LOCATIONS
MARITIME
22 Feb 24. Turkish aircraft carrier design takes shape. The Turkish Naval Forces has initiated design activities to advance efforts towards acquiring a domestically built aircraft carrier. In early January the Turkish government gave the green light during a meeting of the Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to progress plans for an indigenous aircraft carrier to the design phase. During a visit to the Design Project Office on 15 February, Erdoğan inspected progress made with the indigenous aircraft project to date. The preliminary design of the future aircraft carrier, which was visible in photos of the visit shared by the Turkish Navy, shows that the carrier will be in short take-off but arrested recovery configuration. The design shows a single runway and ski jump of approximately 12–14°, with a single island on the starboard side. Other details such as the number of aircraft elevators and their parking spots were not immediately apparent. (Source: Janes)
21 Feb 24. Spanish Navy’s subsurface threat now reliant on a single submarine. With the last of the Galerna-class SSKs retired, the Spanish Navy has just a single modern S-80 submarine in operation. The Spanish Navy has decommissioned the last of its Galerna-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) at a ceremony on 16 February, with the Tramontana (S-74) having been operational since November 1984, leaving just a single modern S-80 SSK as the country’s sole subsurface combatant.
Built by Bazán (now Navantia) in its Cartagena shipyards, the Tramontana sailed a total of in excess of 315,000 nautical miles, spending 218,384 of them submerged. The decommissioning ceremony took place at the Submarine Base in Cartegena and attended by senior naval officials.
According to the Spain’s Ministry of Defence, the Tramontana contributed to a range of international exercises and operations, including Unified Protector off Libya in 2001. The submarine underwent an overhaul from between 2014-2017, during which Navantia upgraded a number of capabilities in order to sustain the vessel in service.
As a result of which, the Spanish Navy now operates a single SSK, the S-80 Plus variant Isaac Peral (S-81), which was commissioned into service in 2023. Spain will eventually receive an additional three S-80 Plus submarines, which of variants of the French Scorpene design.
The Isaac Peral reached its maximum operational depth after facing delays and cost overruns. The submarine, part of the S-80 class programme, underwent redesigns and budget crises before finally reaching this milestone.
The S-80, equipped with features such as an air-independent propulsion system and electric propulsion motors, is designed to operate stealthily in remote areas at high speeds.
Spain’s hydrographic fleet also reduced as Antares decommissioned
Meanwhile, the Spanish Navy also decommissioned the hydrographic ship Antares after more than 50 years of operation.
With the decommissioning of the Antares, Spain’s hydrographic flotilla comprises the two, 1,000 tonne Malaspina-class survey ships (Malaspina and Tofiño), both homeported at the La Carraca Naval Base in San Fernando.
Designed and built by Navantia in San Fernando (Cádiz), Antares was delivered to the Spanish Navy in November 1974 as the third of four Castor-class hydrographic survey vessels.
In 2023, the Spanish Government approved the building of new hydrographic vessels, with two coastal hydrographic ships being built by Navantia. A further oceanographic survey vessel and five hydrographic barges are due to be approved for construction this year. (Source: naval-technology.com)
19 Feb 24. USN Commissioned Future Expeditionary Sea Base USS John L. Canley. The USN commissioned USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) as the newest Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB) during a 10:00 a.m. PST ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 17, in Coronado, California.
The commissioning ceremony’s principal address was delivered by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy. Remarks were also provided by General Joseph P. Dunford, Jr., 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps; Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps; and Mr. David Carver, President of General Dynamics NASSCO. The ship’s sponsor is Patricia Sargent, Sgt. Maj. Canley’s daughter.
Built by General Dynamics NASSCO, currently there are six delivered ships across two variants: Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) and Expeditionary Sea Base. The future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) is a highly flexible platform used across various military operations. When commissioned, the ship will be employed as a mobile sea-based asset. It will be a part of the critical access infrastructure supporting the deployment of forces, equipment, supplies, and warfighting capability.
The first of its name, the ship honors United States Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley, Ret., who was awarded the Medal of Honor 50 years after his actions during the Battle of Hue City. Canley served as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1968. Sgt. Maj. Canley passed away in Bend, Oregon May 11, 2022.
ESB 6 joins the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) which support a variety of maritime-based missions, including Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM). ESBs have a four-spot flight deck, mission deck, and hangar, designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support, and command and control assets. Follow-on ships Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) and Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8) are under construction. The commissioning of ESBs provides combatant commanders greater operational flexibility to employ this platform in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. (Source: U.S. DoD)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
22 Feb 24. Mr Ross Matthews has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Chad in succession to Mr Jon Dean who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Matthews will take up his appointment during early summer 2024.
19 Feb 24. Shirley Cooper OBE has been appointed as the new Crown Representative for small businesses. An experienced entrepreneur has taken up a key role to promote the needs of small businesses to government and ensure suppliers seize the benefits of the Procurement Act. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
16 Feb 24. Anisha Worbs has taken up her new role leading the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. As the new Director of the OVA, Anisha Worbs will support the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in coordinating government efforts to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran. The OVA’s recent initiatives include the national rollout of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards which will ease access to veteran services, and the launch of a new hotline for homeless veterans – Op FORTITUDE.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
21 Feb 24. Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Ronald S. Moultrie will step down from his position at the end of February. Since his appointment almost three years ago, Under Secretary Moultrie has been a trusted counselor and a key member of the Department’s senior leadership team. He has shown a far-sighted approach to complex intelligence issues, built a rapport with domestic and international intelligence leaders, and established stewardship of our Defense Intelligence and Security Enterprise. His achievements include the designation of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security as the Principal Staff Assistant for law enforcement; advancing the Department’s ability to provide insights into adversary capabilities via the Foreign Language Roadmap; and initiating a landmark review of the Department’s credibility assessment program that supports criminal investigations and the process of adjudicating security clearances. He has helped posture the Defense Intelligence Enterprise to meet the pacing challenge of the People’s Republic of China while supporting the Department’s response to crises in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Under Secretary Moultrie has also been a champion of workplace wellness, bringing more support for mental health care and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges across the defense intelligence and security enterprise. Ron has left a mark on this department through his 44 years of public service. Our Department and our intelligence and security enterprise are measurably more capable of tackling tomorrow’s challenges because of Ron’s distinguished service. (Source: U.S. DoD)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
21 Feb 24. Fincantieri teams with EDGE to sell to non-NATO countries.
Italy’s Fincantieri and UAE group EDGE have agreed to create a Abu Dhabi-based joint venture to build and sell naval vessels to non-NATO countries, the firms said Tuesday. The JV, which will be 51% owned by EDGE but run by Fincantieri managers, will aim to take advantage of the UAE’s relations with other states and the export credit financing it offers.
The venture “will be awarded prime rights to non-NATO orders, especially leveraging on the attractiveness of UAE [government-to-government] arrangements and export credit financing packages, along with a number of strategic orders placed by select NATO member countries,” the firms said.
State-controlled Fincantieri is Italy’s main naval contractor and is also building FREMM frigates for the U.S. Navy at its U.S.-controlled yard.
Founded in 2019, EDGE is an advanced technology group that comprises 25 UAE firms and employs 8,000.
In a statement, the firms said they would develop “joint intellectual property” and “significantly” enhance EDGE’s ability to “design and build frigates and other large vessels, broadening its range of operations and marking a crucial advancement in the diversification of its maritime solutions portfolio.”
The statement noted the “JV will set up a dedicated design authority, opening up opportunities for highly skilled Emiratis, and drawing in international expertise to support this innovative and strategic initiative.”
The firms added they aim to co-develop mid-size submarines. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
21 Feb 24. Satair, an Airbus Services company and world leader in the commercial aerospace aftermarket, and Telair, the leading supplier of aerospace cargo loading solutions have signed a multi-year agreement, extending their global exclusive distribution rights for commercial wide- and narrow-body aircraft and military applications. This distribution agreement strengthens Satair’s contribution towards efficient cargo transportation with the support of Telair’s experience and capabilities.
Under the new agreement, Satair continues to distribute Telair’s full portfolio of products with applications on a variety of aircraft platforms, including the Airbus A350, A330, A320/321 Family, A330MRTT, A321PCF and Boeing B747-400F/-8F Main Deck Freighters as well as B777 CRAF, with even more to come. This extended strategic partnership ensures the best in-service support for all of Telair’s cargo solution operators and reinforces Satair’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to its global customer base through an extensive distribution network and regional parts availability to meet its customers’ needs.
Thomas Lagaillarde, Head of Product Management, Satair, remarked: “We are pleased to continue our partnership and strengthen the longstanding relationship between Satair and Telair, ensuring that our product portfolio continues to grow. With this distribution offering, and through our close collaboration with Telair, we are committed to ensuring smooth operations for our customers.”
Ralf Schoenzler, Telair President, commented: “As we renew our collaboration between Telair and Satair, we underscore our flexibility and growth. This extended distribution agreement underlines our mutual drive to evolve with market demands, ensuring seamless cargo transportation solutions backed by Telair’s unwavering support and expertise”
19 Feb 24. General Atomics, a defense and diversified technologies company with affiliates operating on five continents, is expanding its collaborations and partnerships across Japan with new investments in the nuclear energy and rare earth elements sectors. Numerous teaming arrangements are in the late stages of discussion and are set to be announced in early 2024. These partnerships will complement the company’s existing relationships as a long-term partner collaborating with Japanese industry and government agencies.
“General Atomics is committed to collaborating with its Japanese partners to advance the development of cutting-edge technologies in the maritime security, nuclear energy, and rare earth elements sectors,” said Dr. Vivek Lall, chief executive at General Atomics Global Corporation. “Building on a legacy of successful collaborations, we have held a series of strategic engagements with government officials, industry leaders, and research institutions in Japan. These engagements have laid the foundation for future partnerships aimed at advancing the development of critical and emerging technologies.”
In 2023, Japan’s Kyoto Fusioneering announced an agreement with GA to supply two advanced gyrotrons to the U.S. Department of Energy’s DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, Calif.
Currently, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) are testing and deploying the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). SeaGuardian is a long-endurance maritime surveillance aircraft that can be used for a variety of missions, including search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
GA-ASI’s MQ-9B aircraft is revolutionizing the global RPA systems market by providing true all-weather capability and full compliance with STANAG-4671 (NATO UAS airworthiness standard). This feature, along with GA-ASI’s operationally proven collision avoidance radar, enables flexible operations in civil airspace.
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Feb 24. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced Uma Amuluru as the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer and executive vice president, Human Resources, effective April 1. Amuluru succeeds Michael D’Ambrose who announced his plans to retire this July. In her new role, Amuluru will be responsible for Boeing’s talent planning, global talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. She will report to Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun and serve on the company’s Executive Council.
21 Feb 24. Impulse Space, a leader of in-space transportation services, has recently welcomed General John W. “Jay” Raymond to its board of directors, bringing decades of experience in government space operations to the Impulse team. The announcement comes amid a period of strong momentum for Impulse in the government sector, having recently been selected in January for two Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) contracts via the 2023 SpaceWERX Tactically Responsive Space Challenge. Gen. Raymond served as the first Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force from 2019 to 2022 and was responsible for leading its establishment. During his tenure, Gen. Raymond oversaw the standup of all new Space Force organizations, transfer of personnel from other military branches, consolidation of space units from other services, setting of the services culture, and designing of its force structure. He has built extensive global partnerships with our allies and coalition partners, and with the intelligence community, the commercial space sector, and civilian space agencies. As a board member, General Raymond will support and advise the Impulse team in its work with government partners and customers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)