For the record.

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded the Government Systems Division of Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a $79 million contract in March for the system development and demonstration of Block I modifications to the E-6B Mercury. The Block I program includes an improved mission avionics processor system; digital airborne intercommunications switching system/intercommunications system; ultra-high frequency command, control and communications equipment; and new environmental control and electrical power generation systems.

John F. Kennedy (CV 67) tested a newly developed rapid-cure repair system kit for nonskid surfaces from 19 February to 3 May. Current materials take up to seven days to cure, are time consuming to apply and interfere with flight operations. The new product is a 30-day, 1,600-landing, primerless, nonskid material that is user friendly and cures in 24 hours, even in inclement weather. The fast-cure nonskid system brings cost savings and increased fleet readiness.

On 22 April, the V-22 Osprey fleet surpassed the 2,000th flight hour milestone since the program's return to flight in May 2002. In addition, Osprey number 24 returned on 29 April from a successful six-month detachment in Halifax, Nova Scotia, conducting aircraft icing tests.

Aviation career continuation pay (ACCP) was approved in April for full-time support (FTS) pilots and naval flight officers. The pay, authorized for FY 04, will be used for duty in department head, officer in charge and command billets. Eligible officers may receive bonuses of $15,000 based on designator and length of contract. Authorization for FTS ACCP is outlined in NAVADMIN 101/04.

Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, Md., and Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Conn., received Lot 2 low-rate production contracts totaling $152 million to complete four MH-60R maritime helicopters, scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2006.

General Atomics, San Diego, Calif., was awarded a $145 million contract to design, build and deliver a full-scale, shipboard-representative Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) to the Naval Air Systems Command at NAES Lakehurst, N.J., by 2006. The EMALS will replace the present steam catapults on board the future class of aircraft carriers. The system is intended to provide better performance, with less manpower, at a lower life cycle cost. It will be capable of launching all conventional and short takeoff fixed wing aircraft projected in the inventory through 2050.

The AIM-9X Sidewinder was approved for full-rate production on 15 May. The system design incorporates a fifth-generation focal plane array seeker for robust guidance performance and infrared countermeasure resistance and jet vane control for agile turning.

The H-1 Upgrade Program achieved 2,000 flight hours in May after successful AH-1Z weapons accuracy testing and UH-1Y external loads testing at the Army's Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. On 17 May at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., the UH-1Y fired weapons for the first time during a test flight.

EDITED BY WENDY LELAND