LOCATIONS
MARITIME
14 Jun 24. Hellenic Navy commissions general-support ship for special operations. The Hellenic Navy (HN) commissioned its first general-support ship for special operations, Perseas (ex- VikingVision ), during a ceremony held at Salamis Naval Base on 11 June. The ship – a former seismic vessel converted into a multi-purpose naval vessel – was donated to the HN by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. Following the training ship Kyknos (a former yacht) and the general-support ships Atlas , Heracles, and Aias (all three former platform supply vessels), this is the fifth and largest ship donation to the HN by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. The 105 m long ship has a gross tonnage of 9,811 tonnes and a deadweight tonnage of about 5,539 tonnes. It was built in Spain in 1993, but underwent a USD50 m conversion into a research ship in 2007. Perseas features numerous significant technological innovations that will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the Greek naval fleet. It carries a crew complement of around 18, and has 44 sleeping cabins providing 70 beds, which can be expanded to accommodate up to 200 individuals in fully air-conditioned cabins and areas. As a former seismographic research ship, it is equipped with numerous facilities designed to support personnel during extended operations lasting several months, enabling it to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts when required. (Source: Janes)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
14 Jun 24. Army MG David J. Francis for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; and commanding general, U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Francis is currently serving as the chief of staff, U.S. Africa Command, Germany.
14 Jun 24. Army MG Mark H. Landes for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, First U.S. Army, Rock Island, Illinois. Landes is currently serving as the special assistant to the commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Liberty, North Carolina, with duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
14 Jun 24. Army MG Matthew E. McFarlane for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. McFarlane is currently serving as the deputy commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
14 Jun 24. Army MG Paul T. Stanton for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Defense Information Systems Agency; and commander, Joint Forces Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, Fort Meade, Maryland. Stanton is currently serving as the commanding general, Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Eisenhower, Fort Eisenhower, Georgia.
14 Jun 24. Air Force Col. William J. Creeden for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Creeden is currently serving as deputy commander, Fifteenth Air Force, Air Combat Command, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
14 Jun 24. Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Philip E. Sobeck for appointment to the grade of rear admiral. Sobeck is currently serving as commander, Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
18 Jun 24. EURENCO and Thales have strengthened their collaboration and signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at ensuring the supply of energy materials and key components for both companies’ programmes. This strategic partnership agreement secures the partners’ commitment to order and supply agreed volumes of energy materials over a period of more than five years.
As part of this alliance:
- Thales will be able to place orders for powders and specialised compositions produced by EURENCO to propel guided and unguided munitions.
- EURENCO will be able to order trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexogen explosive (RDX), produced by Thales, to meet the growing needs of the high-performance explosives market.
The agreement also provides a framework for identifying mutually beneficial opportunities.
Thierry FRANCOU, CEO of EURENCO, underlines the importance of this partnership: “This alliance is a major step forward for both our companies. It testifies not only to our mutual trust, but also to our shared commitment to effectively meeting our customers’ expectations and the evolving needs of global defense in the face of new threats.”
Alexis Morel, Vice President Operations for Thales’ Land and Air Systems, commented: “This strategic agreement between Eurenco and Thales has been in preparation for several months. It will ensure that our respective supplies are secured. By leveraging the complementary nature of our energetic material production activities on a European and global basis, the agreement enables Thales to guarantee our customers the ability to contribute to their sovereignty programmes in the field of guided and unguided munitions.”
PERSONNEL
14 Jun 24. New Opportunities for Employees: Rheinmetall and Continental Sign Letter of Intent.
- Rheinmetall workforce recruitment: job opportunities for Continental employees at German locations
- Further success of Continental’s “from work to work” initiative
- Dr. Ariane Reinhart, Continental Executive Board member for Human Relations and Sustainability: “Rheinmetall is now the third company we have enlisted to provide new job opportunities for employees affected by the transformation”
- Peter Sebastian Krause, chief human resources officer of Rheinmetall AG: “We look forward to working with Continental. Not many companies in Germany are growing as strongly as Rheinmetall. In this situation, we are keen to find people interested in working for us and who we can add to our team – provided it is the right fit for both sides”
Against the backdrop of an upturn in the defense industry, Continental and Rheinmetall have signed a letter of intent to cooperate. The aim of the agreement is to partly cover Rheinmetall’s fast-growing personnel requirements in the coming years with Continental employees affected by the transformation. Rheinmetall expects sales growth of up to 40 percent in the current fiscal year alone compared to the previous year, with correspondingly high personnel requirements in the longer term.
To achieve this, Continental and Rheinmetall will begin the cooperation as soon as possible. Up to 100 employees from Continental’s Gifhorn location, for example, will find new job opportunities at Rheinmetall in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, around 55 kilometers north of Gifhorn. Events will also be organized at other German locations, where employees can find out about career opportunities at Rheinmetall.
Dr. Ariane Reinhart, Executive Board member for Human Relations and Sustainability: “The profound changes in all industries can only be tackled together. I am therefore delighted that Rheinmetall is now the third company we have enlisted as part of our ‘from work to work’ initiative to provide new job opportunities for employees affected by the transformation.” In addition to Rheinmetall, Continental has already concluded cooperation agreements with Stiebel Eltron and Siemens Mobility.
Peter Sebastian Krause, responsible for human resources on the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG: “We look forward to working with Continental, which like Rheinmetall is a long-established company, a technological driver and an industrial heavyweight. It is an excellent match. We are confident that Continental’s employees will bring outstanding qualities that can be highly valuable to us at Rheinmetall. Not many companies in Germany are growing as strongly as Rheinmetall. In this situation, we are keen to find people interested in working for us and who we can add to our team – provided it is the right fit for both sides.”
Peter Sebastian Krause: “We offer applicants excellent career opportunities in many fields. Our company and our products play an essential role in the security industry. With our products, we give security forces the means to protect free democratic values and secure peace. We are also a major player in the civilian sector, where we see great potential for our innovative developments both in automotive and in the use of hydrogen power. We welcome anyone with suitable talents who would like to work with us. We are currently working on similar cooperations that we also want to set up with other well-known industrial partners from a wide range of sectors.”
In order to be best prepared for a new job, employees will continue to have the opportunity to gain qualifications at the Continental Institute for Technology and Transformation (CITT). The CITT was founded back in 2019 and currently has 14 training locations throughout Germany. To date, more than 10,000 participants have obtained qualifications for other activities on the internal and external job markets here.
Building bridges to new employment
“We are shaping the transformation in a fair and socially responsible way and are transferring as many of our employees as possible from work into work. To do so, we are making full use of our tried-and-tested transformation toolbox and exploring new avenues – in close cooperation with social partners. This is transformation with opportunities,” said Reinhart.
One of these tools is ContiMotion, a careers company for training and employment, which Continental set up with IG BCE. Its primary goal is to offer employees attractive opportunities on both the internal and external job market.
Another tool the technology company is using successfully is its internal job market. With the support of in-house HR experts, well over 300 employees have already been placed in vacant positions at other affiliates and thus retained within the Continental Group.
Continental is also using its membership of the Allianz der Chancen (alliance of opportunities) association to build bridges to employment for employees. The Allianz der Chancen was founded in 2021 and today represents 70 companies and institutions as well as around 2.7 m employees in Germany.
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2023, Continental generated sales of €41.4bn and currently employs around 200,000 people in 56 countries and markets.
Headquartered in Düsseldorf, Rheinmetall AG is an integrated technology group. The company, which was founded in 1889, is a leading international systems supplier in the defense industry and at the same time a driver of forward-looking technological and industrial innovations in civilian markets. Focusing on sustainability is an integral part of Rheinmetall’s strategy. With around 30,000 employees at 174 locations worldwide, the company, which has been listed on the DAX40 since March 2023, generated sales of €7.2bn in 2023.
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
03 Jun 24. Sean White appointed new EDA Director for Industry, Synergies and Enabler. Sean White, a former Irish Defence Forces Brigadier General, with over 38 years of active military service, has been appointed EDA Director for Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE) as of June 2024. In his capacity as ISE Director, he will oversee the work of the ISE Directorate and its respective units: Industry Strategy and EU Policies; Critical Enablers; Single European Sky; and Operations, Training and Exercises. (Source: EDA)
18 Jun 24. Melrose announced the appointment of Chris Grigg to its Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate, with effect from 1 October 2024. Chris is currently Chair of the UK Infrastructure Bank and its nominations committee, having served in those roles since April 2021. He is also Chair of Evelyn Partners and its nominations committee, having served in those roles since February 2022, prior to which he served as a non-executive director. He was a non-executive director of BAE Systems plc for over ten years until December 2023, latterly serving as its SID. During his executive career, Chris was Chief Executive of British Land from January 2009 and left the board in December 2020. Earlier in his career, Chris was Chief Executive of Barclays Commercial Bank, and Treasurer of Barclays Bank plc. Prior to this he spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs, latterly as a Partner. He started his career at Morgan Grenfell.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
13 Jun 24. AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI”), a private equity firm specializing in national security, aerospace and industrial services, today announced that the AE Shoals Manufacturing & Technology Center (“AE Shoals”), has appointed John Ofenloch as President. Acquired in January from the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA), the AE Shoals Manufacturing & Technology Center is situated on 638 acres in Cherokee, Alabama and contains 2.27 m square feet of industrial-zoned manufacturing capacity that is operational and ready for use today. The facility will serve as a manufacturing and technology center of innovation focused on the national security, aerospace, and industrial services sectors. In addition to Ofenloch, leading development expert Mike Lanier and facility manager Nick Willis have joined as Vice President of Development and Facility Manager, respectively. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Jun 24. Airbus’ Silicon Valley-based research and innovation center, today announced the appointment of Dr. Victoria Coleman as CEO, effective July 15, 2024. Dr. Coleman will also serve as Airbus’ Head of Research & Technology for North America. Dr. Coleman brings a breadth of experience to the dual role, as well as a distinguished track record of leadership, having most recently served as the Chief Scientist of the United States Air Force. In her new role, she will report to Robin Hayes, Chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas, Inc. and the Board of Directors of Acubed. Dr. Coleman’s appointment positions Acubed to continue leading the industry in aerospace innovation and is instrumental to the center’s mission of accelerating AI and autonomy adoption to increase Airbus’ competitive advantage. Her proven track record of fostering collaboration, driving technological advancement, and navigating complex technical landscapes will be invaluable in guiding both Acubed and Airbus’ research and technology (R&T) ambitions. Her appointment underscores Airbus’ overall commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace technology. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Jun 24. BAE Systems, Inc. today announced that former U.S. Senator Kelly A. Ayotte will step down as the Chair of the Board of Directors as she embarks on an official run for Governor of New Hampshire. We extend our deepest gratitude to Kelly for her outstanding contributions and long service to the Company. Current board member retired U.S. Navy Admiral Jonathan (Jon) W. Greenert will assume the role of Chair of the Board of Directors. Jon joined the BAE Systems, Inc. Board in April 2016 and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his distinguished 40-year career as a senior military officer and government leader. His background in management, operations, and strategic planning are highly valuable as we continue to drive innovation and growth at BAE Systems. Prior to his retirement, Admiral Greenert served a combined six years as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the two most senior military positions in the Navy. As CNO, he served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He advised the President and the Secretary of Defense on a range of matters, including U.S. and global maritime security, overall naval operations and budget, and the positioning of Navy bases, ships, and aircraft. He also oversaw the development of technologies in such areas as advanced weaponry and uncrewed underwater vehicles. We wish Kelly all the best in her future endeavors and are confident that Jon’s expertise will ensure continued strong leadership for BAE Systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
18 Jun 24. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, today announced the appointment of Tod Brindlinger as Senior Vice President of Operations, effective June 10, 2024. The company also announced the completion of the second phase of an organizational restructuring that began in January to improve performance and accelerate growth by consolidating and simplifying its operations.
13 Jun 24. Reach Power (Reach), the leader in wireless Power-at-a-Distance, announced today that Jim Smith, former Acquisition Executive, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), has joined its Government Advisory Board. Smith will collaborate with Major General (Ret.) Clay Hutmacher and other government and military veterans to provide Reach with expert insights and operational guidance as the company delivers innovative power beaming solutions to the defense and intelligence community. Reach specializes in wireless power beaming systems that support persistent operations of drones, robotics, and sensors. Its wireless power transfer technology (WPT) uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to power and charge various electronic devices, from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to ground robots and hard-to-reach sensors. This technology reduces the dependency on batteries and the necessity for manual battery swaps. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)