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21 May 14. Exelis announced plans to establish its Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. Working closely with the Victorian Coalition Government, Exelis will be building out a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D), testing and systems integration facility to support both local and export opportunities. The new facility is expected to create more than 60 new jobs in Australia, with plans for future growth already under way. With this new facility, Exelis will expand its systems integration capabilities and will continue to support growing its local workforce. The new regional presence in Australia will ensure greater in-market resources to better meet evolving defense and security needs and provide in-country sustainment support. Additionally, it will further the company’s continued research and development of emerging solutions in the areas of critical networks, ISR & analytics and electronic warfare for the global aerospace, defense and resource industries. Exelis previously established a presence in Melbourne through the acquisition of C4i Pty. Ltd. in January 2013. From its new facility, this Exelis workforce will continue to support business pursuits globally with system deployments in over 30 countries. (Source: Yahoo!/BUSINESS WIRE)
16 May 14. Luke AFB starts F-35 Lightning II training programme. A US Air Force (USAF) F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) has successfully carried out the first local training flight over the Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, US. Tail numbered LF 5031, the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant is currently the only F-35 at the air base, and is expected to be joined by additional fifth-generation fighters in the next few weeks. 61st Fighter Squadron (61st FS) commander lieutenant colonel Michael Ebner said the first training sortie represents a significant milestone in Luke AFB’s F-35 programme. With currently six pilots, the 61st FS works with the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit (61st AMU), which maintains the F-35 fighters, to fly the aircraft approximately one to two times each day.
“The number is likely to increase to two to four sorties a day by next month, with the arrival of additional jets at the airbase.”
The number is likely to increase to two to four sorties a day by next month, with the arrival of additional jets at the airbase, according to Ebner. Meanwhile, the base is continuing preparation for the arrival of more F-35s, with the construction of the Academic Training Center, which will house classrooms and 12 F-35 simulators, and the combined Operations/AMU building for the second F-35 squadron. In addition to this, planning is also underway for other projects, including the third Operations/AMU building, a maintainer training facility, and a four-bay F-35 hangar. A total of 144 F-35s are expected to be assigned to Luke AFB for a total of six squadrons. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
21 May 14. MC Assembly, a leading mid-tier Electronics Manufacturing Services provider, proudly announces that they will be moving to a new facility inside the technology business hub in Melbourne, Florida. The move will support MC Assembly’s vision of remaining the preeminent America’s based mid-tier Electronics Manufacturing Service provider and will enhance the customer, vendor, and stakeholder experience with MC Assembly, while positioning the business for a strong future. “We are highly focused on increasing our customer’s through-put in our factories, decreasing waste at all levels of the processes, improving the quality of our products, and increasing our responsiveness to the ever increasing demands being placed upon us”, stated George Moore, MC Assembly CEO and President. “MC Assembly’s commitment to offer our stakeholders the best possible work environment, more centrally located to where the majority of our employees live, retaining jobs in central Florida and positioning the company for growth