US military awards aviation services contract in Africa

Berry Aviation Inc., San Marcos, Texas, is being awarded a $10.7 million contract for Trans-Sahara short take-off and landing (STOL) services.

The Trans-Sahara STOL contract provides for casualty evacuation, personnel airlift, cargo airlift, and air drop services. The work will be performed throughout the recognized political boundaries of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, and Uganda, with an expected completion date of June 27, 2017.

The maximum value, including the base period and three one-year option periods, is $49 million.

“This contract was a competitive acquisition solicited using the Federal Business Opportunities website, and five offers were received,” the military said on Wednesday. The U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., awarded the contract.

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New Bombardier jet first flight weeks away

Bombardier Aerospace confirmed Wednesday that the integration of the CSeries' auxiliary power unit and Pratt & Whitney engines on the first flight test vehicle (FTV1) is running smoothly. The company also confirmed that the latest software upgrades on the aircraft continue to be successfully completed; however, the highly technical last steps are taking more time than initially anticipated to validate the overall systems and ongoing software integration. First flight is expected to occur in the coming weeks, the company said in a press release.

“We have now entered the ultimate phase of systems integration and validation on the first flight test vehicle as we submit brand new technology to in-depth tests,” said Mike Arcamone, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “While the process has taken more time than we had expected, we are pleased with the results and are very comfortable taking more time to ensure the required integration is finalized and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight.”

While in its final testing stage in preparation for first flight, FTV1 is undergoing important and complex pre-flight tests, including aircraft in the loop testing (ACIL). During ACIL tests, FTV1 is “flown" on the ground in a simulated flight environment. This will be followed by low- and high-speed taxiing.

CSeries aircraft

The new CSeries jet is designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines, the new jet family will offer a 15 percent cash operating cost advantage and a 20 percent fuel burn advantage. The aircraft has a range of 2,950 nautical miles.

As of today, Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 388 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 177 CSeries airliners.

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60 new Krispy Kreme locations planned in South Korea

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. continues to expand in the Asia Pacific region with the announcement Tuesday that it has reached an agreement on a development plan with existing franchisee Lotteria Co., LTD for 60 new Krispy Kreme franchise locations in South Korea over the next five years. The franchisee also plans significant remodels at more than half of its existing 73 Krispy Kreme locations throughout the country.

In January, the North Carolina-based company opened its first franchise location in India, in the city of Bangalore. [Full story]

Krispy Kreme has over 785 locations in 22 countries, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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Nose gear collapses on Southwest Airlines flight upon landing

Southwest Airlines flight 345 landed at New York's LaGuardia at 5:40 p.m. EDT Monday evening from Nashville. The aircraft is a Boeing 737-700. Eyewitness reports indicate the aircraft's nose gear collapsed upon landing. There were 150 people on board including customers and crew.

“Initial reports indicate local responders are caring for five customers and three flight attendants who have reported injuries at this time,” Southwest said in a press statement. Southwest is cooperating with local authorities, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.

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Canadian Solar leads upward trend in solar stocks

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Consistent research and development efforts to improve solar cell efficiency have yielded positive results for stock investors year over year. The increasing focus in the U.S. on green energy will see more and more power being produced from solar cells.

In 2013, only 0.2 percent of the power produced in the U.S. will come from solar generation, according to a report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, solar generation is expected to grow by 79 percent in 2013 and 49 percent in 2014. The whole solar market is predicted to provide nice returns for the long-term investors, with Canadian Solar Inc. leading the sector.

Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ), designs, develops, and manufactures solar wafers, cells and solar module products that convert sunlight into electricity for a variety of uses. The company’s products include a range of standard solar modules built to general specifications for use in a range of residential, commercial and industrial solar power generation systems. It also designs and produces specialty solar modules and products based on its customers' requirements. Specialty solar modules and products consist of customized solar modules that its customers incorporate into their own products, such as solar-powered bus stop lighting, and complete specialty products, such as portable solar home systems and solar-powered car battery chargers.

CSIQ stock shares are up 258 percent over the last 52 weeks (July 23, 2012 to July 19, 2013). This year alone, the stock is up 294 percent, closing Friday at $13.42 per share, up one percent for the day. CSIQ has a 52-week low of $1.95 and a high of $14.47.

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Department of Energy aircraft maintenance contract

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The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is contemplating issuance of an aircraft maintenance contract to The Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash.

Boeing will provide an annual inspection and maintenance program to support two NNSA owned and operated Boeing 737-400 (tail numbers N980ST and N990ST) and one DC-9-33F (tail number N45NA) series transport category aircraft.

The contract was announced in documents posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on Saturday.

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Pa. nuclear power plant needs repair following summer heat wave

A Pennsylvania power company had to initiate repairs at a nuclear power plant Sunday following a week of high temperatures and surging demand on power facilities.

“Operators disconnected Unit 1 at PPL Corporation's Susquehanna nuclear powerplant in northeastern Pennsylvania from the regional power grid Sunday to repair one of four valves that control the amount of steam going into the turbine,” PPL said in a press statement.

PPL expects to complete the repairs and reconnect Unit 1 to the power grid soon. Unit 2 continues to operate at full power. Both Susquehanna units have a generating capacity of about 1,300 megawatts.

The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by PPL Susquehanna.

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