U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is making progress in getting funding to demonstrate a laser gunship prototype but remains well short of what it needs, according to the command’s leader.AFSOC, which wants to test a 60-kilowatt, solid-state laser on an AC-130 gunship by fiscal year 2022, is poised to receive $34 million for that effort in the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2019 budget request. But the command still needs to come up with another $58 million from FY…
R&M Government Services,* Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been awarded a maximum $23,894,784 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for battery compartments. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This…
L3Harris Technologies Inc., Clifton, New Jersey, is being awarded $9,571,947 for a firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 74 radio frequency amplifiers in support of Navy F/A-18E/F/G aircraft. The contract does not include an option provision. All work will be…
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a not-to-exceed $21,600,000 cost reimbursable undefinitized order (N0001926F1016) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001923G0002). This order provides for instantaneous access to 105% Transient Engine Torque test and…
Amentum Mitie Pacific LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded an $85,236,794 fixed-price-award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Work will be performed at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be…
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is making progress in getting funding to demonstrate a laser gunship prototype but remains well short of what it needs, according to the command’s leader.
AFSOC, which wants to test a 60-kilowatt, solid-state laser on an AC-130 gunship by fiscal year 2022, is poised to receive $34 million for that effort in the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2019 budget request. But the command still needs to come up with another $58 million from FY 2020 to FY 2022 to meet its goal, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, AFSOC’s commander.
“I would couch this as a semi-good news story,” Webb testified April 11 before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s emerging threats and capabilities panel.
His comments came in response to Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), who expressed concern that work on the laser gunship, or Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL), is occurring too slowly and that AHEL might not be ready for fielding until about 2030 without a more robust push.
“I don’t disagree with your assessment at all,” Webb told Heinrich.
Heinrich, whose state is home to Air Force directed energy and special operations units, indicated he would try to assist AFSOC with funding for AHEL.
“We look forward to helping you with that goal,” the senator told the general.
AFSOC would use the $34 million requested in FY 2019 to continue designing the gunship, acquire the laser and beam control subsystems, and finish risk reduction for the aircraft, among other activities, budget documents show. AHEL is funded at $15.7 million in FY 2018.
According to the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, a laser mounted on an AC-130 could be used for offensive purposes, such as attacking buildings, cell towers, generators and vehicles, and to improve defenses against shoulder-launched, surface-to-air missiles (Defense Daily, Dec. 12, 2016).
R&M Government Services,* Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been awarded a maximum $23,894,784 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for battery compartments. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This…
L3Harris Technologies Inc., Clifton, New Jersey, is being awarded $9,571,947 for a firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 74 radio frequency amplifiers in support of Navy F/A-18E/F/G aircraft. The contract does not include an option provision. All work will be…
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a not-to-exceed $21,600,000 cost reimbursable undefinitized order (N0001926F1016) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001923G0002). This order provides for instantaneous access to 105% Transient Engine Torque test and…
Amentum Mitie Pacific LLC, Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded an $85,236,794 fixed-price-award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Work will be performed at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be…
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