LOCATIONS
LAND
23 Jan 26. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) today announced the official opening of its new, state-of-the-art naval power and propulsion manufacturing and testing facility in the Charleston, South Carolina region. The more than 140,000-square-foot facility is a major investment to expand domestic production capacity in support of U.S. Navy submarine and shipbuilding programs, including systems for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program.
The purpose-built facility provides advanced manufacturing, final assembly, integration, and testing space dedicated to large components for Leonardo DRS’s naval electric power and propulsion systems. In addition to electric propulsion and power generation systems, the site supports naval steam turbine system design, manufacturing, and testing.
“This strategic investment is a national asset and represents our commitment to supporting the U.S. Navy’s efforts to increase production capacity across the submarine and shipbuilding industrial base,” said Jon Miller, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business unit. “This advanced multi-purpose facility enables us to increase production capacity, streamline our production processes, and rapidly respond to evolving fleet requirements.”
John Baylouny, president and CEO of Leonardo DRS, added: “The Department of War has been clear about the need to strengthen and expand the defense industrial base, and this investment answers that call. By increasing capacity and modernizing our manufacturing infrastructure, we are ensuring the U.S. military has reliable access to the critical capabilities it needs, when and where they are needed.”
As the Navy fields more power-intensive weapons, sensors, and computing systems, scalable integrated power architectures are essential to mission success. The Charleston facility positions Leonardo DRS to deliver those architectures at scale and with the schedule reliability required for next-generation surface combatants and submarines.
Leonardo DRS designs and delivers advanced power and propulsion solutions engineered for the world’s most demanding maritime and battlefield environments. Our technologies enable the U.S. Navy and allied forces to support advanced sensors, directed-energy systems, high-performance computing, and propulsion across surface ships, submarines, and ground platforms. From Columbia-class submarine power and propulsion systems to hybrid electric drive and onboard power solutions, Leonardo DRS is designing and delivering proven, reliable, and cost-effective capabilities backed by decades of operational performance.
26 Jan 26. Anduril Announces Major California Expansion with New Long Beach Campus. Anduril Industries has announced plans to establish a second major Southern California campus in Long Beach and Lakewood, expanding its footprint to support long-term growth and rising demand from the U.S. military and allied partners. Anduril’s headquarters will remain in Costa Mesa. At full capacity, the new campus will support approximately 5,500 direct on-site jobs, with thousands more indirect jobs created through construction, security, and supporting services. The Long Beach campus will span roughly 1.18 m square feet across six buildings, including 750,000 square feet of office space and 435,000 square feet of industrial space dedicated to research and development. The facility is expected to open in mid-2027.
“This investment is a major vote of confidence in Long Beach and California’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and aerospace,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “A campus of this scale only happens when a city has the workforce, infrastructure, and industrial legacy to support growth. Long Beach has long been a naval and manufacturing city, and today the next generation of companies is choosing to build and hire here again. We are proud to welcome Anduril to Space Beach—one of the fastest-growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing hubs in the country.”
Southern California remains one of the few regions in the world where advanced technology, industrial capacity, and a deep technical workforce converge at scale. Long Beach sits at the center of this ecosystem, within close proximity to Hawthorne, Torrance, and the South Bay, providing access to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of engineering and technical talent. With more than a century of defence and manufacturing history, the city played a critical role during World War II as home to the nation’s largest aircraft production facility.
Designed for close collaboration, the campus will bring software engineers, hardware engineers, flight test teams, and R&D specialists together with direct access to machine shops, testing facilities, and fabrication equipment. Located near Anduril’s Costa Mesa headquarters and Capistrano test site, the campus supports rapid design, testing, and iteration.
The Long Beach expansion builds on Anduril’s growing global industrial footprint, including Arsenal-1 in Ohio and additional production sites worldwide, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to scaling in California. (Source: UAS VISION)
MARITIME
26 Jan 26. Damen LST 100 chosen for US Navy landing ship plan. Damen Shipyards Group has confirmed that its Landing Ship Transport 100 design has been selected by the US Navy as the basis for its new Landing Ship Medium programme.
The design was chosen by Naval Sea Systems Command as the preferred platform for a class of up to 35 vessels intended to support US Marine Corps operations in contested environments, particularly across the Indo Pacific. The Medium Landing Ship programme is aimed at restoring the Navy’s ability to move troops, vehicles and equipment directly ashore in dispersed and high threat conditions. To accelerate delivery, the Navy sought a non developmental design that could be built rapidly at American shipyards.
Damen said the LST 100 met that requirement, having already been constructed and delivered into service. NAVSEA officials were able to visit an operational vessel during the assessment process. The selection follows a Request for Information issued in early 2025, with Damen later receiving a Technical Data Package award in July. That package enabled detailed evaluation of the design ahead of its formal adoption as the baseline for the future LSM class.
Under current plans, all ships will be built in the United States, with Damen providing design data and technical support to domestic yards. The company said this model builds on decades of cooperation with US industry, noting that more than 150 Damen designed vessels have already been constructed in America, including the US Coast Guard’s Sentinel and Protector class patrol ships.
The LST 100 has also been selected internationally. In 2025, Australia confirmed the design for its Landing Craft Heavy programme, with up to eight vessels planned to be built by Australian shipyards. The ship measures just over 100 metres in length and is designed to carry personnel, vehicles and cargo across multiple decks. In its standard configuration it can accommodate 282 personnel, operate helicopters from its flight deck and conduct a wide range of missions including amphibious transport, patrol, reconnaissance and humanitarian assistance.
(Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
AIR
27 Jan 26. Tunisia receives another surplus C-130 from the US. The United States government has formally delivered a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force – the fourth since 2021.
The aircraft (TS-MTP) was handed over in a ceremony at Sidi Ahmed Air Base in Bizerte on 13 January. In attendance were US Ambassador Bill Bazzi, Tunisian Minister of National Defence Khaled Sehili, Chief of Staff of the Tunisian Air Force General Mohammed Hajem, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force for International Affairs Kelli Seybolt, and Brigadier General Shawn Holtz, the Deputy Director of US Africa Command’s Strategy, Engagement, and Programmes.
“The delivery of this aircraft continues the US government’s commitment to expanding the Tunisian Air Force’s air transport capabilities and furthering the prosperity of the United States defence economic sector. The additional airlift capacity will strengthen Tunisia’s ability to conduct joint and combined exercises, airlift missions, security operations, and rapid response missions across the region,” the US Embassy said.
“This aircraft represents another step forward in the long and trusted partnership between the United States and Tunisia,” said Bazzi. “Enhancing Tunisia’s airlift capacity strengthens our shared ability to support regional stability, cooperative security efforts, and humanitarian assistance.”
The transfer was made possible through the Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme, administered by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which facilitates the transfer of excess US defence equipment to allies, partner nations, and international organisations.
The last C-130H (TS-MTO) was handed over on 18 November 2024 and valued at $12 m. The Tunisian Air Force now flies five C-130Hs, one C-130B, and two newer-generation C-130J Super Hercules that were delivered between 2013 and 2015. Ten other Hercules are in storage or preservation.
Since 2020, US Air Forces Africa has developed and executed security cooperation programmes that have delivered nearly $100 m in training and equipment to the Tunisian Air Force. US Africa Command said that since 2011, the US has invested over $1 bn in security cooperation with Tunisia, including more than $160 m in 2023. This support has enabled Tunisia to participate in UN Peacekeeping Operations, engage in humanitarian missions, and become a regional security hub. Additionally, US counterterrorism programme have bolstered Tunisia’s security forces, reducing terrorist threats and enhancing border surveillance. The United States has also contributed to significant infrastructure projects in Tunisia, including airports, dams, and water systems, Africa Command said.
In September 2024, Tunisia improved its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities by acquiring four Textron Aviation C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft from the US. These are configured for intelligence missions, with night vision capabilities and other sophisticated surveillance equipment. The $54m deal had a comprehensive support package with spare parts, flight training, technical drawings, logistics support and ground support equipment.
In July 2023, the Tunisian Air Force took delivery of the first four of eight Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers from the US. The aircraft are assigned to a squadron at Sfax air base and help strengthen security along the southern border and thwart cross-border smuggling and terrorism in addition to doing training duty. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
22 Jan 26. Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer KCB CBE has been appointed as NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), the most senior UK role in the Alliance. He will be the first RAF officer to hold the post since 1984, and only the third RAF officer in history to serve as DSACEUR. The role is always held by a UK representative, reflecting Britain’s central position in the Alliance and NATO-first approach.
He will take over from Admiral Sir Keith Blount KCB OBE in March 2026. Admiral Blount has held the position since July 2023.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
23 Jan 26. Babcock International Group PLC (Babcock or the Group), the defence company, today announces the decision of David Lockwood, Group Chief Executive, to retire by the end of this calendar year. The Board has chosen Harry Holt, the current CEO of Babcock’s Nuclear sector, as his successor. David joined Babcock as Group Chief Executive in September 2020 and during this tenure has led the business through a highly successful strategic and financial transformation, building a strong, focused and high-performance defence engineering business delivering growth, margin expansion, and cash generation, alongside a comprehensive step-change in operating performance, delivery track-record for customers, and portfolio alignment. David will leave the Group with excellent momentum and an exciting opportunity set for future growth. With a strengthened leadership team, David has driven a transformed Babcock culture, one that is committed to expertise, encouragement, and excellence.
27 Jan 26. Concurrent appoints Jon Jayal as Managing Director of Products. Concurrent, a designer and manufacturer of leading-edge computer products, systems and mission-critical solutions for high-performance markets, announces the appointment of Jon Jayal as Managing Director of Products, effective 16 March 2026.
29 Jan 26. The Supervisory Board of HENSOLDT AG has appointed Inka Tews (55) as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) with effect from 1 May 2026. She will be responsible for the global HR organisation, facility management, including corporate security, and sustainability. Tews succeeds Lars Immisch, who is leaving the company at the end of March 2026 for health reasons.
Inka Tews has over 25 years of experience in human resources management at international technology companies. Most recently, she was Senior Vice President Human Resources, heading up global HR departments with a focus on business partnering at Infineon Technologies. There, she played a key role in shaping personnel structures for global growth and transformation phases. Her career also includes several years of management experience in North America and in-depth expertise in organisational development and post-merger integration.
26 Jan 26. SatVu, the UK-based high resolution thermal intelligence company that reveals operational activity and infrastructure performance from space, today announced the appointment of Scott Herman as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Herman joins SatVu as the company scales delivery of thermal intelligence for National Security, Economic, and Environmental Monitoring missions. Herman will lead SatVu’s technology and platform strategy, overseeing the evolution of its product development and analytics platform to support persistent, 24/7 day-and-night operational use by government and allied customers. Bringing more than three decades of experience building and deploying space-based intelligence capabilities for the national security community, Herman’s career spans senior leadership roles across the commercial Earth observation sector, including CTO of BlackSky, CEO of Cognitive Space, and Chief Product Officer at Maxar.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
26 Jan 26. Ambiq Micro, Inc. (“Ambiq®”), a technology leader in ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions for edge AI, today announced the appointment of Dr. Bernard (Bernie) Banks to Ambiq’s Board of Directors, effective as of January 5, 2026.
Dr. Banks is a distinguished leader, author, educator, and military veteran, with nearly three decades of service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General by the President of the United States at the time of his military retirement in 2016.
22 Jan 26. Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today announced key leadership roles for Honeywell Aerospace, which will become an independent, publicly traded company following its planned spin-off in the second half of 2026. The company will be headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “HONA.”
Josh Jepsen will join Honeywell Aerospace as Chief Financial Officer, effective February 23. He is currently Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Deere & Company, overseeing the company’s worldwide accounting and finance function and advising on major financial and strategic issues. Prior to this role, he held senior positions across finance, investor relations and accounting at Deere.
Bob Buddecke has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Electronic Solutions. Buddecke brings more than 27 years of experience at Honeywell, where he has held key leadership roles focused on operational excellence, supply chain performance, strategic growth and cross business innovation.
Dave Marinick will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Engines & Power Systems. With more than 37 years at Honeywell, he brings deep expertise in business strategy, engineering leadership and large scale program management.
Rich DeGraff will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Control Systems. DeGraff’s career includes senior roles outside of Honeywell along with more than 17 years at the company where he has held a range of leadership positions emphasizing customer engagement, P&L ownership and business growth. (Source: PR Newswire)
26 Jan 26. Shift5, the Operational Intelligence platform for America’s defense and transportation systems, today announced the appointment of Toby Magsig as president and interim CEO, assuming full responsibility for company strategy, operations, and execution. Magsig joins Shift5 from L3Harris Technologies, where he served as vice president and general manager of Enterprise Autonomous Solutions, bringing extensive experience in emerging technologies, defense acquisition, and enterprise growth.
(Source: PR Newswire)
22 Jan 26. XTI Aerospace, Inc. (Nasdaq: XTIA) (“XTI” or the “Company”) an aerospace technology company focused on building and scaling its newly acquired subsidiary, Drone Nerds, LLC (“Drone Nerds”), and its comprehensive unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”) platform for enterprise and government customers, today announced the election of Clinton J. Weber to its Board of Directors at the Company’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting, which was held on December 30, 2025. (Source: PR Newswire)