When you want to work in national security, you don’t always have to check for job opportunities in all the typical spots. Recently, the Air Force awarded a $2,604,329,361 contract to Rolls Royce in Indianapolis, IN. The contract is to support the B-52H Stratofortress. The competitive single award contract provides for 608 military derivative commercial engines, plus spare engines, associated support equipment and commercial engineering data, to include sustainment activities, to be used on the B-52H bomber fleet.
The Rolls-Royce F130 engine will replace the TF33-PW-103, which has powered the B-52 since the 1960s, and is projected to no longer be supportable beyond 2030. The B-52 original equipment manufacturer, Boeing, is responsible for integrating the engines onto the aircraft. The Air Force plans to finalize integration activities and deliver the first lot of B-52H modified aircraft by the end of 2028.
“The B-52 CERP is a complex upgrade that not only updates the aircraft with new engines, but updates the flight deck area, struts and nacelles,” said Brig. Gen. John Newberry, Air Force bombers program executive officer.
“Our current virtual digital prototyping efforts are giving us an opportunity to integrate the engines and other changes to the B-52 before doing any physical modifications. This has allowed us to develop the most cost-efficient solution while reducing the time from concept to production.”
The B-52H is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordinance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
The new engines on the B-52s are expected to remain on the B-52H through at least 2050, increase fuel efficiency, increase range, reduce emissions in unburned hydrocarbons, and significantly reduce maintenance costs.
Contract Opportunities to Watch
| GE Aviation and MagniX USA | NASA has selected two U.S. companies to support its Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) that will rapidly mature Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) technologies through ground and flight demonstrations.
Through the EPFD program, NASA seeks to introduce EAP technologies to U.S. aviation fleets no later than 2035, supporting short-range and regional commercial air travel, as well as single-aisle seat transports. The awards under the EPFD project announcement are hybrid firm fixed-price/cost-share. The total combined value for the awards is $253.4 million and the work will be conducted over the next five years. The companies that received awards and their award values are:
“By taking these concepts to flight, NASA and its partners will accelerate the transition of EAP technologies into commercial products and be a catalyst for economic growth,” said Robert Pearce, associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We expect to realize significant improvements in the economic and environmental performance of subsonic transports through incorporation of these novel alternative propulsion and energy technologies into the fleet.” Over five years, the selected companies will conduct ground and flight test demonstrations of their EAP technologies applicable to commercial aircraft transports. They will collaborate with other NASA projects on EAP development, flight test instrumentation, and data analysis. And they will stimulate spiral developments of megawatt-class EAP systems and technology. “GE Aviation and MagniX will perform integrated megawatt-class powertrain system ground and flight demonstrations to validate their concepts, and project benefits for future EAP aircraft configurations,” said Gaudy Bezos-O’Connor, EPFD project manager at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. “These demonstrations will identify and retire technical barriers and integration risks. It will also help inform the development of standards and regulations for future EAP systems.” The EPFD project is a part of NASA’s Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) which conducts flight-oriented, system-level research and technology development to mature and transition advanced aeronautic technologies into future air vehicles and operational systems. IASP focuses on the execution of highly complex flight tests and related experiments to support all phases of NASA’s aeronautics research. |
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Key Employer in the Cleared Industry
| Northrop Grumman | At Northrop Grumman, you can visualize a career that can take you places, build your skills, and grow – not just for a project, but for a career. Discover a role that’s right for you. Explore opportunities.
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Cleared Job of the Week
| Construction Manager | Not everyone has to have their eye on the IT and cyber world if they want to manage projects or work in national security. If you enjoy the world of buildings, as well as, managing projects, the role of cleared construction manager could be the right fit.
Typically, you will need a bachelor’s degree; however, for candidates with a high school degree, experience is a factor too. You’ll either need a lot of experience with the high school degree or a bachelor’s in construction management or civil engineering or architecture. You will also need to be able to connect design specifications and building codes to inspections and reporting for national security customers. Typical project management skills like scheduling, funding streams, and oversight are part of the construction manager’s role. If you like to roll up your sleeves and get out of the office, but you are still strong with planning tools and interacting with the client, then the construction manager role could be the right fit, merging your blue collar and white collar skillsets together. |
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Growth Opportunities
Apogee Engineering LLC is looking to grow in Ohio by expanding its support services to Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) and investing locally to grow capabilities for the future.
In the past year, Apogee has won two major contracts supporting the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Special Operations Forces (ISR/SOF) Directorate (AFLCMC/WI). These contracts include a $76 million task order supporting the ISR Sensors and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Division and a $45 million task order supporting the ISR/SOF Directorate PEO and Cross-Cutting Offices. Within the ISR/SOF portfolio of systems, Apogee delivers acquisition management, engineering, test, evaluation, cybersecurity analysis, program execution, logistics, finance, procurement, and special study services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Apogee hired over 70 new employees supporting WPAFB and expanded the local corporate team by 12 employees. With this growth, Apogee is looking to increase their 2,400 sq ft Beavercreek office space to another location with 20,000 sq ft to support corporate, contract, and classified support operations. Apogee is evaluating options in the local market to meet the infrastructure needs while establishing deep roots within the local community.
As a successful GSA OASIS prime contractor over the past three years and a 2021 Dayton Business Journal “Best Places to Work” Honoree, the company is building for growth in the local Dayton area with an eye on Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), and Air Force Research Lab (AFRL).
Apogee recently hired Colonel (Ret.) Charles “Aggie” Hogan and Dr. Ashwin Fisher as part of the Apogee Intelligence & Science & Technology portfolios. The company has multiple local positions open supporting both corporate and customer mission sets.
Apogee’s Vice President of Operations, Mr. Frank Varga, recently established an external referral bonus program awarding up to $10,000 to anyone that refers quality candidates for open positions. Mr. Varga recently stated, “Since Apogee started supporting Wright Patterson in the last 10 years, the company has steadily and exponentially hired amazing talent to take this employee-centric company to new heights while maintaining our passion for service and our humility along the way. I cannot be prouder to work alongside our growing workforce and see each employee achieve their personal goals within Apogee.”
