LOCATIONS
LAND
16 Feb 23. Leonardo has announced that it is investing in a new high-technology science and engineering facility on Newcastle Helix, a ground-breaking 24-acre city centre development that brings together industry leaders, businesses, and top researchers into an internationally renowned innovation cluster.
- Leonardo UK has begun recruiting in the region to bolster its 8,000-strong onshore workforce
- New jobs will be mainly high-value science and engineering roles, including those focusing on emergent digital and data technologies
- The opening of the company’s eighth UK site is contributing to the dramatic 50% expansion of Leonardo’s UK-wide early careers opportunities, with the company making 300 additional places available in 2023
Leonardo expects to employ over 200 people at the new site, generating over £185m of economic benefit in the region over the next 10 years. The development will allow Leonardo to access talent from across the North-East of England and build closer links with small and medium sized businesses across the region, many of which are already part of Leonardo’s nationwide supply chain.
Best known for its onshore production of UK military helicopters and the cutting-edge electronics on-board Royal Air Force aircraft, Leonardo is one of the biggest suppliers to the UK Ministry of Defence. The company is at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the initiative by the UK, Italy and Japan to produce a new 6 th generation fighter jet to go into service in 2035, and its cyber security business has been trusted for decades to protect the UK Government’s most sensitive information.
The new site in Newcastle will focus on research, development and prototyping of Leonardo’s next generation sensing, security and vertical lift products. This builds on the data-driven approach to design and manufacturing that went live at the company’s electronics sites across the UK in June 2022, using secure public cloud environments to put big data at the fingertips of engineers in order to accelerate product development.
(Source: Google/https://www.themanufacturer.com/)
12 Feb 23. Planning permission has been granted for a huge new shipbuilding hall at the BAE Systems site in Govan, with work on the first ship to be built in the facility starting in 2024.
The wet basin at Govan will now be drained and a covered build hall will be constructed on the site, allowing for later Type 26 frigates to be built indoors.
It is hoped that Type 26 ships 4 to 8 will be built in this facility, with the first three being put together outdoors.
HMS Glasgow is is shown below when she was being put together on the hard standing, adjacent to the wet basin area after she was built in sections in the existing build hall and joined together.
Project Background
In their Govan Assembly Hall planning consultation, BAE say that at present, full ships longer than 75 metres cannot be constructed undercover at Govan, something which is a major constraint to their business.
Shown below is the current arrangement, the ‘SBOH’ is the facility in which ship hull sections are currently built before being moved outside and welded together.
According to the consultation: “As such, BAE Systems intends to develop a new ship building hall which is capable of meeting the United Kingdom’s ship building requirements. This necessitates the construction of a new ship building facility in Govan, one that will allow for at least two ships to be built simultaneously under cover and in single hull format.
“The opportunity to provide a new modern ship building hall of this nature would allow BAE Systems to adopt improved shipbuilding techniques together with improved construction access and state of the art, dedicated, on-site office and amenities accommodation.”
The roof
One interesting detail that has emerged from the planning application process, in my view at least, is that Glasgow City Council requested that the option of integrating a green roof into the current Wet Basin Hall design be explored. It is understood, however, that the architects explored this alongside BAE and the wider design team but through further review and assessment, collectively determined this is not viable within the parameters of the current design.
They explain why, saying that the purpose of the building didn’t lend itself to such a feature and, more importantly, adding the feature would have a “fundamental impact” on delivery dates for the new frigates.
“Due to the scale, span and height of the building, the requirement to free span over these ships is significant and maintaining the lightness of the roof is imperative to the design. Any amendment to the roof that leads to an increase in water retention and increased loading requirements will have a direct material effect on the structural design. This in turn changes the structural frame depths and weights, including increased path loads into the building plinth and foundation design. This will inevitably have a direct impact on the substructure and baring capacity of the foundation design.
These factors will have a fundamental impact on the programme delivery, as stage 4 design which is currently being completed will require a full redesign. If instructed at this late stage, it will result in a delay to concluding the design of the building which will have a direct impact on the construction commencement date. This delay in commencement and completion of the scheme will fail to meet the MOD requirements to build the first ship under cover by 2024 and thus significantly impact the viability of the scheme.”
The Ship Building Hall and Supporting Accommodation
The firm state that the shipbuilding hall will occupy part of the existing shipyard wet basin and will provide accommodation to allow for at least two ships to be built simultaneously under cover and in single hull format. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
MARITIME
16 Feb 23. HII breaks ground on new Newport News Shipbuilding Submarine Facility. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) broke ground on a new project that will support nuclear submarine construction at its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) yard in Virginia, the company confirmed on 9 February. The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is one of three new facilities, enabling NNS to further support the construction and delivery of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines. Brandi Smith, NNS vice-president of Columbia-class submarine construction, said in a statement, “The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is an intentional investment to accelerate our efforts to deliver the highest-quality submarines.” The groundbreaking on 8 February marked the first phase of construction, HII said in a statement. Work on two additional facilities is expected to begin later in 2023. The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is designed to be adaptable, allowing NNS to support construction of both the Columbia strategic vessels and Virginia attack submarines. The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is jointly funded by the navy and HII, and is part of USD1.9bn in capital investments HII is making at NNS between 2016 and 2025, HII said. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. USN begins seismic mitigation work at first two dry docks.
Last month, the Navy declared a temporary suspension of operations at four dry dock sites.
The US Navy has announced the commencement of seismic mitigation efforts at two of the four dry dock facilities in the Pacific Northwest.
The effort comes a few days after the service declared temporary suspension of some docking operations at four facilities.
It includes Dry Docks 4, 5, and 6 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) and dry dock at delta pier at Trident Refit Facility (TRF) Bangor, North Wales.
Work has currently started at one dry dock, each at PSNS & IMF as well as TRF Bangor.
The mitigation efforts began on 15 February, while the required construction material already arrived at the associated PSNS & IMF dry dock on 11 February.
The Navy informed that the same efforts would take off at the remaining two dry dock facilities immediately after the culmination of work at the first two dry docks.
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) commander rear admiral Dean VanderLey said: “Our way ahead is enabled by some excellent engineering work from diverse team of NAVSEA, NAVFAC and industry experts executed on a very tight timeline.
“As we proceed with construction efforts, our engineering team will continue to conduct more detailed analysis to inform both immediate and long-term efforts.”
This work has been designed to ensure that the shipyard, sailors, deployed workforce, civilians, environment and the submarines are safe and secure.
Naval Sea Systems Command commander (NAVSEA) vice admiral Bill Galinis said: “The fact that we were able to bring together a cross-Navy team with support from industry engineering and construction experts, align on a path forward, and begin construction in under a month shows just how important it is to return facilities to full-functionality.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Feb 23. His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
- Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade. She remains as President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities
- Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP as Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport
- Rt Hon Greg Hands MP as Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office
- Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- George Freeman MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Nigel Huddleston MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
- Nusrat Ghani MP as a Minister of State jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office
- Andrew Bowie MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Paul Scully MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Kevin Hollinrake MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
- Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Business and Trade
- Maria Caulfield MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Women) in the Department for Business and Trade, in addition to her current role as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
- Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE as a Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
- Rachel Maclean MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- Julia Lopez MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Lord Callanan as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Amanda Solloway MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in addition to her current role as a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury)
- Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Stuart Andrew MP as a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury)
- Ruth Edwards MP as Assistant Government Whip
- Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP as Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office. He remains as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
14 Feb 23. USAF No. 2 civilian to step down March 6. USAF Under Secretary Gina Ortiz Jones will step down from her job, effective March 6, after nearly two years in the role, the service announced Monday. She has overseen nearly 700,000 military and civilian personnel across the Air Force and Space Force as well as its $194bn budget since July 2021. The department’s undersecretaries typically spend about two years in the job before moving on. Throughout her tenure, Jones has worked to undo bureaucratic barriers to women’s progress and served as a top voice on military quality-of-life issues. (Source: Defense News)
14 Feb 23. Rear Adm. Shoshana S. Chatfield for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, and assignment as U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium. Chatfield is currently serving as president, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
15 Feb 23. In a major boost to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India, MKU Limited has signed a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with Defence Bio-Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to indigenize the production of Common Aircrew Helmets and Lightweight Integrated Aircrew Helmets. It is for the first time that Indian armed forces will be equipped with high-quality, “Made in India” aviation helmets, as MKU, under its sub-brand Kavro will manufacture the Common Aircrew Helmet for aircrafts including the MiG 21, Jaguar fighters, Hawk and Kiran trainers, as well as the Lightweight Integrated Aircrew Helmet for the Su30 and MiG series fighters. A laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in India, DEBEL is involved in research and development in the areas of bioengineering and electromedical technology related to defence, including aeromedical engineering, life support systems, and NBC protection. The laboratory plays a key role in developing advanced technologies for the Indian armed forces, with a focus on enhancing the safety and well-being of personnel. These helmets, designed & developed by DEBEL, provide enhanced protection to aircrews using a combination of high-performance fibres and an EPS liner that can withstand high wind blast tests. They are also equipped with R/T communication and mountings for securing oxygen masks/NVG/HPS.
“This agreement will facilitate a transfer of technology and expertise between the two companies, with the ultimate goal of strengthening a self-reliant, indigenous defence manufacturing industry in India.” said Mr. Neeraj Gupta, Managing Director, MKU Limited.
The landmark ToT marks a major milestone in MKU’s unwavering commitment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. With this agreement, MKU aims to reduce dependency on imports and contribute to the growth of the defence and aerospace industry in India. MKU’s commitment endeavour in creating a self-reliant defence and aerospace ecosystem in India was also seen during Defexpo 2022, when the company was awarded the contract to indigenously design, develop, and manufacture Aviation Night Vision Goggles (ANVGs) by HAL under its sub-brand, Netro.
14 Feb 23. British maritime technology company Kraken Technology Group (KTG) announces the signing of a partnership agreement with Leonardo, a global high-technology company in Aerospace, Defence and Security. The partnership reflects several areas of collaboration and development starting with the integration of Leonardo’s Black Scorpion mini-torpedo system into the K50 KRAKEN platform to enhance its sub-surface domain capability. The collaboration continues with the opportunity to integrate a broader range of Leonardo systems into future Kraken platforms, including LIONFISH® to provide defence and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) capability. The K50 KRAKEN is a first-of-its-kind, fully-integrated, maritime precision engagement fast-boat platform, designed to provide effective swarmed-strike response to littoral water threats. The K50 is heavily weaponised, combining the latest defence and maritime technologies to best effect in the protection of sovereign green-water infrastructure and interests. Additional Kraken platforms are under development and will benefit from the forward looking nature of this agreement.
The Black Scorpion is a cost-effective and highly-flexible technology designed to facilitate the engagement of sub-surface threats in challenging operational scenarios, while LIONFISH® is Leonardo’s lightweight and compact new family of small calibre naval turrets, usable in a broad set of applications and available in both 12.7mm and 20mm versions.
Mal Crease, Founder and CEO of Kraken Technology Group, commented: “Teaming with Leonardo and integrating their market leading defence systems will unlock yet another dimension in Kraken’s ability to effectively counter multi-domain threats above and below surface.”
14 Feb 23. MKU Limited, a leading defence and homeland security company,
and Dassault Aviation, a globally renowned aerospace company, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Aero India 2023 to explore opportunities for joint cooperation in security and defence, both in India and internationally. The MoU was signed by Mr. Neeraj Gupta, Managing Director of MKU Limited and Mr. Michel Paskoff, Senior VP
International Cooperation of Dassault Aviation in the presence of key representatives from both companies. This strategic partnership signals the start of a new era of cooperation between the two companies, as they will be working together to identify and explore opportunities in security and defence, both in India and across the world leveraging the expertise and experience of both companies. In line with the “Make in India” initiative, Dassault is contributing to the Indian economy by
engaging with Indian companies through procurement, training, and industrial subcontracting. The partnership between France and India in the defence sector shows no signs of slowing down, and only bodes well for their future collaboration in the industry. In addition to its ties with France, India is represented in the global aerospace and defense
industry by companies like MKU Limited. MKU is a leading provider of personal and platform protection solutions and has established itself as a crucial player in the industry. The MoU signed between MKU and Dassault Aviation marks a significant step forward between the
two companies as well as a clear indication of India’s presence and commitment to the aerospace and defense industry, both domestically and internationally.“
17 Feb 23. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) have signed a letter of intent with Rheinmetall AG as a promising strategic source of supply for the F-35 center fuselage. This potential partnership would establish a second F-35 center fuselage integrated assembly line (IAL) in Germany, expanding the significant role European industry plays in the F-35 program.
“Lockheed Martin has been a committed partner to Germany for more than 50
years. The F-35 program will continue to strengthen our strategic partnerships
with key industry partners for years to come,” said Mike Shoemaker, vice
president of F-35 Customer Programs at Lockheed Martin. “The F-35 center
fuselage production in Germany will be vital to meet the growing global demand for F-35s,
which play a vital role in 21st Century Security.”
PERSONNEL
06 Feb 23. Endeavour Scholarship entries for Space Camp now open.
Entries are now open to aspiring astronauts to be part of the 2023 Endeavour Scholarship Mission Team # 10 – TEAM AUSTRALIA at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
Entries close Sunday 10 March.
Four young Australians aged 15-18 will experience hands-on astronaut training alongside students from around the world, fostering international collaboration for the next generation of explorers, innovators, and leaders in space.
To apply, Australian secondary students must create a three-minute video and one page summary that addresses the following challenge:
Commercial space travel and colonisation are the future. It is the year 2050. You must ensure that 35 people sustain life on a three-year journey to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Create a system to address one of the following conditions for the crew: water/food, life support, propulsion, or solar radiation. Be practical, creative, and have fun!
The four winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges from the scholarship’s Student Selection Committee and include:
- Professor Alan Duffy Director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swinburne University
- Professor Bronwyn Fox Chief Scientist at CSIRO
- Professor Renae Sayers Deputy Director of the Space Science and Technology Centre at Curtin University
- Mani Thiru Head of Space and Satellite at Amazon Web Services
AmCham Australia, Kallman Worldwide, Inc. and The Endeavour Scholarship in partnership with AVALON 2023 are proud to help young Australians launch their STEM careers.
For more information and to submit an entry go Here: https://endeavourscholarship.org/ (Source: Rumour Control)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
15 Feb 23. Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) has appointed Dr. Thomas Toepfer, 50, to succeed Dominik Asam, 53, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Thomas Toepfer, currently CFO of Covestro AG – a DAX40 company and one of the world’s leading suppliers of premium polymers – will join Airbus on 1 September 2023. Dominik Asam will leave Airbus on 3 March. Xavier Tardy, Executive Vice-President Finance for Airbus Defence and Space, will ensure continuity during the interim period in addition to his current role.
17 Feb 23. MilDef’s Board of Directors appoints Daniel Ljunggren as next CEO. According to previous communication, MilDef’s CFO, Daniel Ljunggren, will take up the position of interim CEO as of May 26. After conducting an evaluation process, the Board of Directors today decided that this role will be permanent, and that Daniel Ljunggren will take up the position of CEO on May 26, 2023.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
16 Feb 23. Acalvio Technologies, the leader in cyber deception technology, today announced its Federal Advisory Board, which will be comprised of government and industry leaders and experts dedicated to advising Acalvio on meeting federal government needs as well as providing informed perspectives on pertinent defense and security issues. In conjunction with the official launch of Acalvio’s Federal Advisory Board, the company proudly announces that retired Four-Star Navy Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld has been appointed as chair. Government agencies like CISA, NSA and MITRE have emphasized the value of adversary engagement, active defense and the usage of deception to strengthen cybersecurity posture. In December 2023, President Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which mandates the deployment of Active Defense. The new Federal Advisory Board and the appointment of Winnefeld as its chair will allow Acalvio to better serve the U.S. government agencies in following this mandate and strengthening their deployment of Zero Trust architecture. A nationally regarded expert in government, risk management and the defense industry, Winnefeld was the ninth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Department of Defense. He served for 37 years in the U.S. Navy and as commander of U.S. Northern Command and of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Feb 23. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced the appointment of Colin Canfield to lead the Company’s investor relations. As Investor Relations Manager Colin will be the primary liaison between Rocket Lab and the investment community, serve as a key advisor to the leadership team, and will lead all investor relations initiatives. Prior to joining Rocket Lab, Colin was most recently the U.S. Government Services and Space Analyst with Barclays as part of Institutional Investor’s top ranked Aerospace and Defense team and top ranked Industrials franchise. Previously he covered Aerospace and Defense for Citi and has held roles within fixed-income asset management, emerging market strategy and healthcare services financial planning and analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University with a specialty from Marquette’s Applied Investment Management program. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Feb 23. Spaceflight Inc. appoints a new CEO. Spaceflight Inc. has named Tiphaine Louradour as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO), succeeding Curt Blake in that leading, executive position. With 25 years as a global business leader, Louradour brings a wealth of strategic leadership, sales, and operational experience with past positions as president at International Launch Services, Inc. (ILS) and as ULA’s president, ULS global commercial sales. In addition, she has held senior leadership roles for multinational consulting firms, national firms and start-up companies in a variety of industries with geographically diverse environments. (Source: Satnews)
13 Feb 23. Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: WOLF), the global leader in Silicon Carbide technology, today announced the expansion of the company’s senior leadership team (SLT) with the promotion of four Global Operations leaders, as part of its accelerated growth and capacity expansion plan.
- Tom Agron is promoted to SVP, Global Expansion Operations;
- Lisa Fritz is promoted to SVP, Global Quality;
- Adam Milton is promoted to SVP, Global Materials Operations; and
- Missy Stigall is promoted to SVP, Global Fab Operations.
All four leaders will report to Gregg Lowe, Wolfspeed president and CEO. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)