LOCATIONS
LAND
04 Jan 10. Northrop Grumman Corporation announced a decision to move its corporate office from Los Angeles to the Washington D.C. region by 2011. The company is engaged in a search to identify a specific location within the Washington, D.C. region, including the District, Maryland and Virginia. It plans to complete the search by spring 2010 and open the new corporate office by summer 2011. “As a global security company with a large customer base in the Washington, D.C. region, this move will enable us to better serve our nation and customers,” said Wes Bush, chief executive officer and president. The new corporate office will include approximately 300 people. Although the company is moving some corporate staff from Los Angeles, the state of California remains a significant location for Northrop Grumman research, development and manufacturing. Approximately 30,000 employees, a quarter of Northrop Grumman’s worldwide employment, work in California. Its Aerospace Systems sector is headquartered in Redondo Beach, and each of the company’s other four sectors have major facilities in the state.
16 Dec 09. Chinook Helicopters: Deployment Arrangements. The Defence Contracts Bulletin (16 Dec 09) invited ‘expressions of interest’ for airfield construction work at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The work includes the design and build of six Chinook parking bays with three refuelling bays. The estimated value of the work to be undertaken is placed at between £10m and £20m.
Comment: Given that the MoD is reluctant to confirm the number of helicopters deployed to Afghanistan, the requirement for six Chinook parking bays is of passing interest. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 11/01, 04 Jan 10)
21 Dec 09. New patrol bases put pressure on Sangin insurgents. British soldiers built two new patrol bases under the cover of darkness pushing back insurgents and protecting ordinary Afghans going about their daily lives. In their first major operation since they deployed in October the 3 RIFLES took control of two vital river crossings over Helmand River and within 36 hours had constructed fortifications and won the support of local people. The first base is at a key crossing point used by insurgents to infiltrate British controlled areas from their camps in the southeast. The second will protect the main northern route into the bustling Sangin bazaar. 3 RIFLES moved in after the recent maize harvest in the fertile lands bordering Helmand River reduced cover for the insurgents. Sangin bazaar has been flourishing as the security situation changes; in 2007 it was largely deserted but now there are between 200 and 400 stall open every day. With Viking armoured vehicles from Egypt Squadron 2 Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) and the Manoeuvre Operations Group (MOG) providing extra muscle, the area was isolated before insurgents even began to stir. As A Company were working on establishing the new river crossing base B Company were to the north east securing the route into the bazaar.
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
06 Jan 10. AlarmForce Industries Inc. announced that Brian Segal has resigned as a director of the Company effective January 5, 2010. Mr. Segal has advised the Company that he has resigned in order to devote time to other commitments. (Source: Google)
06 Jan 10. Lockheed Martin said Wednesday it will cut approximately 1,200 U.S. jobs as part of a restructuring within its electronics systems business. Lockheed Martin announced the job reductions as it unveiled the name and senior-level organizational structure for a new business created in a realignment of two prior stand-alone businesses. (Source: Yahoo!)
PERSONNEL
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
07 Dec 09. NATO Response Force: UK Commitment. The Armed Forces’ Minister said (7 Dec 09) that the UK’s commitment to the NATO Response Force during the first half of 2010 is: an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) escort with a supporting logistic vessel as well a