LOCATIONS
LAND
16 Jan 25. Anduril to build ‘Arsenal-1′ autonomous weapons plant in central Ohio. U.S. defense contractor Anduril Industries is preparing to build a massive advanced manufacturing facility in central Ohio, adding a planned 4,000 jobs to the area’s burgeoning high-tech sector, state officials announced Thursday. The Cosa Mesa, California-based defense technology company plans to begin construction of what it’s calling “Arsenal 1” as soon as state and local approvals are secured. The 5 million-square-foot facility will be located on a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport in rural Pickaway County, about 16 miles southeast of Columbus. Production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles would begin in July 2026 under the plan, said Christian Brose, Anduril’s chief strategy officer.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said it is the largest single job creation and payroll project that Ohio has announced. The governor said winning Anduril’s manufacturing plant marks a continuation of Ohio’s history of advanced aviation, which began with the Ohio-born Wright brothers and continues to grow surrounding the Dayton-area Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
“We are an aerospace state,” DeWine said. He called Ohio “the brains of the Air Force.”
DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and JobsOhio CEO J.P. Nauseef said that, through targeted economic development efforts, the state boasts a strong and diverse aerospace workforce. They said it also has a network of job training centers, colleges and universities prepared to educate new advanced manufacturing workers. Those helped attract the nationally competitive deal, they said.
“Ohio has literally built a strategy around this kind of project, and so we are perfect for them,” Husted said.
The aerospace sector in Ohio includes the global headquarters of GE Aerospace and a new Joby Aviation manufacturing facility near Dayton that’s preparing to manufacture electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft beginning this year.
Anduril casts the Ohio facility as integral to its goal to “Rebuild the Arsenal” of U.S. military weapons and platforms by “hyperscaling” manufacturing with advanced software and production technologies.
The latest development adds to what is becoming known as a “silicon corridor” based in Ohio. It includes Intel, which is building a $20bn chip factory just east of Columbus, and Honda and LG Energy Solution of South Korea, which are building a $3.5 billion battery plant in nearby Fayette County that the automaker envisions as its North American electric vehicle hub. Ohio State University also announced plans in 2023 to build a $110m software innovation center to dovetail with those efforts.
At separate upcoming state meetings, the Anduril project will pursue a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development and a $70m infusion from the All Ohio Future Fund, which the DeWine administration and lawmakers established to help local governments prepare sites for economic development projects. JobsOhio also plans to provide the project a sizeable grant, whose exact amount will be announced once agreements are signed, as well as talent acquisition services. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
MARITIME
16 Jan 25. Indian Navy commissions new warships. The frontline naval combatants are part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Indian Navy has commissioned two new warships and a submarine in Mumbai, Maharashtra, marking a significant advancement in the country’s naval capabilities. The three frontline naval combatants are Project 15B class destroyer INS Surat, Project 17A stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, and P75 Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer. This comes after the commissioning date was recently announced. The platforms are part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Make in India’ initiative. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the Indian Navy’s role in safeguarding lives and securing national and international cargo. He also mentioned the expansion of the ‘Make in India’ initiative within the naval sector, noting the inclusion of 33 ships and seven submarines over the past decade—39 of which were constructed in Indian shipyards. INS Surat, the final destroyer in the P15B project, has a 75% indigenous build and is outfitted with modern weapon-sensor systems and network-centric capabilities. Meanwhile, INS Nilgiri, the lead vessel in the P17A project, includes advanced design work from the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, with features that enhance survivability, seakeeping, and stealth. The sixth and last submarine of the P75 Scorpene project, INS Vaghsheer, represents a collaborative effort with France’s Naval Group and was officially transferred to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders earlier this month.
India Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh said: “Over 75% of the content of INS Surat and INS Nilgiri has been developed in India itself. Indigenous content is also increasing continuously in other platforms being manufactured within the country.”
India’s defence production now exceeds Rs1.25trn ($14.5bn), with exports to more than 100 countries.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that 60 large ships currently under construction represent an investment of around Rs1.5trn, potentially generating an economic impact of Rs3trn and a six-fold employment multiplier effect. He emphasised the contribution of domestic MSMEs in supplying parts for these ships, which not only supports direct shipbuilding employment but also creates additional jobs in ancillary industries. India’s strengthened economic ties with ASEAN, Australia, Gulf countries, and African nations have been attributed to its strategic presence and capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. Modi also noted that the armed forces have identified more than 5,000 items that will be indigenously sourced rather than imported. Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned investments in defence manufacturing infrastructure, including the country’s largest helicopter factory in Karnataka and a new transport aircraft facility for the armed forces. (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Jan 25. Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Navy’s Naming of Future Gerald R. Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers. The Department of Defense is honored by the Navy’s naming of two future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers as the future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83), as announced today by President Biden. Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces, and they ensure that the United States can project power and deliver combat capability anytime, anywhere in defense of our democracy. These two future carriers are named after historically significant Commanders in Chief who served our country with determination and dedication: President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush. The future USS William J. Clinton and the future USS George W. Bush will serve as lasting tributes to each leader’s legacy in service of the United States. Like their namesakes, these two future carriers, and the crews who sail them, will work to safeguard our national security, remind us of our history, and inspire others to serve our great republic. (Source: U.S. DoD)
13 Jan 25. HII Christens Amphibious Transport Dock Harrisburg (LPD 30). HII (NYSE: HII) christened San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Harrisburg (LPD 30) today at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division.
“Today is more than just a christening; it is a celebration of craftsmanship, commitment and the enduring purpose of the work we do every day at Ingalls,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette said. “Like its namesake, Harrisburg — with its rich history of strength, resilience and leadership — shares the same qualities reflected in our shipbuilders, whose dedication ensures the Navy and Marine Corps have the advanced ships they need to protect and defend our nation.”
LPD 30 is named after Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital city, and commemorates the city’s rich history and longstanding support of the United States military. From its origins as a trading outpost to the present, the city of Harrisburg has played a key role in the development of the nation’s industrial history. It also played a critical role during the nation’s Westward Migration, the American Civil War and the Industrial Revolution.
Harrisburg’s co-sponsors are Alexandra Curry, a resident of Middletown, Pennsylvania, and wife of Middletown’s mayor, and Jennifer Díaz, a resident of Philadelphia, and wife of Chris Díaz, chief of staff to the Secretary of the Navy. The pair were honored during Saturday’s ceremony and officially christened Harrisburg by smashing a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow of the ship.
Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, program executive officer, ships, provided the keynote address.
“To the sailors and shipbuilders of the future USS Harrisburg, I extend to you my deepest congratulations,” Anderson said. “Thank you all for the work and sacrifices you have already made, and for everything you will do to bring this ship to life.”
LPD 30 will be the U.S. Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship and the first Flight II in the class. When delivered, the ship will support expeditionary warfare, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Christopher Mahoney also provided remarks during the ceremony.
“When you take America’s greatest shipbuilders, and you add to them, the world’s best sailors and a few hundred angry Marines, you’ve got USS Harrisburg,” Mahoney said. “This is where America’s amphibious shipbuilding muscle gets flexed and is a start point to return us, as a Navy-Marine Corps team, to persistent presence forward to face what I believe to be a generational challenge and contest.”
Ingalls is the sole provider of LPD 17 San Antonio-class ships and has delivered LPDs 17-29 to date. Currently, Ingalls has two Flight II LPDs under construction including Harrisburg and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Pre-construction activities are currently underway for the construction of Philadelphia (LPD 32). Additionally, in September 2024, the Navy awarded Ingalls a contract for the construction of three more San Antonio-class amphibious ships (LPDs 33-35).(Source: ASD Network)
10 Jan 25. USS Hartford could be next US Navy submarine to extend service. US Navy submarines are serving beyond their planned operational lives amid mounting pressure to maintain fleet numbers. The US Department of Defense has awarded General Dynamic Electric Boat an $83.7m modification to a previously awarded deal for the completion of an engineering overhaul of the US Navy’s Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) USS Hartford. Commissioned into US Navy service in December 1994, the General Dynamic Electric Boat-manufactured USS Hartford has served for more than 30 years, with the standard life expectancy of the Los Angeles-class SSNs usually around 33 years. With the commitment to an engineering overhaul of the USS Hartford, which is scheduled to complete during the boat’s 33rd year of service, the attack submarine looks set to continue into the late 2020s and possibly into the 2030s.
In 2009, the USS Hartford collided with a US Navy amphibious transport dock, sustaining damage to the conning tower.
In the US Navy’s 2024 report to Congress on the vessel construction and deactivation from Fiscal Year 2025, three SSNs (USS Helena, USS Pasadena, USS Topeka) were due to be commissioned in 2025, having served for 38, 36, and 36 years respectively.
The US Navy’s intended plan for 2026 proposed the decommissioning of three additional SSNs (USS Newport News, USS Scranton, USS Alexandria) and two ballistic missile submarines converted for use with conventional guided cruise missiles (USS Ohio, USS Florida), designated SSGNs.
Should the submarines be axed as planned in 2026, the three SSNs would have served for 37, 33, and 35 years respectively, while the USS Ohio would have been operational for 44 years, with USS Florida close behind at 43 years since being commissioned.
However, the US Navy is struggling to manufacture new submarines amid fiscal and shipyard constraints, with just a single new-generation Virginia-class SSN due to be built in 2025, followed by two boats in 2026.
Should the US Navy’s proposed decommissions happen as planned, then the service’s subsurface force would see a significant cut in the near term, as older boats are unable to be replaced on a one-for-one basis.
US Navy submarine spending swallows budgets
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), publishing a 2025 outlook for naval shipbuilding on 8 January, under the US Navy’s 2025 plan the service would spend $190bn on shipbuilding over the next five years.
All told, half the spending amount would go to submarines, including the build of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and the new Virginia-class SSNs.
Submarine construction does not include replacements for vessels that could be leased to Australia as part of the AUKUS programme, which will see up to five Virginia class operated by the Royal Australian Navy from the early 2030s.
In its January report, the CBO stated the US Navy’s budget would “need to grow significantly in real terms” when adjusted for inflation, for the service to buy, sustain, and operate a larger surface and subsurface fleet. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Jan 25. The [French] Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, DGAMPA, has commissioned the Socarenam-Mauric Consortium to design and build an innovative offshore patrol vessel, combining hybrid propulsion and wind assistance, marking a significant step in reducing the environmental footprint of maritime surveillance vessels. The contract was announced on 10 January 2024 in the presence of French Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea and Fisheries, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. On December 5, 2024, DGAMPA officially awarded the Socarenam-Mauric Consortium the contract for the design and construction of this Maritime Affairs Patrol Vessel with Reduced Environmental Footprint. This order is part of a dual strategic approach: modernising the fleet dedicated to the control and surveillance system (DCS) and the commitment towards environmental exemplarity of DGAMPA vessels. The new patrol vessel features an innovative wind-assisted propulsion solution, specifically designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption and atmospheric exhaust gas emissions. This technology, combined with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and IMO TIER III compliant engines, positions this vessel at the forefront of maritime ecological transition. In addition to its wind-assisted and advanced hybrid propulsion, the patrol vessel incorporates several technological innovations: a hull optimised through computational fluid dynamics, enhanced insulation with optimised energy management, photovoltaic panels, and an active trim control system. With a length of 54 metres, this offshore patrol vessel is designed for extended 12-day missions with a crew of 20 persons. It is equipped with two launch and recovery systems for 6.50-metre fast semi-rigid inflatable boats capable to intercept at a speed up to 35kts, essential for its offshore missions. The vessel’s design with a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure places paramount importance on sea-keeping and crew comfort, notably through the integration of an anti-roll stabilisation combining active fins and passive free surface tank, ensuring optimal operability in all sea states. Her propulsion configuration allows a maximum speed of 17kts and a range exceeding 3,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12kts. Construction will be carried out entirely at Socarenam’s shipyard in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2027. This project contributes to maintaining and developing the French naval industry, creating jobs and sustaining specialised skills in a context of high tension. (Source: joint-forces.com)
AIR
16 Jan 25. Lockheed Martin delivered 10 S-70i™ Black Hawk® helicopters in 2024 to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND), as part of a contract for 32 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters under the DND’s Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project. The S-70 Black Hawk and the UH-60M Black Hawk share the same rugged, reliable, multi-mission capabilities.
“The growing Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter fleet in the Philippines is a testament to this reliable, multi-mission aircraft that is depended on for missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid and troop transport across the archipelago,” said Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky. “When deliveries are completed, the Philippines will have the largest fleet of S-70i Black Hawks in the world, growing the global fleet of Hawks which supports interoperability and commonality and is a key deterrence and security advantage in the Indo-Pacific.”
Signed in 2022, the current contract states that the Philippine Air Force will take delivery of 32 aircraft from Lockheed Martin subsidiary PZL Mielec. This will expand the PAF’s current fleet of 15 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to 47, enhancing their operational capacity. The first five aircraft under this contract were delivered in June 2024; and another five were delivered in December 2024. The remaining aircraft will be delivered over the next two years. Lockheed Martin continues to bolster its presence in the Philippines by growing operations, partnering with local industry and establishing an in-country office in Manila. In September 2024, Lockheed Martin appointed Asian Aerospace as the official original equipment manufacturer (OEM) authorized reseller of Sikorsky spare parts and repair services for the Black Hawk helicopter family of products in the Philippines. This places OEM-approved, high-quality parts in the hands of the customers to sustain their rapidly growing fleet and ensures a dedicated resource for reliable support.
10 Jan 25. Namibia acquires Y-9 transport aircraft from China. The Namibian military has taken delivery of two Shaanzi Y-9E transport aircraft from China, becoming the first export customer for the type. The aircraft were delivered in late November (departing China on the 11th and arriving in Namibia on the 17th) and officially handed over during a ceremony on 16 December at Grootfontein that was attended by Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba. The aircraft registration numbers are NAF-1962 (commemorating the birth year of the nation’s defence chief, Air Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas) and NAF-1990 (the year of Namibia’s independence).
“The acquisition of these medium transport aircraft will greatly contribute to improving and strengthening the operational capabilities of the Namibian Defense Forces and their readiness to respond swiftly to any situation requiring the deployment of our soldiers, both in peacetime and wartime,” Mbumba is reported as saying. “We are aware that we live in a world where peace is not guaranteed. Therefore, as an independent nation, we must maintain and enhance our capability to defend our territorial integrity.”
“Namibia values its all-weather friendship with the People’s Republic of China. Therefore, the Namibian Defence Force’s engagement with Chinese companies, such as CATIC [China Aeronautic Technology and Import Corporation], is a win-win relationship in which both countries stand to benefit,” the president said.
Air Vice-Marshal Teofilus Shaende, the commander of Namibia’s air force, said the aircraft will be crucial for humanitarian and military transport work. “With this aircraft in our arsenal, it will greatly enhance the Air Force’s abilities to take on various military airlift and air transportation operations and subsequently to carry out state missions for nonmilitary purposes, especially considering that the Republic of Namibia is geographically large and characterized by different types of terrain; these aircraft are crucial to reach all corners of the country. For example, with devastating yearly droughts causing food shortages in communities, the Air Force will be able to airlift and deliver drought relief items and food for humanitarian relief aid.”
Vice President of China National Aero-Technology, Lyu Li, said, “This accomplishment stands as a testament to the exceptional reliability and robust performance of the aircraft. Moving forward, CATIC remains resolutely committed to honouring its cooperative obligations by delivering comprehensive after-sales services. We will spare no effort to ensure the efficient operation and sustained reliability of aircraft throughout their lifecycle, thereby enabling the Namibia Air Force to utilize them with absolute assurance and satisfaction.”
Namibia’s air force has a relatively small transport aircraft fleet, operating two Harbin Y-12s and one Antonov An-26. It has sourced much of its military aircraft from China, including four K-8 trainers, six F-7NM fighters, and two Y-12 transports. Other aircraft in its fleet include four O-2A Skymasters, and on the rotary wing side two Mi-8T, one Cheetah, three Chetak, three Mi-25 and one H425 helicopters.
The Y-9 is based on the earlier Y-8, which is itself a copy of the Antonov An-12. Officially entering service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2012, the Y-9 is designed to fulfil various roles, including troop transport, cargo delivery, and medical evacuation. It can accommodate up to 106 paratroopers or carry a payload of approximately 25 tons, with a maximum capacity reaching 30 tons under certain conditions.
The aircraft is powered by four WoJiang WJ-6C turboprop engines, each delivering about 5 100 horsepower, and features advanced avionics for enhanced operational capabilities. Notably, the Y-9’s cargo bay is equipped with modern handling systems and can also support the transportation of light military vehicles, making it a versatile asset for logistical operations in both military and humanitarian missions
The Y-9 features a more spacious cargo cabin and improved operational range compared to the Y-8. It has a length of 36 metres, a wingspan of 38 metres, and a maximum takeoff weight of 65 tonnes. Top speed is 660 km/h and cruising speed 560 km/h. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
15 Jan 25. US Quadrennial Review Helps Ensure Troops Are Paid Competitively. Every four years, the Defense Department conducts a complete review of the principles and concepts of the military compensation system — the Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation. In addition to DOD, the review includes the Coast Guard, the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service.
The 14th QRMC released its report today.
President Joe Biden established the 14th QRMC, January 31, 2023. In doing so, he stated we have a “sacred duty to take care of our men and women in uniform;” “our service members deserve a 21st century military compensation system that rewards their contributions … and incentivizes the next generation of men and women to serve.”
In furtherance of these objectives, he directed the 14th QRMC to study five topics and the secretary of defense added a sixth topic at the request of the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“The goal of the QRMC is to ensure that service members are paid competitively alongside their civilian peers, and that they can afford the necessities of life, and that their total benefits package is sufficient to attract and retain the service members DOD needs,” said a senior defense official.
“This is important because we know through long-standing research and lived experience, that when the department prioritizes the basic needs of its service members and families that they’re better able to focus on their mission to defend the nation, and this requires a competitive compensation package, both to incentivize that next generation to serve, as well as very specific military skill sets,” said the senior defense official.
The QRMC is considered an independent body of work with a director who works with federally funded research and development centers to conduct the QRMC’s research. They conduct analysis and present it to a senior advisory group. The senior advisory group comprises uniformed members, senior civilians and senior enlisted advisors, who have knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of pay and compensation.
“The 14th QRMC found that the department’s compensation package is strongly competitive with the civilian labor market. However, there are some areas for improvement that will ultimately benefit service members, their families and the department,” the senior defense official said.
The department has accepted these recommendations in full and will endeavor to implement them over the next few years, the official said.
This is the first QRMC to examine the impact of dual-income households on military retention decisions, including how aspects of military life, such as permanent change of station moves, separation from the service and child care access affect a military spouse’s ability to pursue a career, the official said.
“This may ultimately require us to consider policy and programmatic changes to compensation as well as nonmonetary programs to ensure successful recruitment, retention and readiness of the force moving forward,” the senior defense official said.
In 2002, the 9th QRMC determined that, in order to attract the service members it needs, DOD should pay service members at the 70th percentile of comparable civilians. This means that if you looked at 100 comparable civilians and service members of the same age, education and so on, service members are paid more than 69 of the 100 civilians on average.
“That premium reflects some of the unique aspects of military life,” a second senior defense official said, meaning hardships that civilians don’t generally experience.
The 14th QRMC reviewed the regular military compensation for all ranks and recommended increasing it to the 75th percentile, the second senior defense official said.
The 14th QRMC also recommended improved communications with service members and others regarding their total compensation package, the second senior defense official said.
For example, it is important that DOD communicate to its potential recruits and to its members that basic pay is not the only element of military compensation. The compensation package includes things such as free dental and health care, incentives for child care, a generous Thrift Savings Plan, a traditional retirement plan and a generous leave program, said the first senior defense official.
“There are a lot of elements of the compensation package that members might not be thinking of. … Our retention is really high, so I’m thinking that the longer members serve, the more fully they understand the value of the total compensation package,” the second senior defense official said, adding that this could be an important tool for recruiting.
The three core findings of the 14th QRMC are:
- The military compensation package is strongly competitive with the civilian labor market.
- Reducing pay volatility and variability and improving data quality will benefit service members and the department, and the QRMC has recommended some improvements in data collection and processing to improve the predictability of pay and compensation.
- Targeted noncash compensation may offer better returns on investment for service members and military families than increases in basic pay and compensation.
The eight recommendations of the 14th QRMC are:
- Updating the regular military compensation benchmark from the 70th to the 75th percentile.
- Improving communications with service members regarding their total compensation package and its comparative quality to comparable civilians.
- Improving “constructive credit” afforded to lateral entrants who join the military with already established and much needed skill sets, such as surgeons.
- Updating the methods used to calculate basic allowance for housing.
- Updating the method used to calculate both contiguous United States and overseas cost-of-living allowance adjustment rates.
- Reviewing deployed entitlements every five years.
- Exploring additional retirement savings options for military spouses.
- Instituting a regular quality-of-life or quality-of-service review to examine areas such as housing, health care, child care programs, and Morale Welfare and Recreation programs.
The report was delivered to the president and congressional armed services committees. The report was also shared with interagency partners and military and veteran service organizations. The first senior defense official explained that, while they can implement some of the QRMC’s recommendations immediately, others will take several years to implement, and some will require congressional support to implement. (Source: U.S. DoD)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
15 Jan 25. Mr Kumar Iyer CMG has been appointed the United Kingdom’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and other International Organisations based in Geneva, in succession to Mr Simon Manley CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Iyer will take up his appointment during July 2025.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
16 Jan 25. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Troy Meink, currently principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, to lead the Department of the Air Force, according to a person familiar with the plans. The official announcement of Trump’s intent to nominate Meink is expected later this afternoon, which would complete his picks for service secretaries. Meink has served as the principal deputy director of the spy agency since 2020. A former KC-135 navigator, he went on to hold various roles in the national-security space and intelligence world. (Source: Defense One)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
14 Jan 25. MARSS welcomes Ricardo Massa as new Group Chief Financial Officer. MARSS, a world-leading defence technology company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ricardo Massa as its new Group Chief Financial Officer. Ricardo joins MARSS during a pivotal phase of growth and innovation, bringing extensive expertise in financial leadership, strategic planning, and operational transformation. In his role as Group CFO, Ricardo will lead MARSS’s financial strategy, planning, and operations to support the company’s rapid growth and strategic objectives. His responsibilities include overseeing business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and negotiations, while acting as a trusted financial advisor to the business and the Board.
13 Jan 25. Mark Irwin is retiring from his role as group chief executive at Serco after 12 years at the global service provider. The company announced its current chief of UK and Europe Anthony Kirby, who formerly worked at catering group Compass, will take over the role from March 1. (Source: FT.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
15 Jan 25. BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI) today announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Kevin McAleenan as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, effective 1January 15, 2025, succeeding Mandy Long. Mandy Long will step down as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board of Directors, transitioning to serve as a Company advisor. McAleenan currently serves as BigBear.ai’s President and has deep government and business experience working with U.S. national security agencies, including serving as Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during the first Trump administration before founding Pangiam, which was subsequently bought by BigBear.ai in 2024. Prior to Pangiam, McAleenan was Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where he focused on counterterrorism, border security and immigration enforcement, following almost two decades as a career official. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Jan 25. K2 Space, a startup manufacturing a high power, multi-orbit satellite platform, announced today that former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb has joined as the new Head of Strategy. In his new position, Dr. Plumb will leverage over three decades of experience spanning military service, government leadership and space policy expertise to guide K2 Space’s strategic initiatives and technology development. (Source: PR Newswire)
14 Jan 25. Kymeta (www.kymetacorp.com) announced today the addition of two new members to the Board of Advisors, James Geurts and Elizabeth Kimber. The Honorable James Geurts, known to most as Hondo, has over three decades of leadership in the national security sector, including service as the Under Secretary of the Navy, the Department’s second-highest-ranking civilian, responsible for the effective global business operations of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team. From 2017 until 2021, after his Presidential Appointment and unanimous Senate confirmation, he served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Since his retirement from government, Geurts has worked extensively to improve the Nation’s defense industrial base and mentors public and private sector teams on scalability, agility, innovation, teamwork, talent development, and leadership. Elizabeth (Beth) Kimber is a 37-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who culminated her career as the Deputy Director of CIA for Operations (DDO) and oversaw CIA’s worldwide HUMINT operations and covert action missions. She also served as Acting Deputy Director of CIA; Assistant Director of CIA for Europe and Eurasia; Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service, and Chief, Special Operations Department, Counterterrorism Center. She spent 18 years in the field including in assignments as Chief of Station / DNI Representative. In 2022, Kimber joined Two Six Technologies as Vice President of Intelligence Community Strategy. She also serves on the ManTech Board of Directors.
15 Jan 25. J.F. Lehman & Company (“JFLCO”), a leading middle-market private investment firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors, announced several promotions and team additions. Promotions include Karina Perelmuter to Managing Director, Megan E. Kanefsky to Director, Bridget A. Harding to Vice President and Bailee D. Glass to Associate. The firm also recently welcomed several new investment professionals including Sandra Wong, Jack R. Chandler, Yosef W. Medhin, Jack R. Smith and Emily O. Strambi. JFLCO’s functional capabilities were augmented with the addition of Isabel R. Grabel and Jessica S. Godt in Investor Relations, Miguel Zhindon in Technology and Grace Xu in Finance & Accounting.
Recent Promotions
Karina Perelmuter, Managing Director, Marketing & Investor Relations. Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Ms. Perelmuter served as a Vice President in Lazard’s Private Capital Advisory practice, a member of the Investor Relations team at Tiger Global and a Fund Accountant at Mount Kellett. She began her career in Assurance at Ernst & Young. Ms. Perelmuter graduated magna cum laude from American University, where she earned a B.S. in finance and accounting.
Megan E. Kanefsky, Director, Human Capital. Prior to joining the firm in 2021, Ms. Kanefsky spent 15 years in the Human Resources Group at Blackstone, where she focused on recruiting, benefits administration, performance evaluation and organizational development. Ms. Kanefsky earned a B.A. in psychology from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in industrial and organizational psychology from Baruch College.
Bridget A. Harding, Vice President. Prior to joining the firm in 2020, Ms. Harding began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst in Goldman Sachs’ Global Industrials Group. Ms. Harding graduated summa cum laude from Lehigh University, where she earned a B.S. in accounting and finance.
Bailee D. Glass, Associate. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Ms. Glass began her career as an Alternative Investments Research Analyst in BlackRock’s hedge fund solutions group. Ms. Glass graduated from the University of Chicago, where she earned a B.A. in economics.
Investment Team Additions
Sandra Wong, Vice President, Credit. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Wong served as Vice President on the U.S. Investment Team at Strategic Value Partners, where she focused on distressed and special situations opportunities. She began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Credit Suisse, where she later transitioned to the Private Equity Group. Ms. Wong earned a B.A. in business economics as well as a minor in accounting from UCLA and an M.B.A from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jack R. Chandler, Associate. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Chandler began his career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Grace Matthews. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a B.B.A. in finance and applied computational mathematics and statistics.
Yosef W. Medhin, Associate. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Medhin was an Investment Banking Analyst in Citi’s Industrials Group and began his career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Deutsche Bank. He graduated from Washington and Lee University, where he earned a B.S. in business administration.
Jack R. Smith, Associate. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Smith began his career at Morgan Stanley in the Private Equity Solutions group. He graduated summa cum laude from Drexel University, where he earned a B.S. in finance.
Emily O. Strambi, Analyst. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Strambi began her career as an Equity Trading Analyst at the Royal Bank of Canada, where she covered the healthcare and consumer sectors. She graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a B.S. in economics with concentrations in finance and business analytics as well as a minor in legal studies and history.
Other Team Additions
Isabel R. Grabel, Marketing & Investor Relations. Prior to joining the firm as a Senior Associate, Ms. Grabel was a Senior Associate at Harvest Partners, where she focused on private equity investments in industrials, healthcare, business services and consumer products. She began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Jefferies. Ms. Grabel graduated from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where she earned a B.B.A. with a concentration in finance and financial management services.
Jessica S. Godt, Marketing & Investor Relations. Ms. Godt joined JFLCO in 2024 to support and consult on the firm’s marketing and fundraising efforts across private equity and credit strategies. Previously, Ms. Godt served as Vice President of Investor Relations at Warwick Investment Group and began her career in Lazard’s Private Capital Advisory practice. She earned a B.S. in commerce with concentrations in finance and management and a minor in business analytics from the University of Virginia.
Miguel Zhindon, Enterprise Technology. Prior to joining the firm as a Vice President, Mr. Zhindon served as a Senior Technology Consultant at iCorps Technologies, tailoring IT strategies, training and technical support for JFLCO and other clients. Previously, Mr. Zhindon held various roles in network administration and telecommunications. He began his career in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Pace University, where he earned an M.S. in information systems and assurance.
Grace Xu, Finance & Accounting. Prior to joining the firm as an Assistant Controller, Ms. Xu served as a Business Unit Controller at Millennium Management. Previously, Ms. Xu worked as a Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the financial services group. Ms. Xu earned a B.S. in accounting from Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Xu is a Certified Public Accountant.
13 Jan 25. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has named OJ Sanchez as vice president and general manager, Skunk Works®, and Mike Shoemaker as vice president and general manager, Integrated Fighter Group. Both began their new roles on Monday. Sanchez succeeds John Clark, who was previously announced as the new senior vice president for Technology and Strategic Innovation. Shoemaker succeeds Sanchez. In his role leading Skunk Works, Sanchez will drive advanced technology development and integration across a diverse set of primarily classified military programs and pursuits tied to Skunk Works’ guiding philosophy of Quick, Quiet, Quality. Sanchez joined Lockheed Martin in 2014 following a distinguished U.S. Air Force career, where he served as an F-22 pilot among other roles. Most recently, he led Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, successfully ushering in a new era of the Fighting Falcon with the F-16 Block 70 and also partnering with the U.S. Air Force to sustain and enhance the F-22 for current and future deterrence. As leader of the Integrated Fighter Group, Shoemaker will oversee the development, manufacture and sustainment of the F-16 and F-22 programs as well as the T-50, KF-21, F-21 and F-2. Most recently, he served as the vice president for F-35 Customer Programs the past three years, responsible for setting the strategic direction for all F-35 U.S. services, partner countries and Foreign Military Sale customer relationships as well as leading international program teams. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in 2018, Shoemaker had a 35-year career in the U.S. Navy as a pilot, with numerous leadership roles in naval aviation. He retired from his final assignment as Commander, Naval Air Forces.
14 Jan 25. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, today announced the hiring of three senior leaders that will contribute to the company’s next phase of growth. Robin Milton has joined Mercury as the company’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer Steve Ratner, Milton will drive the development and execution of Mercury’s strategic marketing plan, focused on brand awareness and revenue generation. Milton most recently served as Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Communications at LMI, a leading technology services provider for the federal government.
Tyler Hojo has joined Mercury as the company’s Vice President of Investor Relations. Reporting to Chief Financial Officer David Farnsworth, Hojo will serve as the primary point of contact for the investment community, including institutional investors, analysts, and shareholders, and be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive investor relations strategy that aligns with the company’s business objectives. Hojo most recently led Aerospace and Defense investments at ACK Asset Management, where he was a Senior Research Analyst and Limited Partner.
Krishna Sinha has joined Mercury as the company’s Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development. Reporting to Chief Financial Officer David Farnsworth, Sinha will lead the development of the company’s long-term strategic plan, aligning market opportunities and Mercury’s value creation model with an inorganic acquisition and partnership strategy. Sinha most recently held leadership roles at CACI International, where he authored the Corporate Strategic Plan, developed the capital deployment framework, and led strategic business development initiatives for both the Product and Services lines of business.
16 Jan 25. Metron Inc., a trusted provider of advanced research, scientific, and software solutions for government and commercial markets, announced the appointment of Dr. Robert (Bob) Zarnich as the company’s first Chief Engineer, highlighting the Company’s commitment to delivering an expanded range of disruptive integrated solutions for multi-domain operations across sea, air, land, and space defense programs. In this role, Dr. Zarnich will focus on accelerating the transition of high priority innovations from Metron’s scientific and research base to operational capabilities in the field. With Dr. Zarnich’s new appointment, Metron’s Dr. Dominick (Nick) Vincent has been promoted to Vice President of the Advanced Mathematics Applications (AMA) division. These leadership moves reflect the Company’s ongoing commitment to enhance customer value through scalable, field-ready innovations that deliver Decision Superiority across the Joint and Combined warfighting ecosystem. (Source: PR Newswire)