LOCATIONS
12 Jul 06. RAF marks the 70th anniversary of the formation of Fighter Command at the historic Bentley Priory headquarters. The Royal Air Force celebrated the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Fighter Command with a gala dinner hosted by the Battle of Britain Fighter Association in the historic headquarters at Bentley Priory in Stanmore Middlesex. Eighteen surviving veterans of the Battle of Britain were the principal guests along with, Lord Drayson, Minster for Defence Procurement, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff and Air Commodore (Retired) Peter Brothers CBE DSO DFC and bar, a highly decorated Second World War veteran Fighter pilot.
07 Jul 06. SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems (SELEX S&AS) is to establish a base at ParcAberporth’s UAV technology park in West Wales. It is a Finmeccanica company formed by SELEX S&AS in the US and Galileo Avionica in Italy. The announcement of SELEX S&AS as the anchor tenant at ParcAberporth – was made today (Friday July 7) by Andrew Davies, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Enterprise Innovation and Networks. Speaking at ParcAberporth Unmanned Systems 2006 (PAUS06) the Minister said the commitment by such a key player was indicative of the role and potential that ParcAberporth had in driving forward the UAV sector within the UK.
14 Jul 06. Boeing Co. told the Air Force that without further Pentagon orders for the C-17, it will take the first steps to wind down production and close its Long Beach factory that employs 5,500 people, according to Thursday news reports. Officials from Chicago’s Boeing (NYSE: BA – News) told news media that the company has enough U.S. and foreign military orders to keep building C-17 aircraft in Long Beach through 2008. But if the Pentagon does not order more C-17s, Boeing is expected to begin instructing subcontractors and suppliers next month to halt production of some components.This would also reach hundreds of American companies that supply components to Boeing. (Source:
Los Angeles Business)
03 Jul 06. Army Headquarters: Integration. The Defence Secretary announced (3 Jul 06) that the preferred site for a new HQ Land Forces is to be in Andover. The new HQ is to be formed from the integration of HQ Land Forces, based in Wilton, and HQ Adjutant General, based in Upavon. HQ Land Forces is due to be operational at Andover from 1 Apr 09. Comment: The integration of the two main Army HQ has been referred to as Project Hyperion. It is anticipated that the new HQ will have a staff of about 1,750; representing a reduction of 100 military and 240 civilian posts. A “significant reduction in running costs” is also forecast. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0626, 10 Jul 06)
27 Jun 06. EURENCO shifts to large-scale production of insensitive projectiles at new facility. Mass production of insensitive projectiles started in late June 2006 at EURENCO’s (European Energetics Corporation) Sorgues factory in southern France, where cast-cured plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) charges for army and navy projectiles will be produced on a large scale. Source: Jane’s International Defence Review)
10 Jul 06. Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Richmond is back at sea after an 18-month, multi-million refit which has transformed her into one of the Navy’s most capable warships. The Type 23 vessel has returned to sea on schedule following the upgrade carried out at Portsmouth Naval Base by Fleet Support Ltd (FSL). A team of inspecting officers declared the ship ready to begin sea trials which will prove all the machinery and weapons systems. The refit has included a series of complex structural alterations and system fits, including a new 4.5in Mod 1 gun and the latest towed array sonar which will maintain her technological edge in submarine hunting. An upgrade of her aviation capability will allow her to operate the highly-capable Merlin helicopter. The ship’s propulsion and mechanical systems have received a major over