Friday, April 15, 2016

More Updates to Post on 12 April > Boeing Press Release from Vertical Magazine

This report from Aviation International News

Boeing Secures More AH-64E Apache Upgrades

by Chris Pocock / April 21, 2016, 12:24 PM

Another $3 Billion option with UK to be decided in June

Boeing announced another contract to remanufacture AH-64D Apache attack helicopters to the AH-64E Guardian version for the U.S. Army.
The latest deal is worth $1.5 billion to the company and covers another 117 helicopters, plus Longbow radar crew trainers, logistical support and spares.
It brings the total number of AH-64Es under contract for the U.S. Army to 290, including new-builds, with a further 300 planned by the service.

The AH-64E is a substantial modification, including new GE T700-701D engines, composite rotors, a new transmission, a modified driveshaft, new datalinks and a new mission computer. The Guardian also adds maritime modes to the Longbow radar. The first examples went operational with the U.S. Army in 2014.

India, Indonesia, Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and the UK are confirmed export customers for the AH-64E.
The UK has not yet announced whether it will have Boeing remanufacture 50 of its Apaches at Mesa, Ariz., or whether the work will be performed in the UK by the Yeovil facility of AgustaWestland (now Finmeccanica), where its original fleet of 67 WAH-64Ds was license-built.
A notification to Congress last August valued the former option at $3 billion. The UK said it would decide by June this year.

Boeing, Army to remanufacture 117 helicopters

Boeing continues its role as the United States’ leading provider of attack helicopters with a contract to remanufacture 117 AH-64D Apache helicopters to the new, more capable AH-64E model. The agreement, which also includes the acquisition of Longbow Crew Trainers, logistical support and spares, carries a total contract value of about $1.5 billion
The U.S. Army has stated it plans to acquire 690 AH-64E Apache helicopters, 290 of which are now under contract with this latest award.
“The AH-64E Apache continues to meet the requirements of aviators, battlefield commanders and soldiers deployed on missions worldwide,” said U.S. Army Apache project manager, Col. Jeff Hager. “The Army, Boeing and team Apache suppliers continue a valuable collaboration that ensures soldiers have the latest technologies to succeed in defending freedom with this outstanding weapons system.”With our integrated production, services and training teams, Boeing is able to affordably support the Army through each phase of the Apache’s lifecycle,” said Kim Smith, vice president, attack helicopter programs, Boeing vertical lift. “The dedication and commitment to first-time quality by Boeing teammates and suppliers combine to deliver an Apache that is ready to meet the rigorous demands of the men and women who depend on it.The agreement modifies an existing contract among Boeing and the Army for the full-rate production of lots five and six Apache helicopters. The Army will return 117 AH-64D Apaches to Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona production center to be remanufactured into the AH-64E configuration.
The Army followed a similar model when the AH-64A Apaches were remanufactured into AH-64Ds.In 2016, Boeing celebrates 100 years of pioneering aviation accomplishments and launches its second century as an innovative, customer-focused aerospace technology and capabilities provider, community partner and preferred employer. Through its defense, space and security unit, Boeing is a global leader in this marketplace and is the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Here In Mesa We Are The 6% . . . We Occupy City Hall

.... and we've been in control for over 135 years.
Who are we?
Here's a Clue > see the board game to the left

Are voters feeling "dis-engaged"?
A very small percentage of the population manages to control a city ... how do you voters - let this happen?

More later//comments are more than welcome

Today's City Council Study Session > Video On Demand .... Where's The Content??

Getting this message when trying to watch this morning's City Councilmembers
The system was unable to find the content that you requested. The content may be in the process of transferring to a distribution server. Please try again later.
Try this link to see if you are having the same problem >>
http://mesa11.com/vod/?show=1392
Your MesaZona blogger was present during this session that started just after 07:30 a.m. with a short delay waiting for Mesa Channel 11 to get hooked up.
Until asked to stop taking photographs using flash by Steven Wright, Public Information & Communications Director for the City of Mesa, due to the reason that its use interfered with the real time recording by Channel 11, here's an image of some of the public who showed up for this early meeting, along with some supporters and presenters for items on this meeting's agenda. The room was packed this morning but there seemed to be a palpable "unease" in the room, with side conversations all around the councilmember horseshoe table.

Councilmember Luna was absent due to medical reasons as you can see in the empty seat to the left between City Manager Chris Brady and Councilmember Chris Glover.
In the right foreground is an assistant city clerk and recorder taking meeting notes.
One of the highlights for this study session was a presentation about ASU Downtown, or more correctly Item 2b-16-0441.
Just a quick review and a critique: at this point in time, four months after the plan was floated in the mayor's SOTC speech, there appears to be little of substance and sketchy details for anything moving forward in the designated site for what is being planned as an campus right in the same area as the City Plan Design Plan and encroaching with a 5-story building proposed in front of the Mesa Arts Center.
No idea from the two people who appeared with Director of Downtown Transformation Jeff McVay what programs or course offerings would be offered in the over 200,000 Sq Ft of 3-5 story buildings ---- gotta wonder if this is good governance and good urban planning

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Hey! PAY ATTENTION : Public Notice Re: Recommendations for HUD Funding

Public comment period underway for Annual Action Plan

Post Date: 04/11/2016 10:42 AM

[Blogger's note: Didn't find it easy to "simply click" on the Proposed Action Plan to view it in the link provided]

A 30-day public comment period will be held until May 10 for the City of Mesa’s proposed Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Annual Action Plan regarding funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plan contains the City’s short-term goals and strategies, including specific activities recommended for funding under the

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG),
HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs.

The funds are used for housing and community development activities that benefit low and moderate-income residents and assist in the prevention or elimination of slum and blighting influences.

The City anticipates the following allocations from HUD for FY 16/17:
• CDBG $3,224,529
• HOME $ 996,826
• ESG $ 287,998
Total: $4,509,353

A public hearing to review the proposed Annual Action Plan will be held by the Mesa Housing and Community Development Advisory Board Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. in the Lower Level Council Chambers, 57 E. First St. This will provide an opportunity for residents to comment in person regarding the plan.

The public comment period will end Tuesday, May 10. Written comments should be submitted to: The City of Mesa, Housing and Revitalization Division, Attn: Dennis Newburn, Community Revitalization Coordinator, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466; or, by email to dennis.newburn@mesaaz.gov. A printed copy of the plan, listing all projects proposed for funding, is available at the Housing and Revitalization Division, 20 E. Main St., Suite 250, in Mesa. An electronic copy is available at www.mesaaz.gov/residents/housing-community-development. Simply click on the “Proposed Annual Action Plan” button to view it.

City Council is expected to approve the HUD Annual Action Plan at its May 16 meeting and submit the plan to HUD by May 19.

The City of Mesa has participated in the CDBG program for 40 years, the ESG program for 28 years and the HOME program for 24 years. During this time, Mesa has allocated more than $100 million for a variety of activities, including capital improvements, housing, economic development, public services, homeless assistance and emergency shelter and neighborhood improvements. This substantial investment by the federal government has benefitted many low to moderate income Mesa residents while, at the same time, significantly improving their quality of life.
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699 kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov

Breakthrough Starshot - Nanocraft to Alpha Centauri

Starshot

The story of humanity is a story of great leaps – out of Africa, across oceans, to the skies and into space. Since Apollo 11’s ‘moonshot’, we have been sending our machines ahead of us – to planets, comets, even interstellar space.
But with current rocket propulsion technology, it would take tens or hundreds of millennia to reach our neighboring star system, Alpha Centauri. The stars, it seems, have set strict bounds on human destiny. Until now.
In the last decade and a half, rapid technological advances have opened up the possibility of light-powered space travel at a significant fraction of light speed. This involves a ground-based light beamer pushing ultra-light nanocrafts – miniature space probes attached to lightsails – to speeds of up to 100 million miles an hour. Such a system would allow a flyby mission to reach Alpha Centauri in just over 20 years from launch, and beam home images of possible planets, as well as other scientific data such as analysis of magnetic fields.
Breakthrough Starshot aims to demonstrate proof of concept for ultra-fast light-driven nanocrafts, and lay the foundations for a first launch to Alpha Centauri within the next generation. Along the way, the project could generate important supplementary benefits to astronomy, including solar system exploration and detection of Earth-crossing asteroids.
A number of hard engineering challenges remain to be solved before these missions can become a reality. They are listed here, for consideration by experts and public alike, as part of the initiative’s commitment to full transparency and open access. The initiative will also establish a research grant program, and will make available other funding to support relevant scientific and engineering research and development.
Source: http://breakthroughinitiatives.org/Initiative/3

Breakthrough Starshot announces plans to send ship to Alpha Centauri

by John Timmer - Apr 12, 2016 9:37am MST

NEW YORK CITY—The top of the new World Trade Center building was buried inside the clouds, but everyone's focus was on the stars. Yuri Milner, the man whose investments have helped fund the Breakthrough Prizes and Breakthrough Initiatives, was here to announce his newest venture: Breakthrough Starshot, an effort to send hardware to the nearest stars quickly enough for many of us to live to see their arrival.
Present to back the project was physicist Stephen Hawking. "I believe what makes us unique is transcending our limits," Hawking told the audience. "Gravity pins us to the ground, but I just flew to America."
Read more >> http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/04/breakthrough-starshot-announces-plans-to-send-ship-to-alpha-centauri/

Here's another link to another video >> https://youtu.be/2vw50uOYZwA

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Mesa High School Students Wrestle With A Cause > Wearing A Singlet

Christian Riordan (left) and James Williams (right) pose for a photo in their Miley singlets to show support for 7-year-old Miley McCrary as she fights cancer. (Photo: Courtney Pedroza/azcentral sports)

The two Mesa high school athletes are shown in the image to the left from a report

Mesa (Ariz.) wrestlers driven by 7-year-old California girl's cancer battle

By RIchard Obert, AZ Central Sports April 1, 2016

"For the state wrestling championships, Mesa (Ariz.) senior James Williams wanted to wear a new, purple singlet.
On the front it reads, “Stronger Than Sarcoma, Team Miley.”
Down the back it reads, “Beat Cancer.”
Because of the rule book, he wasn’t allowed to wear it at the Arizona Interscholastic Association state meet, which he won in the 160-pound division.
That’s OK . . . "
Christian Riordan, who will wear the Miley singlet at state and regional freestyle tournaments, said the little girl’s story motivates him to go hard in matches and try to win.
“This is something to show the public,” Riordan said.

Williams feels good about his chances at winning at nationals this weekend. He will wrestle in college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical, an NAIA school in Prescott.
“Of course you have to motivate yourself, but it’s always nice to have something else motivating you,” Williams said. “It’s something to win for. It’s not just wrestling for yourself.
“I’ve been raised to give to others, be unselfish.”
Scott Riordan, who works as a security guard at Mesa Mountain View, said that other wrestlers at tournaments have asked about the singlets.
“They say, ‘Hey, I want one of those,’ ” Scott Riordan said. “It’s cool.”

Added Update 19/April |Boeing Awarded HUGE New $922,628,257 Contract For 117 Apache A64-64E Attack Helos

Boeing to Deliver 117 Apache Helicopters Under $923M Army Contract Modification

Ramona Adams April 8, 2016 Contract Awards, News 809 Views

Boeing (NYSE:BA) has received a $922.6 million U.S. Army contract modification to deliver 117 AH-64E Apache combat helicopters.
The Defense Department said Thursday work for the modification will occur in Mesa, Arizona, through May 31, 2018.
The full obligated amount is from fiscal 2015 and 2016 “other procurement” funds.

Contracts

Press Operations

Release No: CR-065-16
April 7, 2016

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This update yesterday
US Army finalises AH-64, CH-47 and UH-60 transactions

18 April, 2016/James Drew/Washington DC

A $1.5 billion deal with Boeing for 117 remanufactured AH-64 Apache gunships tops the list of big-ticket helicopter contracts awarded by the US government in the past fortnight. Other deals include Boeing CH-47Fs for the Netherlands and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks for Mexico.

The US Army announced a $923 million transaction with Boeing on 7 April as part of its Lot 5 and 6 remanufacturing programme, and the manufacturer clarified last week that the total contract value is $1.5 billion and includes more Longbow flight simulators, logistical support and spare parts.

The army is acquiring a mix of 690 new-build Apaches and remanufactured D-models updated to the E-model “Guardian” configuration, of which 290 have now been ordered through Boeing’s plant in Mesa, Arizona. The AH-64E is said to be more powerful, reliable and versatile than its “Longbow” predecessor with an improved drive system, composite main rotor blades and 2,000shp-class General Electric T700-701D engines. The missile and rocket-carrying gunship is also interoperable with the US Army MQ-1C Grey Eagle and RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial systems.