LOCATIONS
MARITIME
10 Dec 24. Indian Navy commissions first advanced Talwar class frigate. The frigate is designed for naval warfare, featuring weaponry such as Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, and more. The Indian Navy has officially commissioned the first of the two upgraded additional follow-on Talwar class ships, INS Tushil, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. Upon commissioning, the multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate will become part of the Indian Navy’s ‘Sword Arm,’ joining the Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “Made in India content is continuously increasing in many ships including INS Tushil. The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies India’s journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship.” INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate under Project 1135.6 and the seventh vessel in this series. In October 2016, a contract was signed between Rosoboronexport, the Indian Navy, and the Government of India for the first of two additional follow-on ships. The frigate is designed for naval warfare, equipped with advanced weaponry such as Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles, and various anti-submarine systems. (Source: naval-technology.com)
11 Dec 24. Royal Navy may lean on commercial platforms as “floating bases.” This potential solution came after SD Northern River, a UK multi-purpose auxiliary vessel, deployed a mine-hunting capability in the Firth of Clyde. SD Northern River, an offshore supply vessel, facilitated the trial of a prototype autonomous patrol boat intended for mine countermeasures off the east coast of Scotland on 10 December 2024. While the trial successfully demonstrated the Apollo Maritime Mine Counter Measure used to scan the seabed for various mines, its deployment from Serco Marine System’s largest support ship also proved the utility of commercial platforms to the UK Royal Navy. Its support gave credence to the belief that the Royal Navy may decide to lean on “commercial platforms as ‘floating bases’ for certain operations,” according a press release issued by the UK’s defence procurement agency, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). In the backdrop, the UK Ministry of Defence announced sweeping cuts to its naval force towards the end of November. In one fell swoop, the Defence Secretary John Healey put an end to the life cycle of the Type 23 frigate, HMS Northumberland, and two Albion-class amphibious assault ships. Faced with a declining surface fleet, the service unveiled a new strategy for a more nimble navy at the beginning of December. As part of its conception, the service will ensure a greater forward presence with fewer ships and sailors. This model – proven over the last several years by the Navy’s Batch 2 River-class vessels – demonstrates “that five ships could do the work of 11.” Although there is a plan in place for Britain’s surface combatant fleet, the Royal Navy is also struggling with its multi-purpose support ships, which must maintain their combatants at sea in the coming years. Following cuts to the Albion-class, the service will now rely on less capable Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships until the replacement Multi-Role Strike Ship enters service in 2033 at the earliest. Until then, the RFA’s three Bay-class landing ship docks will fulfill the role of amphibious support vessels, although they are mainly civilian crewed and less capable than the outgoing HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Dec 24. USS Zumwalt completes modernisation. The Ingalls team replaced the original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes. HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has completed a significant modernisation period on the USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the US Navy’s lead Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer. The destroyer was undocked at Ingalls since its arrival at the Pascagoula shipyard in August 2023. This step advances the vessel closer to testing and reintegration into the Navy fleet. Upon arrival, the ship was placed on land to undergo technology upgrades, including the integration of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic weapon system. The Ingalls team also replaced the original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes. HII president and CEO Chris Kastner said: “In partnership with the Navy we are steadfast in our commitment to complete this complex work that adds significant hypersonic capability to Zumwalt.
“We are proud to support the incorporation of the conventional prompt strike for the Navy.”
Zumwalt-class destroyers have a propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, and stealth design, featuring warfighting technology and weaponry. The DDG 1000-class guided missile destroyers offer multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, including anti-air warfare, long range precision strike, anti-submarine warfare, and more. The first Zumwalt-class destroyer was launched in October 2013, with the Navy accepting delivery of DDG 1000 in an incomplete state. In September 2016, the ship sailed to the west coast for an 18-month post-delivery period to complete installation, integration, and shipyard testing of its combat systems. In late 2023, the US Department of Defense (DOD) allocated additional funds for the modernisation of Zumwalt-class destroyers. As per the Congressional Research Service report, ‘Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress’, it was established that the Navy would spearhead the development of a unified Hypersonic Glide Body to be used across different military branches, as issued in a directive by the DOD in June 2018. This glide body is being modified from an Army prototype warhead capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 6, known as the Alternate Re-Entry System. The Navy’s CPS programme aims to integrate this glide body with a booster to form a standardised All Up Round (AUR) that will serve both the Navy and Army. The initial test flight of the AUR in June 2022 did not succeed. Planned evaluations set for March and September 2023 were also not executed due to issues identified during preflight preparations. A successful test of the AUR was conducted by the DOD in June 2024. According to fiscal year 2025 budget proposals from the Navy, there was an expectation to have CPS operational on Zumwalt-class destroyers by the conclusion of FY2025. Nevertheless, military officials declared in November 2024 that this deployment schedule would be deferred until 2027. While there have been indications from Navy authorities regarding ambitions to attain “limited operating capability” with hypersonic weapons on Ohio-class submarines by as early as 2025, and on Virginia-class submarines by fiscal year 2028, and plans for future deployment on Burke-class destroyers, such projections are absent from current fiscal planning documents. For research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of the CPS programme in FY2025, the Navy has proposed a budget of $903.9m. This figure represents a slight increase from the FY2024 request which stood at $901.1m. It is noted that for FY2025, there has been no request for procurement funding for CPS by the Navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Dec 24. US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine Arkansas christened. The future USS Arkansas will be the 27th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth naval vessel to carry the name Arkansas. The US Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine, the future USS Arkansas (SSN 800), has been christened at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII)-Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) in Newport News, Virginia. The submarine’s sponsors are the six women of the Little Rock Nine, Dr Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Thelma Mothershed Wair. NNS president Jennifer Boykin said: “Today we celebrate the mighty submarine Arkansas, and we honour bravery and impact: the heroes and heroic moments that shape our future and make us who we are. As high school students, the Little Rock Nine exhibited courage, and showed the American people what determination and perseverance look like. Their spirit guided them then, and today SSN 800 will be instilled with this same spirit of courage, determination, and resilience.”
Arkansas will be the 27th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth naval vessel to carry the name Arkansas. The original Arkansas was a Civil War-era screw steamer. It is also the 13th vessel of the class to be delivered by NNS. In 2022, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division held a keel authentication ceremony for USS Arkansas SSN 800. In December 2019, NNS, in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat, was awarded a $22bn contract to construct nine Virginia-class submarines. The two shipyards are the only one equipped to design and construct nuclear-powered submarines for the US Navy.
Navy secretary Carlos Del Toro said: “With her advanced systems, the nation’s best and brightest crew, and her formidable presence, USS Arkansas will play a vital role in maintaining our strategic advantage, ensuring our readiness to respond to any challenge, and protecting our nation’s interests, both at home and abroad.”
The Virginia-class submarines, built with advanced features, enhance firepower, manoeuvrability, and stealth capabilities. They are designed for operations in both littoral and deep waters. It executes missions such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, irregular warfare, special operations support, intelligence, and mine warfare. Their capabilities support five of the six core elements of maritime strategy: sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
12 Dec 24. Anduril and Archer (NYSE: ACHR) announced an exclusive partnership to jointly develop a hybrid VTOL aircraft for critical defense applications targeting a potential program of record from the DOD. With Archer’s ability to rapidly develop advanced VTOL aircraft using existing commercial parts and supply chains and Anduril’s deep expertise in artificial intelligence, missionization, and systems integration, the partnership will accelerate speed to market for critical hybrid VTOL capabilities at a fraction of the cost of more traditional alternatives. Archer’s efforts on this project will be part of its new Archer Defense program. To support this initiative and for other general corporate purposes, Archer raised $430m in additional equity capital today, with participation from Stellantis, United Airlines, and new institutional investors, including Wellington Management and Abu Dhabi investment holding company 2PointZero, a subsidiary of UAE’S largest listed entity, IHC. Archer ended Q3’24 with $502m of cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet and this raise brings Archer’s total capital raised to nearly $2B to date. Following this capital raise, and together with Archer’s other announced financing arrangements, Archer believes it is now well-positioned with one of the sector’s leading balance sheets with no near-term financing needs.
“Rapid innovation and scalable production are critical for maintaining technological superiority,” said Shane Arnott, SVP of Engineering at Anduril. “Anduril and Archer share a common vision for advancing capabilities that meet urgent national security needs, and we look forward to partnering with Archer to bring advanced vertical lift aircraft to our customers.”
Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, said, “The Archer team has deep expertise in the rapid design, engineering, and production of next-generation vertical-lift aircraft. With Anduril by our side, and this new influx of capital, we will accelerate the development and deployment of advanced aerospace technologies at scale.”
Archer Defense will be led by its Head of Advanced Projects, Joseph Pantalone. Mr. Pantalone recently joined Archer and is a seasoned leader in military aviation with nearly 30 years of experience at Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky. He will draw from the continued support of Archer’s world-class Defense Advisory Board, which was formed in May of 2023 and is made up of highly decorated and distinguished retired military leaders. Moelis & Company LLC acted as exclusive placement agent to Archer on this transaction. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
11 Dec 24. Iran showcases ‘domestically developed’ airlifter. The domestically produced light transport aircraft, dubbed Simorgh, was unveiled on 11 December during the 12th International Aerospace Exhibition on Kish Island in Southern Iran. (Fars News Agency) Iran has publicly displayed for the first time a domestically developed twin-engine transport aircraft, dubbed Simorgh (Phoenix). The aircraft, which is essentially an Iranian version of the Antonov An-140 that has been fitted with a rear cargo ramp and other modifications, was shown for the first time on 11 December at the 12th International Aerospace Exhibition on Kish Island. “Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said the turboprop military transport aircraft has been designed and manufactured by the defence ministry and domestic companies,” the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)-controlled Fars News Agency said. Having been launched in May 2022 the Simorgh made its maiden flight in May 2023, according to Fars News Agency. Manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA), the Simorgh is the latest Iranian offshoot of the An-140, following the IrAn-140 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) co-developed with Ukraine, and that was first reported in 2002 and certified for service in 2012. (Source: Janes)
10 Dec 24. Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M for the Republic of Kazakhstan to become the cornerstone of the country’s tactical and strategic airlift operations. The first of two Airbus A400Ms ordered by Kazakhstan was handed over to the customer at a ceremony in Almaty, south Kazakhstan, after a ferry flight from Airbus’ A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, southern Spain, a few days earlier.
“Proven for over a decade in military and humanitarian operations worldwide, the A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivalled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “A second A400M, currently in production, will further strengthen these capabilities on its delivery in 2026.”
With the delivery of this aircraft, production number MSN139, Airbus will also provide a full range of maintenance and training support. To date, more than 130 A400Ms have been delivered to nine countries and have accumulated 200,000 flight hours, participating in missions such as the evacuation of civilian and military personnel from Afghanistan, Sudan and Niger. Combining the capabilities of both tactical and strategic aircraft, the A400M can transport heavy and outsized cargo on to short, unprepared airstrips, flying at low altitudes or dropping up to 116 paratroopers or 25 tonnes of cargo.
09 Dec 24. Nigerian Air Force acquires ex-French Alpha Jets. Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jets undergoing maintenance. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the purchase of 12 former French Air Force Alpha Jets as part of wider efforts at fleet renewal. Six of the Alpha Jets will be brought to airworthy status and used operationally while the other six will be used for spare parts. This is according to Nigerian Air Force Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who revealed the acquisition during a Nigerian Air Force Training, Operations and Safety Seminar on 4 December. The Alpha Jets are being acquired through French company SOFEMA (Société Française d’Exportation de Matériel Militaire et Aéronautique), which specialises in the acquisition and refurbishment of French military hardware. France has been replacing the Alpha Jet with the Pilatus PC-21 for training, leaving surplus aircraft available for sale. The NAF has been utilising Alpha Jets since the 1980s for pilot training and close air support missions against insurgents and militants. Out of the 24 jets initially acquired, only about eight remain in service, according to Scramble magazine. Fifteen aircraft were lost in combat or accidents over the years. Five additional Alpha Jets were acquired from the USA in 2015, of which one crashed. Abubakar said the Alpha Jets will join Leonardo M-346FA jets, Airbus C295 transports, and Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters, underscoring the NAF’s modernisation efforts. The first six of 24 M-346FA combat/trainer aircraft are expected by the end of 2024. Bell was awarded a contract for 12 AH-1Zs for Nigeria in March, while two C295s are being acquired. Next year ten AW109 Trekker helicopters are expected for the NAF.
The Chief of Air Staff thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ‘unwavering’ support to the NAF, describing the current period as a ‘Golden Era’ for the Service. He highlighted the acquisition of 12 aircraft over the past year, such as two Beechcraft King Air 360i and four Diamond DA 62 aircraft, as well as four Turkish Aerospace Industries T-129 ATAK and two Leonardo AW-109 Trekker helicopters. The third and fourth out of six T-129s arrived in Nigeria in September along with 70 mm rockets, L-UMTAS and CIRIT anti-tank missiles. The last two T-129s and one King Air are expected to be delivered before the end of 2024.
Abubakar also celebrated the winging of 28 new pilots and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators. They were recognised for completing rigorous courses, including fighter, helicopter, and UAV pilot training conducted in Nigeria, Egypt, and the United States. This year 405 airmen and 186 officers completed various foreign courses, seminars and trips, while 64 are currently continuing their training. 5 474 and 1 331 personnel have completed and are undergoing various local training courses, respectively, Abubakar said. From January to November 2024, the NAF has trained 54 pilots abroad and 43 pilots locally, while 16 UAV operators were trained locally.
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, commended the NAF’s leadership for its proactive posture and decisive action in countering threats such as insurgency, terrorism and banditry through effective utilisation of newly acquired assets and platforms. He noted the remarkable progress achieved by the NAF and other defence and security agencies in restoring stability to the Northeast and other parts of the country, attributing this success to mission-oriented training and effective operational execution, the NAF said in a statement.
“The Northeastern part of the country now enjoys relative peace and calmness owing to the selfless contributions and dedication of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. All these would not have been possible if not for the constant need to assess performance and identify shortcomings in our operational activities,” he said. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
12 Dec 24. A French union called on Wednesday for a brief strike by aerospace workers to protest against more than 1,500 job cuts. The call by the CGT union mostly concerns the space sector where Airbus and Thales are cutting jobs, but all aerospace workers in the region where jets are assembled have been invited to join Thursday’s stoppage that is due to last several hours. Europe’s top satellite makers have traditionally focused on complex spacecraft in geostationary orbit but have been hit by the arrival of cheap tiny satellites in low Earth orbit, led by the runaway growth of Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation. “The job losses announced by Airbus demonstrate the fragility of the UK’s defence and aerospace industry,” said a spokesperson for Britain’s Unite union. Airbus is also in the midst of a cost-cutting and improvement plan at its core Commercial division called “LEAD!”. (Source: Google/Reuters)
10 Dec 24. US Army secretary fires four-star general for promotion board meddling. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth has fired a four-star general over his alleged inappropriate involvement in a subordinate’s promotion board. Wormuth fired former head of Army Materiel Command Gen. Charles R. Hamilton on Tuesday. Military.com was first to report the four-star’s dismissal. “Based on the findings of a Department of the Army Inspector General investigation, the secretary of the Army has relieved Gen. Charles Hamilton of command,” Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith wrote in a statement to Army Times. “The current acting commander of Army Materiel Command, Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, will continue in this role pending the nomination of a permanent replacement to serve as the commander.” (Source: Defense News)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
13 Dec 24. President Emmanuel Macron has selected the centrist politician François Bayrou, as prime minister in a bid to stabilise the political turmoil in France that has bogged down his second term. The 73-year-old’s appointment came after a nearly two-hour-long meeting at the Élysée Palace, which was said to be tense and led Macron to reconsider other names at the last minute. (Source: FT.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
12 Dec 24. Army MG Brett G. Sylvia for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff; and senior member, U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Military Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Sylvia is currently serving as commanding general, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
11 Dec 24. Army LG Curtis A. Buzzard for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, Security Assistance Group-Ukraine; and commander, NATO Security Assistance, and Training for Ukraine, Operation Atlantic Resolve, Germany. Buzzard is currently serving as commander, Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, Operation Atlantic Resolve, Germany.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
12 Dec 24. Alva Industries (Alva), a manufacturer of frameless motors and owner and creator of FiberPrinting™ technology, today announced it has signed a $1,850,000 contract with Lockheed Martin, a global defense technology company driving innovation and advanced scientific discovery, to develop new technologies in the aviation and defense industry. The partnership will leverage Alva’s deep expertise in motors and electric propulsion to develop specialized capabilities for small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV). The technologies will improve UAV flight performance by enabling optimizing properties that the end-user can interchange for different missions, such as maximizing system efficiency for improved endurance, or noise reduction for operations where discretion is the priority.
“We are leveraging the expertise of the Norwegian advanced technology industry to enhance flight and mission readiness solutions for military and commercial customers,” said Dennis Goege, chief executive for Lockheed Martin Global Business Development and Strategy in Europe. “Strategic investments and partnerships with companies around the world allows us to pioneer advancements while driving local capability and economic growth.”
The initial project will last for twenty-four months with potential for continued collaboration on future initiatives, promoting the strong alliance between the U.S. and Norwegian defense industries.
Alva Industries is a leading manufacturer of frameless motors for mission-critical applications on land, sea, air and space. The company’s groundbreaking FiberPrinting™ manufacturing technology enables ironless and slotless motor windings with up to 60% copper fill factor, setting a new standard in precision, torque density and adaptability. It also enables rapid product development of motors of almost any shape or size.
“Partnering with Lockheed Martin underscores the potential of Alva’s expertise in electric motors and propulsion systems.” says Jørgen P. Selnes, CEO & founder of Alva. “We are proud to be a part of this groundbreaking project and look forward to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance UAV capabilities together with Lockheed Martin and the Sikorsky team.”
06 Dec 24. Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) and Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) jointly announced today a groundbreaking co-creation partnership to accelerate defense mission innovation and help the U.S. maintain superiority against its adversaries. The effort expands collaboration between two industry innovators that recognize the urgent need for agile, field-ready approaches that help the U.S., and its allies and partners, communicate and coordinate in a complex global security landscape. The partnership will initially focus on two critical components:
- Driving transformational information infrastructure modernization and secure interoperability; and
- Rapidly accelerating integrated warfighting operations with coalition partners through data-centric systems that improve collaboration and combined mission planning with U.S. allies and partners.
“America is facing the most challenging national security environment in half a century, and we need to move faster to address these challenges. Combatting our adversaries requires change—starting with activating a whole-of-nation approach that accelerates results, pushes boundaries, and disrupts long-standing barriers,” said Horacio Rozanski, chairman, CEO, and president of Booz Allen.
“We have seen the positive results of embracing this type of change already,” continued Rozanski. “By working together, Alex and I are creating new mission capabilities that leverage Palantir’s and Booz Allen’s unique technologies and expertise to close mission gaps at the speed of now. Our joint team created a prototype in only 45 days.”
As a leading defense technology provider for the U.S. Department of Defense, Booz Allen combines its deep mission expertise with advanced technology to accelerate results across the warfighting lifecycle and provide warfighters with an asymmetric advantage.
“We founded Palantir to defend Western society, and we are proud to maximally support our warfighters. To win on the battlefield, the U.S. and its allies must field their greatest assets: superior AI and hardware capability,” said Alex Karp, co-founder and CEO of Palantir. “We’re partnering with Booz Allen Hamilton to create a future where AI-infused hardware keeps our allies safe, and our enemies scared.”
Palantir enables organizations to take advantage of best-in-class Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Integration, Data Storage, Data Processing, Analytics, Visualization, Operations, Cybersecurity, and Software Deployment capabilities. The partnership builds on multiple previous strategic collaborations between the companies to support signature programs for the U.S. government and has additional potential for co-creation, IP development, and teaming across a variety of critical missions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
13 Dec 24. Jukka Holkeri, Executive Vice President, Global and member of Patria Group Management, has informed that he will be retiring as of 1 of June, 2025. Jukka Holkeri has been leading Patria’s Global Division since 2022. He joined Patria in 1988 and, over 36 years, held many significant executive positions. During these years, Jukka Holkeri has held numerous significant executive positions within the Group, including executive positions in leading business units, responsibility for Patria’s strategy process and development, and executive positions in marketing and sales.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
10 Dec 24. AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AE Industrial”), a private equity firm specializing in National Security, Aerospace, and Industrial Services, today announced the appointment of Jennifer Lowe as its Global Head of Government Relations. Lowe will lead government relations efforts and direct public policy initiatives across AE Industrial’s portfolio from the firm’s recently opened Washington, D.C. office. Lowe brings extensive experience in government affairs and the private sector to AE Industrial. Most recently, she was Managing Partner of The Link Consulting Group, a bipartisan public policy firm based in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President for National Strategy and Engagement at The Boeing Company, where she oversaw the company’s public policy initiatives and community outreach. Lowe has also held key roles on Capitol Hill including Chief of Staff to Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman and Staff Director for Alaska Senator and Senate Pro Tempore Ted Stevens. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Dec 24. Altamira Technologies, an intelligence and defense contractor, has tapped Theodore (Ted) E. Glusko as President reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Jane Chappell. Glusko comes to Altamira after a successful career at Raytheon Technologies, where he held multiple executive, management, and technical leaderships positions over a 38-year career. In his last position, as Vice President of Intelligence Production Solutions, Glusko had overall responsible for a $1.2B business within Raytheon Intelligence & Space performing full lifecycle development, mission integration, O&M, CRAD, mission engineering services, data centers installation-operations, and material handling. His primary Customers have significant overlap with Altamira’s primary Customers and included NRO, NSA, NGA, Air Force Space Command, Five Eye partners, and other A&D industry prime contractors.(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Dec 24. AttackIQ®, the leading independent vendor of breach and attack simulation (BAS) solutions and founding research partner of the MITRE Engenuity Center for Threat-Informed Defense (CTID), today announced the appointment of Brigadier General Paul Craft to the AttackIQ Advisory Board as a Senior Advisor. As the longest-serving Chief of Cyber for the U.S. Army, Paul spearheaded the development of the Army’s elite cyber force. His leadership as Commander of the Army’s Cyber and Electronic Warfare School was instrumental in recruiting, training, and mentoring the next generation of cyber warriors, including soldiers and officers. He also shaped cyber policy and resource allocation at the highest levels within the Department of the Army, serving multiple tours in the Military District of Washington as part of the CIO/G-6 office. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
06 Dec 24. Boeing’s head of government affairs and top lobbyist is leaving effective immediately, the planemaker’s CEO told employees in an email Friday. Ziad Ojakli will be replaced on an interim basis by Bill McSherry, who oversees the planemaker’s state and local government operations, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in an email. Ojakli took over as head of Boeing (BA.N) government operations in September 2021 and previously headed Ford Motor and SoftBank government affairs offices. (Source: Reuters)
11 Dec 24. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced its board of directors has elected Admiral John C. Aquilino, former commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, to the board, effective today. Aquilino served as the 26th commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, responsible for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific, from 2021 until his retirement as a four-star admiral in July 2024. His previous assignments include serving as the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command, and the Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2.
10 Dec 24. Reach Power (Reach), the leader in wireless Power-at-a-Distance, today announced the addition of U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Ret.) Jim Kirk, former commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, to its Government Advisory Board. Kirk joins an expert group including U.S. Army Major General (Ret.) Clay Hutmacher, former U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Acquisition Executive Jim Smith, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General (Ret.) David Krumm, and former Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Energy Portfolio Director, Benjamin Richardson to strengthen Reach’s capabilities and deepen its engagement with the Department of Defense. Reach develops wireless power beaming systems that enable persistent operations of electronic devices. Its wireless power transfer technology (WPT) uses radio frequency (RF) energy to power numerous, moving, and hard-to-reach devices such as unattended ground sensors (UGS), small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), ground robots and other electronic equipment. This technology reduces dependency on foreign-made batteries and the need for manual battery management. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
11 Dec 24. SightLine Applications, LLC, an Artemis company, has appointed Mark Boccella as its new Vice President of Sales, positioning the company to continue growing as a leading provider of cutting-edge video processing technologies for autonomous applications. Boccella has over 10 years of proven expertise in strategy development and sales leadership, and joins SightLine after an accomplished 20-year career at FLIR Systems, now part of Teledyne. At FLIR, he served most recently as Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, driving substantial growth across a number of industries, including Critical Infrastructure and Defense. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)