MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
LAND
02 Oct 24. Pratt & Whitney expand engine manufacturing facility.
At 845,000 square feet, the site meets the growing demands of both US and global defence users for the F135, F117, TF33, F100 and F119 engines.
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX subsidiary, has opened its largest military engine manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, according to a company statement issued on 1 October 2024.
Boasting 845,000 square feet, the $255m investment will allow the supplier to meet the growing demands of both US and global defence users for the F135, F117, TF33, F100, and F119 engines.
The site features automation and advanced technologies that will streamline processes, improving accuracy, speed and cost-effectiveness. It also incorporates energy-efficient systems and waste reduction processes for greater sustainability.
This facility is located next to Tinker Air Force Base – the largest maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility for the Department of Defense. It is strategically positioned to meet current and future sustainment demands, supporting engines for the F-35, F-22, C-17, B-52, E-3, F-15, F-16 and more.
F135 ECU contract
Notably, this new site comes just off the back of a contract renewal, awarding Pratt & Whitney a $1.3bn deal to deliver the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU).
This upgrade provide more durability to the F-35 Lightning II engine. In addition the ECU also provides power and cooling for Block 4 and beyond capabilities for all three variants of the F-35 global enterprise.
In July, Pratt & Whitney announced it had completed the F135 ECU’s preliminary design review which signified the alignment between the company and the F-35 Joint Program Office on the upgrade’s design.
To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135 production engines, with more than 900,000 engine flight hours recorded.
Continual use of the F100
F100s are also “rolling off the production line”, the company added earlier this year when the supplier delivered another F-16 Fighting Falcon engine to Poland in July.
Just two months earlier, Pratt & Whitney were tasked with F100 engine maintenance of the Saudi Arabian F-15 fleet.
The system is used to power F-16 and F-15 fleets around the world. It has also flown more than 30 m engine flight hours, which is nearly three times as many hours as other fourth-generation fighter engines.
(Source: airforce-technology.com)
02 Oct 24. CalypsoAI, the global leader in adaptive AI security, today announced Dublin as the company’s Global Co-Headquarters and will expand its workforce in Ireland to 100 people over the coming year as it builds out a truly transatlantic enterprise. The Dublin Co-Headquarters will house the vast majority of the high-value R&D function for CalypsoAI, which has pioneered the AI Security category since the company’s founding in the U.S. in 2018. The Dublin office will be home to leading AI and cybersecurity talent and will play a key role in the growth and innovation of CalypsoAI globally.
01 Oct 24. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today that it has opened a new facility designed to enhance collaboration on current and future programs based at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG ) in Aberdeen, Maryland.
The new facility will introduce an engineering lab, specialized vehicle integration bays as well as fully equipped conference rooms to increase connectivity with Leonardo DRS program personnel and technologies.
APG is home to several commands that oversee the development, testing and delivery of capabilities used by soldiers across the battlespace. Leonardo DRS works with these commands on several critical programs including networked C4ISR systems, electro-optical/infrared targeting sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, and vehicle-based force protection systems.
“We are proud to open this facility to strengthen our customer support capabilities and highlight our commitment to current and future partnerships across the APG community,” said Leonardo DRS CEO, Bill Lynn. “We believe that program success is based on listening to and working closely with our customer. This facility will bring us closer to APG and provide an accessible and agile environment to support the development, testing and delivery of cutting-edge products for our soldiers.”
The company has a long history of proven program success at APG partnering with the Army on a range of critical programs including the development and delivery of more than one hundred thousand Mounted Family of Computer Systems – creating the backbone of the Army’s current ground combat C4I networking capability; the Active Protection System for Abrams tanks designed to protect against a range of anti-tank missile threats, and the many advanced electro-optical/infrared, electronic warfare, and radar programs that give U.S. soldiers a distinct advantage across the battlespace.
Across those programs, Leonardo DRS has worked closely with the Program Executive Office Command Control and Communications (PEO C3T); Program Executive Office, Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S); Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center, and many others throughout the APG community.
Leonardo DRS is an agile and innovative provider of advanced defense technologies. Through its two segments in Advanced Sensing and Computing; and Integrated Mission Systems, the company has an extensive installed base of products supporting U.S. national security customers and allies across the multi-domain battlespace. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Sept 24. BAE Systems Australia has announced it will establish its national head office at the Lot Fourteen innovation district in Adelaide with a new anchor tenancy. The company confirmed it is set to move into Lot Fourteen alongside more than 160 other innovation and technology-focused companies, and Commonwealth and state government- funded agencies specialising in defence, space, critical technologies, and cyber capabilities.
BAE Systems Australia will take up the anchor tenancy at the Innovation Centre with plans for around 500 employees to be located in the new building, the first new build at Lot Fourteen, which has already seen government investment of $756m.
Craig Lockhart, chief executive officer, BAE Systems Australia, welcomed the decision to establish a permanent presence in Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen, saying, “Our decision to become an anchor tenant in Lot Fourteen’s new Innovation Centre reflects our enduring commitment to a strong partnership with the South Australian government and continuing journey for economic development and sustainability.
“This will complement our existing South Australian footprint where we are delivering our major programs and gives us the ability to be co-located with our customers, academia, and industry.”
The new facility joins the company’s customer-facing office in Canberra. BAE Systems has a large footprint in the South Australian capital with key locations including the Osborne Naval Shipyard, the manufacturing hub for the Hunter Class Frigate Program, and the future site for the construction of the SSN AUKUS submarine fleet. (Source: Defence Connect)
MARITIME
03 Oct 24. Agamemnon, the latest Royal Navy Astute Class attack submarine has been launched at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Named after the ancient Greek king, Agamemnon is the sixth of seven Astute Class submarines, all of which have been designed and built at the Company’s historic Barrow shipyard – home of UK submarine building.
The nuclear-powered boat, which weighs in at 7,400 tonnes and is 97 metres long, rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall and entered the water for the first time today.
Agamemnon will now begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme, before leaving Barrow for sea trials with the Royal Navy.
Steve Timms, Managing Director, BAE Systems Submarines, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for everyone at BAE Systems, the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and the Royal Navy.
“The design and build of a nuclear-powered submarine is incredibly complex and a truly national endeavour and I pay tribute to the thousands of highly-skilled people who have helped get Agamemnon to this stage.
“Submarines are a vital component of the UK’s defence capabilities and we must now work collectively to ensure Agamemnon is ready to join her sister submarines in service with the Royal Navy.”
Agamemnon Commanding Officer, Commander David ‘Bing’ Crosby, said: “There is still plenty to do until we get to exit Agamemnon from Barrow, but the entire workforce should be full of pride for what they have achieved with this build so far.
“I am looking forward to working with our friends at BAE Systems, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise to get Agamemnon through these final tests and ready for her exit from Barrow.”
The Astute Class boats are the largest and most advanced attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy. Their state-of-the-art nuclear technology means they never need to be refuelled and, as they manufacture their own oxygen and drinking water for their 98 crew members, they are able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing.
The first five submarines in the class, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious and HMS Anson, have been handed over to the Royal Navy, with work well underway for the final Astute boat, Agincourt.
02 Oct 24. Fincantieri announced the successful delivery of the fourth Multipurpose Combat ship (PPA) “Giovanni delle Bande Nere” at its shipyard in Muggiano. This significant milestone marks a pivotal moment in Fincantieri’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the operational capabilities of the Italian Navy and reinforces the importance of the PPA project in the evolving landscape of modern naval warfare.
The “Giovanni delle Bande Nere,” delivered in its “full” configuration, is designed to fulfil a variety of roles, including:
- Patrol Missions: Equipped for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations, ensuring rapid response in emergencies.
- Civil Protection Operations: Capable of assisting in humanitarian missions and natural disasters.
- Front-Line Combat: Armed with advanced weaponry and systems for self-defence and engagement in high-threat environments.
This vessel features an overall length of 143 meters and boasts a top speed of over 31 knots, with a crew capacity of 171 personnel. It is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system, which enhances its operational efficiency and versatility. Additionally, the “Giovanni delle Bande Nere” can deploy high-speed vessels, such as Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB), through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp, further expanding its operational capabilities.
The delivery ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Vice Admiral Andrea Gueglio, Director of the Italian Navy Military Personnel Directorate, and Admiral Chief Inspector Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate – NAVARM. Their presence underscores the significance of this project to the Italian Navy and highlights Fincantieri’s role as a leader in naval innovation.
The delivery of the “Giovanni delle Bande Nere” is a critical component of the Italian Navy’s renewal plan, approved by the Government and Parliament under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement). Fincantieri is dedicated to supporting the Navy’s operational readiness through the ongoing delivery of additional PPA ships, with further units expected until 2026.
AIR
01 Oct 24. Royal Navy’s new F-35 squadron debuts at sea embarked on HMS Prince of Wales. For the first time in nearly 15 years, a Royal Navy fast jet squadron is operating from the flight deck of a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
F-35B Lightning stealth fighters from 809 Naval Air Squadron, supported by their counterpart RAF Squadron 617, The Dambusters, have joined HMS Prince of Wales in the North Sea for a month of training.
It’s a key stepping stone for the squadron and the 65,000-tonne warship as both gear up to take part in an eight-month global deployment in 2025.
The fifth-generation jets made the short flight from their base at RAF Marham to the flattop where, over the coming weeks, some personnel will learn the art of operating from an aircraft carrier, while others will regenerate skills which have faded while working away from the sea.
For Commander Nick Smith, the embarkation of the F-35Bs, supported by some 200 engineers, technicians, armourers, logistics and security experts, chefs, and meteorologists among others, is a milestone moment for the squadron, which only formed at the end of last year as the second of two UK frontline F-35B squadrons.
“This is a big moment for 809 Naval Air Squadron, a vital building block to working up with the carrier strike group in preparation for the deployment next year,” said Cdr Smith.
“To be the commanding officer of a squadron with such a proud heritage is a huge privilege. We are still in our infancy forming as an F-35B squadron, so joining a carrier for the first time is truly a milestone.”
As with the two other Lightning formations based at Marham – 617 and 207 Squadrons – it draws its personnel roughly fifty-fifty from the RAF and Fleet Air Arm.
For three in every five personnel in 809 NAS – pilots, but especially their vital supporting ground crew – this is their first time at sea.
“For me, it’s about forging one team, embracing everything from operating from the flight deck to arming and maintaining the F-35s in the hangar,” Cdr Smith added.
F-35 pilot Lieutenant Commander Armstrong said that while the Lightning was generations ahead of the Harrier which preceded it, operating it from a carrier remained a challenge.
He and his colleagues trained extensively on simulators before touching down for real on HMS Prince of Wales’ 920ft-long flight deck.
“It’s a common misconception that everything on an F-35 is automated,” he explained.
“The aircraft will relieve you of a great deal of the workload. Landing is easier, but not easy. Imagine approaching, in the dark, 105ft above the ship, then moving across to set down on the deck.”
Cdr Smith added: “The fundamentals of operating F-35B at sea, compared to land – whether you are a pilot or an engineer – are broadly the same.
“It’s just that everything is much more challenging on a ship. It’s noisier, windier and much darker at night, while space is far more confined in every sense.”
Despite having worked side by side with the Navy for four years on the F-35, the RAF’s Sergeant ‘Thorpy’ Thorpe has never been to sea before.
He’s part of a team of six experienced non-commissioned officers/senior ratings responsible for the mechanical side of Lightning maintenance and is looking forward to his time on HMS Prince of Wales as a foretaste of next year’s maiden operational deployment.
“On paper, eight months is a long time away, but if you look at the potential stops involved – places we in the Air Force wouldn’t normally visit,” he said.
“I’ve worked alongside the Navy for four years now and while there are slightly different skills and trades, at the end of the day, we’re all working to the same, high, professional standard.
“There’s some good banter – and that’s absolutely a good sign that we get on. We go out of our way to call the carrier a ‘boat’ and ask where it’s ‘parked’ to wind up sailors – who always like to remind us that they are the ‘senior service’.”
The squadron will undergo intensive training over the next couple of weeks as pilots earn their carrier qualifications and personnel integrate with the ship’s company and grow accustomed to the routine at sea.
Training moves up through the gears as HMS Prince of Wales is joined by escorts and support ships to form a carrier strike group for a fortnight-long exercise focused in the North Sea, Strike Warrior. (Source: forces.net)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
30 Sept 24. US Air Force retires KC-10 Extender fleet after 44 years of service. The US Air Force retires its final KC-10 Extender, closing a chapter in global air mobility and refuelling capabilities while ushering in a new era with the KC-46A Pegasus. The KC-10 Extender has officially been retired from the US Air Force after more than four decades of service.
In a ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, leaders and veterans celebrated the aircraft’s legacy in aerial refuelling, humanitarian missions, and combat support. The KC-46A Pegasus will become the Air Force’s primary air refuelling tanker.
In a 26 September 2024 ceremony, Travis Air Force Base bid farewell to the KC-10 Extender, marking the end of a 44-year chapter of aerial refuelling. Team Travis members, veterans, military leaders, and local dignitaries gathered to commemorate the aircraft’s service to the US Air Force and its role in global operations.
Global reach and impact
Entering service in 1981 as a derivative of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, the KC-10 enabled the US Air Force’s global power projection. Its primary mission was in-flight refuelling, but the cargo aircraft also provided airlift support for personnel and equipment during overseas deployments.
The aircraft’s service record is distinguished by its contributions to military operations, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, where it was integral to deploying forces and materiel. The KC-10 and KC-135 completed 51,700 refuelling missions during the Persian Gulf buildup, delivering 125m gallons of fuel without a missed rendezvous.
The KC-10 continued its support during Operation Allied Force in 1999 and played a role in post-9/11 operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since 2001, the Extender has flown over 350 missions under Operation Noble Eagle, guarding US airspace.
More recently, the KC-10 was an asset during Operation Allies Refuge, the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in US history. In this mission, it moved over 3,000 evacuees and provided refuelling support.
During the 2017 Talisman Saber exercise in Australia, KC-10s refuelled US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets. The KC-10 also supported airlifts for the Exercise Ultimate Reach mission, refuelling C-17s carrying over 300 coalition paratroopers. In 2019, the KC-10 conducted tactical air-refueling (TAR) missions with CV-22 Ospreys over the US.
Transition to the KC-46A Pegasus
While the retirement of the KC-10 marks the end of an era, the US Air Force is looking ahead by introducing the KC-46A Pegasus. As of September 2024, 88 KC-46s had been delivered.
The KC-46A Pegasus brings capabilities to the Air Force’s refuelling missions, including increased fuel capacity. In 2015, Northrop Grumman delivered the 150th KC-10 Extender to the US Air Force.
The KC-10’s final destination will be the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Known as “America’s Airpower Reservoir,” AMARG will provide parts reclamation and aircraft storage.
With the KC-46 poised to build on this history, the future of US air refuelling sits with the KC-46 as it continues to support American and allied operations worldwide. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
30 Sept 24. US Navy decommissions the third Ticonderoga-class in one month. The move signals a shift in naval modernisation efforts as the US Navy retires its Ticonderoga-class cruiser.
The decommissioning of the USS Antietam, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, is a component of the Navy’s strategy to retire older ships and allocate resources towards platforms with superior technology. Source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
With the decommissioning of USS Antietam, the US Navy continues its modernisation strategy, balancing legacy asset retirements with fleet upheaval.
The US Navy decommissioned the USS Antietam (CG 54) on September 27, 2024, after 37 years of service.
The USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), both Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, were decommissioned within the last month. The USS Cowpens was retired on August 28, 2024, after 33 years of service, and the USS Leyte Gulf was decommissioned on September 20, 2024, after 37 years.
The retirement of the USS Antietam, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, is part of the Navy’s efforts to phase out ageing vessels and invest in modern platforms that offer greater technology.
Impact on the naval defence industry
Despite their decades-long roles, Ticonderoga-class cruisers represent outdated technology compared to newer classes of ships like the Zumwalt-class destroyers and the forthcoming Constellation-class frigates.
The Ticonderoga-class was acquired between 1983 and 1994. GlobalData’s intelligence on the US defence market highlights that the DDG (X) programme, at least in its initial stages, calls for a plan to replace 22 Ticonderoga-class destroyers.
Defence contractors, including BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Huntington Ingalls Industries, are positioned to benefit from these transitions. The US Navy’s push to retire 11 Ticonderoga-class cruisers by 2027 translates into opportunities for modernisation projects.
Other US Naval modernisation milestones occurred last week, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division secured a $9.6bn deal to construct four new amphibious ships for the US Navy, including three San Antonio-class Flight II (LPD 17) vessels and one America-class (LHA 6) large-deck amphibious ship.
A case for supply chain evolution
In addition to shipbuilders, suppliers of materials and components—ranging from propulsion systems to combat systems—must adapt to the changing landscape. As the Navy shifts focus from heavy, armoured ships to faster, more versatile vessels, the demand for materials like composite metals, lightweight alloys, and stealth technologies is expected to rise.
This is relevant for companies like Raytheon Technologies, which provides missile and radar systems essential to the next generation of naval vessels. Raytheon’s SPY-6 radar, for example, is designed for missile detection and is being integrated into the Navy’s Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, set to replace some of the ageing Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
Balancing cost and fleet size
The Navy’s modernisation efforts are subject to controversy. Concerns exist about the pace of decommissioning and its impact on fleet readiness. Retiring so many cruisers quickly could temporarily reduce the Navy’s overall combat capability, leaving gaps in sea power, particularly in the Pacific theatre where tensions with China are rising.
However, Cmdr. Victor J. Garza, the final commanding officer of the USS Antietam, emphasised during the decommissioning ceremony, “The soul of Antietam is in her Sailors… We bring the heartless steel and iron to life. Today, we lay her to rest, but we keep the soul.” His words reflect a sentiment that while the ship may be gone, the focus is on ensuring the Navy’s future force remains.
Rear Adm. Christopher Moe (USN, Ret.), a former commander of the Antietam, spoke to the importance of this ship: “I was there June 6, 1987, when USS Antietam was commissioned in Baltimore, Maryland. The ceremony was a magnificent start to 37 years of service that will end today after thousands of young men and women crossed her quarterdeck, anxious to serve this great nation”.
The retirement of another Ticonderoga-class cruiser signifies a shift in the US Navy’s modernisation efforts. Source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
The Navy’s ongoing pursuit of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), increased reliance on digital shipbuilding, and integration of autonomous technologies into naval warfare systems all represent areas for investment.
The decommissioning of the USS Antietam is a move that emphasises the US Navy’s modernisation goals. (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
01 Oct 24. Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte takes over as NATO boss on Tuesday, charged with holding the Western military alliance together with the war in Ukraine at a critical moment and a pivotal U.S. presidential election approaching. At a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Rutte will take over as secretary general from Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, who has overseen the organisation during a turbulent decade marked above all by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO officials and diplomats expect Rutte to maintain Stoltenberg’s priorities at the 32-member alliance – rallying support for Ukraine, pushing NATO countries to spend more on defence and keeping the U.S. engaged in European security. But uncertainty hangs over both the conflict in Ukraine, which has turned into a grinding war of attrition, and future U.S. support for NATO and Kyiv, with NATO-sceptic Donald Trump in a close electoral contest with Vice President Kamala Harris. (Source: Reuters)
03 Oct 24. Mr Hugo Shorter has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran in succession to Mr Simon Shercliff CMG OBE. Mr Shorter will take up his appointment during October 2024.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
02 Oct 24. New Zealand Defence Force’s Major General Hugh McAslan has been appointed as Australia’s newest Deputy Chief of Joint Operations to expand the defence partnership of both countries. The appointment marks the highest senior appointment of an officer from a foreign military into the Australian Defence Force and follows the recent appointment of ADF Brigadier Michael Bassingthwaighte, DSM, as the Deputy Commander Headquarters Joint Force New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins welcomed the appointments during talks on the sidelines of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Auckland earlier this week. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
30 Sept 24. Northrop Grumman Corporation and Terma have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for continued cooperation on key capabilities, including the F-35 Lightning II, uncrewed aerial systems, electronic warfare, radar systems, and missile defense.
The agreement supports Northrop Grumman’s longstanding commitment to Denmark, NATO and the security of the United States and its allies.
- Northrop Grumman has previously worked alongside Danish industry, serving as a principal partner with Terma on the F-35 program with its development, production, modernization, and sustainment across the globe.
- As part of the MOU, the companies commit to engage frequently for further collaboration opportunities.
- The agreement also includes plans to help educate Danish small-to-medium enterprises seeking to join the global supply chains of U.S. defense primes.
Experts
Steve O’Bryan, corporate vice president and global business development officer, Northrop Grumman: “Our agreement with Terma will help strengthen the defense industrial base in Denmark leading to expanded access to advanced technologies and differentiated capabilities for U.S. and allied forces.”
“Our longstanding and strong relationship with Northrop Grumman continues to grow, and we are excited to further deepen this partnership across multiple areas. As Terma targets substantial growth both at home and abroad, maintaining strong ties with key industry leaders is crucial for us.” – Steen Lynenskjold, Executive Vice President, Government and Partnerships at Terma A/S.
Additional Details
The F-35 Lightning II is one of several key programs both companies support with experience in enabling the delivery of aircraft performance, availability and affordability. Northrop Grumman performs a significant share of the work required to develop and produce the F-35. Northrop Grumman produces the aircraft’s center fuselage, AN/APG-81 AESA radar, communications subsystems and provides sustainment support for the EODAS. As a key supplier in the F-35 program, Terma offers more than 80 mission-critical components for the aircraft. Learn more about Northrop Grumman’s support to the F-35 program.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
30 Sept 24. Rheinmetall and Honeywell sign memorandum of understanding to develop new technology. Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall and the U.S. industrials company Honeywell have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish strategic cooperation in various fields of technology. The two companies intend to cooperate on new visual systems and auxiliary power units for vehicles, among other things.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said: “From auxiliary power units and visual devices to building automation, the list of potential areas of cooperation for our two companies is long. We are grateful to have gained Honeywell as a strategic partner given their long history of innovation and broad technological portfolio.”
Matt Milas, President of Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Rheinmetall AG to bring our cutting-edge technology to support the missions of our allies across the world. New and existing programs will benefit from our joint development, production and sustainment efforts across an extensive list of global defense platforms.”
Together, the companies intend to develop new visual systems that leverage the existing capabilities of the Honeywell 360 Display, a driver vision system that includes a variety of thermal imaging and daylight cameras distributed around the vehicle. With the system, a pair of glasses mounted on a driver’s helmet uses augmented and mixed reality technologies to deliver advanced levels of situational awareness and provide a 360-degree view – even without direct vision through windows or periscopes. The Honeywell 360 Display would provide an immense capability boost for existing fleets of tactical vehicles, such as the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, as well as for new builds of modern weapons systems.
Honeywell and Rheinmetall also intend to collaborate on auxiliary power units that are used in tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles when they are in a position and not moving under their own power. With auxiliary power units, the operating time and operational readiness of a turret system can be significantly increased while still maintaining a low thermal and acoustic signature. Auxiliary power units are a supplement to battery storage and can also be of great interest for stationary tasks, including in the protection of critical infrastructure or properties. The planned strategic cooperation also aims to explore other areas of collaboration between the two companies, including localized maintenance and support for other Honeywell products installed on strategic platforms utilized by the Bundeswehr. By leveraging their collective resources, Rheinmetall and Honeywell intend to pursue joint approaches in the field of industrial high-energy applications, specifically in building automation (e.g. air conditioning and ventilation, lighting, access control) and overarching thermal management. The companies will explore how a compact solution consisting of a high-performance battery coupled with an auxiliary power unit and a cooling system could supply the necessary electrical primary energy, including the dissipation of heat, for future weapon systems. Rheinmetall and Honeywell are also in talks about closer cooperation with regard to capabilities in the areas of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (cUAS) and electronic warfare. As the cooperation progresses, the implementation of the individual measures will be specified in the coming weeks and months.
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
01 Oct 24. UK defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace has joined an investment firm that focuses on military technology ventures, becoming the latest Conservative ex-minister to seek a new career in the business world. Wallace, who as defence secretary from 2019 to 2023 led the UK’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said he would become a partner in the London-based investment team of Boka Group, an American-British firm. The 54-year-old said he could bring a “dose of reality” to investing, specifically his knowledge of the battlefield and the relevant technology, and an understanding of government “demand signals” around the world. (Source: FT.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
01 Oct 24. Cuashub.com said today that the SIA announced new chair of Counter-UAS Working Group. This week the Security Industry Association named Brett Feddersen, Vice President of Strategy and Government Affairs at D-Fend Solutions, as the new Chair of the SIA Counter-UAS Working Group. Established in April 2023, the SIA Counter-UAS Working Group was created in response to the Biden Administration’s Domestic Counter-UAS National Action Plan. The group focuses on supporting the work needed to further education and give authorities the power to respond and prevent from the UAS threat. Forming partnerships with external organisations, the SIA Counter-UAS Working Group brings in industry experts aligned with its objectives. It also tracks relevant legislation, educates lawmakers, and engages with them to garner support. https://cuashub.com/en/content/sia-announces-new-chair-of-counter-uas-working-group/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
27 Sept 24. Austal announces board of directors changes after Hanwha bid withdrawal. Western Australian shipbuilder Austal has announced changes to its board of directors, coinciding with the recent withdrawal of a bn-dollar bid by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha this week. Austal recently advised shareholders that sixth-year non-independent director Chris Indermaur would retire and not seek re-election at Austal’s upcoming annual general meeting. In addition, international finance executive and board member Brent Cubis has been appointed as a non-executive director (NED). Cubis has performed chief financial officer (CFO) and/or NED roles for large international and domestic companies, including ARN Media, A2B (formerly Cabcharge), and Cochlear. Cubis currently serves on the boards of ARN Media, AI Media, Silverchain and Canteen. He also was director for 20 global subsidiaries at Cochlear, where he was CFO, and served on the Global MBA Advisory Board at Macquarie University. Spencer also thanked outgoing board member Indermaur. (Source: Defence Connect)
03 Oct 24. Euro Manganese Inc. (TSX-V and ASX: EMN; OTCQB: EUMNF; Frankfurt: E06) (the “Company” or “EMN”) announce the appointment of Ms. Ludivine Wouters as a non-executive Director to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, effective October 2, 2024. As previously announced, Ms. Wouters’ official appointment follows her successful acquisition of a Director Identification Number (DIN) from the Australian Business Registry Services.