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TopEngineer.com Job Of the Week!
Job – Space Systems Consultant in Romsey
Location: Romsey SO51, UK
Salary: TBD
Job type: Permanent
Category: Aerospace Engineering
Job Reference: HQ00099675
Posted on: 22 Oct 2018
About the Role:
Space Systems Consultant – Romsey – Perm
Do you want a career that will, quite literally, take you to outer space?
My client, a respected engineering R&D Consultancy, is looking for an experienced architect or engineer to join their team in Hampshire to work on range of space-based projects. You will be working on projects large and small, focused on building and delivering best in class systems and delivering against client objectives.
You will:
* Crafting and build system architecture roadmaps with senior stakeholders, corralling support and backing for them
* Apply and adapt your system design skills to focus on areas such as applications, middleware, cloud computing, search, machine automation, and analytics
* Understand & interpret business or technical requirements and translate these into defined system models
* Produce system designs from concept through to high-level design
* Engaging with relevant stakeholders to establish consensus on the viability of solution options and the associated benefits and risks;
* Seeking to develop system solutions in alignment with the Enterprise Architecture and support a systems ongoing evolution
* Supporting the customer’s investment decision-making process in the context of implementing wider investment portfolio
Due to the nature of this position, you must hold, or be eligible for SC clearance.
What are we looking for?
* A good grounding in systems engineering
* Experience on large civil, commercial or military satellite programmes
* understanding of NASA or ECSS lifecycles and standards.
* Experience of requirements capture and management in the context of the space domain
* Skills and experience in modelling and analysis of space systems
* Experience in the specification and development of electronic systems for space
* Familiarity of RF systems for space (both ground and space segments)
* An understanding of the assembly, integration and test processes for space vehicles and components
* Experience in RAMS analysis
* Knowledge of new space technologies such as cube sats, low-cost launchers and similar
This will be a challenging position, and on offer is a competitive package and salary for the successful candidate, including a substantial bonus scheme, good holiday allowance and a range of other benefits including private medical and free onsite gym. You will be surrounded by some of the UK’s smartest people, and will be working on projects that will push your limits, learning new things daily.
LOCATIONS
LAND
25 Oct 18. Axiologic Solutions Opens Office in Orlando. Axiologic Solutions, LLC, an innovative, systems engineering and consulting services company headquartered in Fairfax, VA, announced it has opened an office in the Central Florida Research Park on October 17, 2018 in the Knight Federal Solutions’ office space, located at Three Resource Square. This investment in the East Orlando business community with an Orlando-based strategic small business partner supports the future business pursuits of both companies to create premier business solutions for clients and provide increased revenue for both companies.
Founded in 2009, Axiologic Solutions is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) focused on providing services to government organizations in the Intelligence community (IC), Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The company delivers success through meaningful client partnerships, delivery of superior solutions, and the ability to bring a talented team of people who understand how technology, policy, and process converge to meet its clients’ needs. This corporate philosophy, known as the “Axiologic Component” is the cornerstone upon which its clients’ systems work.
“This arrangement just makes a lot of sense. Our companies complement each other and we are presently teaming together on several DoD pursuits both here in Orlando and in the National Capitol Region,” says Frank Sturek, Axiologic Solutions’ Chief Growth Officer.
Axiologic’s capabilities match the rapidly evolving national security landscape, offering a broad range of discrete and integrated solutions in Systems Engineering, Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Engineering, Data Science and Engineering as well as Program and Project Management, Strategic Planning and Process Improvement, and Acquisition Support. The company has nearly a decade of continuous DoD and IC experience performing systems engineering and IT services with mature management practices based on ISO 9001:2015 principles and PMBoK best practices. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 Oct 18. Utah Opens Test Range and Drone Development Center. Utah officially opened its doors to the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 at Deseret UAS Headquarters’ in Tooele. Deseret UAS headquarters is located at the Xperience Center in Tooele City. This state-of-the-art facility boasts UAS flight simulations, real-time test flight viewing, and collaborative meeting spaces.
Deseret UAS is a non-profit corporation created jointly by Tooele and Box Elder Counties, in close partnership with Ogden City. As the premier organization in Utah dedicated to UAS, Deseret UAS provides unparalleled access to several large flight test ranges with miles of wide-open land and air.
“Utah leads the country on a number of key economic indicators due to our ability to leverage technological innovations and invest in our critical infrastructure. We move bridges into place overnight, have invested billions of dollars to rebuild our international airport, and recently created an inland port that will cement Utah’s standing as the crossroads of the West,” said Congressman Chris Stewart. “Rural counties like Tooele have directly benefited from those investments, as evidenced by the creation of Deseret UAS.”
Centrally located near Utah’s Wasatch Front and 30 minutes away from an international airport, Deseret UAS’ headquarters and test ranges offer the best of both worlds- dozens of miles of wide open, protected air space for flying, as well as the amenities of the more urbanized areas.
“The UAS industry is developing crucial technologies that can make the world in which we live better, safer and more efficient. Deseret UAS is at the forefront of making these technologies a reality,” said Tooele County commissioner and Deseret UAS board chair Shawn Milne.
Deseret UAS has hired nationally renown UAS expert, Dr. Tulinda Larsen to lead the organization as its Executive Director. Dr. Larsen has literally written the book on UAS, authoring a series entitled, “Six-Word Lessons for a Trustworthy Drone Business.”
She is the Founder and CEO of Skylark Services, an economic consulting company that researches commercial manned aviation and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Dr. Larsen is a Principal at NEXA Capital Partners and provides corporate and strategic financial advisory services to the aerospace, transportation, logistics and homeland security sectors. She is an economist and Adjunct Professor of Global Aviation Economics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She holds a doctorate in management from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in Economics from The George Washington University.
Deseret UAS has also hired Marshall Wright as the organization’s Government and Industry Relations Director. Mr. Wright has decades of experience in the industry and helped to establish the UAS industry in Utah. He is formerly the head of Business Development at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. He holds a master’s degree in Applied Physics from Adelphi University and a bachelor’s degree in Physics from The City College of New York.
“We have assembled a team of national experts who will help us advance the UAS industry and take advantage of its innovations here in Utah,” said Milne. “We look forward to leveraging their skillset and professional direction to facilitate strong economic development and prosperity here at home.”
“The biggest untapped resource in the U.S. and the world is our airspace,” said Tulinda Larsen, executive director of the newly formed Deseret Unmanned Aerial Systems. “And that’s where Deseret UAS is stepping up.”
“Deseret UAS is the culmination of three years of hard work on behalf of Tooele and Box Elder counties aimed at creating jobs,” Milne said. “Right now, 75 percent of our residents are commuting to the Salt Lake Valley for work and we recognized years ago that we want to reverse that trend.”
To that end, Deseret UAS pursued fiscal help from the Utah Legislature and secured $1.2m in funding in the last session that is helping get the effort off the ground. Larsen said the group will be headquartered at a space called the Xperience Center in Tooele that has a nearby area for small-scale test flying, but is also working to secure larger test flight ranges. A dearth of testing facilities, which must secure a Federal Aviation Administration signoff to be used by drone developers, is one of the key hindrances that her group is addressing, Larsen said.
“In 2013, the FAA established seven test sites … the closest of which is in Nevada,” Larsen said. “But they’re mostly being used for regulatory work, and commercial operators can’t use the sites for testing.”
Larsen said her group has already established a conduit for drone companies to make use of a Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital ATK) site in Box Elder County, has an FAA-approved urban testing area in Ogden and is working with the Tooele Army Depot to make use of a site there that could open up a 25-square-mile test range. (Source: UAS VISION/Deseret News)
22 Oct 18. Rheinmetall, NIOA announce JV to secure QLD munitions capability. Rheinmetall Defence Australia has announced a joint venture to establish a new artillery manufacturing facility in regional Queensland as part of an agreement with NIOA and the Commonwealth government to expand the munitions manufacturing capacity in the state. Under an agreement between Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Brisbane-based NIOA, the two companies will form a consortium to invest in a $60m facility in Maryborough, Queensland and create up to 100 direct, long term and highly skilled jobs in the Maryborough and Fraser Coast region.
The consortium is also seeking support from the Queensland government to finalise arrangements around the new facility. Rheinmetall and NIOA have a significant partnership across a range of munitions products and services in Australia including delivery of Rheinmetall’s Future Family of Artillery Ammunition under the LAND 17-1C2 program.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia managing director Gary Stewart said, “The artillery manufactured at the new facility will be delivered to the Australian Army and for export to selected defence forces globally through Rheinmetall’s Global Supply Chain program.”
Expanding on this, Stewart said the new facility would replace munitions imported into Australia and ensure the nation has a long-term sovereign capability to supply not only the Australian Defence Force, but also expand export opportunities to selected markets. Commonwealth funding for the program has been allocated under the federal government’s Regional Growth Fund, which aims to support projects of greater than $20m investment that would be transformational to a regional economy. The federal government funding is conditional on final approval of a full business case, which includes receiving additional support from the Queensland government.
NIOA managing director Robert Nioa said the forging and manufacturing facility would ensure future munitions supplies to the ADF will be Australian-made and create Australian industry capability for current and future contracts.
“Establishing this facility in regional Queensland has been a critical part of our vision for building this sovereign capability in Australia,” Nioa said.
Rheinmetall Defence is one of the world’s leading suppliers of defence technology, including wheeled and tracked military vehicles, weapons, ammunition, simulation solutions, command and control technology, force protection systems and sensor technologies. Rheinmetall Defence Australia will deliver 211 Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles as part of the $5.2bn, LAND 400 Phase 2 project. Australia’s Boxer CRVs will be built in Queensland at a specialised Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Ipswich. The German company is also presenting the Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle to the approximately $10-15bn LAND 400 Phase 3 project, which will see the recapitalisation of the Vietnam-era M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) force, with an Infantry Fighting Vehicle and APC.
NIOA is an Australian-owned company and one of the largest suppliers of munitions to the Department of Defence. The company has partnerships with many of the world’s leading munitions manufacturers, including Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (previously Orbital ATK), Vista, Day and Zimmerman, Junghans, and Nitrochemie. (Source: Defence Connect)
MARITIME
25 Oct 18. Italy transfers patrol boat to Libya. Italy has delivered a patrol boat to the Libyan Coast Guard, the Italian Embassy in Libya announced on 21 October. It released photographs showing a Corrubia-class patrol boat – a type used by the Guardia di Finanza – at Tripoli’s naval base. Online news source The Libya Observer reported the spokesman of the Tripoli-based Libyan Navy as saying the new boat is called Fezzan and that it will be joined in four weeks by a second Corrubia, as well as 10 smaller vessels. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Oct 18. ASMAR ramps up production of new Chilean Navy icebreaker. Construction of a new icebreaker for the Chilean Navy is now under way at Chile’s state-run shipyard ASMAR. Speaking to Jane’s at Euronaval 2018 in Paris, ASMAR Shipyard’s chief marketing officer, Jorge Terrazas, confirmed that first steel was officially cut in August, marking the start of construction at its Talcahuano facilities in the Biobio region. The new Polar PC5 ice-class Antarctic support ship, dubbed Antártica 1 , is intended to replace the Chilean Navy’s Type 1200 survey ship Contre-Almirante Oscar Viel Toro , which was commissioned in 1960 and is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2022. Under original plans it was hoped that delivery of Antártica 1 could be achieved in time for the 2022–23 National Antarctic campaign season. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
23 Oct 18. China lays keel for Malaysia’s first Littoral Mission Ship, cuts steel for second. Key Points:
- China has begun construction work on Malaysia’s second Littoral Mission Ship
- The Royal Malaysian Navy is on track to receive the programme’s first-of-class by 2019
Chinese state-owned company Wuchang Shipbuilding has laid down the first Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) on order for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and cut first steel for the programme’s second hull. Ceremonies to mark both occasions were held on 23 October at the company’s facilities in Wuhan, China. The vessels are part of a contract for an initial batch of four LMS vessels signed with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) and Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) in April 2017. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
25 Oct 18. On the occasion of Euronaval 2018, CNIM announces the launch of two families of crafts: the Landing Crafts Assault or LCA, for Ground Forces projection; and Landing Crafts X-missions or LCX, a versatile, fast offshore vessel designed to fulfill Naval Forces’ needs. CNIM designed the new generation of vessels to provide operational versatility for a mothership working alongside the L-CAT® Ship-to-Shore.
- The LCA, operational support for Ground Forces
Robust, reliable, roll-on roll-off and travelling at 13 knots with a 65-tons payload (80 tons maximum), the LCA is designed to transfer equipment and people ashore efficiently from the mothership (NATO or Makassar-class).
Like all CNIM amphibious crafts, the LCA can beach in very shallow water (~1m). With excellent mobility and maneuverability, the LCA lands and picks up Ground Forces in record time during amphibious assault operations. Its superior seaworthiness and the ergonomic design of the command space improve crew comfort and operational availability.
The LCA are easy to build and maintain. CNIM uses local partners, provides shipyard teams with technical support and teaches the crew how to control, operate and maintain the vessels.
- The LCX, a major asset to Naval Forces
Operated from a NATO amphibious ship, with extremely high degrees of seaworthiness and maneuvrability and designed with a 360° command bridge, the LCX can accommodate anti-submarine and mine warfare detachments to support reconnaissance, identification and threat-neutralisation.
Its high speed (20 to 35 kts) and high payload capacity (40 tons) make the LCX a major asset to Naval Forces.
A superbly versatile vessel, the LCX was also designed to take part in logistics operations conducted by Forces projection vessels such as the L-CAT and LCA. In this particular context, it also has the capability to offload nautical amphibious resources as it approaches the coast line. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Oct 18. Steel Cut for First Offshore Patrol Vessel. Australia has hit a key milestone in its landmark naval shipbuilding program with the first steel cut for the country’s new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Australian steel is being used for all 12 OPVs and after being prepared and processed in Western Australia it will be delivered to South Australia. Two ships are being built at Osborne in SA by ASC Shipbuilding before construction for the other ten moves to Civmec in WA in 2020. Ultimately, the OPV project will create up to 1,000 positions. The first bolt has also been locked down on the steelwork at the country’s largest ship assembly hall at Civmec’s massive new $85m facility at Henderson. The facility will also include a blast and paint workshop, undercover storage, offices and carparks. The new assembly hall will be bigger than the WACA Ground in Perth and large enough to house multiple OPVs for construction. The facility project will create around 140 jobs and Civmec estimates it will provide positions for up to 1,000 West Australians, including 100 new apprentices and trainees, when it’s up and running. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Australian Department of Defence)
21 Oct 18. OCEA delivers final Boracay-class patrol vessels to the Philippines. Key Points:
- The Philippine Coast Guard will receive two more Boracay-class patrol vessels before end-2018
- Service is on track to operate a class of four FPB 72 Mk II vessels by 2019
French shipbuilder OCEA has dispatched the final two Boracay-(OCEA FPB 72 Mk II) class patrol vessels on order for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The vessels, which will be in service as BRP Malamawi (FPB 2403) and BRP Kalanggaman (FPB 2404), were loaded into a transport ship bound for Subic, Philippines, on 16 October. Malamawi and Kalanggaman are part of a EUR90m (USD103m) contract for four FPB 72 Mk II patrol vessels and one 84m offshore patrol vessel (OPV) announced by the Philippine government in 2012. The programme’s first- and second-of-class. BRP Boracay (FPB 2401) and BRP Panglao (FPB 2402), were commissioned on 15 October.
The FPB 72 Mk II design features an overall length of 23.6m, an overall beam of 5.8m, and a hull draught of 1.5m. Powered by two 10 V 2000 M72 diesel engines, the vessel can attain a maximum speed of 32kt, and a standard range of 600n miles at 12 kt. It can accommodate a crew of 12 and deploy one rigid hull inflatable boat from a davit at the stern.
The Boracay-class vessels are expected to take on search-and-rescue, fishery resources protection, anti-smuggling, and counter-piracy operations. Three of the four vessels will be manned by a joint crew of PCG and Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel as part of a wider government effort to improve maritime security, especially in the Southern Philippine regions. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Oct 18. Russian Navy’s Burya ship ready for float out. The St Petersburg’s Pella Shipyard will float out the Russian Navy‘s third new generation small missile ship, Burya, on 23 October, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced on 15 October. The vessel has been constructed as part of Project 22800, which is being carried out to update the navy’s surface combat capabilities with high-precision weapons carriers. The small missile ships, designed by the Central Marine Design Bureau Almaz, have a displacement of around 800t and a speed of over 30kt. The vessels will be armed with high-precision missiles and modern artillery systems. They will be highly manoeuvrable with increased seaworthiness and stealth characteristics. These ships can perform tasks in the offshore zone at ranges of around 3,000 miles from station sites. (Source: News Now/Shephard)
19 Oct 18. UK Royal Navy launches new Batch 2 River-class OPV HMS Tamar. The British Royal Navy has launched the newest Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), HMS Tamar, at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard. The patrol boat was lowered into the water at the BAE facility and then towed 3km downstream to the company’s Scotstoun site, where outfitting of the vessel will be performed. At the Scotstoun facility, HMS Tamar will join the second and third River-class vessels, HMS Trent and HMS Medway respectively, which are currently undergoing outfitting. In addition, the Royal Navy OPV HMS Medway is to depart for its maiden voyage in November. With the completion of sea trials, the naval ship is expected to move to Portsmouth early next year.
Royal Navy commanding officer lieutenant commander Hugh Harris said: “We on HMS Medway are extremely excited for the challenges ahead and the imminent sea trials, and subsequent first entry into Portsmouth. My ship’s company continue to work hard to meet every future milestone and ultimately fulfil all the responsibilities required of her as she comes into service next year.”
While the final River-class OPV, HMS Spey, is slated for launch, the lead ship of the class, HMS Forth, is due to be back at sea.
Once deployed, all five vessels will carry out operations such as fishery protection work and general maritime security duties in national waters. They will also have the capability to perform overseas patrol missions similar to the first batch of River-class ships. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
24 Oct 18. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken delivery of its seventh and eighth H225M (previously known as EC725) multirole utility helicopters. Since 2012, the RTAF has placed orders for a total of 12 H225Ms under its fleet modernisation programme. Belonging to a contract signed in 2016, these new additions will join the air force’s existing fleet of six H225Ms for combat search and rescue, search and rescue flights and troop transport missions. The 11-ton-catergory twin-turbine H225M is relied upon as a force multiplier by many air forces worldwide thanks to its outstanding endurance and fast cruise speed. Featuring state-of-the-art electronic instruments and the renowned 4-axis autopilot system, the multirole helicopter may be fitted with various equipment to suit any role. Close to 90 units are currently in service in six countries across the globe, surpassing the 100,000 flight hour milestone.
22 Oct 18. RAAF receives tenth F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) No 3 Squadron has received the tenth F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, US, following acceptance testing activities. The new aircraft joins other Australian F-35 aircraft on the flight line and the delivery marks an important milestone in the Australian JSF project.
Australia Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said: “This is a key milestone in our acquisition of the JSF, which is the most advanced, affordable fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter to meet Australia’s need to defeat emerging threats well into the future.”
The RAAF’s ninth and tenth aircraft will switch to the Australian Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), which carries out maintenance management, fault diagnostics, supply support, mission planning and training management across the F-35A fleet.
Pyne added: “Until now, all aircraft deliveries went to the F-35 International Pilot Training Centre, which required RAAF maintainers to perform ALIS-related tasks using the American system.
“Operating on Australian ALIS is an important achievement before the JSFs arrive in Australia in December this year.”
The F-35A multi-role, supersonic, stealth fighter is being purchased by the Australian Department of Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group under project AIR 6000.
Through the procurement, the Australian government intends to tackle current and emerging threats.
The country aims to have 72 F-35A aircraft for three operational squadrons at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, as well as a training squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown. All the aircraft are expected to become fully operational by 2023. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Oct 18. Taiwan takes delivery of first F-16V aircraft. Taiwan has taken delivery of the first Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft to be upgraded to the latest F-16V configuration. The F-16V was delivered to the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) by state-owned aviation company Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) on 20 October. Defence officials have been quoted by local media as saying that three other F-16Vs are undergoing flight-testing and are expected to be delivered to the RoCAF by the end of the year. The four aircraft are part of a programme launched in 2016 and being carried out by Lockheed Martin and its local partner AIDC to upgrade 142 ROCAF F-16A/B fighter aircraft. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Oct 18. China’s AG600 amphibious aircraft conducts first waterborne take-off. China’s locally built and developed AG600 amphibious aircraft conducted its first waterborne take-off on 20 October in the country’s central province of Hubei. The 37m-long flying boat took off from a reservoir near Zhanghe Airport in Jingmen at around 08:50 h (local time) and landed back on the water after a 14-minute flight, according to the state-owned Xinhua news agency. The move comes after the aircraft’s developer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), was quoted in May as saying that the AG600 is expected to be available for delivery to customers by 2022. “We are endeavouring to get the airworthiness certification from the civil aviation authorities by 2021, and deliver it [the aircraft] to the customers by 2022,” the aircraft’s chief designer, Huang Lingcai, said at the time without naming any countries as possible customers. The AG600, which conducted its maiden take-off from land on 24 December 2017, has a wing span of 38.8m and is the third-largest aircraft designed and built in the country following the Y-20 military transport aircraft, which entered service in 2016, and the 190-seat C-919 commercial passenger aircraft, which made its maiden flight in July 2017. Powered by four WJ-6 turboprop engines (derivatives of the Ivchenko AI-20), the AG600 has a cruising speed of 500km/h, an endurance of 12 hours, and a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
19 Oct 18. UK RAF’s Voyager AAR tanker completes first refuel of F-35B. The UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Airbus A330 Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) tanker has successfully refuelled the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the first time. Carried out in the UK airspace over the North Sea at 19,000ft, the refuelling mission involved the use of the Voyager tanker based at RAF Brize Norton and the F-35B operated by No 617 Squadron based at RAF Marham, Norfolk. The RAF’s tanker is the service’s main air-to-air refuelling aircraft, along with the Voyager KC Mk 2 and its two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, as well as the Voyager KC Mk 3 with additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft.
No 101 Squadron Voyager captain said: “The Voyager aircraft offers a highly capable air-to-air refuelling capability, with which we provide regular support to many of the RAF’s fixed wing aircraft. Supporting the new F-35B, as it enters service, is a hugely important task for the Voyager force. Today’s sortie went extremely well and builds on the air-to-air refuelling deployment sorties flown from the US to the UK earlier this year. We look forward to enhancing our support for the F35B during this important period for the F-35B development programme.”
The F-35B multi-role aircraft will be jointly operated by the UK RAF and the UK Royal Navy. It is capable of carrying out short take-offs and vertical landings. The Lockheed Martin-built, fifth-generation aircraft can conduct missions such as air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering and air-to-air simultaneously. The aircraft is scheduled to be deployed on the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. It is currently conducting flight trials from HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of an 11-week campaign involving more than 500 take-offs and landings. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
23 Oct 18. Papua New Guinea retires first Pacific-class patrol vessel. Key Points:
- Papua New Guinea has decommissioned its first Pacific-class patrol boat
- The retirement paves the way for delivery of the country’s first Guardian-class patrol vessel
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s (PNGDF) Maritime Element has decommissioned its first Pacific-class patrol boat after 31 years of service. The vessel, which was formerly known as HMPNGS Rabaul (01), completed its service with the PNGDF in August and subsequently made its final voyage to Port Macquarie, Australia, from Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, on 22 October. The vessel arrived in Port Macquarie to begin its disposal process. Rabaul was gifted to Papua New Guinea in May 1987 via the Australian government’s Pacific Patrol Boat Program, under which 22 vessels were delivered to countries in the Pacific Island. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Oct 18. BAE System’s Brough plant manufacturing ‘could end in 12 months’, Hull MP fears. MP grills defence secretary in Commons over future of site. MP Emma Hardy says she fears manufacturing at BAE’s Brough plant could end within 12 months unless the company wins more orders for Hawk aircraft. The MP for Hull West and Hessle raised the issue on Monday afternoon in a Commons question to defence secretary Gavin Williamson.
She said: “Workers at BAE Sytstems in Brough have always been at the forefront of developing new technology and manufacturing but after a meeting with some of the workers last week I am becoming increasingly concerned about the sole reliance they have on the Hawk orders. Can the minister to do anything to encourage BAE Systems to diversify their manufacturing and protect jobs at the Brough site?”
Although the factory lies outside her constituency, Ms Hardy has followed where her predecessor Alan Johnson left off by keeping close tabs on the company because a large section of the workforce lives in west Hull.
In reply, Mr Williamson said he had been “working very closely” with the company and the Qatari government over a recently-announced order for Hawk trainer jets.
He added: “It’s an important point that has been raised about the diversity of the site and it’s certainly something I can raise with BAE Systems at my next meeting with them and I will be seeing them later this month.”
BAE to build Hawk and Typhoon aircraft for Qatar – but this is why jobs are still not safe despite the £5bn deal
Nine advanced Hawks are being supplied to Qatar’s air force, ensuring an extension of manufacturing at Brough until next year.
However, beyond then it’s not clear what the long-term future holds for the site, on the banks of the Humber.
Meanwhile, the company is continuing with plans to reduce the 950-strong worksforce at Brough by around 400 by Novermber 2019.
Job losses to continue
Nine new Hawk Advanced Jet aircraft – built in Brough – were recently announced as part of a £5bn order with Qatar. But BAE said the deal would not save any of the 400 jobs being cut in the East Yorkshire factory. (Source: News Now/www.hulldailymail.co.uk
22 Oct 18. Australian Army retires fleet of Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters. The Australian Army (AA) Aviation Corps retired its fleet of Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters during an 18 October ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the corps’ formation. The Kiowa, which was in service with the AA for almost 47 years, flew for the last time during a fly past and a variety of displays with platforms such as Black Hawk helicopters, that were held that same day at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, Queensland, as well as in Sydney, Townsville, and Darwin.
“The Kiowa fleet has provided stalwart service to the army since 1971, whether on deployment, in disaster relief operations or as a training helicopter,” Brigadier Scott Benbow, the head of the Australian Army Aviation Corps was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Department of Defence in Canberra. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Oct 18. Brazil retires final Huey helos. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) officially withdrew its last two Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ (locally designated as the H-1H) helicopters from service on 22 October. The last H-1Hs were fielded by the ‘Pelicano’ Squadron from Wing 5 at Campo Grande in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, and will be replaced by existing Sikorsky H-60L Black Hawk (local designation for Sikorsky UH-60L) helicopters, the FAB told Jane’s. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
24 Oct 18. SA companies collaborate with international naval shipbuilding partners. A number of South Australian defence companies will celebrate the forging of new partnerships with key international companies to collaborate on major shipbuilding projects at Euronaval 2018. Four recent agreements between South Australian defence businesses and European companies to work together on upcoming naval shipbuilding projects will be officially recognised on the Defence SA stand, under the Team Defence Australia umbrella, during the event. On Tuesday, South Australian advanced manufacturing company Redarc Electronics and local manufacturer Rowlands Metalworks celebrated a memorandum of understanding that was previously signed with German naval C2 and navigation system integrator Raytheon Anschütz to partner for future Australian naval projects, including the Hunter Class Future Frigates. Defence SA chief executive Richard Price said it was encouraging to see South Australian businesses collaborating with international companies, which will ensure local companies benefit from major shipbuilding projects.
“Congratulations to all the South Australian companies that have recently entered into collaboration agreements with international defence partners to work together on major defence and naval shipbuilding projects,” he said.
On the same day, ASC officially signed a collaboration agreement with French company Endel Engie, a long-term partner of Naval Group France, to create joint business opportunities on the Future Submarine program.
ASC also signed a collaboration agreement with France’s Groupe FIVA – a global engineering consultancy that has established a presence in South Australia – to facilitate the effective delivery and support to current and future naval programs of work in both Australia and France.
On Wednesday, South Australian-based company SAGE Automation and Spanish company Detegasa will celebrate a major commercial and industrial partnership agreement together.
The contract, signed just weeks ago, will see SAGE expand its through-life-support capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy surface ship by providing in-country support for Detegasa equipment on-board LHD, DDG and future AOR vessels and opens opportunities to manufacture equipment in Australia for future programs, including the Hunter Class Future Frigates.
“We see this agreement and partnership with Detegasa as a game changer for our TLS delivery. We very much look forward to working with Detegasa to bring value to the Defence support managing contractors and Navy assets,” SAGE general manager for d efence Paul Johnson said.
Groupe FIVA will formally announce its acquisition of Cadgile, the largest independent CAD drafting specialist in South Australia. Together, FIVA and Cadgile will develop state-of-the-art engineering services for the defence, energy and environment sectors in Australia.
“Many of these relationships were first forged during previous business missions and trade shows, strengthened over time, and will likely result in years of supply chain work for our local companies. We look forward to welcoming many more collaborations of this nature in the coming years,” Price said. (Source: Defence Connect)
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