LOCATIONS
LAND
26 Mar 14. BWXT Launches Innovation Campus to Speed Development of Advanced Nuclear Technologies. BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) today announced the opening of the BWXT Innovation Campus, a 170,000 square-foot facility that focuses on nuclear technology advancements for land, sea and space. The Lynchburg campus is home to BWXT’s Advanced Technologies business unit and its more than 350 team members. They will utilize its laboratories and workspaces to design, build and test advanced nuclear systems for NASA, the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, national research labs, state governments and commercial applications. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addressed employees and dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the Innovation Campus.In 2021, BWXT received local and state tax grants worth up to $2 m tied to an investment target of $65m and hiring 97 additional employees. Since signing those incentive agreements, BWXT has hired an additional 115 employees and consolidated all Advanced Technologies operations in the Lynchburg area at the Innovation Campus. Through the end of 2024, BWXT has invested $51m in the site and received $227,000 in tax incentives. The commonwealth’s grant payment is expected in the second quarter of 2026. One of the projects in development at the Innovation Campus involves deploying a demonstration mobile microreactor for the Department of Defense, under the sponsorship of the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO). Known as Project Pele, this BWXT-designed transportable microreactor will provide clean, reliable energy meeting mission-critical power demands. From concept to reality, the Advanced Technologies team designs, builds and tests new nuclear solutions–from powering electricity and thermal heat in remote locations to rocket propulsion and power during space travel. The team has been involved with NASA and the DOE’s groundbreaking Nuclear Thermal Propulsion design since 2017, focusing on fuel design and engineering, work BWXT continues to support today. In 2023, BWXT was selected, as part of a joint venture, to deliver the fuel and reactor for the DARPA DRACO program, a partnership between DARPA and NASA to develop a nuclear thermal rocket engine for an in-space demonstration. The Advanced Technologies team is also working on the BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor, or BANR, a high-temperature gas reactor that is being designed to produce 50 MWt using TRISO fuel, and small enough to be transported by rail, ship or truck. BWXT recently signed a letter of intent with Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners LLC to explore deploying up to eight BANRs at a mining site in Wyoming. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
MARITIME
25 Mar 25. Damen Naval delivers RNN’s CSS Den Helder. The CSS Den Helder is designed for global operations and is capable of replenishing naval ships with essentials. Damen Naval has delivered the Royal Netherlands Navy’s (RNN) new Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder to Command Materiel and IT organisation (COMMIT). This marks the first phase of the RNN fleet renewal programme. The CSS Den Helder is designed for global operations, capable of replenishing naval ships with essentials such as fuel, provisions, water, and ammunition. It is equipped to offer emergency assistance following natural disasters and to support counter-narcotics efforts in the Caribbean. Damen Naval maintains a strategic partnership with the Dutch Ministry, contributing to ongoing and prospective naval projects. COMMIT commander Jan Willem Hartman said: “Along with a new ship being handed over, we are also receiving all the ILS data required to ensure the ship’s continued operation. This means a significant part of the maintenance and support for the future is already being provided, ensuring the ship’s long-term readiness. As strategic partners, I have every confidence that we will continue to work together in close cooperation.” Constructed at Damen Naval’s shipyard in Gala?i, Romania, the CSS Den Helder’s procurement was first announced to the Dutch Parliament in December 2019.The building contract was formalised with Damen on 19 February 2020. The engineering is primarily conducted in the Netherlands, with numerous components sourced from Dutch suppliers. The CSS Den Helder embarked on its maiden sea trial in November 2024, setting sail from Romania to the Netherlands. It arrived at Vlissingen-Oost on 13 December 2024, where Damen Naval performed additional outfitting. On 22 February 2025, the vessel was christened by Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia. On 14 March, the CSS Den Helder departed from Vlissingen to resume sea trials, which included sea acceptance tests (SATs) and a replenishment at sea (RAS) exercise with HNLMS Johan de Witt. With the ship now in COMMIT’s hands, the Directorate of Materiel Sustainment (DMI) and the Joint IV Command (JIVC) will oversee the commissioning of its sensor, weapon, and command system. They will also manage the integration of hardware and software within the combat management system. Damen Naval project director Arjan Risseeuw adds: “After an intensive outfitting period in Vlissingen, we carried out a number of final tests during the transit of the ship to Den Helder. We have now largely addressed the points for attention from the earlier sea trials. Later in the year, the CSS Den Helder is scheduled for formal induction into the RNN. (Source: naval-technology.com)
24 Mar 25. Indian Navy’s frigate Tavasya launches. Measuring 124.8m in length and 15.2m in width, the frigate is equipped to conduct offensive and defensive tasks. The Indian Navy’s second Project 1135.6 additional follow-on frigate ‘Tavasya‘ has launched at Goa Shipyard Limited’s (GSL) facility in Goa. Tavasya measures 124.8 metres (m) in length and 15.2m in width, with a draught of 4.5m, and is designed for various combat operations including surface, sub-surface, and air engagements. The contract for constructing two Project 1135.6 follow-on frigates was finalised with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 25 January 2019. The first vessel, ‘Triput‘, was launched on 23 July 2024. Both of these ships incorporate a proportion of indigenous equipment, weapons, and sensors. The launch marks progress in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in warship construction and aligns with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in defence manufacturing. It also supports the MoD’s goal to reach Rs500bn ($5.85bn) in defence exports by 2029. Indian State Defence Minister Sanjay Seth said: “This launch is a defining moment in India’s Naval history, showcasing our technological capabilities and unwavering commitment to self-reliance. The launch of Tavasya is not just a step forward for the Indian Navy but a giant leap for India’s strategic defence ambitions.”
He also highlighted the growing resilience of India’s shipbuilding ecosystem including the successful localisation of critical components such as the BrahMos missile system, torpedo launchers, sonar, and auxiliary control systems. Capable of reaching a top speed of 28 knots and displacing more than 3,800 tonnes, the two Project 1135.6 follow-on frigates are equipped to conduct offensive and defensive tasks. The warships feature stealth capabilities, new weapons, sensors, and platform management systems. They are engineered for multi-role operations, offering naval warfare capabilities across air, surface, and sub-surface domains. In 2016, an official agreement was established between India and Russia for the procurement of four supplementary stealth frigates based on the Krivak-class design. This contract stipulates that two of these vessels will be constructed domestically at GSL with the benefit of transferred technology from Russia. Tavasya represents the final vessel in this series and is the second unit to be built at GSL under this technology-sharing arrangement, reported The Hindu. GSL has launched two weapon-intensive frigates within an eight-month span and a total of seven ships over the past year. GSL chairman and managing director Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay said: “The launch of ‘Tavasya’ is the culmination of our relentless pursuit of excellence in indigenous warship building.
“From being a mid-sized shipbuilder, GSL has evolved into a leading defence yard, now delivering some of the most complex naval platforms. This project reaffirms our capability to execute high-end warship programmes with precision, efficiency, and unmatched commitment to national security,” he added.
In December 2024, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tushil, the first of two additional upgraded Talwar class ships, at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. INS Tushil represents an upgraded Krivak III class frigate under Project 1135.6 and is the seventh vessel in the series. So far, six ships from this project are in service: three Talwar class ships built at the Baltiysky shipyard in St. Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad. (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
26 Mar 25. RAF bids a fond farewell to its Pumas as they take part in goodbye flypast. The RAF is bidding farewell to an aircraft that’s served the British Armed Forces for more than 50 years. The Puma is being retired from service at the end of March having been part of the British military since 1971. Since then, they’ve been used in a whole variety of roles, from carrying troops and logistics to the battlefield as well as casualty evacuation and humanitarian relief operations. Two days of flypasts – today and tomorrow – are taking place to mark the end of their long and illustrious career. Three Puma Mark 2 aircraft are flying from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire for a farewell flight across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The aircraft will be passing by airfields at RAF Odiham, Middle Wallop and MOD Boscombe Down. After flying over Hereford and RAF Shawbury they head towards RAF Valley and on to Aldegrove in Northern Ireland. The formation – call sign WARLOCK – then flies over Giant’s Causeway and heads across the Irish Sea and north towards the Ribble Viaduct, Catterick Garrison and RAF Leeming. From there, it’s south, overflying the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, then east to RAF Marham and RAF Honington. (Source: forces.net)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
25 Mar 25. Army LG Christopher C. LaNeve for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. LaNeve currently serves as commanding general, Eighth Army/chief of staff, Combined Forces Command, Republic of Korea.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
26 Mar 25. Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) has selected Adam Clarke as chief executive of Leidos U.K. & Europe effective from 31 March 2025. Clarke brings more than 20 years of experience across aerospace, defence and security sectors to lead Leidos’ European operations. He replaces Eric Freeman who is facilitating the transition before returning to the U.S. Prior to joining Leidos, Clarke was U.K. managing director for the helicopters division at Leonardo and held senior positions with the company for over two decades, including strategy and competitive analysis director for the electronics division. Clarke holds a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering and operations management from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Business Administration from the INSEAD Business School. (Source: PR Newswire)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
25 Mar 14. Academy Securities, the nation’s first Post-9/11 veteran owned and operated investment bank, today announced the addition of Neil Wiley to its Advisory Board and Geopolitical Intelligence Group. Neil Wiley joins Academy with a wealth of expertise in the national security and intelligence domains, following a 38-year career in government service, first as a commissioned naval officer and later a civilian intelligence professional. Most recently, he held prominent roles at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), including Principal Executive—fulfilling the responsibilities of the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence—and Chairman of the National Intelligence Council. Earlier, he occupied multiple leadership positions at the Defense Intelligence Agency, such as Director for Analysis, Principal Deputy Director for Analysis, Chief of the Defense Technology and Long-Range Analysis Office, and Chief of the Military Forces Analysis Office. Before transitioning to these civilian intelligence posts, Mr. Wiley served 20 years in the United States Navy, as a Surface Line Officer and later becoming an Intelligence Officer. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
27 Mar 25. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today named Eric Hill as vice president of Investor Relations. Hill will lead Boeing’s engagement with the investment community to provide timely, accurate and transparent information on the company’s market environment, business, performance and outlook. Hill was most recently vice president of Finance for Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers, a division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. He previously held Finance leadership roles on the 777/777X/767 programs and Everett site. These leadership appointments are effective May 5.
27 Mar 14. Corvias, a trusted infrastructure and resiliency partner to the U.S. military and higher education institutions, has named Denise Hauck President of its Department of Defense (DOD) division. In this capacity, Hauck will oversee the energy, indoor environments, and military housing solutions Corvias delivers to the DOD to support the readiness and resiliency of service members and their families. In addition to providing oversight for property operations, construction, asset management and development, Hauck will also lead efforts to create efficient, future-ready communities to improve quality of life and help residents thrive. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
26 Mar 14. Karman Space & Defense (NYSE: KRMN) (“Karman” or “the Company”), a leader in the design, testing, volume manufacturing, and sale of highly engineered, mission-critical subsystems for advanced missile, uncrewed aircraft, and space systems, today announced the appointment of Steven Gitlin as Vice President of Investor Relations, effective immediately. Gitlin reports to Karman Space & Defense’s Chief Financial Officer, Mike Willis. Gitlin is responsible for leading Karman Space & Defense’s Investor Relations function, working with investors and equity research analysts to broaden awareness and understanding of the Company’s investment thesis, financial performance and long-term strategy. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
27 Mar 14. Peraton announced the appointment of Christy Wilder as chief security officer (CSO). In this role, Wilder will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive strategies, risk management and mitigation initiatives, incident response preparedness, and enterprise safety protocols in support of Peraton’s employees and physical assets. Wilder previously served as an advisor to Peraton’s Defense Mission and Health Solutions Sector with a focus on identifying and implementing strategies to further optimize our services in securing the nation. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF WORLD APPOINTMENTS
27 Mar 25. Babcock Australasia has appointed Gary Potts – Regional Maintenance Provider West to lead the company’s surface ship sustainment efforts at Henderson in Western Australia. Former Babcock employee Gary Potts returns to the company to assume the role following the retirement of Rob Dunn, who has held the position since 2023. During his previous tenure at Babcock, Potts served as major programs director overseeing JP 9101 (high frequency communications), counter-chemical, biological, radiological nuclear and explosives asset management, ADF ground support equipment and ASC Collins Class sustainment. Potts reportedly has an extensive experience leading defence and maritime programs, including 15 years at BAE Systems in program leadership roles on Hunter Class, air warfare destroyers and landing helicopter docks, according to the company. (Source: Defence Connect)