LOCATIONS
LAND
09 Apr 24. Fogmaker International AB, one of the leading global suppliers of fire suppression systems for machines and vehicles, announced the launch of Fogmaker Brazil LTDA. This will be Fogmaker’s first subsidiary in South America and marks a significant milestone in strengthening the company’s presence on this continent. The focus will be to meet the evolving needs of customers in the region, delivering advanced, environmentally friendly, and comprehensive fire suppression solutions. Fogmaker works in eight different segments and the Brazilian branch will initially focus on Busses, Forestry, Agriculture, Material Handling, and Mining. Sustainability is important to Fogmaker International AB and the company’s new suppressant Eco 1 is 100% PFAS Free and GreenScreenTM certified at the silver level. The system can be customized to meet the different needs of various sectors, a flexibility that makes it perfect for the diverse market of Brazil. Fogmaker Brazil LTDA combines Swedish quality with knowledge of the area and will drive further growth on the South American continent. The company is already looking for more distributors to be able to keep a high service level to the vast country and continent.
08 Apr 24. Axient LLC (Axient) has opened its first international office and has established a wholly owned subsidiary in the Netherlands, Axient Systems B.V. (Axient Systems). Over the last two years, Axient has established working relationships with several Netherlands-based technical organizations. These partnerships include a previously-announced collaboration with FSO Instruments and their partners VDL Groep, Demcon and TNO – the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research to support satellite laser communications development (Axient and FSO) and an agreement with TNO to support NATO Air and Missile defense analysis (Axient TNO Partnership). To further expand these relationships, build upon joint capabilities, and be closer to more customer missions, Axient has established Axient Systems with an office in Delft, Netherlands. This office, located at Poortweg 4A, 2612 PA Delft, places Axient Systems near those partners and in a new market for Axient in the aerospace community. At this new location, Axient System’s solutions and service offerings will focus on three main business areas: Space Systems Engineering, Critical Asset Security, and Modeling, Simulation and Analysis. These areas directly leverage Axient’s core capabilities, and with the new location and existing partnerships, Axient will further develop those capabilities and utilize their experience to collaborate and offer more expertise to serve civil, defense, and commercial customers in the Netherlands and in the United States. (Source: PR Newswire)
MARITIME
11 Apr 24. Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Stirling Castle was formally dedicated during a high-profile ceremony. His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh today joined the Dedication Service of a new Naval ship which will help safeguard UK waters from underwater threats. Resplendent in her unique blue and white livery, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Stirling Castle was formally dedicated during a high-profile ceremony. The ship marks a move away from traditional minehunting, embracing cutting-edge technology as she acts as a ‘mother ship’ for an array of remotely-operated and autonomous systems which will scour home waters looking for mines. With Stirling Castle due to begin operations later this year, a break from training offered the ideal opportunity to welcome the new ship into the RFA family in the presence of the Service’s Commodore-in-Chief, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. It’s the second high-profile Royal visit to the Royal Navy in Scotland in 24 hours; yesterday, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal paid her first visit to new Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer under construction in Rosyth. Prince Edward joined Robert Aldridge, the Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, Commodore David Eagles, the Head of the RFA, and civic leaders from Stirling among others.
“Bringing a ship into service is a demanding endeavour which relies on a diverse, multi-skilled team, strong leadership, and unflinching determination,” said Commodore Eagles.
“RFA Stirling Castle is no different and I pay tribute to the men and women in the UK – military and civilian – who have contributed to this project and made today possible.
“In particular, I would wish to reflect the efforts of all our partners across the Royal Navy and Defence Equipment and Support, along with our industrial partners and of course the ship’s company.”
Procured and delivered by Defence Equipment & Support in less than a year, for the past few months RFA Stirling Castle has been on the Clyde working with the experts from the Royal Navy’s Mine Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) at HM Naval Base Clyde.
The Group’s Zulu Squadron are at the forefront of advancing new minehunting technologies, helping the Royal Navy to keep pace with the evolving threat from naval mines.
Some of the new, high-tech, equipment includes Autonomous Surface Vessels and Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) capable of being operated remotely using a portable command centre.
And that is where RFA Stirling Castle comes in. Not only can the portable command centre be located onboard the new vessel, but it can also be used to store, prepare, and deploy boats and UUVs on mine warfare and hydrographic survey tasks.
RFA Stirling Castle is helping to extend the reach and effectiveness of Royal Navy mine hunting operations and to make it safer for those sailors whose job it is to locate and destroy mines.
Her Commanding Officer Captain Duncan Vernoum RFA, hailed his ship as “a highly-capable vessel with a highly-trained and motivated ship’s company. In concert with embarked Royal Navy Mission Teams and specialist personnel, the ship is at the forefront of the Royal Navy’s future minehunting capability.
“The Service of Dedication, held in the presence of His Royal The Duke of Edinburgh, Commodore in Chief of the RFA, is an opportunity for Stirling Castle to showcase her abilities, and the hard work that has been put in by the ship’s company both on and off-watch to get her to this stage.
“There is more work to be done to achieve full operational capability and this will take place in the next few months.”
His ship began life as oil rig support vessel MV Island Crown but was snapped up by the Navy last year and underwent extensive conversion at HM Naval Base Devonport to transform her into the first RFA vessel dedicated to supporting mine hunting.
The ship is operated by 27 RFA officers and crew, augmented by 15 Royal Navy minehunting specialists on operations – with room onboard for up to 100 more personnel depending on the mission.
There are plans to acquire up to three additional ships to perform the role of mine countermeasures command and support from the mid-2020s.
RFA Stirling Castle – Facts and Figures
o Displacement: 6,000-tonnes.
o Length: 96.8 metres (as long as Big Ben is tall).
o Beam: 20 metres (as wide as a cricket pitch).
o Complement: RFA crew of 27 with the capacity for up to 100 personnel.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
05 Apr 24. New submarine Duguay-Trouin joins French active service. The second in a series of advanced submarines is set to modernise the French Navy’s fleet. In a ceremony presided over by Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy, the nuclear attack submarine (SNA) Duguay-Trouin was officially commissioned into active service on Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Duguay-Trouin becomes the second in a series of six Suffren-class submarines intended to replace the entire fleet of Rubis-class submarines by 2030. The French government ordered six new Suffren-class SSN vessels from Naval Group for a total cost of €10.4bn ($12.4bn), or €1.3bn ($1.6bn) per submarine, according to GlobalData’s intelligence on the French defence market.
The submarine’s journey to active duty began with sea trials initiated in March 2023, culminating in its formal admission following the Verification of Military Characteristics (VCM) phases. These trials enabled crews to test the vessel’s performance, endurance, and equipment compliance with specified standards. Notably, the Duguay-Trouin navigated through cold and warm waters, including a stopover in Fort-de-France in March 2024, a first for a Suffren-class submarine.
With its induction into operational service, the Duguay-Trouin, akin to its predecessor Suffren, will undertake missions akin to the Rubis-class submarines but with enhanced capabilities. These include the ability to strike land targets with Naval Cruise Missiles (MdCN) and deploy special forces through swimmer lockout chambers and a hangar deck.
In collaboration with the French Navy, the Naval Group secured a multi-m-euro contract spanning over three years to conduct operational maintenance on the Rubis and Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines. Meanwhile, the French Navy announced last year the return of its Ruby-class SSN, Perle, to the operational cycle after undergoing maintenance and repairs following a fire incident in June 2020.
The Submarine Force, comprising 3200 sailors, is equipped with ten nuclear submarines, including six SSNs and four SSBNs, which ensure national security and stability.
Since 1972, at least one SSBN has remained at sea, ensuring continuous deterrence capability across the world’s oceans. Meanwhile, SSNs like the Duguay-Trouin are versatile assets, combining combat with reach. Their versatility enables roles from supporting nuclear deterrence to protecting naval task forces and conducting strikes and special operations.
Within the last year, France’s commitment to maritime defence modernisation has been evident, with the recent commencement of the construction of France’s first third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SNLE 3G) at Cherbourg shipyard. This initiative, expected to remain in service until 2080-90, will replace the ageing Le Triomphant-class submarines. In parallel, Naval Group, in collaboration with TechnicAtome and the CEA, celebrates the rollout of the third Suffren-class nuclear attack submarine, Tourville. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
09 Apr 24. USMC delays 1st deployment of new heavy-lift helicopter to 2026. The Marine Corps plans to deploy its powerful new heavy-lift helicopter for the first time in 2026 — the year after it previously had anticipated. The CH-53K King Stallion will get deployed from the East Coast sometime in 2026 with a Marine expeditionary unit, said Col. Kate Fleeger, the helicopter’s program manager, on Tuesday at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
At the same conference in 2023, Fleeger said the Corps planned to deploy the King Stallion with a Marine expeditionary unit in 2025.
But the Marine Corps has adjusted how many heavy-lift helicopter squadrons it anticipates having on the East Coast, Fleeger said Tuesday.
The Corps’ previous plan had been to deactivate Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, keeping Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, but now the plan is for both North Carolina-based squadrons to remain in the fleet, according to the colonel.
Before sending the helicopters abroad with a Marine expeditionary unit — a crisis-response force that travels aboard three amphibious ships — the Corps wants to make sure it would have enough spare components and repair capability left in the United States, according to Fleeger.
“What we don’t want to do is we don’t want to send aircraft forward and then have a deficit at home,” Fleeger said.
The Marine Corps has tweaked its deployment timeline for the King Stallion before: Back in 2022, the service said it planned to deploy the helicopter in 2024.
The sea services tout the King Stallion as the most powerful helicopter in the U.S. military.
A replacement for the aging CH-53E Super Stallion, the King Stallion can haul armored vehicles or other heavy equipment over long stretches of land and sea. The service predicts the King Stallion would be especially useful in providing logistics support to Marines who are spread out on and near shore in the Indo-Pacific.
Sikorsky, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary that manufactures the helicopter, has delivered 14 King Stallions to the Marine Corps and has 79 total on contract, including 12 for Israel, according to Andrea Ulery, program manager for the aircraft at the company.
The King Stallion won’t reach full operational capability until 2029, according to Fleeger, but the helicopter already has shown off its power in domestic missions.
In September 2021, Marines used a King Stallion to recover a Navy MH-60S Seahawk that had experienced a hard landing in California’s White Mountains. It was déjà vu all over again in October 2023, when Marines once again used a King Stallion to recover a downed Navy Seahawk from California mountains. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Marine Times)
09 Apr 24. USMC clears MV-22s after safety review. The MV-22 Ospreys, which are in development for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, has been cleared for flight operations after a safety evaluation.
After scrutiny and training, the US Marine Corps greenlights the return of MV-22 Ospreys, prioritising safety and mission readiness.
The MV-22 Ospreys, which are in development for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, has been cleared for flight operations after a safety evaluation. This decision, made by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), comes after a period of grounding that began on December 6, 2023, following an Air Force CV-22 mishap.
While the tragedy of the CV-22 incident loomed large, the Marine Corps remained steadfast in its commitment to aircrew safety and readiness. Lieutenant General Bradford J. Gering, Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation, emphasised the Marine Corps’ focus on protecting its personnel.
“The Marine Corps has confidence in the Osprey, and we are laser-focused on the safety and mission readiness of our pilots and aircrew. We are flying the Osprey again because our airworthiness authority cleared it for flight because we trust our well-established operational risk management procedures, and most of all because we trust our professional pilots, aircrew and maintainers to safely get this combat-proven aircraft back into the fight.”
Lieutenant Colonel Jason Laird, commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, highlighted the persistence of aircrew training despite the grounding.
“During the four-month grounding period, aircrew development persisted through simulator training and academic endeavours. Complex tactical simulations facilitated leadership skill development and enhanced readiness for combat missions.”
The decision to resume MV-22 operations shows confidence in NAVAIR’s analysis and the engineering assessments, driving the return to flight. Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith, emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum in operations and maintenance funding.
“To effectively balance crisis response and modernisation, we must articulate the importance of Operations and Maintenance funding of ground and aviation training, maintenance, safety, and readiness…”
With the MV-22 Ospreys back in action, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stands ready to fulfil its mission with enhanced safety measures. (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
10 Apr 24. Ms Lindy Cameron CB OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in succession to Mr Alex Ellis CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Cameron will take up her appointment during April 2024.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
09 Apr 24. Dr. Radha Plumb Assumes Role as Department of Defense Chief Digital and AI Officer. In a ceremony held today at the Pentagon, Dr. Radha Plumb was officially sworn in as the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO). Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III administered the oath of office to Plumb with family and colleagues in attendance. Plumb most recently served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
10 Apr 24. USMC MG Michael J. Borgschulte for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Quantico, Virginia. Borgschulte is currently serving as commanding general, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, San Diego, California.
10 Apr 24. USMC MG Roberta L. Shea for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, U.S. USMC Forces Command; commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic; and commander, Marine Forces North. Shea is currently serving as the legislative assistant to the commandant of the USMC, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USMC MG Paul J. Rock Jr. for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, USMC Staff, Headquarters, U.S. USMC. Rock is currently serving as the commandant, National War College, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. Space Force BG Dennis O. Bythewood for appointment to the grade of major general. Bythewood is currently serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Space Forces – Space, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
10 Apr 24. Space Force BG James E. Smith for appointment to the grade of major general. Smith is currently serving as the assistant deputy chief of space operations for Operations, Cyber and Nuclear: and deputy chief operations officer, Office of the Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Jack R. Arthaud for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Arthaud is currently serving as the deputy director, Operations, Strategic Deterrence, and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. USAFs Europe–USAFs Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Anthony D. Babcock for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Babcock is currently serving as chief, Aircraft Maintenance Division, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Catherine V. Barrington for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Barrington is currently serving as the military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Ariel G. Batungbacal for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Batungbacal is currently serving as the commander, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Cassius T. Bentley III for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Bentley is currently serving as the deputy director, Strategic Plans, Programs and Logistics, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. John A. Cluck for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Cluck is currently serving as the wing commander, 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, Missouri.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Michael D. Curry for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Curry is currently serving as the director, Secretary of the USAF; and chief of staff of the USAF Executive Action Group, Office of the Secretary of the USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Lindsay C. Droz for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Droz is currently serving as the director of staff, Headquarters USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Mason R. Dula for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Dula is currently serving as the executive officer to the commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill USAF Base, Florida.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Todd R. Dyer for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Dyer is currently serving as the division chief, Futures and Concepts Division, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Travis L. Edwards for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Edwards is currently serving as the deputy director, Operations, Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Integration, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Chad R. Ellsworth for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Ellsworth is currently serving as the deputy director, Contested Logistics, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Paul G. Filcek for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Filcek is currently serving as the director, Space Force Mission Sustainment Division, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, Headquarters U.S. Space Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Brian A. Filler for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Filler is currently serving as the director, USAF Colonel Management Office, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. John B. Gallemore for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Gallemore is currently serving as inspector general, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Timothy A. Herritage for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Herritage is currently serving as principal deputy director, USAF Public Affairs, Secretary of the USAF Office of Public Affairs, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. James V. Hewitt for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Hewitt is currently serving as the chief, Legislative Affairs, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort George Meade, Maryland.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Jay A. Johnson for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Johnson is currently serving as the chief of staff, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Matthew E. Jones for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Jones is currently serving as the division chief, Joint Operations Division Africa Command, Regional Operations Directorate, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Michele A. Lobianco for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Lobianco is currently serving as the commander, 15th Wing, Pacific USAFs, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Sean E. Lowe for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Lowe is currently serving as the commander, 603rd Air Operations Center, U.S. USAFs Europe–USAFs Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Robert P. Lyons III for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Lyons is currently serving as the senior materiel leader, F-35 Air Vehicle Program Management Office, USAF Material Command, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Mark A Massaro for appointment to the grade of brigadier general.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Kimberly A. McCue for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. McCue is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the director, Medical Operations, Office of the USAF Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Falls Church, Virginia.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Craig D. Prather for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Prather is currently serving as the chief of staff, Headquarters USAF Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Joseph L. Sheffield for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Sheffield is currently serving as the chief, House Liaison Division, Office of the Secretary of the USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Andrew J. Steffen for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Steffen is currently serving as the assistant deputy commander, 16th USAF, Air Combat Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Kristen D. Thompson for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Thompson is currently serving as military fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Brian E. Vaughn for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Vaughn is currently serving as the wing commander, 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, Alabama.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Shane S. Vesely for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Vesely is currently serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii.
10 Apr 24. USAF Col. Douglas P. Wickert for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Wickert is currently serving as the commander, 412th Test Wing, USAF Materiel Command, Edwards USAF Base, California.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
09 Apr 24. Australia announces next CDF and new-look Defence leadership. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recommended a raft of senior ADF leadership changes to the Governor-General. Vice Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral David Johnston AC, RAN, will be appointed as the new Chief of the Defence Force, replacing retiring Chief General Angus Campbell AO, DSC, the Prime Minister’s office confirmed this morning (9 April). The changes are subject to the Governor-General’s consideration and approval, with the changes expected to take effect in July. VADM Johnston joined the Australian Defence Force in 1978 and has served as the Vice Chief of the Defence Force since 2018. Under the appointments, Air Marshal Robert Chipman AO, CSC, will be appointed as Vice Chief of Defence Force, having served as Chief of the Air Force since July 2022. In his place, Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM, will be appointed Chief of the Air Force, having served as the head of military strategic commitments. The Prime Minister’s office has also confirmed that the Chief of the Defence Force and secretary of Defence, Greg Moriarty, recommended several additional appointments within the ADF to Minister for Defence Richard Marles. Under the recommendations, Major General Susan Coyle, AM, CSC, DSM, is expected to replace Lieutenant General John Frewen, AO, DSC, as Chief of Joint Capabilities. These recommendations will also see Rear Admiral Justin Jones, CSC, replace Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, AO, CSC, as the Chief of Joint Operations. RADM Jones is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations. A civilian appointment will succeed Lieutenant General Gavan Reynolds, AO, as the inaugural Chief of Defence Intelligence. (Source: Defence Connect)
09 Apr 24. Australia Space Command shake-up as new JCG chief announced. A former commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East is to become the new Chief of Joint Capabilities – effectively overseeing Space Command. Major General Susan Coyle will replace Lieutenant General John Frewen in the role following a reshuffle of senior military positions announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday. Coyle is currently the Commander of the Army’s Forces Command but previously saw operational service in Afghanistan and East Timor. Born in Kyogle, NSW in 1970, she gained a degree in science at the ADF Academy and graduated from the Royal Military College in 1992 into the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. She will now direct the head of Space Command, Major General Greg Novak, who will be delivering a presentation at Space Connect’s AusSpace24 summit in May. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
11 Apr 24. Embraer and ENAER (National Aeronautical Company of Chile) today announced two industrial and services cooperation agreements involving the A-29 Super Tucano and the C-390 Millennium defense aircraft, as well as commercial aircraft. The cooperation will expand Embraer’s network of suppliers and services in Chile and contribute to the integration of the aerospace industries in both Brazil and Chile. The cooperation is the result of an understanding between Embraer, ENAER, and the Chilean Air Force. The Chilean company will begin manufacturing components and will be a designated maintenance center for the Chilean Air Force’s fleet of 22 A-29 Super Tucano units. The agreement is linked to the expansion of the A-29 Super Tucano fleet in operation in the country. Furthermore, the cooperation aims to expand both ENAER’s role as a supplier and Embraer’s presence in Chile.
“These agreements represent the resumption of commercial ties between the two companies, which lasted many years with successful results. The new stage that begins today allows us to look very optimistically at the future to face, between both countries, the challenges of the aerospace industry in an increasingly dynamic world,” said Henry Cleveland, Executive Director of ENAER.
“This contract will promote reciprocal investments in the aerospace industry in Brazil and Chile. Our objective is to further deepen our relationship and expand both cooperation and mutual investments. This includes not only the A-29 Super Tucano but also other programs, such as the C-390 Millennium, for example,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
With this agreement, Embraer and ENAER intend to resume a successful history of cooperation, which began in the 1990s. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Chilean company was an important and recognized supplier of Structures for the ERJ-135/140/145 family of jets and winner of several awards for the best suppliers in Embraer’s global supplier chain.
10 Apr 24. Satair, an Airbus Services company, and Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, today signed a four-year renewal agreement extending Satair’s global distribution rights for Collins electric, environmental control and engine system parts. The agreement covers multiple Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer commercial and military platforms.
“Satair is pleased to further its longstanding relationship with Collins by renewing our distribution agreement with its Power and Controls division for another four years,” said Thomas Lagaillarde, head of product management for Satair. “The agreement marks Satair’s second renewal with Collins, building upon our history of collaboration across various product lines. As a world leader in the commercial aerospace aftermarket, this contract renewal will allow us to continue to provide our customers with reliable parts and services.”
“Extending this agreement enables Collins and Satair to continue to provide world-class distribution support to our global customers,” said Ryan Hudson, Vice President, Power and Controls Aftermarket for Collins. “Collins is a leading provider of electric power, air management and engine control systems for commercial and military aircraft, and this contract will ensure Satair customers have access to high-quality components from the original equipment manufacturer.”
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
09 Apr 24. European Springs, a leading player in spring manufacturing and a proud member of the Lesjöfors Group, a global powerhouse operating nearly 40 spring and pressing manufacturing companies worldwide, announced two significant management changes. Stuart McSheehy will be stepping up into the role of Sales & Business Development Director for Europe as part of the Lesjöfors Group, promising to utilise his deep industry knowledge and extensive strategic expertise to lead the region’s growth initiatives.
08 Apr 24. HENSOLDT completes management change. Oliver Dörre has taken over as Chairman of the Management Board of the HENSOLDT Group with effect from 1 April 2024. As a member of the Management Board, Dörre had worked closely with his predecessor Thomas Müller since the beginning of the year to ensure a smooth succession. The handover is the result of long-term succession planning announced in March last year. Together with Oliver Dörre, Chief Financial Officer Christian Ladurner, Chief Human Resources Officer Dr Lars Immisch and Celia Pelaz as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) will form HENSOLDT’s management body with immediate effect. As CEO, Oliver Dörre will be directly responsible for all HENSOLDT divisions, among other things, as part of a new division of responsibilities. He will also be responsible for external and customer relations and the internationalisation strategy. In her new role as COO, Celia Pelaz will be responsible for optimising HENSOLDT’s process and organisational efficiency and promoting innovation in order to expand delivery capability in terms of both quantity and quality. Before joining HENSOLDT, Oliver Dörre was CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Thales Germany. With his many years of experience in the development of innovative technologies, sales and business development, the multi-award-winning former general staff officer will contribute his extensive knowledge of the defence and security solutions of the future to the management of HENSOLDT. In the past financial year, HENSOLDT built up an order backlog of almost 6bn euros. With its strategic focus and the efficient further development of its operating business, HENSOLDT will continue to expand its leading position in the global defence and security market.
10 Apr 24. Sir Robert McAlpine has today announced the appointment of Mike Hickson OBE as Managing Director of Defence. Joining Sir Robert McAlpine from HS2 Limited, Mike will be responsible for setting and delivering the company’s Defence strategy. This forms an essential part of growing the infrastructure business unit, one of the company’s core sectors. Mike brings 30 years of military experience to his new role, including active service in Afghanistan and Iraq. As a Brigadier, he was appointed Chief Logistician at PJHQ Northwood before becoming Director of the Royal Logistic Corps. After the military, Mike joined Fluor, initially in business development for government services, before becoming Logistics Director. He then joined HS2 Limited as Programme Director for the Central Section of Phase 1, ultimately spending the last three years as Land and Property Director. In post, Mike will help develop projects that are critical to the UK’s Defence infrastructure.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
08 Apr 24. Bank of America namesRowland Phillips head of European aerospace and defence coverage. Bank of America has promoted a senior dealmaker to lead its coverage of the aerospace and defence industries in Europe in the latest senior change at the Wall Street bank. Rowland Phillips, a managing director who joined Bank of America in 2011, has been named head of aerospace and defence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to an internal memo seen by Financial News. This means a switch into the global industrials team for the dealmaker. (Source: Google)
08 Apr 24. Stoke Space announced that the company has appointed retired U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. John E. Shaw to its Board of Directors and Paul Croci as its chief financial officer. Lt. Gen. Shaw has more than 30 years of experience in national security space and aerospace engineering. He was among the first general officers to accept a commission in the U.S. Space Force. Shaw’s last active-duty assignment was as deputy commander of U.S. Space Command, where he directed more than 12,000 personnel worldwide and oversaw a $525 m budget to defend the nation’s critical space capabilities and to deliver space effects to terrestrial warfighters and human society. In this role, Shaw advocated for the U.S. Space Force to pursue advanced capabilities that enable dynamic space operations in which in-space assets can actively maneuver without constraint. (Source: PR Newswire)
11 Apr 24. Vision Products (www.visionproducts.llc) is pleased to announce the addition of Vice Admiral David Dunaway to its Advisory Board. Vice Admiral Dunaway brings a wealth of experience and expertise from his distinguished career in the United States Navy, where he served as Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command, the Operational Test and Evaluation Force, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. During his tenure in the Navy, Vice Admiral Dunaway led groundbreaking initiatives in aviation technology, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic vision. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of naval aviation and enhancing national security. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Apr 24. Voyager Space (Voyager), a global leader in space exploration, today announced the appointment of Neeraj Gupta as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer. As CSO, Neeraj will lead the development and execution of comprehensive strategic initiatives to drive innovation, market expansion, and sustainable growth. Prior to Voyager, Neeraj was the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Space Destinations at Sierra Space, where he was responsible for the overall business sector’s activities and performance, including the products and services provided. This included the co-development and operation of its commercial space station with partner Blue Origin, and multiple elements for on-orbit destinations. Sierra Space’s LIFE™ habitat (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) and the connected node module were two core products in Neeraj’s line of business. Neeraj was a key player in establishing the company in 2021 and helped secure the second-largest series A capital raise in aerospace history: $1.4 bn. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
11 Apr 24. The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) has appointed a former adviser to an ex-science minister to become its next CEO. Maria MacNamara joins the organisation after a series of state and federal cuts to space investment last year, including the axing of a $1.2-bn Earth observation program. She replaces James Brown who announced his intention to step back from the position in October. (Source: Space Connect)