VACANCIES
19 Dec 23. Tekever seeks UAV regulations associate to join UK operations team. Unmanned maritime surveillance company providing beyond visual line of sight UAS commercial services Tekever is looking to hire a Regulations Associate. The position involves working within a highly skilled team to carry out Regulatory oversight of future UAS operations.
Responsibilities include manage Tekever’s current authorisations to provide effective operations with a world-class product. On a daily basis you will be working with the Safety Manager and stakeholders to ensure Tekever aircraft operate in safe and effective environment.
To apply, please email and include your CV along with a covering letter. We would like to hear why you believe you would be a good fit for this role, along with highlighting any relevant experience and skills for the position:
For more information visitwww.tekever.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
LOCATIONS
LAND
27 Dec 23. Contract signed to begin Australian SSN construction yard. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister, Pat Conroy have announced the signing of a contract with Shamrock Civil marking the commencement of preliminary enabling work at the Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne, South Australia.
Australian Naval Infrastructure signed the contract with Shamrock Civil, setting the stage for construction of a staging and laydown area to support the future construction workforce for the Submarine Construction Yard to commence.
Other preliminary work set to commence in 2024 includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge and road, which will support the movement of thousands of workers during the construction of the yard and build of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles welcomed the announcement and recent milestones, saying, “The start of enabling works at Osborne is another important milestone for the Australian Government as we progress at pace towards commencing construction of the first SSN-AUKUS by the end of the decade.”
The works were assessed through an Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 standard referral process, which included a period of public consultation, at its peak, up to 4,000 workers will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne.
“The Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne will employ thousands of Australians to work on Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines and this announcement is a key first step towards realising those important local jobs. There is an enormous amount of work that has occurred over the last 12 months towards realising the AUKUS pathway and that progress will continue in 2024,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
2023 shaped up to be a massive year for the AUKUS program, as Australia, the United States and United Kingdom sought to rapidly accelerate the supporting infrastructure, legislation and regulatory environments to enable the transfer of the technology, skills and knowledge necessary for the success of the trilateral relationship, with the Government highlighting:
- In March, the Albanese Government announced the pathway through which Australia would acquire a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.
- The Australian Submarine Agency was launched, which will be responsible for the management and oversight of the nuclear-powered submarine program.
- Australian submariners and industry workers have commenced training and placements in both the United States and United Kingdom.
- United States nuclear-powered submarines have visited HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, building our capacity in the lead up to Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) from 2027.
- The Australian and South Australian Governments reached agreement on a land exchange for the new Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne and the future site of the Skills and Training Academy.
- The South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan was handed down, delivering a detailed strategy to grow and sustain the state’s defence industry workforce for the future.
- Announced the creation of more than 4,000 Commonwealth supported places in STEM courses were allocated across 16 Australian universities, to help grow the AUKUS workforce.
- Five pieces of legislation in support of the AUKUS pathway have been introduced to Parliament, including; the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023, the Australian Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 and the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Bill.
- The United States Congress passed the 2024 National Defense Authorisation Act which, among other significant enabling provisions, authorising the transfer of Virginia class submarines to Australia, for the first time in US history.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said, “This is yet another milestone that makes good on our commitment to construct conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia. It underscores our comprehensive plan to deliver the AUKUS program at pace, including through local submarine construction, while ensuring Australians and their economic interests are protected.
A further 4,000-5,500 direct jobs are expected to be created to build the nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia, when the program reaches its peak. This is almost double the jobs forecast for the Attack class program.
“Not only will this create local jobs, it also helps deliver the most critical defence capability acquisition in our nation’s history,” Minister Conroy added. (Source: Defence Connect)
MARITIME
19 Dec 23. Navantia’s F-110 programme for Spanish Navy ahead of schedule with the 2st cut of steel of the 2nd frigate. Navantia has started the construction process of the second frigate of the F-110 class for the Spanish Navy, thus confirming the speeding up of this programme valued at €4.325m. The cut of the first steel of the F-112 took place last Saturday 16th December at Navantia’s shipyard in Ferrol (A Coruña, Spain), in the presence of the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez; the Fourth Vice-President of the Spanish Government and Minister of Finance and Public Function, María Jesús Montero; the President of SEPI, Belén Gualda and the President of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez.
The programme -whose execution order was signed in 2019- foresees the construction of five frigates. The start of production of the F-112 is four months ahead of schedule, thanks to the high degree of maturity of the design and the progress of engineering work.
The first frigate of the series, the F-111, under construction since 2022, has been also sped up and has gained momentum with a total of 24 out of the 33 blocks (compared to the 18 planned in the schedule) currently in various stages of construction and assembly. Of these, five blocks are already on the slipway, after the fifth of these blocks was set in place on Monday 18th December. Moreover, terms of procurement, 98% of the program’s equipment has already been acquired, with materials reaching 95% for the F-111 and 70% for the F-112.
The Spanish Navy’s F-110 frigates are multi-purpose escort vessels, with anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities that will enable them to perform their force protection and naval projection functions. These ships, which are intended to operate in combination with other units, make them versatile platforms that can perform maritime security-related functions.
The design of this new frigate includes advanced technological features, such as an integrated mast with different sensor and antenna solutions, a multi-mission space that expands the ship’s capabilities in all defence segments and a new hybrid propulsion plant, more efficient and silent, giving the ship great versatility. The frigates will be equipped with the Spanish combat system, SCOMBA, developed by Navantia Systems.
BLOCK FACTORY
The F-110 programme is the main driver of Navantia’s Digital Transformation Plan in Ferrol (A Coruña, Spain), which will involve the implementation of a new digital ecosystem that will renew the production centres. In the case of Ferrol’s shipyard, it will be materialised through the construction of a new digital block factory with an investment of €110m (the largest investment made in a shipyard in Spain in this century).
The factory, which first stone was laid on 16th December, will be a fully digitalised, automated and robotised plant, including advanced technology machinery, which guarantees product optimisation, versatility and reduced delivery times. In this new open unit manufacturing line, the traditional welding process is replaced by hybrid laser technology, substantially improving performance and minimising distortions.
All of this will boost the region of Ferrol, placing it on the map of excellence in the design and manufacture of frigates worldwide thanks to an infrastructure of these characteristics, fully digitised, automated and robotised, including advanced technology machinery.
On the other hand, the F-110 programme has an important impact on the supply chain, with more than 500 Spanish companies participating in the programme and a significant generation of employment of up to 9,000 people, including the generation of induced employment.
DIGITAL TWIN
The F-110 frigate will be a smart ship, the first Spanish naval programme designed to have a Digital Twin: a virtual replica of the ship that constantly receives information from the vessel, data permanently supplied by a network of sensors distributed throughout the ship, constituting a cyber-physical system that through the use of behavioural models and technologies such as Cloud Computing, Machine Learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) allows to support its maintenance and operation even thousands of miles away through the Digital Twin deployed ashore.
The Digital Twin is complemented by an Integrated Services System (ISS), developed along with the Universities of Vigo and Coruña (Galicia, Spain), which will provide the ship with integrated sensors in its light points, substantially reducing its wiring. The F-110 will also have 3D printers on board for the manufacture of spare parts.
These will be the first ships in the fleet to have an integrated cybersecurity system to protect the vessels against increasing cyberthreats. This will enable the ship to have a reduced crew complement for operation, which will result in improved habitability.
(Source: ASD Network)
18 Dec 23. HII authenticates keel on new Flight III DDG 51 destroyer, George M. Neal. The latest Arleigh Burke-class DDG 52 guided missile destroyer, George M. Neal underwent its keel authentication on 15 December. In Pascagoula Mississippi on 15 December, 2023, HII authenticated the keel of the George M. Neal guided missile destroyer, the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be constructed at Ingals, and the 81st of its class, dues to be
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are multi-mission ships designed for a variety of operations including peacetime presence and crisis management, as well as sea control and power projection. A DDG is 155.1 metres (m) long with a 20.1m beam, and weights 9,300 tons, with a crew of 350. Work began on fabrication at HII 2 December, and is expected total 4 years to complete.
A DDG Aegis guided missile destroyer is equipped with 2 MK 41 vertical launching systems, a 5-inch gun turret, and 2 MK 32 triple barrel torpedo mounts.
The George M. Neal incorporates a design modifications that HII claim provides a ‘significant enhanced capability’ including the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System.
“Laying the keel of another Flight III DDG is a great way to celebrate the namesake of the ship and our world-class shipbuilders,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG-51 program manager Ben Barnett. “Our ship namesake displayed the kind of courage and leadership that inspires us at Ingalls to have the same dedication to our mission. We are so grateful to our ship sponsor for being a part of the life of this ship and for sharing her family’s legacy with us.”
The George M. Neal is named after a Korean War veteran that was awarded the Navy Cross after attempting to rescue a Marine aviator that had been shot down and trapped. During the rescue attempt, the helicopter Neal a crewman aboard was shot down, and Neal assisted the pilot and the rescued Marine aviator ins evading capture for 9 days before being taken as a prisoner of war. (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Dec 23. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Hands Over Third MEKO Frigate to Egyptian Navy. In a festive ceremony held in Bremerhaven on 15 December, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems handed over the frigate “AL-QADEER” to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. “AL-QADEER” is the third in a series of four MEKO A-200 EN frigates. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking representatives from the Egyptian and German Navy. Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems highlighted: “Just six months after the handover of the second frigate, ‘AL-QAHHAR’, another state-of-the-art ship was successfully delivered to the Egyptian Navy today. The handover marks the official completion of construction of the ships in Germany, all in record time. The fourth frigate will be completed at Alexandria Shipyard in close cooperation with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.”
Production work on “AL-QADEER” began with the first steel cutting in autumn 2020, followed by keel laying in March 2021, launching in April 2022, and naming in October 2022. In a few days, “AL-QADEER” will set sail for Alexandria, Egypt.
Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy said: “Within only 14 months, the Egyptian Navy received the three MEKO A-200 Frigates AL-AZIZ, AL-QAHHAR and AL-QADEER. These repeated visits for the handovers are the actual proof of the extent of cooperation and friendship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Federal Republic of Germany. As much the Egyptian Navy is proud to acquire the MEKO A-200 frigates, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems must also be proud for building them.
Only a few days ago, at the Egyptian Defense Exhibition EDEX 2023 in Cairo, the fourth Frigate, AL-JABBAR, was launched for an expected delivery in October 2025.”
In 2018, the Arab Republic of Egypt commissioned thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build a total of four identical ships. The first three units – “AL-AZIZ”, “AL-QAHHAR” and “AL-QADEER” – were built in Germany, while the fourth frigate is currently under construction at Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH)
AIR
19 Dec 23. Civil Air Patrol and Textron Aviation Special Missions celebrate long-standing relationship. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) celebrate the delivery of four Cessna Skyhawk, one Cessna Skylane and one Cessna Turbo Stationair HD aircraft in Independence, Kansas. The aircraft will join a fleet of nearly 550 Cessna aircraft currently owned and operated by CAP. In September, Textron Aviation was awarded a contract by CAP for the further acquisition of 15 Cessna piston engine aircraft. CAP agreed to purchase 14 Skyhawk 172S and one Skylane 182T aircraft.
“From search and rescue, to disaster relief and homeland security, the missions CAP undertakes daily are as broad as their footprint across the U.S. We are honored that Cessna aircraft continue to be the organization’s platform of choice for these crucial operations,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales. “The Cessna piston aircraft fleet is renowned in general aviation for its operating costs, performance and durability, all important factors for an organization supporting a variety of communities throughout the country.”
As the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, CAP performs missions for government agencies, and as a non-profit organization they also serve states and communities. In 2022, CAP flew more than 100,000 hours and saved 151 lives, conducting Air Force-assigned missions as well as support for states and communities. CAP is the world’s largest Cessna piston aircraft operator.
“Civil Air Patrol is thrilled to welcome these new Cessna aircraft to the world’s largest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft,” said Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP’s national commander/CEO. “CAP is proud to continue to partner with Textron Aviation as we utilize their outstanding products in executing complex and varied missions for America.”
Endless Special Missions Possibilities
When government, military and commercial customers want airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation. The company’s aviation solutions provide the high performance and flight characteristics required to address the unique challenges of special missions operations. With unparalleled quality, versatility and low operating costs, Textron Aviation products are chosen for air ambulance, ISR, utility transport, aerial survey, flight inspection, training and a number of other special operations.
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
21 Dec 23. New Year strikes as Type 26 frigate contractors clash over pay and conditions. Unite Union announces impending strike action as CBL Cable Contractors and BAE Systems face a battle over pay rates and equality. Tensions are mounting at the heart of the Clyde shipyards as over 30 contractors crucial to the Type 26 frigate project prepare to initiate strike action in the new year.
The dispute, revolving around pay and conditions, has ignited a debate over rates and equality, focusing on the challenges faced by workers employed by CBL Cable Contractors Limited.
New year strike looms over Type 26 frigate project
In a revelation that casts a shadow over the Clyde shipyards, Unite, Scotland’s trade union, has confirmed that a looming dispute over pay and conditions is set to escalate into a full-fledged strike. Over 30 members contracted to construct the new Type 26 frigate are at the centre of this turmoil, employed by CBL Cable Contractors Limited at the BAE Systems Govan and Scotstoun shipyards.
This is another setback for the programme, as the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate has been continuously delayed. As per the latest information, it is said that the class will reach its initial operational capability by October 2028 instead of October 2027 at an extra cost of £233m ($288.2m), according to GlobalData’s “The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market 2023-2033” report.
Scheduled to unfold over multiple days, from 10 January to 27 March, 2024, the strike has its roots in a pay dispute that gained momentum in November. In a resounding show of discontent, 100% of CBL Cable workers backed the strike with an 88% turnout.
The crux revolves around the contractors’ demand for pay parity with the BAE Systems yard rate or an additional £1 per hour on top of their current pay rates. This dispute also encompasses travel-related payments, as the Clyde shipyards fall under the Joint Industry Board Agreement, which Unite argues mandates fair compensation.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, asserted: “The CBL Cable workers are fully entitled to equal treatment at the Govan and Scotstoun yards. The company should stop paying lip service to the national agreement and immediately start paying the rate.”
The union stands firmly behind its members in their quest for better jobs, pay, and conditions, it said in a statement.
The Joint Industry Board Agreement, a cornerstone in the electrical contracting industry, sets standards for employment, grading, and apprentice training, including provisions for travel time and mileage allowances.
Ministry of Defence contract faces uncertainty
The impending strike challenges the UK Ministry of Defence’s £4.2bn contract with BAE Systems, raising concerns about potential disruptions to manufacturing the following five City-class Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy in Glasgow.
In response to an inquiry sent to BAE Systems, a spokesperson said: “This is a matter between CBL, its employees and Unite. We have contingency plans in place to ensure sustained, safe, and secure operations at our site.”
The first City-class ship, HMS Glasgow, was floated off at BAE Systems Scotstoun shipyard on the Clyde. Meanwhile, the steel-cutting ceremony for the fourth Type 26 frigate, HMS Birmingham, marked the commencement of construction at the BAE Systems Govan shipyard. The third Type 26 frigate, HMS Belfast, is also under construction.
Stevie Dillon, Unite regional coordinator, emphasised the readiness of CBL Cable workers to strike for the ‘shipyard rate’: “They shouldn’t need to go on strike to get what they are owed, but make no mistake, they are fully prepared to fight for what they should be automatically getting.“ (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
22 Dec 23. After Tough Year, Military Recruiting Is Looking Up. It’s no secret that 2023 was a tough year for military recruiting, but that situation is looking up, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during news conference yesterday.
Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said recruiting will remain challenging, but the services are adapting to the challenging environment and there’s reason to be optimistic.
Last fiscal year, only the Marine Corps and the Space Force made their recruiting goals.
Still, there are concerns. Only 23 percent of young people between 17 and 24 even qualify to join the military. Even fewer have expressed the “propensity” to enlist, officials said.
Also working against the recruiting environment is the fact that the military is smaller and in fewer places. Many young people do not know anyone who has enlisted and they do not see service members in their communities or even on a regular basis.
The services are responsible for staffing the force, and they have tried new ways and methods to attract recruits. The COVID-19 pandemic handcuffed military recruiters who were not able to have “the face-to-face kind of communication that is absolutely essential to recruiting efforts,” Ryder said.
That is changing, and military recruiters are making the contacts needed to enlist personnel. “You’re seeing the services look at many different types of ways to get out and engage with today’s youth, as far as highlighting the opportunities that military service and the benefits that it can provide,” Ryder said.
The Army has a program to help recruits qualify for enlistment, and the service works with potential enlistees to meet the enlistment standards. Army officials said 95 percent of those in the program have successfully completed it.
The Air Force has aviation camps where young people get to experience life in the service and the various aviation jobs available to them, Ryder said.
“So, the services continue to be very active and creative in looking at how we can communicate with the public that we serve,” the general said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has said that the services didn’t get into this recruiting situation overnight, and it will take time to correct. “But we are confident that we will continue to see those numbers increase, and it’s something that we’ll, obviously, continue to work very hard at,” Ryder said.
DOD and the services are also working to educate the public about the military. This can be done at airshows, parades, sporting events, base tours and more, Ryder said.
“There are many different ways for people to learn about the military,” he said. “But the analysis has shown that at, the end of the day, it’s a conversation with someone. Billboards and advertisements are important, but at the end of the day it’s the conversation about, tell me more about it. What does this mean? What does this look like?”
These conversations with someone who has personal experience with the military are important, Ryder said. It helps in “breaking down some of the stereotypes in terms of what military life actually is versus what the perception is based on—popular programming or TV.”
Ryder said potential recruits need to understand that one of the strengths of the U.S. military is the fact that is an all-volunteer force. “Each of us takes … the oath to protect and defend the Constitution by choice,” he said. “No one’s making us do this, and it makes us more resilient. It makes us a more powerful military because we are defending the people from which we come.
“I would tell any prospective recruit the United States military provides an opportunity unlike any you will ever get to experience,” he continued. “It’s an amazing place to develop and … be a part of something bigger than yourself.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
20 Dec 23. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker Announces Middle East Policy Leadership Transition. Today, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Policy Ms. Dana Stroul announced her departure from her leadership role effective Dec. 20. We thank Ms. Stroul for her exceptional service and contributions to our national security, in particular her work in the Middle East region, where her tremendous leadership of defense policy and strategy was distinguished by her remarkable ability to forge strong and effective relationships with Allies and Partners. Her strategic acumen and leadership have been instrumental in advancing U.S. interests and policies in the region, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come. We also extend a warm welcome to Mr. Daniel B. Shapiro as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy. Mr. Shapiro’s extensive experience, including his roles as U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy for Iran, positions him exceptionally well to pick up right where Dana left off, and guide our policy approach in this critical region of the world.
20 Dec 23. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker Announces Recent European and NATO Policy Leadership Transition. As we continue to strengthen our nation’s transatlantic alliances and partnerships, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy expresses profound appreciation for Spencer Boyer’s exemplary service as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy from February 2021 to December 2023. His strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to international security and policy was pivotal in addressing vitally important European and NATO issues, which significantly impacted our approach to ensure global stability and security. It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Ms. Lisa Sawyer to the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy. Lisa returns after a recent tenure at the White House as a special advisor on European, Russian, and defense matters to the Vice President and brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of international security dynamics. Her expertise and strategic vision will be invaluable. We are confident that her leadership will significantly contribute to our ongoing efforts in safeguarding national security and enhancing our transatlantic relationships.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Amy N. Bauernschmidt is assigned as deputy commander, Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Walter D. Brafford is assigned as commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command, with additional duties as Chief of the Dental Corps, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas J. Dickinson is assigned as commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center/Commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas A. Donovan is assigned as deputy director, Global Operations, J39, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Frederic C. Goldhammer is assigned as deputy director for Political-Military Affairs (Asia), J5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Robert J. Hawkins is assigned as deputy assistant director, Operations, Strategy, and Education and Training, Defense Health Agency, with additional duties as Chief of the Navy Nurse Corps, Falls Church, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Joshua Himes is assigned as vice director for Intelligence, J-2, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Ian L. Johnson is assigned as commander, Navy Region Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Neil A. Koprowski is assigned as commander, Navy Region Korea; commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea; and commander, Naval Component, U.S. Forces Korea, United Nations Command, Korea, Pusan, Korea.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Paul J. Lanzilotta is assigned as director, Fleet Integrated Readiness and Analysis, N02R, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Joshua Lasky is assigned as deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command; and deputy commander Fifth Fleet, Manama, Bahrain.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Donald W. Marks is assigned as commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, San Diego, California.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Craig T. Mattingly is assigned as commander, Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Andrew T. Miller is assigned as commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Groton, Connecticut.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Kurtis A. Mole is assigned as deputy commander, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Lincoln M. Reifsteck is assigned as program manager, AUKUS, Integration and Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Frank G. Schlereth III is assigned as senior defense official/Defense Attaché – Israel, Tel Aviv, Israel.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas E. Shultz is assigned as deputy director, Policy, Plans, Strategy, Capabilities and Resources (J-5/8), U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Kevin R. Smith is assigned as program executive officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael T. Spencer is assigned as commander, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, Fallon, Nevada.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Julie M. Treanor is assigned as deputy chief of staff for Fleet Ordnance and Supply/Fleet Supply Officer, N41, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Todd S. Weeks is assigned as program executive officer, Undersea Warfare Systems, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Todd E. Whalen is assigned as president, Board of Inspection and Survey, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Dianna Wolfson is assigned as fleet maintenance officer, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Forrest O. Young is assigned as director, Operations and Plans, N3, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) John E. Byington is assigned as deputy commander, Navy Space Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Jeffrey A. Jurgemeyer is assigned as reserve vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command, Fifth Fleet, Manama, Bahrain.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Richard S. Lofgren is assigned as reserve vice commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet, Mayport, Florida.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) David E. Ludwa is assigned as reserve deputy for Fleet Readiness and Logistics, N4R, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Naples, Italy.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael S. Mattis is assigned as commander, Task Force 66 (TF 66); and director, Strategic Effects, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/U.S. Naval Forces, Africa Naples, Italy.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Richard W. Meyer is assigned as deputy commander, Third Fleet, San Diego, California.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Peter K. Muschinske is assigned as deputy chief of chaplains for Total Force; and deputy director of Religious Ministries, N097C, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) John A. Robinson III is assigned as vice chief of information, Washington, D.C.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Bryon T. Smith is assigned as reserve vice commander, Second Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael R. Vanpoots is assigned as deputy/reserve deputy commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Dec 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Marc F. Williams is assigned as deputy commander, Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
15 Dec 23. Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts has officially handed over command of Australian Defence Space Command to Major General Greg Novak at a ceremony at Space Command headquarters in Canberra. As the Australian Defence Force’s first Space Commander, AVM Roberts has set a strong foundation for Defence Space Command as part of the integrated force. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
21 Dec 23. Advanced Aircraft Company (AAC), a manufacturer of distributed electric propulsion tilt-wing and multi-rotor uncrewed aircraft vehicles (UAV), today announced the appointment of Vice Admiral David Architzel USN (Ret) to its board of advisors. (Source: Google/https://www.suasnews.com/)
20 Dec 23. AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI”), a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, national security, and industrial services, today announced the promotions of Jeff Hart and Bryan McElwee to Partner, Tyler Letarte and Andrew McElhinney to Principal, and Taylor Casey to Vice President.
Jeff Hart joined AEI in 2015 and is primarily focused on originating, executing and monitoring the firm’s portfolio investments in defense and government services. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the firm’s portfolio companies Alpine Air, BigBear.ai, CASE, CDI Engineering Services, Edge Autonomy, and REDLattice. Mr. Hart holds a BA in Business from Colorado Mesa University.
Bryan McElwee joined AEI in 2016, with more than a decade of operating experience in the aerospace industry, and is primarily focused on originating, executing and monitoring investments in aerospace and utility services. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the firm’s portfolio companies AIM MRO and G.S. Precision. Mr. McElwee holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Tyler Letarte joined AEI in 2018 and is primarily focused on originating, executing, and monitoring investments in space and defense. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the firm’s portfolio companies Belcan and York Space Systems. Mr. Letarte earned a BA in Business from Villanova University.
Andrew McElhinney joined AEI in 2017 and is primarily focused on originating, executing and monitoring investments in aerospace. He serves on the Board of Directors of the firm’s portfolio company Yingling Aviation. Mr. McElhinney holds a BS in Business from Wake Forest University. Taylor Casey joined AEI in 2020. He is primarily focused on financial analysis, due diligence, and executing investments within aerospace, defense and government services. Mr. Casey earned a BA in East Asian Studies from Brown University. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
18 Dec 23. Global deeptech company Cailabs (www.cailabs.com) announces the appointment of Jeff Huggins as President of Cailabs US Inc. Huggins brings extensive experience as a CEO in the aerospace and defense sectors and as a business leader with a track record of driving growth at major companies. He will lead a team in the US that also includes new Vice President of Business Development hire, Vik Tailor, and Optics Engineer, Ashley Fabioux. Cailabs, a world leader in laser communications, has expanded rapidly over the past year, announcing an office in downtown Washington, D.C. in September. As one of the few companies that offers turnkey optical ground stations with a unique capacity to compensate for atmospheric turbulence – enabling high-capacity laser communications, even through the atmosphere – the company has responded to demand from the US defense sector, for which laser technology is a high priority. He is joined at Cailabs US by other new hires including Optics Engineer, Ashley Fabioux, and Vik Tailor, Vice President of Business Development for the US.
19 Dec 23. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced that its board of directors has elected Maria Ricciardone as vice president, Treasurer and Investor Relations, effective Jan. 1, 2024. She succeeds Evan Scott as Treasurer, who has been appointed as Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Scott succeeds Charles Hubbs, who after more than 40 years of service has announced his plans to retire. Hubbs will transition into a strategic advisory role before departing the company in late 2024. As vice president and treasurer, Ricciardone will lead the corporation’s worldwide banking activity, including global treasury operations, foreign exchange and capital markets, rating agency relations, capital planning and risk management. She joined the corporation in 2022 as vice president of Investor Relations and will maintain this role in her new position. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Ricciardone was vice president, Finance – FP&A and Global Components for Arrow Electronics in Colorado. She previously held positions at Hubbell Incorporated; United Technologies and its subsidiary, Otis Elevator Company; Duff & Phelps; Affiliated Managers Group; and Booz Allen Hamilton. As MFC’s chief financial officer, Scott will lead financial and business operations for the business area. He began his career at Lockheed Martin in June 1999 and has served as vice president and treasurer since June 2022.
08 Dec 23. Orbex appoints new CCO. John Bone brings a wealth of experience to Orbex, with more than 20 years in the space Industry, including 18 years in Director or C-level positions. His comprehensive knowledge of the industry and high-level contacts across Europe and the UK make him an invaluable addition to the Orbex team. John has been instrumental in the growth of various organisations in the sector, and has played a pivotal role in supporting the North East Space Industry’s growth since 2014 as the chair of the North East Space Leadership Group. (Source: Satnews)
18 Dec 23. Rebellion Defense announced the appointment of Executive Chair Ben FitzGerald as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 January 2024. FitzGerald will replace Interim CEO Barry Sowerine, who will join the company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). FitzGerald’s appointment follows a comprehensive search for a visionary and seasoned leader with a strong background in technology and defense, along with a proven track record of driving business growth. The Board and CEO search committee unanimously endorsed the appointment, underscoring FitzGerald’s alignment with Rebellion Defense’s strategic goals. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
19 Dec 23. Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3) appointed Guilherme Paiva as the new Director of Investor Relations and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). A seasoned financial expert, Paiva has an extensive and successful history in the financial sector. The executive was the Chief Equity Strategist for Latin America at Morgan Stanley for 14 years. Furthermore, Paiva also boasts a distinguished 20-year career as a sell-side Equity Strategist at Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, and Citigroup.
27 Dec 23. Lockheed Martin Australia has appointed Rob Milligan to the newly created Program Director role for AIR6500 Phase 1 (AIR6500-1), following the company’s recent selection as Defence’s strategic partner to steward the Joint Air Battle Management System. The appointment is effective starting 1 January 2024. Milligan, currently the lead for Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors line of business and Australian program custodian of the world-class Aegis Combat System, has spent over 30 years working in the defence sector. Located in Lockheed Martin Australia’s Adelaide state office, Milligan will drive program delivery outcomes for AIR6500-1. This will encompass growing a sovereign industrial capability including a dedicated integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) workforce and establishing supply chain partnerships with primes, small-to-medium-enterprises, and universities ensuring Australian industry is at the core of the program. As a priority, Milligan will lead the establishment of the contractual and governance arrangements in partnership with defence and develop a rigorous program delivery pathway for AIR6500-1. (Source: Google/APDR)