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LOCATIONS
LAND
23 Feb 16. Boeing V-22 ops centre aims to boost USMC readiness. Boeing in January initiated the use of a new V-22 Readiness Operation Center (VROC) at its production facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in order to better assist the US Marine Corps (USMC) in its effort to improve the operational readiness of its aviation squadrons, a Boeing official said in a 22 February interview.
“It’s been a tremendous differentiator for analysing fleet data and implementing solutions like condition-based maintenance for various [Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey] components,” said Ed Apollo, Boeing’s V-22 sustainment programme manager.
In operation since January, the VROC monitors more than 280 Ospreys worldwide, receiving data reports on approximately 1,450 parameters per second of flight for each V-22. Centre personnel have tools to play back flights online. They are thus able to sift through data and apply different mathematical models, developing algorithms that spotlight trends and problems. The centre can look for anomalies and emerging issues in the fleet. Boeing executes 80-90% of V-22 sustainment activities through performance-based logistics (PBL) contracts, Apollo said. The new VROC is part of PBL 1: the company’s key sustainment contract. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Feb 16. Almaz-Antey opens new production facility. The Almaz-Antey group inaugurated a new production facility on 20 February, the Kirov Machine-Building Enterprise (KMP).
“We are actively moving towards the creation of an entirely new generation of weapons and military equipment for aerospace and defence that can fully protect our facilities from a sudden missile attack of a potential enemy,” Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin said at the inauguration ceremony.
ANALYSIS
Construction of the new RUB20bn (USD260m) facility started in 2012 with the Russian government funding nearly one-third of the total cost. Despite the complexity of the macroeconomic situation in Russia and the negative impact of the sanctions imposed by the West on the company, the construction was completed on schedule. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
19 Feb 16. Kratos Consolidating Facilities. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, is consolidating certain of its Modular System Division’s (MSD) facilities in a restructuring move, which will result in the closing of Kratos’ Charleston Marine Container (CMCI) manufacturing plant. The facility consolidation is being driven by the need to improve MSD manufacturing efficiencies, operational performance, profit margins and cash flow. Commenting on the CMCI plant closure, Kratos’ Chief Executive Officer, Eric DeMarco commented, “In the extended period of reduced DoD spending, Kratos’ customers expect and demand that we continue to reduce costs and improve efficiency to remain financially strong and competitive. The decision for a facility consolidation, MSD restructuring and related plant closure in Charleston, while extremely difficult, allows for reduced cost and increased overall MSD manufacturing efficiency, while simultaneously preserving our manufacturing capacity for the future when certain programs Kratos has previously been working under are turned back on, and certain new opportunities come to fruition. Accordingly, Kratos’ CMCI plant will be ceasing operations; however, the plant will be retained such that we can reopen the facility in Charleston when adequate new business is obtained. We anxiously look forward to the day when we can welcome our Charleston employees back to CMCI.” (Source: Yahoo!/GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
MARITIME
23 Feb 16. PLAN commissions