LOCATIONS
LAND
16 Jul 24. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is celebrating the completion of the Lossiemouth Development Programme (LDP) – a 6-year, £350m project to upgrade RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.. The work was required to prepare RAF Lossiemouth for the arrival of an additional squadron of Typhoons, the RAF’s new P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and a US Navy detachment. New and upgraded facilities were needed for the extra aircraft and the approx. 750 additional personnel who operate them. The programme also modernised and upgraded aspects of the station’s infrastructure such as the drainage system.
RAF Lossiemouth is the RAF’s only main operating base (MOB) in Scotland and has served as the northern base for the nation’s Quick Reaction Alert since 2014. The station’s Typhoon crews are on 24/7 alert to rapidly respond to potential threats in the northern portion of the UK’s airspace.
The programme resulted in a newly-resurfaced runway, completed in 2021, as well as work to allow Kinloss Station to be home to the station’s aircraft while the Lossiemouth runway work was completed. After the works, Kinloss airfield was permanently closed and the entire site handed back to the Army. A new facility for the station’s firefighters was completed, allowing them to respond within two minutes to an incident anywhere on the airfield. An existing hangar was also refurbished and new working space constructed for the Typhoons and personnel of IX(B) Squadron.
Recently, seven new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) blocks were handed over to accommodate the increase in personnel. Significant drainage and electrical upgrades took place across much of the site, including installation of a number of Electric Vehicle Charging Points. Finally, an accommodation block and a large enclosed wash facility for their own P8-A Poseidon aircraft were completed for the US Navy.
The LDP facilities were delivered through the MOD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). DIO contracted TetraTech to act as technical support provider to the programme, delivering project management and technical advice. Contractors varied depending on the project, with Balfour Beatty undertaking the works at Kinloss airfield, VolkerFitzpatrick performing the Lossiemouth Operating Surface project, Henry Brothers the US facilities and Crash, Fire and Rescue Building, Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure the drainage upgrade, FES the electrical system upgrades and Robertson Construction North the SLA blocks. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
MARITIME
16 Jul 24. Italy launches its seventh and final PPA multi-purpose vessel.
Domenico Millelire, the seventh and final Italian PPA ship, was transferred to water for the first time.
Italy’s final vessel in the new class of Offshore Multi-Purpose Patrol Vessels (PPA) was launched in Genoa on 13 July 2024.
Designated Domenico Millelire (P436), the seventh and final PPA ship was transferred to water for the first time.
The ceremony followed the age-old christening tradition that saw the ship’s ‘Godmother’, Gianfranca Millelire, a direct descendant of the the ship’s namesake, an eighteenth-century Italian patriot and Royal Sardinian Navy Officer, breaking a bottle of champagne off of the vessel as a gesture of good luck.
Their primary missions include patrolling, surface combat, anti-piracy, monitoring, protection and control of maritime zones and rescue of personnel in distress.
PPAs programme
A programme overseen by Europe’s stalwart programme manager the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR) since 2015, and manufactured by a temporary consortium between Fincantieri and Leonardo, the PPAs will replace the Navy’s existing patrol boats, corvettes and frigates.
Some of the Italian Navy’s existing surface combatants entered service from as early as 1980s, such as its eight Maestrale-class frigates or four light Lerici-class minhunters.
PPAs come in three configurations: Light (two ships), armed with artillery; Light Plus (three), comprising ballistic missile defence; and Full capability (two) able to carry out any form of warfare from anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
P436 belongs to the ‘full’ configuration and will proceed to undergo technical activities until she is delivered to the Navy by Q3 2026.
With all of the units launched, only three PPAs have been delivered including the first of the class, Paolo Thaon di Revel (P340), in March 2022; Francesco Morosini (P431) in October 2022; and Raimondo Montecuccoli (P432) in September 2023.
PPAs attract global buyers
Within a framework of collaborative relations initiated by the Italian Ministry of Defence, Indonesia will benefit from two PPAs in a deal worth €1.18bn ($1.2bn), according to a statement from Fincantieri in March.
However, it remains unclear whether the two ships will come from the seven Italian PPAs. This is unlikely given that Fincantieri launched Italy’s sixth PPA, the Ruggiero di Lauria, from Muggiano shipyard in October 2023.
Indonesia’s interest in PPA units stems from Italy’s maritime campaign in the Far East of the Francesco Morosini, the second ship of the Italian Navy’s PPA class, which also stopped over in Indonesia in July 2023.
Fincantieri suggests that “the transaction will catalyse additional synergies in the operational, industrial, and technological fields between the two countries.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Jul 24. French Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine Tourville begins sea trials. French Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine, Tourville, began sea trials in the English Channel on 12 July.
The French Ministry of Defence announced the commencement of sea trials for the nuclear attack submarine (SNA) Tourville on 12 July 2024, following extensive works and dockside testing since transfer from the Naval Group construction hall in Cherbourg to the launching facility in July 2023.
The Barracuda programme, managed by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), aims to renew the French Navy’s fleet of nuclear attack submarines by 2030. The programme includes six submarines, with the Tourville following the Suffren and Duguay-Trouin, which were inducted into service in June 2022 and April 2024, respectively. The remaining submarines—Grasse, Rubis, and Casabianca—are at various stages of construction, with all deliveries expected by 2030, aligning with the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law.
The sea trials, which will be conducted by the Tourville‘s crew alongside engineers and technicians from the DGA, Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission’s (CEA) Military Applications Department, Naval Group, and TechnicAtome, will test the submarine’s technical and operational capabilities. Initially, trials will take place in the Channel, followed by more extensive testing in the Atlantic Ocean, scheduled to continue until the submarine’s delivery at the end of 2024.
The Barracuda-class submarines represent a significant technological advancement, featuring enhanced speed, durability, and versatility compared to their predecessors. These submarines are equipped with advanced nuclear propulsion systems, offering remarkable range and stealth capabilities. They are also capable of supporting special forces operations and conducting land strikes with naval cruise missiles over several hundred kilometres, ensuring that France remains among the few nations with cutting-edge nuclear attack submarine capabilities.
The Tourville underwent rigorous testing of its onboard systems and equipment, including the crucial start-up of its nuclear boiler room on 24 April 2024. These preliminary tests, conducted in the Cachin basin, confirmed the submarine as watertight and demonstrated the effectiveness of its propulsion capabilities.
Throughout the sea trials phase, the Tourville remains under the ownership of Naval Group and TechnicAtome, while the French Navy oversees its operational command and serves as the delegated nuclear operator. The DGA and the CEA, as project owners, are responsible for the trials until the submarine is formally handed over to the French Navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
16 Jul 24. Israel retires Barak 1-variant F-16s. Israel has retired the last of its Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon combat aircraft, named Barak-1 in national service. The last of the single-seat fighters that entered service with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in the 1980s was withdrawn from service during a ceremony at the type’s final operating unit of 115 Squadron at Ovda Air Base in the far south of the country.
“The end of the ‘Barak 1′ era as the last single-seat aircraft, which faithfully served the IAF’s squadrons for over three and a half decades, was withdrawn,” the service said on 16 July. Janes World Air Forces noted that the IAF had 81 F-16Cs at the height of the type’s service. Its retirement came eight years after the IAF retired the last of 90 earlier model F-16A/B Netz fighters in December 2016.
With the F-16A/B having been retired in favour of the Alenia M-346 Lavi in the trainer role, the F-16C is being retired as the IAF builds up its Lockheed Martin F-35A Adir force.
While the F-16A/B/C versions are now no longer fielded by the IAF, the service retains 47 of the F-16D Brakeet twin-seat operational trainer and 97 of the F-16I Sufa twin-seat combat variants. (Source: Janes)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
12 Jul 24. A crisis at Cammell Laird shipyard has been averted after an agreement was reached with the company.
Hundreds of workers were balloted for strike action after several of their colleagues were suspended.
Trouble began when members of the RMT union – who were on strike in a separate dispute – picketed the gates of Cammell Laird.
Several workers, members of both GMB and Unite, stopped to talk to the picketers and were accused by the company of joining the picket and immediately suspended.
The company has now agreed to bring the suspended workers back to work immediately with no case to answer.
Albe McGuigan, GMB Organiser, said:
“GMB members showed great spirit and determination by moving forward with an industrial action ballot in support of their suspended colleagues.
“Workers were unnecessarily suspended after RMT staged a picket at the Birkenhead shipyard.
“Now, thanks to the support of their colleagues, these workers can get back to their jobs.”
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
16 Jul 24. Immersive Program Arms DOD, Builds Acquisition Professionals’ Innovation Skills. The Defense Department is looking for the next cohort of acquisition professionals seeking to expand their careers with the tools and insights needed to harness commercial technology innovation.
Applications for the fiscal year 2025 Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program — a 12-month immersive fellowship offered in collaboration between the Defense Innovation Unit and Defense Acquisition University — are open through early August.
The two organizations launched ICAP in 2022 after recognizing the need to keep pace with commercial product cycles and adopt best practices for commercial procurement within DOD.
The program combines virtual classroom training and experiential learning covering other transaction, or OT, authorities through DAU’s Defense Acquisition Credentials program.
Those authorities provide federal contracting officers with the flexibility needed to leverage cutting edge commercial technologies offered by nontraditional defense contractors.
Participants also gain experience on leveraging DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening, or CSO, process and receive first-hand knowledge of the commercial sector.
“To meet the strategic imperative we face as a nation, the DoD needs innovation-fluent contracting officers and dual-fluency talent across the workforce,” said DIU Director Doug Beck. “The experience and skills these fellows are learning is essential to complementing the DoD’s more traditional defense acquisition pathways with disruptive tech-sector innovation with the focus, speed and scale required.”
Cohorts work alongside a DIU contracting officer and project team and commercial solutions providers on a variety of projects.
The program was designed around four key goals:
- Educate and provide top DOD contracting officers with experience on how to effectively acquire innovative commercial technologies from nontraditional defense contractors.
- Provide experience and insight into how the commercial market operates and what drives an organization to do business with the government and DOD.
- Empower change agents and arm contracting officers with the relevant tools and knowledge to craft acquisition, contracting and negotiation strategies that can effectively incorporate commercial technology and nontraditional vendors into DOD’s acquisition ecosystem.
- Furnish organizations with trained contracting officers who can also train others to be fluent in the innovation ecosystem and network with their counterparts in other service components.
“Each year the ICAP program continues to set a high bar for future cohorts and achieves — and exceeds — our goal to provide innovation-fluent contracting officers,” said DIU’s Acquisition Director Cherissa Tamayori.
“We are excited to continue to provide the environment to learn firsthand how to leverage the OT authority, how to acquire novel commercial technologies — and to have ICAP fellows be change agents in the use of flexible acquisition methods within their organizations,” she said.
DIU and DAU recognized the first cohort to complete the program last October. The current cohort of acquisition professionals is expected to complete their capstone projects in the coming months.
As this year’s ICAP reached the halfway point, participants emphasized the value of the program in enhancing their careers as acquisitions professionals and further propelling innovation within DOD.
“As an ICAP fellow, my eyes have been opened to an entirely new way of doing business that I had no idea was even authorized,” said Brittany Harris, a senior procurement analyst for the Air Force Installation Contracting Center, in an interview for Defense Acquisition Magazine.
“Alternative authorities and CSOs are the way of the future in federal acquisition,” she said.
Tianna Seaman, a contracting officer at the Naval Information Warfare Center, said participating in ICAP has provided exposure to the strategic objectives of both the department and the commercial sector and underscored the importance of keeping end results in mind throughout the acquisition process.
“DIU and their defense mission partners are breaching innovation in a manner never seen before in the DOD,” Seaman said. “For companies, the goal is not just obtaining the prototype agreement; rather, it is putting their best and brightest teams on the projects at the best competitive prices to win the prototype, successfully completing the prototype, and noncompetitively entering into another agreement for full-scale production.”
“The end state for both the companies and DOD is obtaining those production agreements to scale the technologies and provide the innovative solutions to the warfighter,” she said.
Program administrators will competitively select up to six contracting officers for the next iteration of the program set to begin in October 2024.
The opportunity is open to DOD civilians and military professionals.
For more information:
https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/immersive-commercial-acquisition-program-icap(Source: U.S. DoD)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
12 Jul 24. Army BG Joseph Lock took command this week of U.S. special operations troops in Europe, assuming leadership of a force that has played an integral role in training Ukraine’s military. On Monday, Lock replaced Maj. Gen. Steven Edwards, who is retiring after leading the Stuttgart-based Special Operations Command Europe for the past two years. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
12 Jul 24. Army LG Ronald P. Clark for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commanding general, U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Clark is currently serving as the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Stephanie R. Ahern for appointment to the grade of major general. Ahern is currently serving as director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Guillaume N. Beaurpere for appointment to the grade of major general. Beaurpere is currently serving as chief of staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Frederick L. Crist for appointment to the grade of major general. Crist is currently serving as deputy director, C-4, Combined Forces Command; director of logistics, U-4, United Nations Command; and director, J-4, U.S. Forces Korea, Republic of Korea.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Sean P. Davis for appointment to the grade of major general. Davis is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, G-4, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Patrick J. Ellis for appointment to the grade of major general. Ellis is currently serving as director, Network Cross Functional Team, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Jasper Jeffers III for appointment to the grade of major general. Jeffers is currently serving as commander, Special Operations Command Central, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Niave F. Knell for appointment to the grade of major general. Knell is currently serving as deputy commanding general (support), 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Michael B. Lalor for appointment to the grade of major general. Lalor is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Michigan.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Francisco J. Lozano for appointment to the grade of major general. Lozano is currently serving as program executive officer, Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Constantin E. Nicolet for appointment to the grade of major general. Nicolet is currently serving as director, J-2, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Kimberly A. Peeples for appointment to the grade of major general. Peeples is currently serving as commanding general, Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Philip J. Ryan for appointment to the grade of major general. Ryan is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army South, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Christopher D. Schneider for appointment to the grade of major general. Schneider is currently serving as program executive officer, Program Executive Office Soldier, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Michael J. Simmering for appointment to the grade of major general. Simmering is currently serving as commandant, U.S. Army Armor School, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Moore, Georgia.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Jason C. Slider for appointment to the grade of major general. Slider is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
12 Jul 24. Army BG James D. Turinetti IV for appointment to the grade of major general. Turinetti is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
12 Jul 24. Army BG Jeffrey A. VanAntwerp for appointment to the grade of major general. VanAntwerp is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
13 Jul 24. The crown prince of Dubai has been appointed as minister of defence for the United Arab Emirates as part of a broader cabinet shuffle, Dubai ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum posted on X.
The 41-year-old Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who has served as Dubai’s crown prince since 2008, was also named as one of the UAE’s deputy prime ministers.
Sheikh Hamdan, who goes by the nickname Fazza, is a popular member of Dubai’s ruling family and has 16.4 m followers on Instagram.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE foreign minister, was also appointed as a deputy prime minister in the reshuffle.
Other new appointments include Alia Abdulla AlMazrouei as minister of state for entrepreneurship, Sarah Al Amiri as minister of education, Abdulrahman Al Awar as acting minister of higher education and scientific research, Sheikh Mohammed’s post said.
(Source: Google/Reuters)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
12 Jul 24. Babcock and the Polish Naval Academy enter new academic partnership. Babcock and the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, Poland, have announced today that they are set to collaborate on an exciting new programme of professional internships following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement.
The MoU outlines the intent for Babcock to work in cooperation with the Polish Naval Academy to facilitate future academic collaboration, underpinning Babcock’s global commitment to skills development.
This summer, two Naval Academy students will take part in a six-week internship in Gdynia. During this time, they will work alongside Babcock employees to develop their skills and understanding of the Marine industry. They will also have the opportunity to visit Babcock’s Rosyth operations and learn more about the international business.
Ewa Kittel-Prejs, Babcock Country Director Poland, said: “The internship programme marks a significant milestone in our commitment to our wider workforce development plans in Poland and we are pleased to be working in partnership with the Naval Academy to recruit talented people to the business, ensuring we invest in tomorrow’s workforce today.
“By delivering initiatives like this with the Naval Academy in the Tri-city area of Poland, we open up career opportunities for young people to deliver the growth, skills and capability enhancements that will support our customers’ critical programmes for years to come.”
This cooperation agreement forms part of Babcock’s ongoing commitment to both current and future skills development and training across its global business, with a focus on establishing strong links with academic institutions.
Rector-Commandant, Rear Admiral Prof. Ph.D. Tomasz Szubrycht, said: “The Naval Academy employs specialists who have many years of experience in carrying out research projects and implementations from the university to the industry. Therefore, the relations between leading companies, such as Babcock, and institutions representing the industry and the university, are extremely important. “The planned internships with Babcock will allow the students to explore many innovative solutions and aid their professional development.’’The internship programme follows the successful introduction of an international apprentice exchange programme in Gdynia, as well as the upcoming commencement of our new Babcock Polska graduate scheme in September.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
10 Jul 24. AvL Technologies (AvL) owner and founder Jim Oliver announces the retirement of Guy Clerici, AvL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the appointment of Shannon Smith to Chairman of the Board. Mr. Oliver semi-retired in 2022 and appointed Guy Clerici as CEO. Mr. Clerici served as interim CEO during this transitional period and while a new Chairman of the Board was selected. (Source: Satnews)
15 Jul 24. Future Tech Enterprise, Inc., a leading technology solutions provider, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew ‘Mac’ McLauchlin as Chief Operating Officer (COO). McLauchlin brings over two decades of experience in strategic operations and leadership within the technology industry and multiple governmental agencies. As COO, McLauchlin will oversee the company’s operational processes, drive efficiency improvements, and implement innovative strategies to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Future Tech Enterprise, Inc. continues to expand its global market presence and diversify its service offerings. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Jul 24. ND Defense today announced the appointment of Imtiaz Uddin as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Uddin brings a wealth of experience to ND Defense, with a proven track record of success across aerospace, defense, and automotive portfolios. He is a seasoned leader with a clear vision to propel ND Defense towards a successful future. Uddin steps into the role following the well-deserved retirement of Ted Wright, who served as CEO for the company for the past five years.
15 Jul 24. Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading innovator of purpose-built vehicles and equipment, announced today that Angela M. Ambrose has joined the organization as vice president of government operations to lead global public policy. Ambrose brings more than two decades of combined legislative and executive branch experience to the company, most recently serving as vice president, government relations and communications for General Motors Defense. Prior, she held two private sector legislative roles, serving as the defense portfolio government relations lead within Accenture’s federal practice and as the chief congressional strategist for Northrop Grumman’s aerospace business. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)