LOCATIONS
MARITIME
12 Sept 24. Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine support facility upgraded. UK submarines will be able to go through maintenance work faster and therefore redeploy more quickly, following major upgrade works at a key naval base facility
The biggest dry dock in Devonport, known as 9 Dock, has reopened today following a major refurbishment project worth £200m completed under a contract with Babcock International Group. At an opening ceremony in Plymouth, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle MP announced that 9 Dock and Devonport are pivotal to the government’s triple-lock nuclear guarantee to deliver our next generation, Continuous-At-Sea Nuclear Deterrent.
Devonport is the biggest naval base in Western Europe and has been a vital support for the Royal Navy since 1691. Spread across a vast area of more than 650 acres, it features 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths, and five basins.
With a workforce of 7,000 Service people and civilians, Devonport also contributes to the local economy by supporting approximately 400 local businesses and generating around ten percent of Plymouth’s income. Employing more than 10% of Plymouth’s workforce it contributes 14% of Plymouth’s economy Nationally, Devonport plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s Maritime industry by creating high-quality jobs, attracting further investment and subsequently strengthening the UK’s strategic position on the global stage.
There were 1,250 people employed during upgrades to 9 Dock, through the project team and the supply chain. More than 900 people were local and commuted daily with 25 apprentices employed during the project.
The upgrades made to the dock have been undertaken to maintain and upgrade the support services, buildings, security arrangements and the equipment in the Dock, such as the installation of the Alternative Mechanical Handling package that will help reduce the maintenance durations by driving up productivity. This major refurbishment to 9 Dock allows the continuation of the upkeep of ballistic missile submarines, officially known as Deep Maintenance Period (DMP), for Vanguard Class submarines. The four Vanguard Class SSBNs form the backbone of the United Kingdom’s Continuous At Sea Nuclear Deterrent which keeps the nation safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Vanguard Class undergo cycles of planned Deep Maintenance Periods throughout their lifetime. These maintenance periods ensure they remain fitted with the latest technology and systems to fulfil their operational capabilities. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
AIR
12 Sept 24. Australia set to take delivery of additional Black Hawks, Australian special operations forces (SOF) will receive an additional four Lockheed Martin UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters by the end of 2024 bringing its total fleet size to 12, a company official told Janes at the Land Forces 2024 exhibition in Melbourne, which runs from 11 to 13 September.
The airframes will join the Australian Army’s current inventory of eight UH-60M helicopters, which are operational with 6th Aviation Regiment out of Holsworthy Barracks in New South Wales.
The Black Hawks are replacing the MRH-90 Taipans, which have been phased out of service after failing to live up to expectations, according to Australian defence sources. A fleet of 47 MRH-90s, used to facilitate the insertion and extraction of SOF teams, was grounded in June 2021, having been operated by the army and navy since 2004.
Speaking at Land Forces 2024, Rodahn Gibbon, Lockheed Martin Australia’s UH-60M programme manager, confirmed the helicopters are already flying in support of Australian Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) 1st and 2nd commando regiments, which are tasked with domestic counter-terrorism missions.
Gibbon said he expected the aircraft to be forward deployed as detachments to other operating bases across Australia, including Perth and Darwin, depending upon training and operational demands.
According to Gibbon, UH-60Ms have already flown more than 1,000 hours in Australia in basic configuration. He said the first 12 aircraft will be retrofitted with a series of SOF-specific upgrades at a later date. Gibbon would not comment on specific upgrades but said modifications are being considered by the Australian Army in collaboration with the US Army. (Source: Janes)
12 Sept 24. Rwanda Mi-35Ms spotted for the first time. The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has displayed its recently acquired Mi-35M attack helicopters for the first time. Two Mi-17 transport helicopters and two Mi-35M attack helicopters belonging to the Rwandan Air Force were seen flying over Amahoro Stadium in the capital Kigali on Sunday 11 August for the inauguration of President Paul Kagame, who was sworn in for his fourth term. They were subsequently seen on at least one other occassion.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI’s) arms transfers database, Rwanda ordered four Mi-35Ms in 2019. These were spotted at Rostvertol in 2021 and delivered in 2022. Rwanda previously acquired six Mi-17s from Russia in 2014/2015.
Compared to the earlier Mi-24, the upgraded Mi-35M is far more capable. It features several improvements over its predecessors, such as new avionics with multifunction colour displays, more powerful Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines developing 2 200 shp, fibreglass main rotor blades, main rotor head with elastomeric joints, a new swashplate and X-type tail rotor. The Mi-35M’s fuselage has shortened stub wings and fixed landing gear. The helicopter’s sighting system has a thermal imager, TV camera and laser rangefinder and designator.
According to Russian Helicopters, weapons include Ataka-V or Shturm-V ant-tank missiles and Igla-V air-to-air missiles, 80 or 122 mm rockets and a GSh-231 23-mm twin-barrel cannon. In addition to weapons, the Mi-35M can carry up to eight personnel in its cabin or cargo weighing 1 500 kg while up to 2 400 kg can be carried on an external sling.
The helicopter’s self-protection suite includes a radar warning receiver, chaff & flare dispenser, infrared jammer and engine exhaust suppressor.
The new acquisitions bring the Rwandan military’s rotary wing fleet to 24 Mi-17s, seven Mi-24s and four Mi-35s. The Rwandan government also flies a single A109 and a single AW139 helicopter as well as a G550 business jet.
Some of Rwanda’s Mi-17s have been deployed with the United Nations in South Sudan (one crashed there in March 2019).
The only other aircraft in the Rwandan Air Force’s fleet are Cessna 208 Grand Caravan fixed wing aircraft – two were acquired from the United States in 2021. These were supplied through grand aid funding, with the US government providing 14 Grand Caravan EX aircraft to several countries in Africa, including Tunisia and Djibouti. ATI Engineering in 2020 was contracted to convert the two Grand Caravans for the Rwanda Defence Force under the US military’s African Partnership Flight initiative. They were fitted with secure HF and UHF radios, Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) interior and exterior lighting, and a reconfigurable multi-mission interior featuring two ambulatory medical stretcher kits, 11 passenger seats, eight collapsible utility seats and a removable rollerball cargo floor.
Other relatively recent acquisitions by Rwanda, according to SIPRI, include three SH-1 122mm self-propelled guns from China (2018), 50 Red Arrow-9 anti-tank missiles from China in 2017/18, two RM-70 122 mm self-propelled guns from Slovakia (2019), 76 Cobra APCs from Turkey (2012-2017), and 53 Cobra 2 APCs from Turkey in 2021. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
13 Sept 24. Boeing workers going on strike after 96% vote for walkout.
- Summary
- Companies
- About 30,000 workers in Seattle and Portland areas to strike
- Boeing already wrestling with output delays, mounting debt
- Strike poses a challenge for its new CEO Kelly Ortberg
Boeing’s (BA.N), opens new tab U.S. West Coast factory workers will walk off the job after 96% voted on Thursday in favor of a strike, halting production of the planemaker’s strongest-selling jet as it wrestles with chronic output delays and mounting debt.
The workers’ first strike since 2008 will start at midnight Pacific time (0700 GMT) as Friday begins, just weeks after new CEO Kelly Ortberg was brought on in August to restore faith in the planemaker after a door panel blew off a near-new 737 MAX jet in mid-air in January.
Roughly 30,000 workers who produce Boeing’s 737 MAX and other jets in the Seattle and Portland areas voted on their first full contract in 16 years.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) members voted 96% in favor of striking and 94.6% to reject the agreement.
“This is about respect, this is about addressing the past, and this is about fighting for our future,” said Jon Holden, who headed the negotiations for IAM, Boeing’s largest union, before announcing the vote result.
“We strike at midnight,” he said, as members in the union hall cheered and chanted: “Strike! Strike! Strike!”
Boeing did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
The deal included a general wage increase of 25%, a $3,000 signing bonus and a pledge to build Boeing’s next commercial jet in the Seattle area, provided the program was launched within the four years of the contract.
Although IAM leadership recommended last Sunday that its members accept the contract, many workers had responded angrily, arguing for the originally demanded 40% pay rise and lamenting the loss of an annual bonus.
“We’re going to get back to the table as quickly as we can,” Holden told reporters, without saying how long he thought the strike would last or when talks would resume. “This is something that we take one day at a time, one week at a time.”
Workers have been protesting all week in Boeing factories in the Seattle area that assemble Boeing’s MAX, 777 and 767 jets.
Boeing shares closed up 0.9% on Thursday before the vote results were announced but are down 36% this year on concerns over safety, production and a $60 bn debt burden.
The duration of the walkout is not clear. A long strike would weigh not only on Boeing’s financials, but on airlines that depend on the planemaker’s jets and suppliers who manufacture parts and components for its aircraft.
According to a pre-vote note from TD Cowen, a 50-day strike could cost Boeing an estimated $3 bn to $3.5 bn of cash flow.
The Boeing workers’ last strike in 2008 shuttered plants for 52 days and hit revenue by an estimated $100 m per day.
S&P Global Ratings said that an extended strike could delay the planemaker’s recovery and hurt its overall rating. Both S&P and Moody’s rate Boeing one notch above junk status.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Source: Reuters)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
12 Sept 24. Senate Holds Nomination Hearing for Southcom Commander, Guard Bureau Chief. The Senate Armed Services Committee today held a hearing to consider the promotions and nominations of the next officers to lead the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Southern Command.
The committee is considering the promotion of Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus to four-star general and his appointment to chief of the National Guard Bureau and the promotion of Navy Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey to full admiral and his appointment to commander of Southcom. Nordhaus currently serves as a top officer at North American Aerospace Defense Command and Holsey serves as Southcom’s military deputy commander.
During opening remarks, each leader spoke about the challenges currently facing the country and the need for their respective branches of service to meet those challenges.
“We face persistent threats, both in the homeland and abroad, and the next chief of the National Guard Bureau must work closely with the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia — as well as with the services, the joint force, and our allies and partners — to meet these challenges,” Nordhaus told committee members.
“If confirmed,” he continued, “I will ensure the National Guard airmen and soldiers are manned, trained and equipped to meet any mission anywhere, I will work tirelessly with this committee and all the stakeholders to defend our nation.”
” to the east and west when they think of great power competition, but a look south reveals that our adversaries have established a strong presence, jeopardizing security stability across the Americas,” Holsey said during this opening statement.
“If confirmed,” Holsey went on, “I will build on our efforts and work across the whole of government our allies and partners to ensure we address security challenges expand opportunities to truly realize Southcom’s vision of a secure, free and prosperous Western Hemisphere.”
Should Nordhaus be confirmed by Congress, he would be taking over for retired Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, who relinquished his responsibility as chief of the National Guard Bureau in early August. Army. Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs has been serving as acting chief since then.
If Holsey is confirmed as Southcom’s next commander, he would succeed Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, who has led that combatant command since October 2021.
At the hearing’s conclusion, committee Chairman Sen. Jack Reed thanked both Nordhaus and Holsey for their testimony and said he hoped their appointments are approved with “diligence and speed.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Sept 24. Using data to predict and support the future Royal Navy.
Helping the Royal Navy maintain a skilled and capable workforce amid rapid technological advancements and demographic shifts.
The Royal Navy needs to maintain a skilled and capable workforce in the face of rapid technological advancements and demographic shifts so that it can draw on the right people with the right skills to meet the demands of modern warfare.
The Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) was asked to explore how available data – including open-source datasets – could be used to understand what the Navy’s workforce will look like over the next five to ten years as well as to aid reduction of staff turnover. This would allow procurement strategies and recruitment campaigns to be proactively adapted to address any emerging talent gaps in critical areas such as engineering and digital skills as well as ensure skilled and experienced personnel stay as long as possible.
Over a seven-week commission, a joint team from Butterfly Data and Cranfield University were selected to conduct research into changing demographics. The team carried out interviews with Royal Navy human resources (HR) staff and analysed Navy and open-source data including the Office for National Statistics (ONS) population and community data, ONS labour statistics, Ministry of Defence statistics and jobs and skills data from the Department for Education.
A changing world
Analysis indicated several demographic and societal shifts impacting the potential Navy workforce. The population is aging, leading to a decline in individuals meeting eligibility requirements. Conversely, educational attainment is rising, with more individuals achieving GCSEs and A-levels. However, societal values are evolving, with job seekers prioritising meaningful work and environmentally responsible employers. The transformative nature of industries, such as the rise of autonomous vehicles, necessitates a higher skill set among future employees.
Recommendations for the Royal Navy to adapt to this include focusing recruitment on the eligible population, and widening recruitment focus beyond science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to the most popular subjects.
Reducing staff turnover
A second element of the commission focusing on whether machine learning (ML) could be used on Royal Navy personnel records was undertaken solely by Butterfly Data. The aim was to use data sources including exit interviews to explore whether these could explain common causes of people leaving.
Developing representative synthetic data and a proof of concept they were able to show it was possible to identify drivers for staff attrition using artificial intelligence/ML, which would enable Royal Navy HR to see how staff could be better supported, and whether there are trends or trigger points where more effective intervention or greater support could make a difference.
This has enabled the Navy to take tangible steps towards ML use within the personnel and training area, as well as the opportunity to work with a small, non-traditional supplier who they were not familiar with.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
12 Sept 24. Tan Dhesi MP elected as Chair of the Defence Committee. The new Chair of the Defence Committee is Tan Dhesi. Following nominations and elections, Tan Dhesi has been elected Chair of the Committee for the 2024 Parliament. The secret ballot of MPs took place on Wednesday 11 September.
09 Sept 24. Mr Matt Woods has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Cameroon and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. He will succeed Mr Barry Lowen, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Woods will take up his appointment during September 2024.
09 Sept 24. Sir Alex Ellis is appointed British Ambassador to Spain and Non-Resident Ambassador to Andorra. Sir Alex Ellis arrived in Madrid today, where he takes over from Hugh Elliott in the service of His Majesty King Charles III as British Ambassador to Spain and Non-Resident Ambassador to Andorra. Alex Ellis will present his credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI in a ceremony that will take place in the coming weeks.
14 Aug 24. Mr Nick Low has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives in succession to Ms Caron Röhsler. Mr Low will take up his appointment during January 2025.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
11 Sept 24. Army LG Xavier T. Brunson for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea, Republic of Korea. Brunson is currently serving as commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
11 Sept 24. Army MG Richard E. Angle for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, Allied Special Operations Forces Command; and commander, Special Operations Command Europe, U.S. Special Operations Command, Belgium. Angle most recently served as special assistant to the director of the Army Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
11 Sept 24. Army MG Johnny K. Davis for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Davis is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Recruiting Command and Fort Knox, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
11 Sept 24. Army MG Allan M. Pepin for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, U.S. Army North, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Pepin most recently served as chief of staff, U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. Nicholas M. Homan is currently serving as commander, Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific/Information Warfare Task Force (TF-501), Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Homan has recently served as director, J-2, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. Thomas S. Wall will be assigned as deputy/reserve deputy commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Wall is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, Submarines, Maritime Command Headquarters, Northwood, United Kingdom; and commander, Submarines, NATO, Northwood, United Kingdom.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Dennis E. Collins, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as reserve deputy for Fleet Readiness and Logistics, N4R, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Collins is currently serving as commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, Williamsburg, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael L. Baker is currently serving as national geospatial director of operations; and military deputy, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Springfield, Virginia. Baker has recently served as senior defense official/defense attaché – India, New Delhi, India.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) David M. Buzzetti is currently serving as deputy Joint Staff surgeon and director, Reserve Medical Readiness Operations and Affairs, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Buzzetti has recently served as deputy chief of staff, Reserve Component, N093, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Falls Church, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Stephen D. Donald will be assigned as mobilization assistant to commander, Cyber National Mission Force, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Donald is currently serving as reserve deputy commander, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Calvin M. Foster will be assigned as deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Foster is currently serving as director, Maritime Partnership Program, Sixth Fleet; and vice commander, Sixth Fleet, Naples, Italy.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark F. Haigis will be assigned as deputy commander, Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Haigis is currently serving as deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Charles Kirol will be assigned as commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, Williamsburg, Virginia. Kirol is currently serving as deputy director, Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, N4, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Joaquin Martinez de Pinillos will be assigned as reserve director, Maritime Operations, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Martinez de Pinillos is currently serving as vice commander, Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Tuan Nguyen is currently serving as senior defense official/defense attaché-China, Beijing, China. Nguyen has recently served as a Maritime Cooperation and Competition director, U.S. Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael S. Richman will be assigned as deputy director for Hypersonics, Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C. Richman is currently serving as deputy commander for Cyber Engineering, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) John D. Saccomando will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Saccomando is currently serving as reserve deputy director of Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Eric H. Ver Hage is currently serving as deputy to the deputy assistant secretary of defense for international industry engagement, Washington, D.C. Ver Hage has recently served as special assistant to commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
10 Sept 24. Rear Adm. (lower half) Kimberly A. Walz will be assigned as reserve director, Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Walz is currently serving as deputy commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Benjamin E. Baran, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee. Baran is currently serving as commanding officer, Navy Reserve, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (N1), Virginia Beach, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Capt. David N. Barnes, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Navy Recruiting Command, Millington, Tennessee. Barnes is currently serving as deputy commander, Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Shawn G. Denihan, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. Denihan is currently serving as chief engineer, Navy Reserve, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Michael L. Freidberg, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as Reserve Support, N2/N6, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Freidberg is currently serving as regional commander, Navy Reserve Naval Information Force Reserve Headquarters, Suffolk, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Reginald H. Hendrix, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Hendrix is currently serving as deputy commander, Maritime Expeditionary Security Group Two, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
10 Sept 24.Capt. Marcus J. Lockard Jr. selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as reserve deputy director, Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Lockard is currently serving as commanding officer, Navy Reserve Pacific Fleet Command, N3N5, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Ryan K. Mahelona, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland. Mahelona is currently serving as deputy chief of staff for Warfare Readiness and Integration, Navy Reserve, Naval Information Force Reserve Headquarters, Suffolk, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Jason M. Naidyhorski, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as director, Maritime Partnership Program, Sixth Fleet; and vice commander, Sixth Fleet, Naples, Italy. Naidyhorski is currently serving as deputy commander, Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Troy S. Pugh, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy director, Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, N4, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Pugh is currently serving as commanding officer, Navy Reserve, U.S Indo-Pacific Command, J4 KIT, Camp Smith, Hawaii.
10 Sept 24. Capt. Katie F. Sheldon, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as vice commander, Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan. Sheldon is currently serving as commanding officer, Navy Reserve, U.S. Third Fleet, San Diego, California.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
06 Sept 24. Defence South Australia has welcomed Anthony Heath as Director Defence Industry – UK, effective 9 September 2024. The newly established role will bolster ties between South Australia and the United Kingdom, harnessing strategic opportunities for partnerships in both countries’ defence sectors. Heath will be responsible for supporting and maintaining close relationships with industry, industry associations and government representatives to support key defence projects. Throughout his established career, Heath has held various senior international roles across the private sector, Defence and government with a strong focus on consulting, crisis management, negotiation and operational planning. Defence SA chief executive Matt Opie said the appointment signalled closer ties between South Australia and the United Kingdom ahead of AUKUS and would promote collaboration and identify investment and trade opportunities. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
10 Sept 24. Teledyne e2v HiRel Electronics, a leading provider of high-reliability semiconductor solutions, announced a new partnership with Flip Electronics, a prominent distributor based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Under the new agreement, Flip Electronics will maintain substantial inventories of Teledyne e2v HiRel’s semiconductor wafers for military applications, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of critical components.
“Our semiconductor longevity programs provide a significant competitive advantage to our customers. Partnering with Flip Electronics allows us to offer a more resilient supply chain and respond swiftly to our customers’ needs and the evolving market conditions. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable solutions”
Flip has secured the remaining quantity of WS57C291 WSI (Waferscale Integration, Inc./STMicroelectronics) UV EPROM wafer inventory from Teledyne that are used to build multiple DLA qualified Standard Microcircuit Drawing parts such as:
5962-87650 UV EPROM
5962-88734 PROM
“Today’s announcement highlights Flip Electronics’ commitment to supporting our customers’ long-term capacity needs and maintaining their supply chain by providing, in some cases, obsolete parts. We are excited to collaborate with Teledyne e2v HiRel to ensure a consistent and robust supply of high-reliability semiconductors. This partnership will improve our ability to serve our customers and meet the rigorous requirements of military and space applications,” said Jason Murphy, CEO of Flip Electronics.
This strategic partnership strengthens the supply chain and mitigates the risks of obsolescence in high-reliability semiconductor devices ensuring both companies can continue to meet the critical demands of their military and space sector customers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Sept 24. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have entered into a teaming agreement to expand upon the companies’ business relationship through the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter. This announcement marks a significant step in enhancing India’s defence and aerospace capabilities while also deepening India-U.S. strategic ties.
This agreement provides a framework for collaboration on future potential business opportunities to include:
- Establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing fleet of 12 C-130Js as well as other global Super Hercules fleets;
- Expanding C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, subject to U.S. and Indian government approvals.
Lockheed Martin will continue to build C-130Js for the U.S. government and other global operators at the existing Super Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA. Lockheed Martin will establish additional production and assembly capacity in India if awarded the MTA contract.
“Collaborating with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposition for IAF’s MTA project is a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” said Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems. “The current announcement is also significant as it marks the entry of Tata Advanced Systems into the defence MRO space in India for large aircraft platforms. This also helps towards a deeper relationship between the two companies, adding to the aerostructure work by Tata Advanced Systems for Lockheed Martin platforms.”
“The C-130J is known as the world’s workhorse, not just for its large global presence, but also for its international supply chain partners including the single source provider of empennages — Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited in Hyderabad,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin. “This teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems further demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to a self-reliant India and the degree of confidence that exists in our relationships with our partners in India and the Indian industry at large.”
The IAF is actively seeking to acquire up to 80 medium transport aircraft and issued a request for information (RFI) last year. Lockheed Martin responded to the RFI as the C-130J-30 Super Hercules is ideally suited to meet the requirements.
Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have a long-standing partnership through the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd., (TLMAL) joint venture. Established in 2010, TLMAL exemplifies the government of India’s “Make in India” objectives and has the distinction of being the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the United States. To date, TLMAL has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages.
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
14 Aug 24. Julian Forsyth, formerly at GDELS, has been named as Managing Director at ARTEC-Boxer UK.
11 Sept 24. Nu Quantum announces the appointment of Dr. Bob Sutor, a distinguished leader in the quantum field, as a non-executive director (NED) on our board. With a remarkable 39-year career at IBM, Dr. Sutor has been at the forefront of the quantum computing revolution and brings invaluable expertise to our team. In tandem with Dr. Sutor’s appointment, Nu Quantum is expanding into the US market, marking a significant milestone in our mission to advance scalable quantum networking and commercialization.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
09 Sept 24. Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN) a leading provider of application specific optical systems and high performance micro-displays for defense, enterprise, industrial, consumer and medical products, today announced that Paul V. Walsh, Jr. has joined Kopin Corporation’s Board of Directors. Paul brings a wealth of experience as a financial leader in public and private companies in the technology manufacturing space, primarily in the semiconductor industry. An engineer by training, Paul currently serves on the Board of Semtech Corporation and most recently served as the CFO for Allegro Microsystems, a $5bn market cap company. Paul also has extensive operational and capital market experience. Prior to Allegro, Paul was Chief Financial Officer at Silicon Laboratories and had valuable experiences at other industry peers such as Teradyne and Analog Devices. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
12 Sept 24. XTI Aerospace, Inc. (NASDAQ: XTIA) today announced formation of the XTI Corporate Advisory Board and the appointment of Michael Tapp as its Chairman. Mr. Tapp is an operating partner for Palingen Capital, an evergreen holding company that acquires lower middle market businesses from legacy-minded owners. Mr. Tapp will also serve as a Senior Advisor to the Company. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
02 Sept 24. Boeing has named Wael Zaoud to the newly established position of Boeing Global managing director in Qatar. The appointment further strengthens Boeing’s commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030. In his new capacity, Zaoud will cultivate government and stakeholder relationships, expand Boeing’s market presence, and enhance the company’s competitive position in Qatar. (Source: Defense Arabia)
09 Sept 24. Lockheed Martin has appointed Air Vice-Marshal (Ret’d) Steven “Zed” Roberton DSC, AM, as the new vice-president and regional executive for Australia and New Zealand, to succeed Warren “Macca” McDonald who will retire at the end of the year. Roberton joins Lockheed Martin from McKinsey & Company, where he has been a senior advisor since 2022, following more than 30 years in the Australian Defence Force. Over his service career, Roberton held senior leadership positions including Air Commander Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force and Head of Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group. Following a handover period, Roberton will take full responsibility as chief executive Australia and New Zealand on 1 December 2024, reporting to Ray Piselli, vice-president international business, Lockheed Martin Global Business Development. (Source: Google/https://australianaviation.com.au/)