LOCATIONS
LAND
11 Dec 23. DZYNE Technologies Announces New Major Manufacturing Facility in California. DZYNE Technologies, a provider of advanced uncrewed autonomous systems (UAS) for defense applications, has announced the development of a new 125,000 square foot facility in Irvine, California. The new facility will house DZYNE’s growing team of engineers, researchers, and manufacturing personnel, and will provide the company with the space and resources it needs to continue developing cutting-edge autonomous defense solutions for U.S. and international customers.
“The development of the new facility is a testament to DZYNE’s strong partnership and commitment to the Department of Defense,” said Matt McCue, President and Co-Founder of DZYNE Technologies. “DZYNE has worked closely with the DoD since our inception in 2012 to develop an array of long endurance, low-cost, loitering, and innovative UAS platforms. With the recently announced Replicator Initiative, we feel we are now perfectly suited to meet the Department’s increased demand for autonomous defense capabilities. DZYNE’s UAS are designed to meet the evolving needs of our warfighters and are expected to play a critical role in future operations for the U.S. and its allies.”
DZYNE’s flagship products include the LEAP and ULTRA Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA), capable of providing 40+ and 80+ hours of continuous mission endurances, respectively. DZYNE’s LEA products have accumulated worldwide over 50,000 operational flight hours, exemplifying their unmatched cost and performance benefits. In addition, DZYNE has partnered with leading DoD research and warfighting organizations to design and deliver an array of advanced ground- and air-launched Group 1-3 UAS in support of various conventional and asymmetric customer mission needs.
Ben Slater, Chairman of DZYNE and COO of Highlander Partners, added “We are committed to providing the resources necessary to fuel DZYNE’s growth and to deliver the cutting-edge technologies demanded by the DoD. DZYNE has established itself as an agile, rapid-response creator of innovative autonomous technologies that break the cost dynamic established by the old guard. Like DZYNE itself, this facility will be unique in the industry.”
DZYNE will host a grand opening ceremony in the new year to showcase the facility and the company’s latest product offerings and manufacturing capabilities. This event will also serve as an opportunity to recognize the efforts of the Department of Defense, key elected officials, U.S. and international partners, and the local community for their support of DZYNE’s continued growth. (Source: UAS VISION)
MARITIME
14 Dec 23. JFD Australia demos submarine rescue system at White Carillon. JFD Australia has successfully demonstrated its submarine rescue system during annual ocean exercises, White Carillon, off the coast of Perth, Western Australia.
Over a two-week period, the system completed a range of simulated rescues using underwater targets in varying depths and conditions to achieve its yearly safety and operational certification.
“This is a critical sovereign capability that JFD supplies, which is why exercises like these are immensely important. Not only do they ensure that Australia’s system receives annual certification and compliance to Navy assurance processes – it gives submariners and other defence personnel the peace of mind that, in the event of a submarine in distress, they are in the safest possible hands.” said Ms Cathy Falkiner, Managing Director, JFD Australia.
JFD’s fully integrated rescue system, which has a strong safety track record in all types of water currents and depths, can save submariners from a disabled submarine and transfer them safely to the water’s surface.
Using sonar to locate the submarine, a remotely operated vehicle is deployed to survey for the disabled submarine. Tracking devices are deposited and allow a free-swimming Deep Search and Rescue Vehicle (a ‘mini’ submarine) to be launched from a nearby ship, to find the disabled submarine as quickly as possible.
The piloted vehicle then dives down to ‘mate’ with the submarine’s escape hatch, rescuing and transporting the crew under pressure to the water’s surface and into a state-of-the-art hyperbaric equipment suite, that can provide crucial medical treatment.
This means the entire crew of a Collins-class submarine can be saved and then given access to care in the JFD Hyperbaric Reception Chamber facility, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
There are only six air transportable submarine rescue systems in the world and JFD supplies five of them – in Australia and also in Singapore, India, Korea and to NATO members.
“The time to first rescue is all that matters in a submarine emergency when our sole focus is on saving lives,” said Ms Falkiner.
11 Dec 23. Indian Navy begins keel-laying for two more ASW shallow watercraft. Shortly after the launch of its first three ASW shallow water craft, the fourth and fifth ships will begin construction.
Two keels for the Indian Navy’s fourth and fifth anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) vessels have been laid by the original equipment manufacturer Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the largest shipbuilding facility in India, on 8 December 2023.
India’s eight-strong ASW-SWC fleet will replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes, of which eight are currently in operation, having entered service with the Indian Navy in 1989. The construction of the new fleet forms a part of the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Make in India) initiative.
Originally signed on 30 April 2019, the Indian Ministry of Defence contracted CSL to build eight ASW-SWC ships. The first of the class, BY523 (Mahe), was began construction in December 2020, two subsequent vessels in 2021.
This new fleet will perform subsurface surveillance on coastal waters, co-ordinate ASW operations with aircraft, and destroy subsurface targets in inland waters. These warships can also perform search and rescue operations day and night in coastal areas, defend intruding aircraft, and lay mines on the seabed.
The Indian Navy is explicitly focusing on augmenting its ASW capabilities. The service has already placed an urgent order for 24 MH-60R Seahawk Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopters in February 2020 and could order additional helicopters soon.
It also plans to order six to 10 additional P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. However, according to some reports the deal has been dropped in favour of developing Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA), which would be based on the C–295 platform.
ASW-SWC vessels will have a displacement of 750 tonnes and will be equipped with stealth technologies, making them undetected targets for enemy submarines and other surveillance systems.
The overall length and breadth of the vessel will be 78 metres (m) and 11.3m respectively. The ship will have a maximum draught of 2.7m at full load. It can operate in coastal waters within 200 nautical miles of the base port. The vessel will have the capacity to accommodate nearly 57 personnel. (Source: naval-technology.com)
07 Dec 23. BAE Systems Lifts Veil On Littoral Strike Craft Concept.
BAE Systems has offered a first glimpse of a new fast amphibious surface connector concept that reflects the company’s evolving thinking on the UK’s planned Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) requirement.
Developed by the company’s Maritime Services business, the Littoral Strike Craft concept design is intended to combine attributes of high speed, multi-spectral stealth, and superior comfort for the embarked commando team. Work to date was briefed at the NEDS 2023 exhibition in Rotterdam on 30 November.
Forming part of the wider re-capitalisation and reorientation of the UK’s amphibious capability, the CIC is planned to replace the Royal Marines’ current Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) MK 5. The top-level CIC requirement calls for a next generation medium-lift craft that can carry a strike team and a small vehicle to the shore from a stand-off range (circa 150 nautical miles) at high speed (25+ knots) with a low probability of detection.
In advance of a planned competition, BAE Systems began work last year to develop its thinking through the Littoral Strike Craft concept. “It reflects our understanding of the evolving [CIC] requirement for a long range, high speed, low signature craft able to deliver amphibious forces ready to fight,” said Mike Dalzell, Maritime Services’ head of innovation and technology. “It is not a ‘product’ at this stage, but it’s indicative of our thinking as to what a ‘clean sheet’ design, incorporating novel technologies, could achieve.”
Key features of the 18.5 m concept include a flexible roll-on/roll-off through-deck layout with ramps fore and aft, a low profile topside incorporating a fully enclosed cabin and aft deckhouse, and a novel tri-bow hull arrangement. “We are also looking at some innovative technology to reduce motions,” said Dalzell. “You can design a high speed vessel, but can you deliver passengers in a condition where they are ‘fit-to-fight’? So we want a platform that offers very good seakeeping at speed, but that is also very stable coming onto the beach.”
While BAE Systems Maritime Services has led the concept development activity, it has tapped into expertise residing elsewhere. “Our Naval Ships business has provided advice with regard to integration with a larger ‘mother’ amphibious platform,” Dalzell told Naval News. “So that’s issues around size, weight, shape, launch and recovery, and mission bay storage. We have also sought some external design support from the commercial maritime sector, looking at best practice in areas such as crew transfer vessels.”
BAE Systems has already completed modelling and CFD analysis of the hull form. Tank testing is planned to follow.
The concept design team has identified a preferred material for the lightweight structure, although at this stage it remains reluctant to go public. “Composites and lightweight alloys have both been studied,” confirmed Dalzell. “We have a candidate material in mind, but we are keeping that close to our chest for now”.
With the LCVP MK 5 due out of service before the end of 2027, the UK Ministry of Defence is looking to kick off a competition for the design, manufacture and support of the new CIC by the end of 2024. A procurement in excess of 20 craft is currently planned.
(Source: News Now/https://www.navalnews.com/)
AIR
11 Dec 23. Red Tails of Alabama’s Air National Guard replace F-16s with F-35 jets. F-35 jets have been delivered to the Alabama Air National Guard to replace the divested F-16 jets of the Red Tails. The US National Guard announced 8 December, 2023 the delivery of three F-35 Lightning Jets for the Red Tails of the Alabama Air National Guard, becoming the third national guard to transition to the fifth generation fighter aircraft. The F-35’s will replace the the Red Tails’ F-16 Vipers that were divested in 2022, with a total of 20 of the new fighters to be delivered to the wing over the next 5 years, at a cost of $112m. By 2026 the wing is expected to be fully operational, according to a release from the US National Guard.
“The F-35 changes the role that the 187th serves in the United States’ application of airpower,” said Maj. Bart Smith, a 187th Fighter Wing weapons instructor. The Alabama Air National Guard have been deployed overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq, as part of post September 11 operations in the Global War on Terrorism, and various US Air National Guard fighter wings have been deployed to Europe in recent years to contribute to Nato’s air policing mission.
More than 33 Alabama Air National Guard core cadre maintainers and other support functions have been training over the recent years for the arrival of the aircraft at external training locations with the aim of using the experience at their home station.
“They are highly skilled, highly trained maintainers that dedicated years of their lives and moved from Alabama to embed with F-35 Guard or active-duty units to learn best practices,” said Capt. Bryon Townsend, 187th Fighter Maintenance Group’s director of operations. “We are grateful for the work they have put into their training and expect them to serve as the leaders that our maintenance members will look to for guidance, expertise and empowerment.” (Source: airforce-technology.com)
10 Dec 23. Belgium and Lockheed Martin Celebrate Rollout of First F-35A for Belgium. Lockheed Martin [LMT] presented Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II to the Belgian government during a rollout ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility. This event marks a significant milestone in the Belgian Air Force’s history and strengthens the alliance between the United States and Belgium, a key NATO ally.
“The introduction of the F-35 within the Belgian Air Force will enable us to continue to fulfil all our missions in the coming decades, in cooperation with our allies and partners in NATO, the EU and beyond,” said Chief of Defense for the Belgian Armed Forces, Admiral Michel Hofman.
Building on the strong legacy of the F-16, the F-35 will provide the next generation of air power to ensure the Belgian Air Force can fulfill its NATO missions and protect the alliance’s key interests. By serving as the most advanced 21st Century Security solution, the F-35 will connect assets across domains to increase situational awareness for Belgium and its key European partners.
“We congratulate Belgium on this significant achievement,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. “The growth of the F-35 in Europe strengthens international partnerships, interoperability, and warfighting capability; and emphasizes the importance the aircraft provides as a deterrent against potential adversaries.”
“With its unmatched capability, connectivity and interoperability, the 5th Generation F-35 will enable the Belgian Air Force to stay ahead of threats for decades to come,” said Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “Today’s milestone would not have been possible without the strong partnership and key contributions from our close partners in Belgian government and industry.”
Senior government and military leaders from Belgium and the United States attended the ceremony. Belgium’s program of record calls for 34 F-35As. The first aircraft, designated AY-01, will be delivered to the Belgian Air Force next year and will be based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where international F-35 pilot and maintainer training takes place.
The F-35 also creates high-quality, long-term employment opportunities for Belgium. Through the Essential Security Interest (ESI) program, Lockheed Martin will bring cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and benefits, expanding Belgian industry’s skills and knowledge and providing high-tech jobs for Belgians for decades to come.
F-35s are now operating from 31 bases worldwide. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 980 F-35s, trained more than 2,250 pilots and 15,125 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed 768,000 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin continues to work side by side with F-35 operators to ensure allies remain ahead of the evolving threat.
08 Dec 23. Modernized Apaches Returned to Dutch Soil by C-17. The first two modernized Apaches AH64E (Echo) are back in the Netherlands after a major upgrade in the United States. The attack helicopters arrived at Woensdrecht Air Base by a military C-17 transport aircraft. After these Apaches, 18 more units will be returned until mid-2025.
The Apache Echo is the modernized variant of the Apache Delta (AH-64D) that Defense has operated since 1997. The combat helicopter has since been deployed extensively worldwide. After 20 years of intensive use, with necessary maintenance and upgrades in the meantime, a major modernization was necessary. This must ensure that the Apache remains operationally relevant in the coming decades.
The ‘Echo’ has, among other things, new radar systems, sensors, and radio and navigation systems. Other features include modern composite rotor blades and increased engine power. The upgrade provides Defense with effective and future-proof combat helicopters, usable until 2050.
The modernization of the helicopters mainly took place at manufacturer Boeing. The helicopters were completely dismantled there. Some components were tested, reused or replaced for the modernized aircraft.
Maintenance and testing
The Apaches are brought into flyable condition at Logistics Center Woensdrecht (LCW). This means that they are assembled and receive the necessary maintenance. After a process of system implementations and checks, a certificate of airworthiness follows.
After a number of more test flights, the Apaches will fly to their home base in a few months. That is the Defense Helicopter Command at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. The 20 Echos are stationed there with the 301 Squadron. The Ministry of Defense currently has another six units in use at the 302 Training Squadron in Fort Cavazos, Texas, in the United States. Two more aircraft will be added in 2025. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Netherlands Ministry of Defense; issued Dec 7, 2023)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
13 Dec 23. DOD Addresses Recruiting Shortfall Challenges.
The Defense Department’s acting undersecretary for personnel and readiness and senior manpower officials today testified about shortfalls in Army, Navy and Air Force recruiting in the fiscal year that ended in September at a hearing of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee.
Ashish Vazirani said that during fiscal year 2023, the military services collectively missed recruiting goals by about 41,000 recruits.
“That number understates the challenge before us as the services lowered end-strength goals in recent years, in part because of the difficult recruiting environment,” he said.
“The all-volunteer force faces one of its greatest challenges since inception,” he said. It was created in 1973 after the draft ended.
The causes of the recruiting challenges “are complex and multifaceted,” Vazirani said. They include:
- A strong economy, which has resulted in many more options for young people.
- A smaller eligible population.
- Generation Z, the generation born from 1997 to 2012, generally has a low trust in institutions.
- Generation Z has decreasingly followed traditional life and career paths.
- Young people have fewer family members who served, which decreases the propensity to serve.
In 1995, 40% of young people had a parent who served in the military, Vazirani said. By 2022, just 12% had a parent who had served. “This has led to a disconnect between the military and a large share of society,” he said.
About 20 years ago, just over 25% of youths had never thought about serving in the military. In recent years, more than half of youths have never thought about serving in the military, he said.
“Youth of today are not saying no to what the military has to offer. They simply don’t know much about military service,” he said.
The military is not alone in navigating these challenges. Other national service programs — for example, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps — have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, he said.
“While the picture of the current recruiting environment is acutely difficult, the Defense Department and the military services are working together to resolve issues, improve processes, and expand awareness of the many opportunities military service offers,” Vazirani said.
Benefits of joining the military, he said, include:
- Competitive pay and benefits.
- Career training.
- A meaningful and motivating mission.
“We must reach today’s youth where they are with a message that resonates with them and motivates them to act,” he said.
Military marketing campaigns are more complex than in the past, he said. “We’re constantly refining to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape across different media and social media platforms.”
The military needs the help of leaders across the nation, including members of Congress, to make a “national call to service,” especially for military service, but also for other public service, he said.
“We need leaders to talk about military service with youth in their communities and ask them to learn about and consider serving in the military. Overcoming our recruiting challenges requires a national response with contributions from across government and the private sector,” he said.
“Over the last 50 years, the all-volunteer force has proven itself to be the best way to maintain a force capable of defending our nation; and, with our combined efforts, I am confident we will remain as such for the foreseeable future,” he said.
The Marine Corps and Space Force made their recruiting goals. (Source: U.S. DoD)
11 Dec 23. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker’s Statement on the Departure of Dr. Mara Karlin. Today, the Department of Defense acknowledges with profound gratitude the upcoming departure of Dr. Mara Karlin, who served in multiple critical roles, including as Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; later as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities; and most recently as Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
After nearly three years of dedicated service, Dr. Karlin will depart for academia next week. During her tenure, she managed the writing and ongoing implementation of the National Defense Strategy, a pivotal document in guiding the department, particularly in linking strategy to resources, even amid evolving global crises.
Among other critical responsibilities, Dr. Karlin led and provided strategic counsel to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during the formation of a new emerging capabilities policy office; the historic modernization of U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific; the implementation of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States partnership (AUKUS); reform of the security cooperation workforce; and the development of the Defense Planning Guidance, Guidance for the Employment of the Force, and Contingency Planning Guidance. Additionally, throughout the greater part of 2021 she led the department’s relations with nearly 150 countries in Europe (including NATO), the Middle East, Africa, Russia, Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere.
I deeply appreciate Dr. Karlin’s dedication, strategic acumen, and her profound commitment to public service. Her contributions significantly strengthened the department’s strategic approach and preparedness for future security challenges. As Dr. Karlin embarks on her next chapter, we wish her the very best and are confident that her impact on national security will continue to resonate for years to come.
Upon Dr. Karlin’s departure, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Melissa Dalton, will Perform the Duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. (Source: U.S. DoD)
08 Dec 23. UK stands up second operational F-35B squadron. The UK stood up its second operational squadron for the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft on 8 December.
The Royal Navy’s (RN’s) 809 ‘Immortals’ Naval Air Squadron (NAS) was reconstituted at the home of the Lightning Force at Royal Air Force (RAF) Marham in Norfolk.
The squadron joins the RAF’s 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron as the UK’s two front-line units for the ‘fifth-generation’ short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet, with 207 Sqn serving as the operational conversion unit (OCU) at the same location, and 17 Test and Evaluation Sqn at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California.
As with 617 Sqn, 809 NAS is drawn from both the RAF and the RN, with both services performing land- and carrier-based operations of the aircraft.
(Source: Janes)
07 Dec 23. US Chiefs Discuss Military Recruiting Challenges at Committee Hearing. The military’s recruiting chiefs said they are making progress in meeting recruiting goals for fiscal 2024 even in the face of what one called “one of the toughest recruiting landscapes I’ve seen in over 33 years of service.”
Army Maj. Gen. Johnny K. Davis, commanding general of the Army Recruiting Command made the comment before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday.
Davis testified alongside Navy Rear Adm. Alexis T. Walker, commander of the Navy Recruiting Command; Marine Corps Maj. Gen. William J. Bowers, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command; and Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Amrhein, commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service.
The Army, Navy and Air Force failed to meet recruiting goals in the fiscal year that ended in September. The Marine Corps and the Space Force made their goals, but the recruiting environment remains tough.
“This recruiting crisis certainly did not appear overnight and cannot be repaired overnight,” Davis said.
All four men cited problems common to recruiting efforts across the services. They noted the percentage of American youths who qualify for military service has dropped, the COVID-19 pandemic limited the ability of recruiters to interact with potential recruits, the U.S. economy is booming with low unemployment, and the number of adult “influencers” with experience in the military continues to drop.
The numbers are daunting. The Army, the largest service, has a goal of recruiting 55,000 active-duty soldiers during fiscal 2024 and roughly 60,000 for the reserve components. The other services have smaller numbers, but similar challenges.
“The Army is an organization that teaches valuable skills and provides exceptional benefits,” Davis said. “I want our nation’s youth to know the Army is a career accelerator, and I need them to lead us into the future.”
The Army Recruiting Command seeks to attract talent and reintroduce the Army to the American public. “We will not lower standards, we will not sacrifice quality for the sake of quantity,” Davis said. “Our main initiatives over the past year have shown real promise, such as the Future Soldier Prep Course.” The course has had 14,000 graduates, with 95 percent going on to finish basic training and become soldiers.
“We’re still in the first quarter of the fiscal year, and too early to estimate where we will finish it, finish in 10 months, but I will say we’re seeing momentum, and we’ll continue to build upon it,” he said.
The Air Force failed to make its requiting goals for the first time in 24 years, Amrhein said during his testimony. The Air Force recruiting chief specifically mentioned the declining propensity for young Americans to serve. “We’ve seen a steady decline in the military even being an option for our youth as they contemplate the future, with propensity dropping from 13 percent four years ago to 10 percent.”
Amrhein also noted that only 12 percent of American youths have a parent who served in the military, compared to 40 percent in 1995. DOD’s Joint Advertising and Marketing Research Service characterizes the youth market as “having transitioned from being disconnected with the military to mostly disinterested with it,” the general said. “Reconnecting with our youth and breaking down unnecessary barriers to serve in our Air Force and Space Force is our priority over the next several years.”
The Air Force Recruiting Service put in place changes, and Amrhein said he is cautiously optimistic about fiscal 2024. “We started with 32 percent of our active duty goal already identified and in the bank, compared to just 16 percent last year,” he said.
The Marine Corps made its recruiting numbers. “Your Marine Corps exists to fight and win our nation’s battles,” Bowers told the senators. “Our performance in recruiting speaks for us. Our combat heritage is embedded within Marine Corps Recruiting Command’s DNA; we share the same fierce competitive spirit to win, no matter the challenge.”
Over the years, Bowers said, the corps has invested in the Recruiting Command, with service as a Marine recruiter seen as a plus for career advancement. “This has been and will continue to be our greatest source of strength, as we face what some have called the most challenging recruiting environment since the inception of the all-volunteer force,” he said. “Marine recruiters will continue to meet the expectations of our nation by holding true to our warrior ethos and our core values of honor, courage, and commitment. We compete for the best people in every zip code in our nation, and our Marine recruiters actively attract and inspire those young men and women of character to take up the challenge of earning the title Marine.”
The Navy is in the midst of changes to recruiting and is adjusting in real time. “While the Navy did not meet its recruitment goal for fiscal ’23, we continuously adapted our processes to reduce an initially forecasted gap by 50 percent,” Walker said. “As we begin fiscal ’24, we are again faced with a challenging environment and continue to scrub our processes to remove inefficiency, add recruiters, and expand the pool of qualified and interested candidates.”
The Navy has placed more recruiters in the field and established a national recruiting operations center. The Navy is also launching a marketing campaign to target adult influencers in young people’s lives. Finally, the Navy has instituted a Future Sailor Preparatory Course at Recruit Training Command, Illinois, “to broaden the talent pool through physical fitness and academic enhancement ahead of recruit training,” the admiral said.
“Today, our advertising remains nearly 100 percent digital, resulting in a 30 percent increase in national leads, in taking the message to where our future sailors are operating, which is online,” he said. “Despite the recent and future challenges, our Navy team stands ready to take advantage of the opportunity to share positive military service experiences with future recruits and their influencers.”
Walker called on the senators to do their part and asked each member to “consider personally engaging with their constituents and the media in a national call to service. Your public support for military recruiting will make a positive difference(Source: U.S. DoD)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
15 Dec 23. Mrs Laura Davies has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland in succession to Mrs Theresa Bubbear OBE who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mrs Davies will take up her appointment in September 2024.
12 Dec 23. General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO is to be appointed as Chief of the General Staff and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty in the rank of General. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of the Chief of the General Staff. General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO is to be appointed as Chief of the General Staff and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty in the rank of General in succession to General Sir Patrick Sanders KBE CBE DSO in June 2024.
14 Dec 23. The Prime Minister has appointed Rachel Smith as Digital Trustee of the Imperial War Museum for a term of 4 years. Appointed for a four year term commencing 1 November 2023. Rachel is UK & Middle East Managing Director at SQLI Digital Experience, a digital and commerce agency, part of SQLI Group; she advises on digital, customer experience and transformation strategies. Rachel has a breadth of digital & tech expertise across multiple sectors, with a record of delivering growth, decreasing operational costs, and improving financial bottom line.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
11 Dec 23. The Secretary of Defense appointed Honorable Col. Lisa Disbrow (Ret.) as Chair of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) today. Disbrow succeeds Maj. Gen. Arnold L. Punaro, who retired from the Marine Corps Reserve and held the chair since 2011. The Reserve Forces Policy Board is, by law, a federal advisory committee within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As mandated by Congress, it serves as an independent adviser to provide advice and recommendations directly to the Secretary of Defense on strategies, policies, and practices designed to improve and enhance the capabilities, efficiency, and effectiveness of the reserve components.
15 Dec 23. USMC Reserve Brig. Gen. Douglas K. Clark for appointment to the grade of major general. Clark is currently serving as commanding general, 4th Marine Division, U.S. Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.
15 Dec 23. USMC Reserve Brig. Gen. Sean N. Day for appointment to the grade of major general. Day is currently serving as mobilization assistant to the deputy commander, U.S. Space Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
15 Dec 23. USMC Reserve Col. Thomas M. Armas for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Armas is currently serving as deputy director, Reserve Affairs, Reserve Affairs Division, Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Headquarters USMC, Quantico, Virginia.
15 Dec 23. USMC Reserve Col Daniel B. Taylor for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Taylor is currently serving as liaison officer to the commander, Third Fleet, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.
15 Dec 23. USMC Reserve Col. Patrick F. Tiernan for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Tiernan is currently serving as assistant wing commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, U.S. Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.
15 Dec 23. USMC Col. William T. Wilburn Jr. for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Wilburn is currently serving as director of Plans and Strategy, Joint Task Force – ARES, USMC Forces Cyberspace Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Korey E. Amundson for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Amundson is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Current Operations, Headquarters, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Erica R. Austin for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Austin is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Operations and International Law, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Department of the USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Amanda S. Birch for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Birch is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the USAF director of Civil Engineers, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Randall W. Cason for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Cason is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Nineteenth USAF, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Richard A. Erredge for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Erredge is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the assistant secretary of the USAF for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Erika A. Foster for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Foster is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Christopher J. Hobbs for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Hobbs is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Logistics, Civil Engineering, Force Protection, and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters, USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Robert E. Jackson Jr. for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Jackson is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Operations and Communications, USAF Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Frank R. Kincaid for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Kincaid is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the Combined Force Space Component commander, U.S. Space Command; and deputy commander, Space Operations Command, U.S. Space Force, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Christopher T. Lay for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Lay is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to Concepts and Strategy in USAF Futures, Headquarters, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Michael M. Moeding for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Moeding is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, U.S. USAF Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Joshua G. Padgett for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Padgett is currently serving as commander, 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Brett R. Paola for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Paola is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, Pacific USAFs, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Janette L. Thode for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Thode is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director of Plans, Programs and Requirements, Headquarters, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Timothy M. Welter for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Welter is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to director, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Nathan D. Yates for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Yates is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the deputy chief of space operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, U.S. Space Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15 Dec 23. USAF Col. Christopher M. Zidek for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Zidek is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, 18th USAF, Air Mobility Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
13 Dec 23. BAE Systems has opened a new careers hub in Barrow-in-Furness as the first part of a multi-million pound set of investments across the town.
Earlier this year, the Company purchased several retail properties in the town, including the former Debenhams, WHSmith and Bodyshop units. These vacant sites are being transformed into vibrant new spaces to provide the local community with education, outreach and recruitment services. It is hoped this investment will increase footfall in town centre, helping to boost the local economy.
The Careers Inspiration Hub is the first site to open at the Portland Walk Campus, offering employment advice from BAE Systems and a range of Barrow and Furness employers and organisations.
Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director, BAE Systems’ Submarines business, said:
“We’re proud to launch our new Careers Inspiration Hub in the heart of Barrow to provide businesses and organisations a chance to showcase their employment opportunities.
“We’re determined to play our part in the regeneration of this brilliant town. Our Portland Walk Campus is the embodiment of that work and we’re already seeing more shops and local businesses return to the town centre.”
Sam Plum, Chief Executive, Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
“As a local authority Chief Executive, when Debenhams said they were closing I thought ‘what are we going to do to save the High Street?’.
“We have a fantastic opportunity with ‘Levelling Up’ funding and this felt like a fantastic opportunity. It really starts to give us the confidence that things are changing in Barrow. It’s so positive that we are able to raise aspirations in this way.”
Ulverston-based Oxley Developments is one of the Cumbrian organisations who will use the Portland Walk space to promote their opportunities.
Jayne Moorby, Oxley Developments’ Head of Marketing, said:
“We were delighted to be invited by BAE Systems to get involved in this modern, collaborative and technology led facility. As it’s based on the high street, it is perfectly placed to increase the visibility of all the opportunities available in the Furness area.”
The next stage of the Portland Walk Campus will transform the former WHSmith and Sweet Emporium sites into a bigger multi-use engagement hub. This will provide educational outreach, supplier engagement and business support for social enterprise activities.
The final investment will see the former Debenhams’ building transformed into a large new learning centre, with mock-ups to provide physical practice areas, bridging the gap between BAE Systems’ Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge and the shipyard.
Work on the Portland Walk Campus is taking place in tandem with the creation of a £10.4m Barrow Learning Quarter, which will consist of a new university campus and the establishment of a number of Community Resilience Hubs. These two projects will bring significant benefits to Barrow and will benefit from £1 m in support from BAE Systems over the next three years.
BAE Systems has announced that it is recruiting almost 1,000 apprentices and graduates to join the Barrow shipyard in 2024. The closing date for apprentice applications is 28 February 2024. There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, April, July and September. Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/earlycareers
Additionally there are thousands of roles available across the UK for experienced professionals. Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/experiencedprofessionals
09 Dec 23 Canada’s defence overhaul creates job boom in aerospace and tech sectors. With 911 active jobs, Boeing leads the employment landscape, closely followed by RTX Corp and CAE Inc..
Canada’s plan to boost defence expenditure to $23bn by 2028, outlined in GlobalData’s latest report on the “Canada Defense Market 2023 -2028“, signals a modernisation effort and fuels a job market in the aerospace and defence sector.
The data reveals players in the industry actively recruiting, aligning with Canada’s strategic push to enhance its military capabilities.
Canada’s defence strategy, aimed at fortifying national interests and global security alliances, has set the stage for a defence budget increase. According to GlobalData’s report, the nation’s defence spending is driven by a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7% from 2024 to 2028.
While the report highlights Canada’s progress in updating its armed forces with the acquisition of F-35A fighter jets and Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon, it also emphasises the challenges faced, particularly in naval modernisation. The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) Project faces hurdles like cost overruns and delays, impacting the timely replacement of ageing frigates.
Amidst these defence endeavours, GlobalData’s job analytics database highlights that the job market in Canada is experiencing a notable surge, especially in the aerospace and defence sectors. With 911 active jobs, Boeing leads the employment landscape, closely followed by RTX Corp and CAE Inc. These companies play a role in Canada’s defence modernisation efforts, contributing to advancing air and naval capabilities.
The GlobalData jobs data also reveals the most sought-after occupations in this surge, with software and web developers, programmers, and testers leading the pack. Aerospace engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, and various IT-related roles showcase the dynamic nature of the job market responding to Canada’s defence ambitions.
As the Canadian government strives to balance defence spending and other societal priorities, the parallel growth in the job market shows the economic impact of these defence initiatives. The hiring trends indicate a thriving industry, with companies actively seeking skilled professionals to contribute to Canada’s evolving defence landscape.
Canada’s defence modernisation not only reshapes its military capabilities but also propels job growth in the aerospace and defence sector, reflecting a symbiotic relationship between national security and economic prosperity. (Source: army-technology.com)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
13 Dec 23. Cohort, the independent technology group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter John Lynas as a non-executive director, with effect from 2 January 2024. He will also become a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees. Jeff Perrin, currently Chairman of the Audit Committee, has advised the Board of his intention to retire from the Board following the 2024 AGM, after 9 years in post, and it is planned that Peter Lynas will then replace him as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
11 Dec 23. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced Stephanie Pope as executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Boeing Company. In this newly created position, effective January 1, 2024, Pope will report to Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun. As Boeing COO, Pope will oversee the performance of the company’s three business units with responsibility for driving supply chain, quality, manufacturing and engineering excellence across the company. The business unit Chief Executive Officers, the Boeing Chief Engineer and the President of Boeing Global will report directly to Pope. Senior corporate functional leaders will continue reporting to Calhoun.
07 Dec 23. Frontgrade Technologies (“Frontgrade”), a leading independent supplier of high-reliability, advanced electronic solutions for space and national security missions, announced today the appointment of Lorne Graves as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective immediately. Graves brings 25 years of experience as an engineering executive, working closely with customers to design and deliver mission processing, embedded computing, and radiofrequency (RF) solutions for key Electronic Warfare, SIGINT, and radar programs. Graves has served as CTO or Chief Technologist for the past decade at leading defense electronics manufacturers including Spectrum Control, Abaco Systems, and Mercury Systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
12 Dec 23. Greensea IQ, a leading provider of intelligent ocean solutions and the creator of the OPENSEA operating system, is pleased to announce the newest addition to its team, Jeff Vos, who has been appointed as the Business Development Manager for Integrated Systems. Vos brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the marine industry, having worked in ocean robotics for the past five years, most recently at Oceantobics, Inc.
14 Dec 23. RTX Corp (RTX.N) said on Thursday that Christopher Calio, the company’s current chief operating officer, would succeed Gregory Hayes as the aerospace and defense firm’s CEO.
Under Hayes, RTX – formerly known as Raytheon – became the largest defense company in the world by revenue following its 2020 merger with United Technologies Corp, booking $67bn in sales last year.
Calio, 50, who became COO in March 2022, oversaw the realignment of the company into three business units: Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace. (Source: Reuters)