MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
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13 May 09. Artisan® Software Tools, the world’s largest independent supplier of industrial-grade, collaborative modeling tools for complex, mission and safety-critical embedded systems and software, is continuing to expand its global operations with a direct office in France. The new French office will complement Artisan’s global sales and support operation.
May 09. Spread over an area of 600,000 sq ft, the centre is the second R&D facility in Bangalore and will accommodate 3,000 people, company Chairman and CEO David Cote told reporters after inaugurating the centre. Describing India as an integral part of growth strategy, Cote said, “Honeywell which just about 500 employees six to seven years back with $50m sales today has close to 11,000 (staff) contributing $600 million in sales.” The company “is looking forward to growth in India in the segments of aerospace, automation and control solutions, wireless, turbo chargers and speciality materials which includes refining business”, he said. At present, it has five manufacturing facilities. The firm is well positioned in key growth areas, including aerospace and defence, public safety and infrastructure development. It is collaborating with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to produce TPE331 aircraft engines in India and also pursuing a programme to re-engine IAF’s strike aircraft Jaguar with its F125IN turbofan engine. (Source: Google)
07 May 09. Helicopter Locations: Programme Belvedere Closed. The Armed Forces’ Minister announced (7 May 09) that Programme Belvedere had been closed. The Programme was a study into possible rationalisation of the Joint Helicopter Command’s Battlefield Helicopter Estate. There is therefore no change to the present arrangements:-
* Chinook are based at RAF Odiham.
* Puma and Merlin are based at RAF Benson.
* Apache are based (with the Army Air Corps) at Wattisham.
* The Joint Helicopter Command operates Lynx from Dishforth.
* Sea King and Lynx of the Commando Helicopter Force operate from RNAS Yeovilton.
Basing arrangements for the Future Lynx (which is to enter Army Air Corps service in 2014 and Fleet Air Arm service in 2015) have yet to be decided.
The decision to close Programme Belvedere means that RAF Lyneham is no longer under consideration as a basing option for the Joint Helicopter Command (see Item 8).
Comment: Since it was reconstituted in June 2007, Programme Belvedere has cost almost £2m. A further £2m has been spent on essential maintenance at RAF Lyneham, in case the Station was to be retained.
07 May 09. RAF Lyneham: Set to be Sold. Following the closure of Programme Belvedere (Item 7) the MoD issued (7 May 09) a note of clarification on the future of RAF Lyneham. As announced in 2003, the Station would be closed following the transfer of C-130 aircraft to RAF Brize Norton unless an alternative role was required. On current plans, C-130K and C-130J aircraft are to move to Brize Norton in Summer 2011 with RAF Lyneham being vacated by the end of 2012.
Comment: The Hercules fleet in RAF service currently numbers 41 (24 Js and 17 Ks), which will be reduced to 24 by the end of 2012 when the last of the Ks will have left. The MoD is reportedly looking at acquiring up to a further five C-130J, to help to bridge the gap caused by delays in the A400M programme.
12 May 09. The Boeing Company will relocate the headquarters for its Missile Defense Systems (MDS) division from Arlington, Va., to the company’s facilities in Huntsville, starting immediately. The move will ensure MDS remains aligned with its government customers, while adding to Boeing’s presence in the Huntsville community. Initially, Boeing will shift division management and support functions, such as Human Resources and Finance, to Huntsville, and will evaluate moving other employees currently working on MDS programs in Arlington. Between 40 and 50 positions may be transferred by the end of this year.
“Huntsville i