LOCATIONS
LAND
24 Jul 19. Thales Unveils New Investment in Lithgow. The Member for Bathurst, the Hon Paul Toole MP today unveiled a new $1.8m honing machine on the rifle production line at Lithgow Arms. The new equipment brings Thales’s investment to more than $30m in plant and equipment at Lithgow Arms since 2006. This investment demonstrates Thales’s continuing investment in maintaining Australia’s sovereign industrial capability in small arms small arms research, design, development and manufacture.
Thales’s continued investment over more than a decade has unlocked the potential of the site, winning contracts and generating jobs and investment in Lithgow, the Central West and along the supply chain.
In order to maintain a capability advantage for Australia’s Defence Forces, Thales is investing in world class manufacturing capabilities that can be integrated with digital technologies, including 3D printing, advanced optical and targeting equipment and secure digitally networked systems.
Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole said that 92% of content used in production is sourced locally or made on site.
“I am delighted that more than 200 of Lithgow Arms’s suppliers are located in NSW, and over the last three years these suppliers have received almost $20m in orders from Thales” Mr Toole said.
“Since 1912, the Lithgow Small Arms Factory (now known as Lithgow Arms) has proudly supported Australia’s soldiers on battlefields around the world,” he said.
Director of Soldier Weapons Systems, Graham Evenden, said that Thales is investing significantly in its manufacturing capability and skills development to develop the world leading technologies for future products.
“Today’s unveiling shows our intent to build on Lithgow Arms’ distinguished heritage to develop and manufacture the next generation soldier weapons systems for the future Australian Defence Force.” (Source: ASD Network)
25 Jul 19. Marshall opens new customer service centre at Cambridge Airport for aerospace customers. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has opened its new customer service centre at Cambridge Airport with the help of Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, chief of air staff of the Bangladesh Air Force.
Sir Michael Marshall, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem at the opening of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group’s new customer service centre. Picture by Chris Radburn/Fixed Point Media (14082388)
The centre will be used by the company’s international military aerospace customers while Marshall engineers work on their aircraft.
These are predominantly C-130 Hercules transport planes employed in humanitarian and military missions around the world.
The centre features private offices, meeting rooms, a lounge and kitchen, and two golf buggies and a minibus will be available to transport customers around the airport. Eight dedicated customer service personnel will provide administrative support to customers.
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat was accompanied by Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to London, for the opening, which follows the signing of a multi-million-pound contract with the Bangladesh Air Force.
Alistair McPhee, CEO of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, who was joined by Sir Michael Marshall at the ribbon-cutting, said: “We are delighted to welcome Air Chief Marshal Serniabat and proud that he should take time out of his busy schedule to open our new Customer Service Centre.
“We’ve invested in this new space to offer our international customers a seamless experience with us and to benefit from first class accommodation and everything they need in one comfortable location, dedicated to them, with a team to look after their needs while we work on their platforms.”
Marshall’s customers include the RAF, along with 16 international air forces, including those of Sweden and Norway, which Marshall has worked with since the 1970s.
A 14-year agreement was signed recently with the Royal Netherlands Air Force as the group continued its run of major deals.
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat visited some of the Bangladesh Air Force’s C-130J aircraft purchased from the UK Royal Air Force, which are undergoing in-depth maintenance and modification.
He said: “The Bangladesh Air Force started its co-operation with Marshall last year and we are relying on them to support the entry into service of our new C-130J fleet.
“From the outset Marshall’s customer focus and drive to deliver excellent service has really stood out. This new customer service centre is testimony to their commitment to continuous improvement and confirmation of their ambitious growth plans. It’s an honour for me to officially open this wonderful new facility here in Cambridge today.”
The new facilities were further evidence of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group’s intention to continue investment in the Cambridge site, despite plans to move the company to either Duxford, Wyton or Cranfield by 2030 to enable further growth. (Source: Google/https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk)
MARITIME
25 Jul 19. CMN fast patrol boats launched for Saudi navy. The identity of the first two of the 39 boats that are being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) under a deal with CMN was revealed when a launch ceremony was held at the French company’s Cherbourg yard on 24 July. The deal was announced in April 2018, when it was stated that half the 39 boats would be built by the Zamil Shipyard in Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast as part of the kingdom’s plan to indigenise 50% of its defence procurement by 2030. The type of boats that would be built and the value of the contract were not revealed.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced the launch of the first two in a statement that included photographs showing an HSI32 fast patrol boat with the pennant 315 being lowered into the water at Cherbourg. Other photographs of the event showed the second boat, 316, is also an HSI32.
The type is 32.2m in length, 7 m wide, and has a draught of 1.8m, according to CMN. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Jul 19. US Navy to Commission Guided-Missile Destroyer Paul Ignatius. The US Navy commissioned its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, July 27, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship is named in honor of Paul Robert Ignatius, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration as assistant secretary of defense for installations and logistics from 1964 – 1967, and secretary of the Navy from 1967 – 1969.
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, who is also performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. Ignatius’ wife, Nancy, who passed away earlier this year, is the ship’s sponsor. Dr. Elisa Ignatius, granddaughter to the late Mrs. Nancy Ignatius, will serve as the ship sponsor representative. Dr. Ignatius will honor naval tradition when she gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
“The future USS Paul Ignatius stands as proof of what the teamwork of all our people – civilian, contractor and military – can accomplish together,” said Spencer. “From the start of the acquisition process, to the keel laying and christening, to today’s commissioning and the many missions she will fulfill going forward, this destroyer enhances our capabilities for air, undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defense.”
The future USS Paul Ignatius will be the 67th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and is one of 21 ships currently under contract for the DDG 51 program. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers conduct a variety of missions from peacetime presence and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief to sea control and power projection. Built in the Flight IIA configuration, the ship delivers rapid reaction time, high firepower, and improved electronic warfare capabilities. (Source: US DoD)
23 Jul 19. Amphibious Assault Ship Tripoli completes builder’s trials. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) successfully completed its builder’s trials, shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) confirmed 22 July after the ship had spent the previous four days in the Gulf of Mexico, testing the ship’s main propulsion, combat, and other systems.
The ship completed the trials on 19 July, US Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) said in a statement. The set of builder’s trials is the navy’s first opportunity to assess the operational readiness of the ship during dock trials and more than 200 at-sea test events, NAVSEA officials noted.
As HII’s second America-class ship, Tripoli will now be readied for upcoming acceptance trials and delivery to the navy, according to Ingalls Shipbuilding president Brian Cuccias. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
25 Jul 19. India’s HAL begins deliveries of additional Chetak helicopters to the IN. India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first of an additional batch of eight licence-built Chetak (Aérospatiale Alouette III) light utility helicopters to the Indian Navy (IN) on 24 July at the company’s facility in Bangalore, one month ahead of schedule. HAL officials told Jane’s that the second platform is scheduled for delivery in late August, while the remaining six platforms are to be delivered 12 months later in keeping with the deal signed in August 2017 estimated to be worth INR4bn (USD58m). “HAL has successfully restarted the Chetak production line after incorporating the latest technologies,” G V S Bhaskar, head of HAL’s Helicopter Complex, was quoted as saying during the handover ceremony. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
25 Jul 19. USAF Vice Chief of Staff: First Flight of B-21 Expected Around Late 2021. The US Air Force is currently expecting to see first flight of the B-21 next-generation bomber around December 2021, the service’s number-two military official revealed July 24.
Speaking at an Air Force Association Mitchell Institute event on Capitol Hill, Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson said according to a software app he tracks on the new bomber’s progress, the service is “something like 863 days until first flight of the B-21,” which would mean a date around Dec. 3, 2021.
Air Force Capt. Leah Brading, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Public Affairs, confirmed in an email to Defense Daily that the B-21 Raider program is on schedule, but did not confirm any more specific details.
Wilson said he recently visited B-21 contractor Northrop Grumman [NOC] at their Melbourne, Florida, facilities, where the bomber is being developed. He said the development team “is moving out” on the program and is currently focused on software integration.
Back in April, then-Air Force Military Deputy for Acquisition Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the program’s next major milestone is first flight, although he did not reveal a date at the time. Bunch pinned on his fourth star this past May and is now the commander of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
The B-21 program passed its critical design review (CDR) in late November 2018 (Defense Daily, Dec. 11, 2018). Initial operating capability (IOC) has been expected in the mid-2020s. The Air Force planss to procure at least 100 B-21 aircraft. (Source: Defense Daily)
24 Jul 19. Bangladesh to receive five surplus UK C-130J airlifters by end of year. Bangladesh is to receive five UK-surplus Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft by the end of 2019, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Jane’s on 24 July.
The ‘short-bodied’ C-130Js (designated C5 in Royal Air Force [RAF] service) were ordered in two batches of two and three aircraft in 2018 and earlier in 2019. The deals were initially revealed via maintenance contracts announced by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (ADG), although it was the MoD that confirmed to Jane’s the total number.
The Bangladesh Air Force has previously noted that the acquisition of C-130J aircraft from the RAF provides a key enhancement to its current airlift capability. As well as performing in-country support of the aircraft, Marshalls will also be modifying the aircraft, including designing, developing, and installing a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) capability, to enable the Bangladeshi Air Force to carry out tasks within the country and overseas in support of UN missions.
The acquisition of the C-130Js will enable the Bangladeshi Air Force to retire the four C-130Bs that it has fielded since 2001 (these were acquired secondhand from the United States) at the same time as augmenting its three Antonov An-32 ‘Cline’ and three L-410UVP-200 transport aircraft that date from 1989 and 2015 respectively.
Further to the air force’s transport fleet, the Bangladesh Army has received a single Airbus Defence and Space (DS) C295W tactical transport aircraft that it ordered in 2016. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Jul 19. UK extends Hercules out-of-service date to 2035. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is to extend its fleet of 14 Lockheed Martin C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft by a further five years, with a new out-of-service date (OSD) of 2035.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Jane’s on 24 July that its fleet of one ‘short’ C-130J C5 and 13 ‘long’ C-130J-30 C4 aircraft has had its projected OSD pushed back for a second time, following an extension from 2022 to 2030 that was announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) 2015. As stated in SDSR 2015, the RAF at that time planned to divest its 10 C-130Js while retaining its 14 C-130J-30s. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Jul 19. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group rolled out the first of a number of C-130J Hercules aircraft it is preparing for delivery to the Bangladesh Air Force, during an official ceremony last week.
Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, saluted the aircraft to the sound of the nation’s national anthem in what was an important day for the Air Force.
The ceremony was also attended by Sir Michael Marshall and Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group CEO, Alistair McPhee, along with Bangladesh High Commissioner to London, Her Excellency Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem and members of the Bangladesh military.
“It filled me with pride to witness the Bangladesh Air Force’s very first C-130J aircraft being rolled out for Air Chief Marshal Serniabat and other important guests,” said Alistair McPhee. “I know our engineers greatly valued his visit and the thanks he gave them for the work they have done getting this first aircraft ready.”
Some of the other C-130Js the Bangladesh Air Force recently purchased from the UK Ministry of Defence were also on view. Marshall is carrying out comprehensive depth maintenance and important modifications on all the aircraft including capability enhancements such as MEDEVAC, avionic upgrades and the provision of a Passenger Transport Configuration.
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat, said: “This is such a proud moment for the Bangladesh Air Force. The roll out of our first C-130J aircraft here in Cambridge is a landmark occasion and we look forward to welcoming the aircraft soon in Bangladesh. I’d like to thank all the team from Marshall that have worked so hard to achieve this significant milestone.”
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat and other Bangladesh dignitaries also took the opportunity to view the interior of the aircraft.
22 Jul 19. The Airbus A400M new generation airlifter continues to achieve milestones towards full capability after the successful deployment of 50 paratroopers from a side door on a single pass. Flight test campaign to deliver 58 paratroopers from one side door will continue towards final qualification with simultaneous dispatch in 2020 and full capability in 2021.
19 Jul 19. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group today hosted the official signing of a contract between the US and UK for a C-130J aircraft that will become the replacement to the iconic Fat Albert for the Blue Angels flying demonstration team. The contract was signed in the Marshall chalet at the Royal International Air Tattoo by Air Vice Marshal David Cooper, RAF Officer Commanding Number 2 Group, and Major General Gregory L. Masiello, Program Executive Officer for Air, ASW, Assault & Special Mission Programs, in the presence of representatives from the UK and US Governments and Marshall. Marshall will carry out the maintenance, painting and modifications to the US Navy’s replacement Fat Albert. The aircraft is a C-130J that the US Navy has purchased from the UK Ministry of Defence to replace the C-130T that the squadron used for 17 years until retiring it from service in May this year.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group CEO, Alistair McPhee, said: “We are extremely proud to host this momentous signing ceremony at RIAT, the world’s greatest air show, in the presence of so many leading representatives from our two nations.
“Fat Albert was an iconic aircraft and our teams are looking forward to getting its new replacement into service early next year. It will be great to see this eye-catching aircraft on show around the world in the future!”
Major General Masiello, said: “We are very much looking forward to taking delivery of the aircraft and are very grateful to both the UK MoD and Marshall for enabling this transaction and know that the C-130 Hercules will be a valuable addition to our flying demonstration team.”
Air Vice Marshal Cooper, said: “This is a superb indication of the co-operation between the militaries of the United Kingdom and the United States. We know that this C-130 Hercules will serve the United States Navy as well as it has served the Royal Air Force.”
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
23 Jul 19. PLAN decommissions three frigates, supply ship. China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) decommissioned three Type 053H1-class frigates and a Type 904 reef supply ship in ceremonies held on 13 and 15 July, respectively. All of the ships had been allocated to the South Sea Fleet and primarily operated in the South China Sea. The recently retired frigates are Taizhou (pennant number 533), Jinhua (534), and Linfen (545), which were in-service for between 32 and 37 years. The ships, which displace around 1,500 tonnes, were equipped with two short-range RBU 1200 anti-submarine mortars, although their armament was primarily anti-surface, including 100 mm and 37 mm guns and four HY-2 anti-ship missiles. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
23 Jul 19. Nomination for DoD’s chief management officer heads to the Senate. The White House has delivered to the Senate the nomination of Lisa Hershman to be the Pentagon’s chief management officer.
The nomination was sent Monday evening, according to an announcement on the White House’s website. The CMO position was created by Congress during a round of recent reforms, and it was elevated to the No. 3 job in the department’s chain of command.
Capital Hill’s intention was to empower the CMO to find efficiencies inside the Department of Defense. Hershman told Defense News in February that the department cleared nearly $5bn in savings during fiscal 2018 — the result of 114 potential projects identified by the CMO’s office.
The Pentagon has been charged by the Office of Management and Budget to find $46bn in savings between FY19 and FY23. Hershman has been serving as acting CMO since Dec. 1, 2018, when then-CMO Jay Gibson was forced out of the position. She reportedly works well with David Norquist, the comptroller who was nominated for deputy secretary of defense. The Pentagon previously said Hershman will step down as acting CMO and resume her work as deputy CMO when the nomination arrives at the Senate. (Source: Defense News)
22 Jul 19. US deployment to Saudi Arabia confirmed. Saudi Arabia and the US military have confirmed that US troops are deploying to the kingdom. The Saudi Ministry of Defence released a statement on 20 July saying that King Salman had approved the deployment of US forces “to raise the level of joint action in defence of the region’s security and stability”. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on the same day that Saudi Arabia had invited the United States to deploy troops and resources to the kingdom. “This movement of forces provides an additional deterrent and ensures our ability to defend our forces and interests in the region from emergent, credible threats,” it said. “[It] creates improvement of operational depth and logistical networks.” Neither statement provided further details of the number of troops involved or the equipment they will bring. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
19 Jul 19. David Trachtenberg, No. 2 policy official, exits Pentagon. The Pentagon’s No. 2 policy official is resigning Friday, leaving yet another hole in the department’s leadership. David Trachtenberg, the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, is retiring, Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Carla Gleason confirmed to Defense News. Today will be his last day in the building. A replacement will be named at a “later time,” Gleason said. Trachtenberg, who was confirmed to his position in October 2017, was previously president and CEO of Shortwaver Consulting, which focused on national security issues. He is a former House Armed Services Committee staffer and served as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security policy from 2001 to 2003, and also did a stint as vice president and head of strategic analysis at CACI-National Security Research. He entered the Pentagon with a reputation as a hawk on Russia and a force for missile defense.
On Wednesday, Trachtenberg appeared before media to make the case that booting Turkey from the F-35 program is not a sign that the NATO alliance is collapsing.
Two names to keep an eye on as potential names to serve in Trachtenberg’s role, at least until an official nominee is named, are Katie Wheelbarger and Randall Schriver.
Wheelbarger started in the administration as principal deputy assistant secretary for international security affairs. Since October, she has been serving as acting assistant defense secretary for international security affairs, following the departure of Robert Karem from that role. A number of international partners have praised Wheelbarger’s work over the past year, with several telling Defense News they are concerned she may also look to depart if not given a more permanent role.
Schriver entered the administration in January 2018, and has served as assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific affairs ever since. He previously served as deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2003 to 2005, and as chief of staff and senior policy adviser to Richard Armitage, then deputy secretary of state, from 2001 to 2003. After leaving the Bush administration, he followed Armitage into private consultancy. Like Wheelbarger, he has drawn positive reviews from Pacific partner nations.
Trachtenberg’s departure leaves yet another hole to be filled in the Pentagon’s structure. While it appears Mark Esper will be voted into office early next week, once he is confirmed there will still be a number of major spots to replace afterwards, including but not limited to:
- Deputy secretary of defense (David Norquist, acting in this role, is expected to be nominated quickly after Esper’s vote)
- Chief management officer (currently filled by deputy CMO Lisa Hershman, leaving that deputy spot also filled by an acting)
- Army secretary (Ryan McCarthy, the undersecretary for the service, is expected to be nominated quickly after Esper’s vote, which will then leave the number two spot open)
- Air Force secretary (President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Barbara Barrett on May 21, but has yet to send a nomination to the Senate. Service undersecretary Matt Donovan is serving as acting secretary)
- Deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, with Trachtenberg’s exit
- Principal deputy assistant secretary for international security affairs (Being filled by Katie Wheelbarger since the October departure of Robert Karem)
- Assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict (empty since Owen West resigned at the start of this year)
- Should Norquist and McCarthy both be confirmed, as expected, both the comptroller and undersecretary of the Army positions will also be open.
Members of Congress over the past week have expressed deep concerns about the lack of nominees for top defense spots. That concern helped Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., get approval across the committee to speed up the nomination hearing for Esper.
“It is very troubling that there are almost 20 top jobs across the Pentagon and military that are vacant or being filled on a temporary basis,” Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the SASC, said in a Thursday statement. “The President needs to realize this is a significant problem and quickly nominate qualified nominees for these key positions.” (Source: Defense News)
23 Jul 19. UK to deploy 250 troops to support UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. The UK Government will send 250 personnel to Mali next year to support the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation. The deployment of the British Armed Forces is in response to growing instability in the Sahel region of North Africa and will seek to contribute to the UN mission to achieve long-term and sustainable peace in Mali.
To be based in Gao in eastern Mali, troops will address a capability gap for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Troops will initially support the mission for a period of three years as part of an international contingent comprising 12,500 personnel.
Personnel will work in coordination with forces from over 30 nations to provide a long-range reconnaissance capability.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the British deployment is aimed at preventing ‘conflict spilling over to neighbouring states’.
UK Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “In one of the world’s poorest and most fragile regions, it is right that we support some of the world’s most vulnerable people and prioritise our humanitarian and security efforts in the Sahel.
“UK service personnel will work with our partners in the region to help promote peace by combating the threat of violent extremism and protecting human rights in Mali.”
Recently, the UK Government approved the extension of the deployment of three Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinooks and accompanying personnel by six months.
The Chinook helicopters and troops are supporting a French-led counter-terrorism operation in Mali.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Commonwealth and UN Minister Tariq Ahmad said: “UN peacekeeping is one of the security council’s most visible and important ways to respond to conflict, and we are proud of the contribution UK personnel make to this global effort.” (Source: army-technology.com)
24 Jul 19. Mali establishes mechanised infantry regiment. The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) is in the process of turning one of its infantry regiments into a mechanised unit equipped with South African-made Casspir mine-resistant armoured personnel carriers.
The German Federal Ministry of Defence in May announced the delivery of 29 Casspirs, adding that a South African company had provided training to the drivers and mechanics. A spokesperson for the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-Mali) told Jane’s that another 10 Casspirs have been delivered to the FAMa and more are on their way.
The FAMa announced on 16 July that the vehicles had been delivered to its 61st Infantry Regiment, a battalion-sized unit based in Sévaré in central Mali. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
23 Jul 19. Esper Delegation of Duties. Statement from Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman: Following strong, bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate, the President appointed Dr. Mark T. Esper to be the 27th Secretary of Defense. Secretary Esper has been sworn in and has the full authority and responsibility of the Secretary of Defense. Earlier today, the Senate received the President’s formal nomination of David Norquist to be Deputy Secretary of Defense. In deference to the Senate, Mr. Norquist has ceased to perform the duties of the Deputy Secretary of Defense and is solely serving as the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer. Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has ceased to serve as Acting Secretary of Defense and, as delegated by Secretary Esper, is now performing the duties of Deputy Secretary of Defense, in addition to remaining Secretary of the Navy. With Dr. Esper’s resignation as Secretary of the Army, Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy is now Acting Secretary of the Army. (Source: US DoD)
23 Jul 19. USAF MG James B. Hecker for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as commander and president, Air University, Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Hecker is currently serving as vice director, Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
17 Jul 19. ‘A Dream Come True’ for the 30th Space Wing Change of Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Colonel Anthony J. Mastalir assumed command of the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) 30th Space Wing during a change of command ceremony July 12, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Major General Stephen N. Whiting, 14th Air Force commander and Joint Force Space Component Command deputy commander, presided over the ceremony, which transferred command from Colonel Michael S. Houghto Mastalir.
Whiting praised Hough as a “phenomenal leader and mentor” who has “earned the respect and gratitude of the men and women of the 30th Space Wing, the local communities and all of Vandenberg” before welcoming Mastalir as the new 30th SW commander.
Prior to arriving at Vandenberg, Mastalir was the Deputy Director of the Space Security and Defense Program at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He also previously served as Vice Commander of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. As the new commander of the 30th Space Wing, Colonel Mastalir will be responsible for the third largest USAF installation at more than 118,000 acres, as well as approximately 11,000 military, civilian and contracted personnel at Vandenberg AFB. While in command, he will also be in charge of operations for the Western Range, assuring continued access to space. (Source: Satnews)
19 Jul 19. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats last Friday appointed Shelby Pierson to serve in the new position of Intelligence Community Election Threats Executive (ETE), a position that will be the primary adviser to the DNI on threats to elections and election security in general. The ETE will also coordinate election security activities and efforts across the intelligence community and “synchronize” related intelligence efforts across the U.S. government. Pierson has been Coats’ Crisis Manager for Election Security since during the 2018 midterm congressional elections and has worked in the intelligence community for more than 20 years. “Election security is an enduring challenge and a top priority for the IC,” Coats said in a statement. “In order to build on our successful approach to the 2018 elections, the IC must properly align its resources to bring the strongest level of support to this critical issue.” Coats didn’t stop with the new ETE position. He also created an IC Election Executive and Leadership Board that Pierson will chair. The board is made up of senior executive leads across the IC and relevant government organizations and will be the main “vehicle for IC-wide coordination and focus on election threats,” Coats’ office said. He also directed IC offices with a role in election security to identify their respective senior-executive leads to work with the ETE. (Source: Defense Daily)
INDUSTRY
19 Jul 19. GKN Fokker marks centenary. On 21 July, GKN Fokker marks its centenary. Exactly 100 years ago, aviation pioneer Anthony Fokker registered the ’Nederlandsche Vliegtuigenfabriek’ which led to the formation of the world famous Fokker business. A Dutch industry-wide celebration event took place on 14 March in Amsterdam, to jointly recognise the centenaries of GKN Fokker, Royal NLR and KLM. In September, GKN Fokker will host an employee celebration in the Netherlands.
GKN Fokker’s outstanding people and technologies were fully integrated into GKN Aerospace in 2015. The result is a stronger GKN Aerospace with market leadership positions in aerostructures, engine systems and special technologies, increased exposure to key growth platforms, a comprehensive global manufacturing footprint of 50 sites in 15 countries and strong technological offerings.
Thanks to the pioneering spirit and the efforts of founder Anthony Fokker, many hundreds of ms of people worldwide have been brought together. His innovative heritage still characterises today’s GKN Fokker business. Many advanced aircraft have GKN Fokker innovations on board, and over 400 Fokker aircraft are operational worldwide. By pursuing innovations in technology, GKN Fokker supports a sustainable aerospace future in a smart and economically viable manner.
Over the past 100 years, GKN Fokker has served as an ambassador and figurehead for the Netherlands in the global aerospace community. Together with its 3,300 Dutch employees across seven Dutch sites, the business continues to be an industrial champion and major contributor to the economy of the Netherlands.
John Pritchard, CEO of GKN Aerospace ASEA said: “100 years on, we have achieved the dream of our founder, with our future firmly built on the foundation of a century of innovation. The entrepreneurship of Anthony Fokker has evolved into the world-class GKN Aerospace business. We are proud to be part of the successful Netherlands aviation industry, together with KLM, NLR and many other businesses. We are perfectly positioned to shape a sustainable aerospace future together.”
Anthony Fokker’s first Dutch flight was carried out on 31 August 1911 around the St BAVO church in Haarlem.
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
22 Jul 19. United Technologies selects L&T Technology Services as strategic partner for Collins Aerospace. L&T Technology Services (LTTS) said on Monday it has been selected as a strategic partner by United Technologies Corporation (UTC) for its subsidiary Collins Aerospace.
Collins Aerospace comprises of the former UTC Aerospace Systems, Rockwell Collins and BE Aerospace. It is one of the leading providers of intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defence industries. “We are very excited to collaborate with Collins Aerospace for their advanced aerospace and defence service needs,” said LTTS Chief Business Officer Alind Saxena.
“At LTTS, our constant endeavour is to be our customer’s most reliable engineering and digital services partner. We look forward to playing a more significant role in Collins Aerospace’s engineering roadmap,” he said in a statement.
LTTS has been a long-standing engineering partner for UTC. It has been UTC Supplier Gold since 2015. LTTS was also recognised as UTAS Supplier of Year in April 2016 for its high-quality services and value creation.
LTTS’ customer base includes 69 Fortune 500 companies and 51 of the world’s top engineering research and development companies across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom and hi-tech, and the process industries. It has over 15,900 employees spread across 17 global design centres, 28 global sales offices and 49 innovation labs. (Source: Google/https://www.thedispatch.in)
PERSONNEL
24 Jul 19. Automotive CEO Horst Binnig closes his career at Rheinmetall. After 20 successful years in the Automotive sector and on the Rheinmetall Group’s Executive Board, Horst Binnig (60) has asked the company’s Supervisory Board to be released for personal reasons from his duties as Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall Automotive AG and as a member of the Executive Board of the Group holding company Rheinmetall AG. Following the implementation of a succession plan with a smooth transition of leadership duties, he will relinquish his responsibilities within the Group by the end of 2019 and retire.
After working for the KACO Group and Hengstler GmbH, Binnig joined the Automotive sector of the Rheinmetall Group in 1999 where he was initially in charge of Corporate Development and then headed the Automotive subsidiary KS Aluminium-Technologie. During this time, he was also instrumental in setting up the Group’s second major joint venture with SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) in China. In addition, he shaped and drove forward the vigorous expansion of Rheinmetall Automotive’s activities there as part of its internationalization strategy. Horst Binnig has been a member of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall Automotive AG since 2012 and took over as Chairman at the beginning of 2014. He was also appointed to the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG in 2014.
Ulrich Grillo, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rheinmetall AG and Armin Papperger, Chairman of Rheinmetall Automotive AG’s Supervisory Board, pay tribute to Horst Binnig’s entrepreneurial achievements: “Even though there is still some time left before his departure, we would like to thank Horst Binnig today. Not only has he played a decisive role in the extremely positive development of Rheinmetall Automotive’s business over recent years, he also delivered important impetus for the development of the Rheinmetall Group as such as a member of the Group’s Executive Board. All the more do we therefore regret his decision as much as we respect it.“
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
23 Jul 19. Blighter Surveillance Systems in Great Chesterford, Cambridge, UK, a British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning (e-scan) radars and counter-drone solutions, has reshaped its board for growth with the appointment of Keith Todd CBE (former CEO of ICL plc) as non-executive chairman, Angus Hone as CEO, Tracy Sambrook as chief financial officer (CFO), and Carl P. Bannar as a non-executive director. Mark Radford is starting a new position as Co-Founder & CTO. The changes at the Great Chesterford radar firm, spun out from the Plextek Group in 2016, are designed to strengthen the company ahead of the next stage of expansion. Blighter has enjoyed strong and sustained growth in recent years and achieved record revenue in the last 12 months driven by sales of its counter-drone technology and ground surveillance radars.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
19 Jul 19. BAE Systems, Inc., the U.S.-based subsidiary of Britain’s BAE Systems, has made three appointments to its senior leadership team including promoting Alice Eldridge to senior vice president and general counsel, and making her a member of its board. She succeeds Ian Graham, who left the company in May. Eldridge previously was chief counsel of BAE’s Platform and Services Sector. Travis Garriss has been appointed senior vice president and chief information officer, a new position responsible for the company’s investments in and maintenance of technology and cyber security requirements and governance. Garriss comes from Honeywell, where was CIO and vice president of User and Functional Enablement. Finally, Leslie Jelalian is in the restructured position of vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development, responsible for strategic growth in the U.S. and abroad, as well as helping with identifying potential acquisitions, divestitures and organic investments. Previously, she was vice president of Strategy and Planning for the Electronic Systems sector. (Source: Defense Daily)
19 Jul 19. Peter Cannito, the former CEO of high-technology security company Polaris Alpha until it was acquired by Parsons last year, has joined the private equity firm AE Industrial Partners as an operating partner. In addition, Cannito has been named to the board of AEI portfolio company Gryphon Technologies. “Peter’s experience leading high-growth companies, shepherding defense, technology, and government services companies through strategic transformations, acquisitions, and integrations, along with his expertise with hightech, critical systems for companies in our core markets, will benefit AEI’s portfolio companies and our firm’s overall strategic direction,” said David Rowe, AEI’s managing partner. AEI invests in aerospace, defense, government services, power generation and specialty industrial markets. (Source: Defense Daily)
24 Jul 19. Fincantieri Marinette Marine announced it added several former Navy leaders this month, most recently former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Gary Roughead was elected chairman of the board of directors on July 10, the company said last week. Roughead served as the 29th CNO from 2007 to 2011.
“I am pleased to join the Fincantieri Marinette Marine team. We have one of the most modern U.S. shipyards, the commitment and drive to innovate in building ships to meet tomorrow’s defense needs, and, above all a top-notch Midwestern workforce that epitomizes the industriousness of the American heartland,” Roughead said in a statement.
The company’s Marinette, Wis., shipyard produces Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships under prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT] and is under contract to build four Multi-Mission Surface Combatants for Saudi Arabia, basedo on the LCS design. The company is also competing in the Navy’s new guided missile frigate, FFG(X), program.
“Fincantieri is both honored and pleased to have Admiral Roughead join this board in a leadership role. His naval and defense expertise is unquestioned and few can bring his depth of leadership and management skills to an organization,” Dario Deste, CEO of the Fincantieri Marine Group, added.
Roughead currently also serves as the Robert and Marion Oster Distinguished Military Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and is on the board of directors at Northrop Grumman [NOC].
Before becoming CNO, Roughead served as commander of both the U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Fleet Forces Command in the Atlantic, Commandant of the Naval Academy, and the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs. Last year, Roughead was co-chair of the congressionally mandated Commission On The National Defense Strategy (Defense Daily, Nov. 27, 2018). The previous year, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer selected Roughead to co-lead the Strategic Readiness Review team to see what overall factors led to the 2017 deadly naval mishaps and gave recommendations to prevent future mishaps (Defense Daily, Dec. 14, 2017).
Relatedly, Fincantieri said former Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, former chief of staff to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, also joined the board. Sweeney retired in 2014 after serving for 32 years and returned to the Department to serve under Mattis after working in the private sector.
These additions come a week after Fincantieri Marine’s board named retired Vice Adm. Richard Hunt as president of the Marinette shipyard. Hunt served as Director of the Navy Staff at the Pentagon until he retired in 2013. He earlier served as Commander of the Third Fleet and Commander of Surface Forces in the Pacific Fleet.
After retiring, Hunt served as Raytheon’s [RTN] vice president of U.S. business development before being named chief strategy officer at Fincantieri in April 2018.
Hunt succeeded Jan Allman as president, but she remains as the Marinette CEO.
Deste said Hunt will focus on expanding the shipyard’s capacity and capabilities while “building common understanding with government customers.”
“Rick is the consummate professional who cares deeply for the U.S. Navy and their future capabilities,” Deste added. (Source: Defense Daily)