An Israeli defense official said the drone was the Israeli-made Heron 1, which flies at high altitudes and can stay in the air for about 45 hours. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.

Last year, a larger Heron TP drone crashed on a routine flight.

Israel is a world leader in drone technology. Palestinians say Israel uses drones to fire missiles, but Israel does not confirm that. AP Gates: No to direct military involvement in Syria Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks direct U.S. intervention in Syria’s civil war – particularly direct military involvement – would be a mistake.

Gates, who served both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, says he oversaw wars that began with quick regime change “and we all know what happened after that.”

He asks on CBS’ Face the Nation, “Haven’t we learned that when you go to war, the outcomes are unpredictable?”

To those who think intervention might be “clean” and “neat,” Gates says “most wars aren’t that way.”

He says that if the U.S. were to do anything in Syria, it might be picking opposition groups that the U.S. believes would have some degree of moderation, and providing them with intelligence and basic military equipment. AP Ohio group to manage drone contest for NASA NASA has selected an Ohio nonprofit organization to manage a contest aimed at helping unmanned aerial vehicles fly safely in civilian airspace.

NASA said May 10 that it picked Development Projects Inc. in Dayton to run the competition involving the vehicles commonly referred to

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Navy to move five coastal patrol ships to Bahrain The Navy will permanently move five Virginia Beach-based ships, a maintenance crew and the squadron’s command staff to Bahrain beginning next week, officials said May 10.

The movement of patrol coastal ships is being made to meet mission requirements set by the U.S. Fifth Fleet and Central Command, said Lt. Cmdr.

Brian Badura, a U.S. Fleet Forces Command spokesman.

The speedy ships can operate in shallow water and perform interdiction surveillance. Each is armed with automatic grenade launchers and a variety of machine guns.

The U.S. possesses 13 of the ships and five of them are already based in Bahrain, home of the Fifth Fleet. The Navy had been manning those ships with different crews that rotated in every six months. But those ships will also be assigned crews that will be based in Bahrain year-round, allowing sailors to move their families there.

“The shift alleviates the significant strain placed on the crews and their families while ensuring capacity and capability,” the Navy said in a statement announcing the move.

The USS Tempest, USS Squall and USS Thunderbolt will leave Virginia Beach May 14 and arrive in Manama, Bahrain, this summer.

Two other ships are expected to transfer by the spring of 2014. The Navy says three patrol coastal ships will remain stationed in Virginia Beach.

Each ship has a crew of four officers and 24 enlisted personnel. Another 122 personnel attached to a maintenance support team and the staff of Patrol Coastal Squadron One will also relocate to Bahrain. AP

Boeing plans to shed 1,500 IT jobs in Wash.

Boeing plans to shed 1,500 information-technology jobs in Washington state over the next three years.

The Seattle Times reports May 10 that the cuts will affect nearly a third of 4,700 Boeing IT positions in the Puget Sound area, marking another wave of job reductions to hit several corners of the company since March. The IT positions include systems engineers, applications developers and database administrators. The nonunion workers are mostly highly trained, middle-aged and well-paid with good medical and pension benefits.

Boeing spokesman Andrew Favreau says said the cuts will come through a combination of layoffs, attrition from retirements, and relocation of some jobs to two new IT centers Boeing is establishing in St. Louis, Mo., and North Charleston, S.C. AP Reid presses for bill on military sexual assault Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he wants legislation that would strip military officers of the ability to overturn convictions for sexual assault.

In a letter to the leaders of the Armed Services Committee, the Nevada Democrat said he wants the measure in the sweeping defense policy bill that Congress has passed every year for decades. He said it would ensure justice for victims of assault and prevent attacks in the future.

The Pentagon estimated in a report released Tuesday that up to 26,000 military members may were sexually assaulted last year but fewer than 3,400 reported the incident.

Lawmakers have been outraged after an Air Force officer overturned the conviction in a sexual assault case. AP NATO probes charges of misconduct in Afghanistan The U.S.-led military coalition in Afghanistan says it has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct by NATO troops in the country’s south.

The coalition, known as the International Security Assistance Force, said May 8 that the probe pertains to an incident on April 28 during an encounter with insurgents in southern Afghanistan.

A statement from ISAF says four insurgents were killed in the incident. The NATO-led force did not disclose further details or elaborate on the allegations against coalition troops.

Afghan officials were not immediately available for comment.

The statement quoted American Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, the NATO commander in Afghanistan, as saying the alliance takes “all allegations of misconduct by our personnel very seriously” and would “fully investigate the incident and keep the Afghan government informed.” AP New sub’s First sea trials completed The newest Virginia-class submarine built at Newport News Shipbuilding is undergoing a series of sea trials before being delivered to the Navy

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Plane Crazy Saturday The May 18 Plane Crazy Saturday at the Mojave Air & Space Port will honor the U.S. military for Armed Forces Day. A special ceremony will be held at noon on the flightline, and veteran military aircraft and vehicles will be on hand for visitors to enjoy.

Three U.S. military officers will present briefings: Lt. Col. Kathryn Hughes, commander of the 412th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Cmdr. Michael “Mick” Williams, a U.S. Navy exchange instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School; and Army Capt. Todd Quelet, a DOD economic analyst will start their briefings at noon at the west end of the Voyager Restaurant patio area.

Plane Crazy Saturday is a family event, and runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aircraft and space collectibles, and artworks will be available for sale and viewing, and food is available in the Voyager Restaurant.

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May 17, 2013

X-47B, from 1 is capable of operation from a carrier, hand-off from one mission control station to another, flight through the national airspace and recovery at another location without degradation in safety or precision,” said Matt Funk, lead test engineer for the Navy UCAS program.

Prior to the May 14 catapult launch, the UCAS test team also conducted deck-handling and ship-integration testing to demonstrate the capability to safely operate the X-47B in the dynamic, unforgiving environment of an aircraft carrier flight deck.

“This event is a testament to the teamwork, professionalism and expertise of everyone involved with X-47B program,” said Rear Adm. Mat Winter, program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. “Their work will positively impact future unmanned aviation development for years to come.”

Over the next few weeks, the X-47B aircraft will fly approaches to the ship multiple times and eventually land on the pitching flight deck, said Navy UCAS Program Manager Capt. Jaime Engdahl.

The UCAS team will conduct additional shore-based testing with the X-47B at NAS Patuxent River in the coming months before its final carrier-based arrested landing demonstration later this summer.

Navy photograph by PO2 Timothy Walter

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator is lifted on an aircraft elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is scheduled to be the first aircraft carrier to catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck.

Northrop Grumman photograph

Navy photograph by PO2 Timothy Walter

Above: An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator is towed into the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). Right: An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the first aircraft carrier to successfully catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck.

Mississippi submits proposal for drone test site

by Jeff Amy Associated Press Mississippi is bidding for one of six sites nationwide to test unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones.

The state submitted its proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration May 6, according to a Mississippi Development Authority.

State officials say the FAA should choose Mississippi because it has three manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as a flight laboratory at Mississippi State University. Congress has directed the FAA to use test sites to determine how to integrate current air traffic with unmanned vehicles. Today, such drones can only be flown with special permission, and can’t be used for commercial purposes.

“There’s a lot of potential out there for commercial use of unmanned aerial systems,” said Manning McPhillips, the chief administrative officer of the MDA. “This is a huge growth area in the aerospace industry.”

May 17, 2013

FAA spokesman Les Dorr said 50 sites in 37 states had indicated they would submit proposals. The FAA won’t finance the test, Dorr said, meaning bidders have to find some way to pay. McPhillips said Mississippi can use most of its existing assets at no cost, including airspace at Camp Shelby, Stennis Space Center and Gulf of Mexico test ranges controlled by the Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport.

“The beauty of this is there is no upfront cost to the state,” McPhillips said.

Mississippi State University would collect data from tests and conduct research, said David Shaw, the university’s vice president for research and development. He said research projects could include finding ways to improve communication between ground controllers and aircraft, encrypting control signals to prevent outsiders from hijacking a drone, and studies of how to improve the airworthiness of drones.

MDA officials said Camp Shelby’s more than 10 years of experience in safely operating drones is a big plus for Mississippi’s plan.

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They also cite the airspace over the Gulf of Mexico and MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory.

The idea is that the state would lay out the welcome mat for researchers who need time and space to fly their craft. Right now, air time in the United States is severely limited, said MDA’s Christine Pate.

“The fact that you can’t test is stymieing this industry that’s getting ready to explode,” she said.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International estimates that the unmanned aircraft industry would create more than 70,000 jobs in the first three years after the FAA allows normal commercial operations.

Today, Mississippi has about 250 jobs in the sector, including Northrop Grumman’s assembly facility in Moss Point, as well as Stark Aerospace and Aurora Flight Sciences at Golden Triangle Regional Airport near Columbus. Another 250 jobs are promised in the next two years, McPhillips said. But officials hope testing would allow them to multiply that figure.

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BRIEFS, from 2 later this month.

Huntington Ingalls Industries says the fast-attack submarine Minnesota successfully completed its first of three rounds of sea trials and evaluations this week.

The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds on the surface and under water.

Officials say all systems, components and compartments are being tested during the trials.

Construction of the Minnesota began in February 2008. It’s expected to be delivered to the Navy about 11 months ahead of its contracted delivery date. AP Air China approves plan to buy 100 Airbus jets Air China is planning to buy 100 Airbus jets to expand its fleet as it seeks to keep up with growing demand from Chinese travelers.

The state-owned airline said late May 7 that its board approved the plan to buy the plans as well as dispose of six Airbus A340 jets.

It did not give any further details such as type of aircraft, cost or timeframe.

The announcement follows French President Francois Hollande’s visit to China last month, when officials inked a deal for China to buy 60 planes from France-based Airbus.

That deal covered the purchase of 42 A320s and 18 A330s.

In March, Air China placed an order for 31 Boeing aircraft worth $4.8 billion at list prices, though airlines typically get a discount. AP Air Force says spending cuts hit combat aircraft Air Force officials say the across-the-board spending cuts have led the service to cease operations for one third of the bomber and jet fighter force.

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Mark Welsh told a Senate committee that nine fighter units and three bomber units have stood down.

They say that when a unit is down for 60 days, it is unable to meet mission requirements and readiness is degraded.

Overall, they say, the Air Force is slashing nearly $10 billion from its budget by Sept. 30 due to the cuts, known as sequestration.

Other effects of sequestration include the planned furlough of more than 170,000 civilian Air Force employees, an eighteen per-

cent reduction in flight training and aircraft maintenance, and the postponement of airfield repairs. AP Officials: U.S. military sex assault reports are up Officials say a new Pentagon study reports that the number of sexual assaults reported by members of the U.S. military rose from 3,192 to 3,374 in 2012, while the department estimates that as many as 26,000 service members were assaulted, based on anonymous surveys.

The troubling trends underscore service members’ continued reluctance to come forward and formally report attacks. And the numbers highlight the dismal results that military leaders have had in their efforts to change behavior within the ranks. This comes just days after the arrest on sexual battery of the Air Force officer who was in charge of the branch’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the report. AP

New aircraft carrier marks another milestone in Virginia Another milestone is being marked in the construction of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.

Huntington Ingalls Industries says it is placing the final primary hull structure on the USS Gerald R. Ford May 7.

Shipbuilders are set to lift the forward end of a catapult onto the aircraft carrier. Officials say the lift is the last of 162 superlifts and brings more than three years of structural work to a close.

Construction of the Ford began in November 2009 at Newport News Shipbuilding.

The Ford is the lead ship in a new class of carriers. It features a new nuclear power plant, a redesigned island, electromagnetic catapults, improved weapons movement and an enhanced flight deck.

The Ford will replace the USS Enterprise, which was inactivated last year. AP

Former trustee Don Ross dies Author, engineer, veteran and former Antelope Valley College trustee Donald M. Ross died May 3 in Lancaster, Calif., according to his son, Gary Ross.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Friday, May 31 – which would have been his birthday – at Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Ave. J, where he was a long-time member. His wife, Irene, preceded him in death.

Don Ross had served on the college board for 32 years until he stepped down from office in 1999.

Ross retired as deputy director of the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base in 1971. Just last December, Ross was on the AVC campus to be introduced to a new generation of engineers and scientists at a symposium organized by the rocket lab and hosted by AVC. After his retirement, he continued to serve on the college board and he worked as a consulting engineer to the rocket industry until 1981.

Ross in 1977 co-authored a university textbook, Rocket Propulsion Elements.

He also authored “Propellants,” a chapter in the Energy Technology Handbook and “Flight Propulsion Fundamentals” in the Encyclopedia of Physics.

He was involved in a number of community organizations including the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization, the California Community College Trustees Association, of which he was past chairman, the Antelope Valley School Boards Association, the Antelope Valley College Foundation, Board of Directors of the Antelope Valley Cultural Foundation, Board of Directors of the Antelope Valley Symphony Association, Board of Directors of the Milestones of Flight Museum, Board of Directors for the Antelope Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Ross served in the Air Force four years during World War II and two years during the Korean War, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.

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May 17, 2013

Australia plans to buy 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft

by Rod McGuirk Associated Press

Australia said May 3 it would buy 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler advanced electronic warfare technology aircraft because it can’t risk delivery delays in their replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

The government announced last year that its air force will equip 12 of Australia’s F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters with Growler radarjamming equipment and other gear to knock out a wide array of electronic devices from 2018.

But the reviewed defense strategy released Friday said the government now plans to buy 12 new Growlers and to keep Australia’s ex-

isting 24 Super Hornets as they are. Australia will be the only country other than the United States to operate Growlers, which are to be replaced eventually by JFSs. “We’ve made decisions to protect our own air combat capability with the previous acquisitions of Super Hornets and now additional Growlers,” Defense Minister Stephen Smith told reporters.

“It is quite clearly the case on our one analysis but also on U.S. analysis that the Joint Strike Fighter project ... has improved, but there are still risks associated with that and we’re not prepared to ... take the risk of a gap in our air combat capability or superiority,” he added.

The government has not said when the new

Growlers will be delivered. Smith said they will cost around $1.5 billion.

Australia plans to buy 14 JSFs for $3.2 billion and is contracted to buy two which will be delivered in 2014 and 2015.

The government announced last year that it was pushing back delivery of most of the JSFs by two years to 2019 as a cost-cutting measure.

The JSFs are to replace the Growlers and Super Hornets which are expected to be retired around 2030. Smith said the first of three JSF squadrons are scheduled to be delivered from 2020.

Lockheed Martin Corp. welcomed the government’s announcement that it maintained a

long-term strategy announced in 2009 to buy as many at100 JSFs for $17 billion.

“Lockheed Martin is honored by the trust and confidence the Australian government showed in the F-35 program with today’s announcement,” the company said in a statement.

“Along with the first two Australian jets in production, which will deliver in mid-2014, we will work closely with the government to support their purchase of their remaining 100 F-35 aircraft,” it added.

Smith said a “modest increase” in defense spending will be announced on May 14 with the government’s budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

Northrop’s Australian F-35 supplier proves capability Northrop Grumman’s largest F-35 Australian supplier – Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd. of Bankstown, Australia – has demonstrated that its new production facility is equipped and qualified to manufacture and deliver quality composite parts for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter center fuselage produced

by Northrop Grumman.

In June 2012, Quickstep opened its new facility in Bankstown, near Sydney, and has quickly proven itself as a supplier of aerospace-grade composite parts. In April, it achieved two major milestones: • Completion of the first bismaleimide and graphite epoxy production parts, demonstrating that its facility is equipped and qualified to execute all of the required processes for its work on the F-35 program • Receipt of full approval from Northrop Grumman’s F-35 chief engineer for its bismaleimide and graphite epoxy destruct test articles

“We are impressed by Quickstep’s ability to reach these milestones less than a year after it opened its Bankstown facility,” said Michelle Scarpella, vice president of the F-35 program for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “Northrop Grumman helped celebrate the opening of Quickstep’s production facility, and now Quickstep is successfully demonstrating its ability to manufacture and deliver parts that will benefit the F-35 program.

This progress is a testament to the strong industrial partnership Northrop Grumman has with Quickstep in producing the F-35 center fuselage, and with the governments of Australia and New South Wales in establishing this critical composite manufacturing capability in Australia.”

The Australian government joined the F-35 program in 2002.

This month, Australia reaffirmed its commitment to the F-35 program, announcing its intention to operate three squadrons of F-35s beginning in 2020. One of eight international partners on the F-35 program, Australia has made significant contributions

to the design and development phases of the program. The first two F-35 center fuselages for the Royal Australian Air Force are now being manufactured on the Integrated Assembly Line at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, Calif., facility.

As a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry team, Northrop Grumman performs a significant share of the work required to develop and produce the aircraft. In addition to producing the F-35 center fuselage, Northrop Grumman designed and produces the aircraft’s radar and other key avionics including electro-optical and communications, navigation and identification subsystems. Northrop Grumman also develops mission systems and mission-planning software, leads the team’s development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware, and manages the team’s use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies. In 2012, the company delivered 32 center fuselages and is on track to exceed 2012 delivery quantities in 2013.

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May 17, 2013

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Turkish industry takes off in support of F-35 Nine Turkish companies participated in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Industry Recognition Event during the IDEF tradeshow May 8.

Each of these companies has contributed to the ongoing work involving the international production and operational capability of the F-35 Lightning II, which results in hundreds of jobs for Turkey. Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defense Industries, was recognized for the role SSM provides in the form of leadership, vision, and the commitment of Turkish industry as a best value contributor on the F-35 program.

“Lockheed Martin values the partnership we have established with the Turkish government, military and industry during the past quarter century with the F-16 and the C-130,” said Steve O’Bryan, vice president, F-35 Program Integration and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “That relationship continues to flourish as every F-35 delivered has Turkish components.”

The nine Turkish companies supporting the development production of F-35 the future operational capability include: • Alp Aviation has been supporting the program since 2004 and currently manufactures F-35 production airframe structure and assemblies, production landing gear components and production F135 engine titanium integrated blade rotors for the engine.

• Aselsan is developing manufactur-

ing approaches for advanced optical components, which are part of the F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System. They are also working with Northrup Grumman on the F-35 CNI Avionic Interface Controller and will initiate full scale production activities in the near term.

• Ayesas currently is the sole source supplier for two major F-35 components – missile remote interface unit and the panoramic cockpit display.

• Fokker Elmo manufactures 40 percent of the F-35 Electrical Wiring & Interconnection System (EWIS) and will also deliver and support TAI with all center section wiring systems. Fokker Elmo will also develop the EWIS for the engine, for which a major share is produced in Fokker Elmo Turkey in Izmir.

• Havelsan has been supporting the F-35 training systems since 2005. Additionally, Havelsan has been instrumental as the Turkish lead for developing the construct of the future Turkish F-35 Integrated Pilot and Maintenance Training Center (ITC) and associated training systems in Turkey.

• MiKES has been supporting the F-35 Program since 2004 and MiKES has delivered F-35 aircraft components and assemblies for British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) and Northrop Grumman.

• ROKETSAN has been strategically selected by the Turkish Government to lead the integration and production of the precision-guided Stand-off Missle (SOM) which will be carried internally

Lockheed Martin photograph

Murad Bayar, Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Industries, and Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed Martin F-35 vice president, Program Integration and Business Development, stand together after an F-35 Industry Recognition Event at IDEF 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey, May 8. Bayar expressed his support for the F-35 program and the Turkish Industry, which could realize more than $12 billion of business over the life of the program.

on the F-35 aircraft.

• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has been strategically supporting the F-35 Program since 2008. Currently supplying production hardware that goes into every F-35 production aircraft. In conjuction of Northrup Grumman, TAI manufactures and assembles the center fuselages, produces composite skins and weapon bay doors, and manufactures fiber placement composite air inlet ducts. Additionally, TAI

is strategically manufacturing almost 50 percent of F-35’ Alternate Mission Equipment including Air-to-Ground Pylons and adapters. Furthermore, TAI has signed a strategic agreement with Pratt and Whitney and will become the future engine FACO and MRO&U lead in country and in the region. TAI who has also been assigned to represent the organic depots of the Turkish Armed Forces within the Autonomic Logistic Global Sustainment system.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least ten other countries.

Boeing rolls out 787 Dreamliner at increased production rate

Boeing has rolled out of the factory the first 787 Dreamliner to be built at the increased production rate of seven airplanes per month. The airplane, which rolled out earlier this week, is the 114th 787 to be built overall and the 100th 787 to be built at the Everett, Wash., factory.

Boeing’s 787 program is on track to achieve a planned 10 per month rate by year-end.

The production rate accounts for airplanes built at the Everett Final Assembly facility, the Everett Temporary Surge Line and Boeing South Carolina.

To date, 50 787s have been delivered to eight airlines. The program has more than 800 unfilled orders with 58 customers worldwide.

6

Aerotech News and Review

May 17, 2013

C-130J worldwide fleet soars past a million flight hours The C-130J is the standard by which all other airlift is measured in terms of availability, flexibility and reliability. C-130Js currently are deployed in two combat theaters and are operating at a very high tempo efficiently and reliably.

In non-combat — but equally harsh environments — C-130Js are often the first to support humanitarian missions such as search and rescue, aerial firefighting in the U.S., and delivering relief supplies after earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis around the world.

Countries with C-130Js contributing to these flight hours include (in order of delivery) the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Canada, India, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Tunisia and Israel (now in flight test for a summer 2013 delivery). In the U. S., C-130Js are flown by the Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, Air National Guard, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard units. Fifteen countries have chosen the C-130J as an airlifter of choice — including Kuwait and the Republic of Korea, which will join the fleet with C-130J deliveries in 2014.

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Lockheed Martin delivered three C-130J Super Hercules to the Iraqi Air Force, two months ahead of schedule, the third of which departed the Marietta, Ga., Dec 12, 2012. The Iraqi Air Force will use the airlifters for intra-theater support for its troops and to provide humanitarian relief operations in various locations.

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The worldwide community of Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules operators recently surpassed a landmark 1 million flight hours milestone, logging this time through numerous combat, special operations and humanitarian missions.

Thirteen countries operating C130Js, and members of Lockheed Martin’s Flight Operations and the U.S. Government’s Defense Contract Management Agency teams contributed to this achievement.

Hours were tracked beginning with the C-130J’s first flight on April 5, 1996, through the end of April 2013.

“There are a million reasons to pick the C-130J, as the Hercules continues to demonstrate the ability to fulfill any mission at any time,” said George Shultz, vice president and general manager of C-130 programs at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. “Not only is this milestone a testament to the capability of the C-130J Super Hercules, it reflects the dedication displayed by crews and maintainers each day they fly a C-130J. Once again, the Super Hercules family continues to prove why the C-130J’s flexibility and versatility remains without equal.”

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Defense News

Edwards testers essential to X-51A Waverider success

by Laura Mowry Edwards AFB, Calif.

When the X-51A Waverider program was established, the test team set out to demonstrate the viability of air-breathing scramjet propulsion. The goal of the $300 million concept-demonstrator program became reality May 1 when the test team achieved a record- setting 210 seconds of air-breathing hypersonic flight.

“This mission was a full success. We boosted for roughly 26 seconds and then we were on powered scramjet for three and a half minutes. We flew the mission until we exhausted the fuel. We took aerodynamic data on the cruiser from unpowered all the way until we flew it in the ocean,” said Charlie Brink, X-51A program manager, from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Aerospace Systems Directorate.

The test team gathered 370 seconds of telemetry data as the Waverider traveled 230 nautical miles and reached maximum Mach at 5.1, with a peak altitude of approximately 60,000 feet. The test was executed over the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range.

It was the fourth and final flight for the X-51A Waverider program, the culmination of knowledge gained and lessons learned from previous flights.

“The first flight was in May of 2010, which was a partial success; total flight time on scramjet power was 143 seconds. The second was in June of 2011 and the scramjet engine started and stalled due to excessive pressure in the combustor. This failed flight produced the most amount of learning, it was kind of an aha moment,” said Brink. “During the third flight in August 2012, we had an unexpected fin failure on the cruiser. It was a hardware failure, which had nothing to do with scramjets. May 1 was our last and most successful flight.”

While lessons learned from previous flights and more recent advancements in hypersonic technologies contributed to the success of the final mission, according to Lt. Col. Jason Wierzbanowski, 419th Flight Test Squadron commander, ultimately it was the test team’s ingenuity and flawless execution that can be attributed to Waverider’s record-breaking achievement.

“The highly complex mission required coordination between multiple government agencies and branches of military service,” said Wierzbanowski.

“It required flawless execution of the aircraft main-

tenance unit, aircrew members, support aircraft, and the control room members. The test mission was a unique challenge for the entire test team and required countless hours of planning and rehearsal.”

The X-51A departed Edwards attached to the wing of a B-52H, flown by aircraft commander Maj. Andrew Murphy and pilot Capt. Thomas Meagher. Additional 419th FLTS crew members included navigator Maj. Jonathan Beich, radar navigator John Kirk and flight test engineer Capt.

Christopher Rondeau.

They faced a takeoff with the minimum amount of fuel and once airborne, crewmembers were challenged with strict timelines, constant coordination with the control room and chase aircraft, while operating the B-52H on the edge of its flight envelope at 50,000 feet.

“We took the B-52 to the very top of its envelope and we just barely reached the bottom of the X-51 envelope. There is minimal overlap there,” said Murphy.

The 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La. provided the B-52H flown during the final X-51A mission. The aircraft along with crew chiefs and maintenance personnel were sent to support the mission because the two B-52s at Edwards were assigned to other test programs.

“We want to thank Global Strike Command and the Barksdale maintainers, those guys have been here for a month and half getting the airplane ready to support the mission, they were exceptional,” said Murphy.

In addition to the support from the 419 FLTS, 912th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 419th Aircraft Maintenance Unit; the Hypersonics Combined Test Force was an integral component of the test team, serving as a liaison between AFRL and the operations community.

“AFRL needed a test agency, so they came to us. We brought the flight test expertise to the program and the hypersonics knowledge to identify what was going to be needed; from identifying the launch platform, securing chase aircraft, coordinating support for Edwards and Point Mugu ranges and working with the ground crew, Boeing and Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne. Really it’s a coordinated effort of understanding AFRL and operations community; we were the liaison between the two,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Jorris, Hypersonics CTF director.

One of the biggest challenges for Jorris was

Air Force photograph by Bobbi Zapka

The X-51A Waverider flew its fourth and final mission May 1 over the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range, during which the test team achieved a record- setting 210 seconds of airbreathing hypersonic flight. Flight testers from Edwards played a vital role in the program’s success.

securing a chase aircraft for the final X-51 flight.

They needed an aircraft that performed well at 50,000 feet, so the Hypersonics CTF coordinated with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, which provided an F-15 chase, flown by their chief pilot, David Nils Larson for the historic mission.

An additional F-16 chase aircraft was provided by the 445th Flight Test Squadron.

While the success of the final mission was cause for celebration, Jorris is already looking forward to using all that was learned from the X-51A Waverider to further develop hypersonic capabilities.

“Our Hypersonics CTF ends up getting lots of different test programs from a variety of sources; AFRL, DARPA, the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, even NASA. And what the X-51 program just did is open up multiple hypersonic research projects and demonstrations. What’s great is that it’s more than just the success of the X-51; it’s all the future projects that will now be moving forward,” said Jorris.

The X-51A Waverider’s demonstration of sus-

tained hypersonic, air-breathing propulsion was a major breakthrough that will lay the foundation for future development of hypersonic weapons and vehicles, providing a more efficient alternative to rocket propulsion.

“Air-breathing scramjet propulsion is eventually going to have a place beside rocket propulsion.

Think of the space shuttle; to get something into orbit you have to strap a huge tank of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen and solid rocket boosters to get it into space. If you could fly along at high speeds and capture the air; you’re not carrying the oxidizer up with you,” said Brink. “Scramjets have the potential to become a much more efficient propulsion cycle for portions of the spacelift mission.”

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s X-51A Waverider program leveraged expertise from not only the 412th Test Wing and 412th Operations Group; but Boeing, Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne, NASA and included a prominent role from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Karzai says U.S. can have nine Afghan bases after 2014

by Kathy Gannon Associated Press Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has irked Washington with his frequent criticism of American military operations in his country, said May 9 that his government is now ready to let the U.S. have nine bases across Afghanistan after most foreign troops withdraw in 2014.

A border spat with Pakistan and a desire to test public opinion led Karzai to break months of public silence on this issue, according to Afghan analysts. They said Karzai is concerned that Pakistan is using the Taliban to give it greater leverage, and that he wants to find out if Afghans, tired of 12 years of war, will support that size of a U.S. military footprint.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Thursday that the U.S. “does not seek permanent military bases in Afghanistan.” The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan after 2014 would

8

be “only at the request of the Afghan government,” Carney said.

Carney wouldn’t say whether the U.S. was perhaps seeking a temporary presence on nine bases. An American defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the negotiations with the media, said earlier that he had not heard the number nine mentioned previously.

But Karzai said that’s how many bases the Americans had requested.

“We are giving the bases, nine bases they want from Afghanistan - in all of Afghanistan,” he said.

Karzai said the U.S. wants bases in Kabul; Bagram Air Field, north of the capital; Mazar-e-Sharif in the north; Jalalabad and Gardez near the eastern border with Pakistan; Kandahar and Helmand provinces, which are Taliban strongholds in the south; and Shindand and Herat in western Afghanistan.

In return, Afghanistan wants a U.S. commitment to boost Afghan security,

strengthen its armed forces and provide long-term economic development assistance.

“It is our condition that they bring security and bring it quickly and strengthen the Afghan forces and the economy,” he said. “When they (the Americans) do this, we are ready to sign” a partnership agreement.

The Pentagon has said very little about how and where it would position the troops it keeps in Afghanistan after the international military coalition ends its combat mission in December 2014, mainly because the arrangements must be negotiated with the Afghan government. President Barack Obama has not yet announced how many troops he wants to keep in the country beyond 2014, but officials have said it may be in the range of 10,000.

About 66,000 U.S. troops are currently in Afghanistan, down from a peak of about 100,000 in 2010. Germany is the only country to commit its troops after 2014, promising 800.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, the top American commander in Kabul, said recently that he hopes the U.S. and its NATO partners can be partnered with Afghan forces after 2014 in “the four corners” of the country, as well as in Kabul. His comment suggested that the U.S. would have military advisers on at least five bases. Washington also wants to keep some number of special operations forces in the country, and they also would require bases, although the number has never been discussed publicly.

As of May, there were 180 coalition bases in Afghanistan, down from a high of more than 425. The bulk of those are U.S. bases. Altogether, the U.S. and its allies had about 800 installations across Afghanistan in October 2011, including small combat outposts and checkpoints. That number has dropped to about 167.

U.S. leaders have repeatedly said that the U.S. does not want to keep permanent bases in Afghanistan, but would want access to Afghan bases

Aerotech News and Review

based on the number of American troops that remain in the country after 2014.

A senior U.S. official familiar with the talks told The Associated Press earlier that the U.S. and Karzai are at odds over his request that the United States guarantee that it would side with Afghanistan if neighboring Pakistan poses a threat. So far, the U.S. is refusing, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.

Karzai seemed to surprise his audience of students, diplomats and Afghan politicians attending a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of Kabul University when he segued from the value of education to negotiations with the U.S. and NATO. He then finished with a warning to Pakistan against testing Afghanistan’s resolve to resist any attempt at turning the Durand Line – the 19th century demarcation between present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan

See BASES, Page 9

May 17, 2013

BASES, from 8 – into an international border.

“We want a civilized relationship with Pakistan, but if any neighbor wants Afghanistan under its shadow ... it is not possible,” Karzai said. “If there is any attack or any violation to force Afghanistan to accept the Durand Line, the Afghan nation will never accept it and will never recognize the Durand Line. Impossible.”

The uneasy relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan took a turn for the worse last week when each country accused the other of carrying out unprovoked attacks.

Analyst Nader Nadery, chairman of the Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan, said Karzai’s revelation about a U.S. interest in maintaining nine bases is linked to the deteriorating relationship with Pakistan.

Most Afghans want international forces to stay in Afghanistan “for a number of reasons, but first and foremost it is because of Pakistan,” Nadery said. “Karzai is trying to test the waters, to see if those sentiments are true or not, if people are going to support him or not. If there is no reaction and people are supporting him, he can go ahead and sign the agreement.”

Karzai’s government thinks Pakistan harbors Afghan Taliban fighters to give it more sway not just in the border dispute but in other areas of con-

tention. Pakistan denies the allegations and has lost thousands of its soldiers fighting Taliban on its territory.

The Taliban reacted swiftly to Karzai’s remarks. Zabiullah Mujahed, the religious movement’s spokesman, warned that the longer U.S. forces stay in Afghanistan the longer it will be before peace is achieved.

“The longer the occupiers are here, the longer it will take to find peace,” he said in an e-mailed statement. “Afghans want an independent Afghanistan. We will never make any deal on our independence.”

The negotiations over a security agreement have been protracted and at times acrimonious. In March, when it appeared that an accord was about to be signed, Karzai suggested that the U.S. and the Taliban were benefiting each other - and even in collusion - to keep U.S. troops in the country, though the U.S. has been fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan for more than a decade. As a result, the U.S. put the agreement on hold.

Another undecided issue involves the future activities of non-U.S. forces in the NATO-led military coalition.

Karzai questioned NATO’s intentions post-2014 and set out Afghanistan’s demands.

“First NATO told us they are all leaving. Now they are coming and

saying `No we are not going. We are staying,’” he said. “We know they are not going.”

But before Afghanistan accepts NATO soldiers, Karzai said he wants each of NATO’s 28 member countries to negotiate directly with his gov-

ernment about how many soldiers it wants to keep in Afghanistan, where they will be deployed and how it will benefit the country.

Moreover, Karzai said he wants each NATO country to disclose its plan for providing assistance to Af-

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ghanistan, including the kind of aid, how many civilians would be involved and – again – how the aid would benefit his nation.

“We want each NATO country to have a direct relationship with us,” Karzai said.

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9

C-5M undergoes ‘super’ upgrade at Edwards

by Jet Fabara Edwards AFB, Calif.

In 2006, the C-5 Galaxy underwent a “super” upgrade to further strengthen the airframe’s worldwide airlift capabilities. Now known as the C-5M Super Galaxy, test teams at Edwards and Dover Air Force Base, Del., are showing why the recent software upgrade to the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory is no small task.

With initial modifications being tested at Dover AFB, the aircraft has been ferried back to Edwards AFB where the remaining flight test sorties are being accomplished during May. “The C-5M Super Galaxy Block 3.5.2 software upgrade is intended to correct 72 deficiency reports that were documented during previous C-5M test programs,” said Joel Williams, 775th Test Squadron C-5 lead engineer at the 418th Flight Test Squadron.

“The results of the 418th FLTS testing of 3.5.2 will help support a fielding decision by the program office at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio,” added Maj. Zackary Schaffer, 418th FLTS C-5 test pilot. “Additionally, data from this testing will be used by the Development System Manager, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/WLS) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to generate a program assessment summary to verify the C-5M retains the navigational performance and surveillance capabilities necessary for future

airspace requirements.”

According to the C-5M test team, the systems affected by this software upgrade included the automatic flight control system, auto throttle, display services, embedded diagnostic system, and flight management system.

“As part of the Traffic Collision and Avoidance System testing, we had to develop test techniques to safely generate collision warnings in-flight,” Schaffer said. “With the help of pilots at the 445th Flight Test Squadron and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory, we were able to develop procedures using a T-38 Talon to generate all of the appropriate warnings while ensuring safe separation of aircraft throughout the test.”

Initially, the aircraft was modified with test instrumentation and software at Dover AFB, which required all of the checkouts, Quality Assurance inspections, and initial ground and flight testing to be conducted off-site.

“Thanks to the excellent coordination between Edwards Special Instrumentation team, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and the 436th Maintenance Group, all the modifications were completed ahead of schedule with the airplane fully mission capable,” said Schaffer.

“With help from the 436th Operations Group, we were able to schedule all of the range support necessary for our testing.”

Once the final portion of software upgrade testing is completed, Williams

said the DR corrections will help bring many improvements to the C-5M platform including a new vertical guidance mode, new glideslope capture capabilities, identify friend or foe mode S enhanced surveillance, and updated traffic collision and avoidance logic.

The C-5 Development System Manager, AFLCMC/WLS at Wright-Patterson AFB, will use the result of testing to support airworthiness certification of the software update. The testing results will also support certification of readiness for operational testing that will be

conducted by the AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron.

C-5M Block 3.5.2 software upgrade testing is projected to be completed by the end of May 2013. The Air Force plans to upgrade 52 Galaxies to “super” status by the end of 2016.

Hagel issues memo directing preparations for civilian furloughs Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced May 14 that he has signed a memorandum directing defense managers to prepare to furlough most Defense Department civilian employees for up to 11 days between July 8 and the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.

Here is the text of the memo in its entirety: This memo directs defense managers to prepare to furlough most Department of Defense (DOD) civilians for up to 11 days.

The schedule for furloughs, and some specific exceptions, are described later in this memo and in the attachment. I have made this decision very reluctantly, because I know that the furloughs will disrupt lives and impact DOD operations. I, along with the senior civilian and military leadership of the Department, have spent considerable time reviewing information related to the need for furloughs, and I would like to share with you the reasoning that led me to this difficult decision.

Major budgetary shortfalls drove the basic furlough decision.

On March 1, sequestration went into effect across the federal government. DOD’s budget for fiscal year 2013 was reduced by $37 billion, including $20 billion in the operation and maintenance (O&M) accounts that pay many of our civilian workers. In addition, because our wartime budget is also subject to sequestration, we must utilize funds originally budgeted for other purposes in order to provide our troops at war with every resource they need. To compound our problems, when we estimated future wartime operating costs more than a year ago, we planned on fuel costs below what we are currently experiencing.

Taken together, all these factors lead to a shortfall in our O&M accounts of more than $30 billion — a level that exceeds 15 percent of our budget request, with fewer than six months left in the fiscal year in which to accommodate this dramatic reduction in available resources.

We are taking actions to reduce this shortfall. One main priority has governed our decisions: to minimize the adverse effects on our military mission, including military readiness.

With this in mind, early this calendar year we cut back sharply on facilities maintenance and worked to hold down base operating costs — decisions we knew would build a backlog of maintenance and adversely affect our bases. We are also preparing a request to Congress that would permit us to shift some funding from investment and military personnel accounts into the O&M accounts. If approved by Congress, this initiative —

10

known as a reprogramming — would help close the gap.

But these actions are not enough. We have begun making sharp cuts in the training and maintenance of our operating forces - cutbacks that are seriously harming military readiness.

The Army, for example, has terminated most remaining fiscal year 2013 training rotations at its combat training centers. The Air Force has or soon will stop all flying at about one-third of its combat coded squadrons in the active forces. The Navy and Marine Corps are cutting back on training and on deployments - including a decision not to send a second carrier strike group to the Gulf.

These are only a few of the many cutbacks we have made in training and maintenance. These actions reduce our ability to handle future military contingency needs, both this year and in subsequent years.

Even after taking all these actions, we are still short of needed operating funds for fiscal 2013, and we cannot rule out unexpected increases in costs during the next few months. So we confront a difficult set of trade offs. We can make even larger cutbacks in training and maintenance, further reducing readiness to handle contingency operations and putting into even greater jeopardy our military readiness in future fiscal years. Alternatively, we can furlough civilian personnel to help close the gap and, knowing that morale, productivity and readiness would be affected. This is an unpleasant set of choices, but this is the situation we face.

Before making a decision, I sought advice and inputs from senior leaders in the military departments and agencies as well as advice from my senior civilian and military staff. I asked

We are taking actions to reduce this shortfall. One main priority has governed our decisions: to minimize the adverse effects on our military mission, including military readiness.

them to keep in mind our fundamental criterion to minimize adverse mission effects and, subject to that criterion, to ensure reasonable consistency and fairness across the Department for any furloughs that we impose.

Based on all these inputs, I have decided to direct furloughs of up to 11 days for most of the Department’s civilian personnel. Furloughs for up to 11 days represent about half of the 22 days that can legally be imposed in a year and also about half the number we had originally planned. This halving of previous furlough plans reflects vigorous efforts to meet our budgetary shortfalls through actions other than furloughs as well as Congressional passage of an appropriations bill in late March that reduced the shortfalls in our operating budget and expectations of Congressional action on our reprogramming request.

Furloughs will be imposed in every military department as well as almost every agency and in our working capital funds.

All of our civilian employees are important, and I would prefer not to furlough any of them. However, there will only be limited exceptions driven by law and by the need to minimize harm to mission execution. We will except civilians deployed to combat zones and civilians necessary to protect life and property (but only to the extent needed to provide that protection). A few categories of workers will be excepted for specific mission reasons while some categories of workers will be excepted because furloughing them would not free up money for critical DOD mission needs. The attachment provides details regarding approved exceptions. Fewer than one fifth of all civilians paid with appropriated funds will be excepted from furloughs.

The planning and implementation of furloughs will be carried out based on the schedule below: — May 28 - June 5: Furlough proposal notices will be served to individual employees subject to furloughs.

— June 4 - June 12: Individual employee reply periods end 7 calendar days from when the proposal was received, unless Component procedures allow for a different reply period.

— June 5 - July 5: Furlough decision letters will be served to individual employees subject to furloughs, depending on when the proposal was received and prior to the first day of furlough.

— July 8: Furlough period begins no earlier than this date.

We will begin furloughs on July 8 at the rate of 1 furlough day

See FOURLOUGH, Page 11

Aerotech News and Review

May 17, 2013

F-35 fighter takes another step forward

by Joel Fortner Eglin AFB, Fla. The Air Force took another step forward with its newest fighter jet when an advanced F-35 Lightning II landed at the service’s lead training base, home to the largest fleet of F-35s worldwide.

The new stealth fighter kicks off a major training effort at the F-35 schoolhouse on an aircraft with unmatched capabilities.

The F-35 is the military’s newest stealth fighter jet. Students from all military branches who are learning to fly the plane go through the schoolhouse at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., including some from international services.

In addition to a few design improvements, the major difference between the new aircraft and others is sensors and software.

For example, pilots for the first time will begin training on a capability that

gives them a 360-degree view around the jet.

Sensors that act like highly sophisticated cameras that can detect heat and other information are embedded in the front, sides and back of the F-35.

When in use, the pilot basically can see everything around them near and far, a capability not found in any current military fighter, said F-35 instructor pilot, Major Jay Spohn.

The system was designed to see other aircraft, people on the ground, missile launches, and more, and share that information with other aircraft and command centers on the ground.

Other new capabilities include a weather tracker and an enhancement of a system known as ALIS, or autonomic logistic information system, which transmits aircraft health and maintenance information and makes use of a portable computer planeside for the maintainer.

“This system is a game changer,”

said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Wheeler, production superintendent, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit. “It combines real-time data collection and trouble shooting in one system, eliminating the need for carting out stacks of binders and paper forms to the jet, as well as having to dual annotate once on paper and again later in the office on a computer.”

The latest system software, which has a better user interface and enhanced capability to download, is another step along the track in fixing problems in less time, which can be critical in time of conflict, Wheeler said.

The new F-35A will share the skies over Eglin’s training ranges with the Navy VFA-101 flying squadron here, which is slated to get their first two F-35C aircraft later this month along with another United Kingdom F-35B assigned to the Marine Corps VMFAT-501 flying squadron, scheduled to arrive here in about a month.

Air Force photograph by SSgt. Nicholas Egebrecht

Maj. Matthew Johnston, (left) 58th Fighter Squadron, instructor pilot, shakes hands with Col.Stephen Jost, 33rd Operations Group commander upon arriving at Eglin Air Force base, Fla. with the advanced F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter, May 6, 2013. The advanced F-35 will be utilized by all military branches at the Air Education Training Command F-35 schoolhouse to train on new systems and software on the platform.

FURLOUGH, from 10

per week for most personnel. For now, we plan to continue furloughs through the end of fiscal 2013. That schedule would lead to 11 furlough days — one fifth of the week for about one quarter of the year. Moreover, I am directing all components to monitor funding closely for the remainder of fiscal 2013. If our budgetary situation permits us to end furloughs early, I would strongly prefer to do so. That is a decision I will make later in the year.

Consistent with this memo and with applicable laws and rules, commanders and managers will have the authority to develop the specifics of furlough procedures in order to minimize ad-

verse mission effects and also limit the harm to morale and productivity. Further bargaining with unions may also be required.

The Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness has already issued guidance as appropriate regarding personnel and union issues related to furloughs and will issue additional guidance as needed. Overall coordination of sequester and furlough policies will be the responsibility of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

Each of the Department’s civilian employees makes an important contribution to the readiness of our Department to meet the

nation’s national security needs. I understand that the decision to impose furloughs imposes financial burdens on our valued employees, harms overall morale, and corrodes the long-term ability of the Department to carry out the national defense mission. I deeply regret this decision. I will continue to urge that our nation’s leaders reach an agreement to reduce the deficit and detrigger sequestration. If no agreement is reached, I will continue to look for ways to limit the adverse effects of sequestration and associated budgetary shortfalls both on the men and women of the Department of Defense, and on our national defense.

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Aerotech News and Review

11

People & Places

Special Olympians share gold with volunteers “This is just what I needed,” said Linda Shear, a volunteer from Temecula, Calif. Feeling a little empty the past few months, Shear said the pure energy she received from the athletes and guests made her want to do more.

“This was such a special time. It feels good to make a difference in someone’s day and life; this kind of fulfillment is priceless.”

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford

hugged and high-fived athletes and graciously thanked the community for their support.

“What a great day,” said Tom More than 300 athletes from Miller, NASA test pilot and bass Southern California took part in the player for the Vagrant X band. MillSpecial Olympics at Quartz Hill High er’s whole family has supported the School May 4. event in the past so he was honored to Volunteers, coaches and guests be asked to come out again and play cheered as athletes gave it their all some music. “It’s a real privilege in the track and field, and basketball to support these athletes who have competitions. worked so hard to get here and to share in their achievement and excitement.”

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than four million athletes in 170 countries.

“The Special Olympics has been a great way for our daughter to gain confidence and to stay motivated,” said Rafael Gonzalez, an administrator for High Desert Medical Group. His daughter Toni participated in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter races.

Col. Glenn Graham, commander of Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, Calif., awards Supporters from Harley Damedals to athletes at the Special Olympics. More than 300 athletes participated in vidson, the ROTC, the U.S. the event at Quartz Hill High School.

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Athlete Eddy Thomas proudly shows his winnings to 2nd Lt. Jake Downey who, along with 2nd Lt. Jessica Pease and other officers, helped pass out medals at the Special Olympics at Quartz Hill High School. Approximately 200 people volunteered at the event. Thankful for the turnout and support, coordinator Donna Wilson would like to see more fans in the audience cheering on the athletes.

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Donna Wilson said she would like to see a lot more fans in the audience cheering.

“Like any sports event, our athletes get energy from the cheering and support from the fans. It makes a huge part of the atmosphere and is very encouraging and empowering for our athletes.”

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May 17, 2013

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13

Mojave Air & Space Port improvements continue

by Raphael Jaffe staff writer Actions by the Mojave ASP board continue to be directed at improvements in its physical facilities, preplanning for an FAA grant, and how to handle the Plane Crazy Saturday event.

Plane Crazy Saturday is sponsored by the Mojave Transportation Museum and takes place each third Saturday of the month. Pilots are invited to fly in and the public can walk in at no charge for these events. They have been attracting a larger audience, including children, in the years since they were started. Recently there has been significant nationwide and worldwide aerospace attendance. Initially, the airport supported the event informally at no charge. Usually the tower was open for other purpose anyhow, but the large crowd on the apron has required that security personnel be assigned.

At the April 2 meeting, the museum requested that the airport continue making itself available at no charge, as the museum is a public entity.

Stuart Witt, airport CEO, explained that Mojave charges a minimum of $1,200 per day for use, to cover costs of such as the tower and security. However he suggested the museum be charged $1,200 per year, payable at $100 per month. Dr. Allen Peterson, director, noted that the sponsoring organization should be required to pay fees to cover costs incurred by the Airport District. Director JoAnn Painter noted concerns for public safety at these events.

The board agreed that these events are very beneficial to the airport. At the May 7 board meeting, Director Jimmy Balentine proposed that an ad hoc committee be appointed “to figure it out” and recommend action to the board. The

committee was established and includes Balentine, airport staff Kevin Wojtkiewicz and Harold Green, and museum directors Bill Deaver and Heather Bennett.

FAA grant pre-engineering The board approved a contract for engineering and design services for the extension of Taxiway B, at a cost not to exceed $44,406. It will be performed by EnerSource Engineering, Fawnskin, Calif. This would be reimbursed 90 percent when the FAA grant is received, probably in 2014. The airport policy is to have “shovel ready” projects ready for FAA grants when proposals are requested. This puts the airport in a preferred position to receive such grants.

Building 137 rehab Building 137 is being refurbished so it can become a community center venue. Completion is scheduled for September of this year. The budget is $1.5 million and JW Griffin, Ridgecrest, Calif., was given a $150,000 contract for heavy construction. This includes replacing beams and structural ties. The contract is an Indefinite Quantity, Fixed Price contract. In addition, Continuous Quality Industrial Electric, Canyon Country, Calif., has been given a $9,950 contract for dimmable fluorescent light fixtures.

The building now has water connected; in-wall electrical conduit completed and lighting under installation.

PAPI runway lights Precision Approach Path Indicator lights let the pilot know if the airplane is on the correct glide slope for landing. They were omitted in the recent refurbishment of Runway 4-22. The

board voted $33,250 to install PAPI lights for that runway, and to provide isolation switches to allow each runways PAPI to be turned on/off.

RP Development, Big Bear City, Calif., has been given the job. In response to a question from Director Peterson, the staff will investigate placing this switching ability in the control tower.

Administration building solar electricity A solar cell power system was installed about two years ago, and has been saving the district about $325 per day.

The supplier, Greenvolts, went bankrupt last year. At the time, the district purchased the system and spare parts for $70,000. In the last high wind storm, the panels were stowed in the safety horizontal position, but the winds exceeded the 80 knot rating and several panels were damaged.

Insurance will pay for most of the loss, and the system is back in operation.

Conference attendance The board approved funds to permit two directors to attend aerospace conferences, as a promotional activity.

Director Dick Rutan will at the Society of Engineering Test Pilots European Symposium in Madrid, Spain, May 22 to 25. He will present an invited paper on the flight test program for

the Voyager.

Witt had previously planned to attend that meeting, but cancelled when district funding for the Northside Project was required. Subsequently, funds to cover the $10,000 item have been identified.

The board also voted $2,200 for Balentine to attend the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference June 3-5 in Broomfield, Colo.

Balentine attended the last conference, and said that it is very beneficial for insight into a very large potential market impacting many tenants.

Peterson brought up the topic of identifying promotional activities as a line item in future budgets. Witt endorsed such a line item in future budgets, and will provide it.

Facility improvements Several contracts were approved for improvements to the airport. JW Griffin was given $15,000 to remodel the bathroom at the T Hangers. It will include new fixtures, vanity, lights and wall and floor improvements. Emergency water line repairs were made by W. M. Lyles at a cost of about $32,600. A VOIP telephone system is being installed in the administration building. Cost is about $13,400.

The airport policy is to have “shovel ready” projects ready for FAA grants when proposals are requested. This puts the airport in a preferred position to receive such grants.

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Aerotech News and Review

May 17, 2013

Armed Forces Day May 18, 2013

Ceremony on Mojave Air & Spaceport Flightline!

Armed Forces Day Ceremony On Mojave Air & Spaceport Flightline

Col (sel) Kathryn Hughes, USAF

Commander of the 412th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base

Cmdr. Michael ‘Mick’ Williams, USN Test Pilot Instructor at USAF TPS Edwards Air Force Base

Capt. Todd Quelet, USA Economic Analyst at United States Department of Defense Captain - Civil Affairs Team Leader at 450th Civil Affairs - US Army

Color Guard – O’Callahan Division Sea Cadet Unit

Veteran Military Aircraft on static display Historic Aircraft Display Day at Mojave Air & Spaceport

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May 17, 2013

Aerotech News and Review

15

Intermediate Space Challenge rockets fly high at Mojave

by Raphael Jaffe staff writer

height azimuth and degree from opposite sides of the rocket path, and results are averaged.

The highest rocket height of the day was 596 feet achieved by team 21, The Hacienda School “Team Dragons,” Mrs. Stover teacher. The highest overall points scored by a school went to Mojave Elementary School; it was awarded the Traveling Trophy. The Trophy is inscribed “Inspiring America’s Future Engineers and Space Pioneers.” It is donated by Mojave ASP. The Mojave maintenance crew handled actual launching of the big Daddy rockets. Harold Smith, maintenance foreman, was launch control officer. The rockets were retrieved and sometimes even caught before hitting the ground by Brian Lehman, Mike Edmonds, Gerardo Perez, Jose Carrillo, Martin Iboa, Steve Marquez, Danny Gaunce and Lamar Davis

Several organizations made generous donations for the event. These include Arts Science Technology, Benz, Big Iron, Derek Butler [Allstate Insurance], Fiberset Inc., Incotec, Joyce Media, Mojave Air & Space Port, Mojave Unified School District, Rio Tinto, Southern California Gas, Terra Gen Power, and The Spaceship Company. Other donors included Altman’s Carpet Cleaning, Dance with Me Co., Friends of Jawbone, Radio Shack, Randy & Terry Scott, Michele & Bob Slade, Mojave High School Virtual Enterprise, My Printing Co., and Sunset Grill. Because of their generosity, the students [and VIP guests] enjoyed lunch between the first and second round of rocket firings. For the first time, an engraved medallion was presented to each student whose class won first place.

There are tentative plans to use donated funds for a student field trip to a southern California site of interest.

The ninth annual Intermediate Space Challenge was held at the Mojave Air and Space Port May 13 with little wind and no clouds.

The 26 classes from the Mojave area enthusiastically enjoyed their competition, as did the teachers, parents and onlookers.

Marie Walker, founder of Fiberset and Mojave ASP director, created the event for 4th to 6th graders, to inspire them to study science and math. It has been such a success that Tehachapi schools have conducted a similar event for several years, and this year the Edwards school district will hold an event. Classes from Rosamond and Pine Crest will participate this year.

Keenan Hochschild was on hand representing U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Additionally attendees this The rocket performance scores are: year included observers from several schools. The Lancaster Place Team # School Team Name Teacher Height [ft] School District plans to hold a th 4 Grade: Challenge starting next year and 1st Place – Team #7, Hacienda Elementary School, Space Pioneers, Mrs. Benzie’s Class, 523 observers present included Lor509 2nd Place – Team #2, Mojave Elementary School, Burning Colts, Mr. Bickell, raine Zapata, Julianne Vela and 3rd Place – Team #1, Mojave Elementary School, Zonn’s Zoomers, Mrs. Zonn, 504 Jim Chambers. Andy Glatfelter of Discovery School was pres5th Grade: ent, as were Andrew Parker and 1st Place – Team #13, Hacienda Elementary School, The Lucky Aces, Mrs. Waldheim, 473 Susan Clipperton of the Mojave 452 2nd Place – Team #14, Hacienda Elementary School, Desert Dragons, Mrs. Gutierrez, 3rd Place – Team #3, Mojave Elementary School, Carol’s Rocket Crushers, Mr. Carol, 410 School District were there.

Walker kicked off the event 6th Grade: by asking the students if it was st Place – Team #19, Hacienda Elementary School, Galaxy Penguins, Mrs. Davis, 492 1 fun learning about math, and 2nd Place – Team #21, Hacienda Elementary School, Team Dragons, Mrs. Stover, 486 they roared back that it was.

454 3rd Place – Team #16, Hacienda Elementary School, The Big Tomato, Mrs. Carter, Dr. Aaron Haughton, Mojave Unified School District superintendent, recalled how he watched the first moon landing many years ago as a 7-year old, and after that “always wanted to learn, always looked up to the stars.”

The invocation was given by Pastor John M. Mijares of the Mojave Four Square Church, and a 20-student Mojave choir, led by Tim Lomba, sang the Star Spangled Banner.

Then the rocket firings started.

There are four parts to the challenge.

The competition judges each class on rocket performance, rocket integration, a spirit banner and an illustrated essay on rocketry. The rockets are Estes Co. 16inch Big Daddy models. There are two flights of each class’s rocket. Live arming and actual firing is done by Mojave ASP personnel. Rocket height is measured by two teams from Edwards AFB. ISC emphasizes teamwork and problem solving. The class chooses its own name. It then gets to build and decorate a Big Daddy. Each student writes an essay and does an illustration about the experience. The class prepares a poster.

The Edwards team this year was comprised of Edwards ISC coordinator Wendy Leonard, Michael Kopriva, Master Sgt. Randall Faltinosky, Staff Sgt. Troy Tetreault and Staff Sgt. Jared Burrowc.

Leonard and Kopriva are civilians with the F-16 engineering group of the 416th FLTS. The two teams measure rocket

Photographs courtesy Keenan Hochschild

A Big Daddy rocket is launched.

Right: Dr. Aaron Haughton, Mojave Schools Superintendent greets the students at the May 13, 2013 Intermediate Space Challenge event. In the foreground is the Traveling Trophy.

16

Aerotech News and Review

May 17, 2013

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GARAGE SALE 8849 Eucalyptus Avenue California City Saturday, May 18th 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Dining Set, Coffee Table Bedroom Furniture, TV/DVD Combo, Clothing Knick-Knacks, & Much More!

Real Estate All real estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race color, religion, or national origin, or an intention to make such preference limitation or discrimination.

Real estate advertisements that are in violation of the law shall not be accepted for publication. All dwellings advertised in this publication are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Aerotech News & Review

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il

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18

Thursdays, 11:30-12:30 Test Wing Bldg 1400 Conference Room 414

Garage & Yard Sales

Ask about Move-In Special

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Aerotech News and Review

Batteries, Jewelry & Watch Repair Edwards AFB

BX Mall (Next to Optical Shop) Jack Gari 661-361-2108 Mon- Fri. 9 to 5 May 17, 2013

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Aerotech News and Review

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Aerotech News and Review

May 17, 2013