Sponsored by
TopEngineer.com
www.topengineer.com is the world’s largest specialist engineering jobs search engine, hosting thousands of job opportunities worldwide at any one time.
————————————————————————
LOCATIONS
LAND
21 Mar 17. Lockheed Martin opening extra F-35 facility in Pennsylvania. Lockheed Martin will be leasing a new facility to expand its production capability in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, company chief executive Marillyn Hewson said on 21 March. The lease is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, adding 40 new jobs to the company’s payroll. Hewson was speaking at an all-day media event run by Lockheed, where the company promotes its various programmes. The new jobs are part of Lockheed’s increased production rate for the F-35 programme, with 66 fighters expected to be delivered in 2017. The company delivered 46 F-35s in 2016 and is projected to deliver more than 130 in 2018. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MARITIME
23 Mar 17. Japanese navy commissions second Izumo-class helicopter carrier. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned its second Izumo-class helicopter carrier, JS Kaga (DDH 184), on 22 March in a ceremony held at the Japan Marine United (JMU) shipyard in Yokohama, near Tokyo. The first of class, JS Izumo (DDH 183), was berthed adjacent to Kaga during the event.
Built by JMU and launched in August 2015, Kaga is 248m long, has a beam of 38m, and will displace 24,000 tonnes at full load. Powered by four GE LM2500 gas turbines in a COGAG arrangement, it is estimated to have a top speed of 30kt, according to Jane’s Fighting Ships. It will have a complement of 520 officers and enlisted men.
The two Izumo-class vessels are the largest warships to enter Japanese service since the Second World War. Although classified helicopter-destroyers by the JMSDF, these vessels have the appearance of a carrier rather than a destroyer. The flat-top is designed to operate helicopters in various roles. Kaga is expected to embark a mix of Mitsubishi-Sikorsky SH-60K Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters and AgustaWestland/Kawasaki MCH-101 for mine-countermeasure operations. The JMSDF also anticipate using the ship for disaster relief, not only to deploy helicopters and personnel but also to exploit its capabilities as a command platform. The armament of Kaga is limited to short-range self-defence systems, with two Raytheon Sea RAM missile systems and two Vulcan Phalanx multibarrelled 20mm guns. Kaga is the first Japanese naval ship to take that name since the Second World War aircraft carrier that took part in the Pearl Harbor attacks and was lost at the Battle of Midway. In addition to the Izumo class, the JMSDF have two smaller 18,000-tonne helicopter-destroyers of the Hyuga class, which are capable of carrying up to 10 helicopters. Three 14,000-tonne Osumi-class tank landing ships (LST) are also flat-tops that can operate helicopters, but have no hangar facilities. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Mar 17. The first Gowind®2500 by DCNS succeeds in the beginning of its
sea trials. On March 17th, 2017, DCNS is proud to announce the success of the first sea trials of the first-of-class Gowind® 2500 corvette under construction in Lorient, France by DCNS. Ten Gowind® 2500 corvette, aimed at supplementing DCNS surface vessel product range, has been ordered
so far by international navies. The first sea trials of the first Gowind® 2500 corvette designed and built in Lorient by DCNS underline the quality of the conception and production of this new range of vessels. “It is a very important moment for DCNS: the Gowind® corvette designed especially for the international market is now sea proven,” explains Eric Chaplet, DCNS Marketing Vice-President. “We are very proud to announce that,
with the Gowind® 2500 corvette, DCNS now has the last generation vessel to strengthen its product line geared to the international naval defence market.”
“The sea tr