LOCATIONS
LAND
22 Sep 09. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced six Defence infrastructure investments for 8 Wing Trenton. These projects, a planned investment of approximately $334m, will generate local economic benefits and will create approximately 1,800 direct employment opportunities over the course of the work. (Source: Google)
22 Sep 09. The multi-billion-pound defence academy planned for South Wales would bring more than £500m and 6,000 jobs to the area, a report claims. The staggering sums, which relate to the £12bn Defence Technical College at St Athan are revealed in a report set to be considered by Vale of Glamorgan council this week, when the scheme is likely to be granted planning permission. Separate plans for an aerospace business park aimed at developing a centre of excellence on the same site are also likely to be approved. The £12bn college project, which will see armed services personnel from around Britain trained in one complex, is the single biggest investment ever made in Wales. (Source: Google)
14 Sep 09. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program remains focused on preparations for opening the Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 2010 – a facility that will train F-35 pilots and maintainers worldwide. During the exposition, Branyan and Joint Strike Fighter Deputy Program Executive Officer Maj. Gen. C.D. Moore provided a general F-35 program update, with a focus on preparations for standing up the training center at Eglin AFB. F-35 deliveries to Eglin AFB begin in 2010, with initial operational capability (IOC) scheduled for the U.S. Marines in 2012, the U.S. Air Force in 2013 and the U.S. Navy in 2015.
MARITIME
21 Sep 09. The Indian Navy has launched the second of its three stealthy Project-15-A, or Kolkata-class, destroyers. The INS Kochi, launched Sept. 18, is expected to be delivered in May 2011 for induction into active service. Built by Mazagon Dock, the state-owned shipyard, the Project-15-A destroyers will be fitted with the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile and long-range surface-to-air missiles. (Source: Defense News)
22 Sep 09. General Dynamics NASSCO today began construction of the future USNS William McLean, the twelfth ship of the U.S. Navy’s T-AKE program. The William McLean is named in honor of the Navy physicist who conceived and developed the heat-seeking Sidewinder missile. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in the third quarter of
2011. The T-AKE ship incorporates international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system to minimize operating costs over its projected 40-year service life. The primary mission of T-AKE ships is to deliver as much as 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships at sea. NASSCO has delivered the first eight T-AKEs, which are also known as Lewis and Clark-class ships. The shipyard also has construction contracts for four additional T-AKEs and long-lead material contracts for two more ships for a total class of 14 ships.
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
24 Sepm 09. UK business minister Vadera to advise G20. Shriti Vadera, business minister, is to leave the government to become an adviser to the G20, as part of an attempt by Gordon Brown to develop the body as a new form of global economic government. will split her time between the cabinet office in London and Seoul, where she will advise the incoming South Korean G20 presidency, in a job which is expected to last until the first half of next year. (Source: FT.com)
BATTLESPACE Comment: Rats & Ship? This move will come as relief to many in the defence industry who see the Baroness as one of the Government’s main anti-defence protagonists.
15 Sep 09. BAE Systems: Site Closure and Loss of Jobs. BAE Systems announced (15 Sep 09) the potential closure