LOCATIONS
LAND
01 Aug 19. Boeing [NYSE: BA], the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy celebrated the transformation of a 350,000-square-foot facility outside Philadelphia into a modern factory where company employees will build fuselages for the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and modernize the MV-22 fleet for the Marines.
“Boeing’s $115m investment supports U.S. and international demand for the unrivaled capabilities of the V-22,” said David Koopersmith, vice president and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift. “We started this project two years ago in a mothballed building. Now, it is a state of the art manufacturing center for the only in-service tiltrotor aircraft in the world.”
The new factory will improve safety and productivity, lower operating costs, and reduce Boeing’s environmental impact. It will be home to the Common Configuration – Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) program that standardizes the Marine Corps Osprey fleet by upgrading previously built aircraft to the new Block C configuration. The factory will also house fuselage production for Navy, Air Force, Marines, and international Osprey customers.
“The V-22 readiness program is our number one priority,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager. “The CC-RAM program is key in meeting our readiness goals and returning capable and reliable aircraft to Marine units around the world.”
Boeing employs approximately 4,600 people in Pennsylvania and supports 16,000 direct and indirect jobs in the commonwealth.
02 Aug 19. Significant milestone achieved for Henderson precinct. Civmec has announced a major landmark in the construction of its purpose-built assembly and maintenance hall in Henderson, Western Australia, with the recent addition of a 27-metre-high bay. The high bay now sits atop the expansive main roof, with the 600-tonne structure lifted using hydraulic strand jacks that allowed incredible precision, with just 20 millimetres of clearance in several areas.
“Placing the high bay structure presented the team with a significant challenge. It was a complex process that required meticulous planning and I congratulate and thank the team for their commitment and focus in achieving this momentous milestone on the project,” said James Fitzgerald, Civmec executive chairman.
The new building, with a length of 130 metres and a width of 40 metres, now stands 70 metres high and contains 20 overhead travelling cranes, with the central hall boasting a 400-tonne lifting capacity.
The facility contains over 1.2 million cubic metres of internal space.
“Our substantial investment in this new facility, capable of handling any of Australia’s major projects across the resource, infrastructure and defence sectors, is an integral element in securing the company’s long-term future. It is a significant piece of industrial infrastructure, and when fully operational will provide employment opportunities for up to an additional 1,000 Australians, including 100 new apprentices and trainees,” said Patrick Tallon, Civmec chief executive.
When complete, the facility will be among the most efficient and innovative in the world, delivering a new world-class resource to the Australian maritime landscape and significantly enhancing the capability of Civmec’s existing facilities available at the Australian Marine Complex in WA. The 53,000-square-metre (usable floor area), 18-storey high facility will be the largest undercover modularisation and maintenance facility in Australia, with the capacity to house large vessels, including complete air warfare destroyers, frigates and offshore patrol vessels, for construction or maintenance, as well as large integrated modules for the oil and gas and metals and minerals sectors. (Source: Defence Connect)
01 Aug 19. Italy Navy, Air Force debate where to base F-35Bs. As the first Italian F-35B pilots begin training in the United States, a tug of war between the Italian Navy and Air Force over the aircraft means there is still no certainty about where Italy’s STOVL jets will be based, and who will have ultimate authority over them.
“These pilots will be back in Italy next year after training and we still don’t know where they are going,” said an Italian analyst knowledgeable of the debate in Italy.
The standoff suggests that moves in Italy to create increasing synergies between armed forces have a way to go. “This is a long way from being resolved,” said a defense source who asked not to be named.
Italy is likely to order 30 F-35Bs, which will be evenly split between the navy and air force. The first two jets, which are destined for the navy, are currently undergoing trials in the US.
The navy wants the jets to replace its veteran AV-8 STOVL aircraft, and plans to fly them off its Cavour carrier as well as its under-construction Trieste Landing Helicopter Dock.
The Air Force, which will also receive 60 conventional F-35As, wants its 15 B-versions for deploying to temporary bases with short runways during overseas missions.
“Given today’s tight budgets, it makes sense to have one base for all the F-35Bs, where training, maintenance and logistics can be focused,” said a second analyst, Alessandro Marrone, senior fellow at the IAI think tank in Rome.
“Italy’s most recent defense white paper stresses interforce activity, and this is the moment – given that by definition the F-35 is an interforce aircraft,” he added.
The question is, which base, and under the control of which armed force?
Air Force officials point to the UK’s example, where squadrons set up by both the Navy and the RAF to fly their F-35Bs are to share one base — RAF Marham in Norfolk, which is under ultimate RAF control.
The degree of interoperability is set to be high, involving RAF pilots flying off the decks of Navy carriers.
If Italy follows the same path, the air force’s base at Amendola in Puglia, in the heel of Italy, would be the obvious candidate to host all 30 F-35Bs. Eight Italian Air Force F-35As are already based at Amendola and infrastructure for the jet is already up and running.
“The UK model would work for Italy, with all 30 F-35Bs based at Amendola and one authority for maintenance for all Italian aircraft,” said retired Gen. Leonardo Tricarico, a former head of the Italian air force and now chairman of the ICSA think tank in Rome.
Grouping the B’s and the A’s would mean one group of technicians could work on maintaining both types, saving precious resources and increasing efficiencies, said the first analyst.
Currently, the navy’s AV8s land base is at Grottaglie, which like Amendola is in Puglia, but is closer to the naval port at Taranto, where the Cavour is based, and which will be home port of the Trieste when it is completed.
That means it makes sense to bring all 30 F-35Bs — both the navy’s and the air force’s — to Grottaglie, where they would fall under ultimate control of the navy, argued a senior navy official who declined to be named.
“That allows the navy jets to be nearer to the carriers,” he said.
That view was challenged by the first analyst, who said the extra flying time from Amendola was minimal.
The navy official argued that basing the B-version jets in a different location to the F-35As would not reduce logistics efficiencies.
“First of all, a good deal of spare parts will need to be kept on the carriers, and secondly, since the parts kept on the shelf will be coming from Lockheed Martin in the United States, it is less crucial to have one big maintenance center in Italy,” he said.
The navy scored an early victory in the tussle when it was handed the first two Italian B’s rolled off the production line, despite many military planners believing the deliveries would alternate between the Navy and Air Force.
Then came the thorny issue of which pilots, navy or air force, would take the first places on pilot training in the United States. The decision was due to made by Italy’s chief of staff, but was kicked upstairs to Italy’s defense minister, Elizabetta Trenta.
Five places were eventually handed to the Navy and only one or two to the Air Force, the first analyst said.
“The decision was made just days before the pilots were due to leave in July, and the air force was understandably not happy,” he said.
“And with no deal on basing yet, we don’t know where these pilots will go to when they return to in Italy,” he said. (Source: Defense News)
30 Jul 19. Today Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) celebrated the move of the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Headquarters from Sunnyvale, California to Florida’s Space Coast during an official flag-raising event. Establishing this new site is one milestone in the larger move of more than 300 jobs to the Space Coast area, expanding Lockheed Martin’s already significant presence. Titusville was selected as the FBM Headquarters to house this critical mission. It allows for continued partnership with the Navy and a solid foundation for the next chapters of the program.
“We are thrilled and grateful to call Titusville our new home,” said Sarah Hiza, vice president for Fleet Ballistic Missile programs at Lockheed Martin Space. “This region plays a prominent role in the defense industry. I am very proud to represent our program headquarters in this community and continue to provide the highest level of support to our Navy customer. What they do for our nation is critical, and we deeply appreciate the men and women who serve.”
Many distinguished guests joined Rick Ambrose, executive vice president for Lockheed Martin Space, and Scott Keller, vice president and general manager for Strategic and Missile Defense Systems, to recognize this milestone. They included Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, director Navy Strategic Systems Programs, Florida Senator Tom Wright, Congressmen Thad Altman, Tyler Sirois and Randy Fine, and Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
For more than 60 years, Lockheed Martin has contributed to the FBM program with the US Navy. In 2017, the FBM program announced portions of the program would relocate from Sunnyvale, California to other locations to include Colorado.
Lockheed Martin has developed, built and sustained six generations of submarine-launched ballistic missiles under the FBM program. The current generation of missiles, designated Trident II D5, are carried aboard the US Navy’s Ohio-class submarines and make up the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. They are also carried aboard the United Kingdom’s Vanguard-class submarine as their nation’s sole nuclear deterrent.
30 Jul 19. Iraq to build new naval base. Iraq will build a new naval base on the Al-Faw Peninsula, it was announced when Minister of Defence Najah al-Shammari visited the project and military facilities in southern Iraq on 27 July. The new base will be built as part of the Al-Faw Grand Port that is being constructed at the mouth of the Khawr Abdullah Estuary, opposite the new port Kuwait is building on Bubiyan Island on the other side of the estuary. The Ministry of Defence said the base would be larger than the Iraqi Navy’s current base at Umm Qasr. It also released a video showing Shammari viewing plans for the new naval facility, including a computer-generated image with a destroyer-type vessel docked at the base, which appeared to be located on the eastern breakwater. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MARITIME
01 Aug 19. First-in-class Gremyashchiy corvette debuts during Russia’s Navy Day. The first-in-class Project 20385 corvette Gremyashchiy made its public debut in Russia’s Navy Day parade in St Petersburg on 28 July. The corvette represents a further development of the Project 20380 Steregushchiy class, from which the Gremyashchiy ‘s sensors, communications, and fire control systems are not thought to be significantly different, if at all. The key difference is in the Project 20385’s missile armament. While the Steregushchiy-class corvettes are armed with two quad launchers with containerised Kh-35 (3M24) anti-ship missiles and the 12-cell vertical launch system (VLS) for the Redut (9K96) shipborne surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, Gremyashchiy is fitted with the latest iteration of the Agat Concern’s 3S14 modular VLS and 16-cell Redut SAM VLS. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
31 Jul 19. US Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Billings. The US Navy commissioned its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Billings (LCS 15), during a 10 a.m. ceremony Saturday, Aug. 3, in Key West, Florida. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. Tester’s wife, Sharla, is the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Mrs. Tester gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
“The future USS Billings and her crew will play an important role in the defense of our nation and maritime freedom,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “She stands as proof of what teamwork – from civilian to contractor to military – can accomplish. This fast, agile platform will deliver her motto, ‘Big Sky Over Troubled Waters,’ worldwide thanks to their efforts.”
The ship is named in honor of Billings, the largest city in Montana, as well as the people and military veterans of the state. The future USS Billings will be the first ship of its name in naval service. Montana has a rich history and proud heritage of naval service, with thirty ships named over the years in honor of places and people, including the currently serving Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) and the under construction Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Montana (SSN 794). Montana also has one of the highest per capita veteran populations, according to the Veterans Administration. The future USS Billings is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The ship will be homeported in Mayport, Florida. The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Freedom-variant team is led by Lockheed Martin, Marinette, Wisconsin (for the odd-numbered hulls). The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA, Mobile, Ala., (for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls). (Source: US DoD)
31 Jul 19. India hands over two interceptor vessels to Mozambique Navy. As part of efforts to boost defence relations between the two countries, India has completed the delivery of two fast interceptor vessels to the Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Moçambique). The vessels were handed over on 29 July in Mozambique’s capital city of Maputo, as part of a visit by Indian defence minister, Rajnath Singh, to the country. “India is prepared to raise the level of our bilateral defence engagement and maritime co-operation with Mozambique”, said the minister via his official social media account.
Neither the Indian government nor the Mozambique Navy has released details of the vessels, but images released by the defence minister in the social media posts identify the craft as the 27.68 m interceptor vessel built by the defence and shipbuilding business of India?s Larsen & Toubro Limited. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
29 Jul 19. Russian Navy to receive 35 platforms in 2019. The Russian Navy is set to receive 35 naval platforms this year, the service’s commander-in-chief has said.
“Before the end of the year, the navy will receive 15 naval combatants and 20 logistics support vessels, with the proportion of modern hardware and serviceability reaching 60% and 80%, respectively,” Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov told the Ministry of Defence’s newspaper Red Star on 26 July. “Under the state armament programme [GPV 2017; through 2027], some 180 ships and vessels, including those of new projects, will be delivered to the military service,” he noted.
The navy is placing an emphasis on the serial construction of bluewater surface combatants armed with high-precision weapons, large greenwater platforms, and modernisation of the existing ships, he said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
30 Jul 19. ‘Final piece of the jigsaw’ in place as RFA Tideforce completes UK’s new tanker fleet. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary today saw its numbers bolstered as RFA Tideforce – the last of four new-generation tankers – was welcomed into the Fleet. A service of dedication was held in Dorset for the 39,000-tonne ship – second only in size to the UK’s two new aircraft carriers. RFA Tideforce will now join her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge in providing fuel at sea to Royal Navy, NATO and allied warships, as well as other supplies and fresh water when required. The service at Portland was attended by the tanker’s sponsor Lady Sarah Messenger and her Royal Marine husband, former Vice Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Gordon Messenger.
Lady Messenger received flowers from Molly Richardson and Emily Noctor – the daughter and stepdaughter of naval diver Petty Officer Mark Richardson.
Other VIP guests included Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd and Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell.
After receiving military equipment – communications and IT systems, defensive weaponry – fitted in Falmouth to turn a tanker into a naval tanker and extensive trials, Tideforce recently arrived in Portland to be officially accepted into operational service.
Commodore Duncan Lamb, head of the RFA, said: “RFA Tideforce’s arrival into the Royal Fleet Auxiliary represents the culmination of a major project to modernise and update the UK’s Fleet Replenishment Tankers.
“I am indebted to all from the UK and abroad who have contributed to the success of the project and the ship’s company who have provided the final piece of the jigsaw by bringing the ship alive through delivery, trials and training.
“It’s incredible to think it’s taken only 13 months since delivery to today.”
Fleet Commander Admiral Kyd – first commanding officer of carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth which the Tides were built to support – hailed the advent of the fourth and final ship in the class.
“This is the next chapter in the regeneration of our Fleet,” he stressed.
“The Royal Fleet Auxiliary are a critical part of our Fleet and I look forward to a new era of carrier power projection.”
Each of the four Tides can deliver more than 1,500 cubic metres of fuel every hour – nearly 400,000 gallons, or 1½ million litres… enough to fill the tanks of more than 27,000 family runarounds.
As well as their supply duties in support of the Royal Navy, the vessels can also undertake a wide range of independent operations, such as patrols policing shipping lanes and humanitarian relief.
Vice Admiral Chris Gardner, Defence Equipment and Support Chief of Materiel (Ships), said: “This event marks one of the final milestones of this major shipbuilding programme and affords a moment to reflect on the vital importance of the work DE&S does to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment and support they need.” (Source: U.K. MoD)
30 Jul 19. US Navy commissions Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Paul Ignatius. The US Navy has commissioned the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117). The commissioning took place on 27 July during a ceremony at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DDG 117 bears the name of Paul Robert Ignatius, who served in the US Navy during the Second World War and is sponsored by his wife Nancy Ignatius.
Robert Ignatius also served as Assistant Secretary of Defense between 1964-67, and as Navy Secretary during 1967-69.
The vessel is the 67th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
US Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said: “The future USS Paul Ignatius stands as proof of what the teamwork of all our people, civilian, contractor and military, can accomplish together.
“From the start of the acquisition process to the keel laying and christening to today’s commissioning and the many missions she will fulfil going forward, this destroyer enhances our capabilities for air, undersea, surface, strike and ballistic missile defence.”
The future USS Paul Ignatius has the ability to provide rapid reaction time, high firepower and improved electronic warfare capabilities. The Flight IIA-configured DDG 117 is part of the Navy’s DDG 51 programme. Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works are under contract to construct 21 ships under this programme. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are designed to provide combat capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments. The ships can be deployed to perform missions such as peacetime presence, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, sea control and power projection. The navy is moving to the Flight III baseline from DDGs 125-126. The upgrade is centred on the AMDR/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense radar system. (Source: naval-technology.com)
25 Jul 19. Indonesian Navy commissions fourth KCR-60M attack craft. Key Points:
- Indonesia has taken delivery of its fourth KCR-60M fast attack craft
- The vessel will be in service with the Indonesian Navy’s Armada I, which oversees waters in western Indonesia and the South China Sea
The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) took delivery of its fourth KCR-60M missile attack craft on 25 July. The vessel, which has been named KRI Kerambit (627), was inducted into the service’s Armada I in a commissioning ceremony held on the same day in Surabaya. First steel for the vessel was cut by state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL in February 2017, and the vessel was launched in February 2018. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
01 Aug 19. Image confirms J-20 fighter assigned to PLAAF combat unit at Wuhu. Chinese state-owned media have for the first time released an image of a Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) J-20 fifth-generation multirole fighter bearing the serial number of a known combat unit of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), suggesting that the aircraft is ready for frontline service.
The image, which was released by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) in late July, shows the aircraft bearing the number 62001, indicating that it has been assigned to the PLAAF’s 9th Air Brigade based at Wuhu, which operates under the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command.
Commercial satellite imagery captured in March 2019 showed three J-20s at Wuhu Air Base, suggesting that the aircraft have been operating there since early 2019 or late 2018. It is likely that the fighters are replacing the Su-30MKKs assigned to the 9th Air Brigade, which is believed to be one of the premier fighter units within the PLAAF.
Wuhu Air Base is situated near the Yangtze River approximately 280 km inland from Shanghai. The base is home to the 7th and 9th Air Brigades. The 9th Air Brigade received the Su-30MKK in 2001.
Assigning the J-20 to such a combat unit is a significant move because the two previous PLAAF units known to operate the J-20 were related to operational evaluation and tactical training. As Jane’ s previously reported, the 176th Air Brigade at Dingxin Air Base is the operational test unit used to evaluate the J-20 and develop tactics, and the 172nd Air Brigade at Cangzhou Air Base is the initial training unit for training instructors and developing training material. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
31 Jul 19. Turkey receives final Chinook helicopter. Turkey has received its 11th and final Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter from the United States, the US Embassy in Ankara announced on 31 July. The final batch of four helicopters was delivered to the port of Izmir on the same day as the announcement, concluding a delivery process that began in July 2016. As previously reported by Jane’s, of the 11 Chinooks reportedly ordered, six are for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC), four for the Special Forces Command (SFC), and one for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that will be converted into a VIP transport. Turkey first made its request to procure the CH-47F for the TLFC and the SFC in December 2009, at which time it asked the US for 14 helicopters, as well as associated parts, equipment, training, and logistical support, under a package worth about USD1.2bn at the time. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
29 Jul 19. Indian Air Force receives first four Boeing Apache helicopters. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the first four AH-64E (I) Apache Guardian helicopters at the Hindan airbase in the state of Uttar Pradesh. In September 2015, the Indian Ministry of Defence entered a contract with US firm Boeing to procure 22 Apache helicopters for the IAF. The first batch of the Apache attack helicopters was handed over on 27 July, while an additional four choppers are scheduled to be delivered next week, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Boeing was quoted by the news agency as saying: “The eight choppers will then move to the Pathankot Air Force station for their formal induction by the IAF in September.
“The arrival of the Apaches, ahead of schedule, validates Boeing’s commitment to delivering on its promise of modernising India’s defence forces. Boeing has ensured high rate of mission readiness and increased operational capabilities through its current partnerships with the IAF.”
The US manufacturer completed the maiden flights of the AH-64E Apache designed for the IAF last year.
Selected aircrew and ground crew from the IAF already underwent training at the US Army base in Fort Rucker, Alabama, US.
The IAF accepted its first Apache helicopter under the contract in May during a ceremony at Boeing’s production facility in Mesa, Arizona, US.
Boeing added: “By 2020, the IAF will operate a fleet of 22 Apaches, and these first deliveries are ahead of schedule.”
The procurement of the aircraft is expected to boost the service’s efforts to modernise its helicopter fleet.
The Apaches have been customised to deliver significant capability in mountainous terrain.
Key features include the ability to conduct precision attacks at standoff ranges and to send and receive the battlefield picture, to and from the weapon systems.
The Indian Government also cleared the purchase of six Apache AH-64E helicopters for its army last year.
In addition to the helicopters, Boeing will supply associated equipment and weapons systems. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
01 Aug 19. Three HASC GOP Members Already Planning Retirement in 2020. The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) will need to replace at least three Republican members after 2020 as multiple members of the minority party recently announced forthcoming retirements. Two-term Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.) told The Detroit News on July 24 that he would not seek reelection next year, criticizing political gridlock on Capitol Hill, and later that day made the announcement official on the House floor. He currently serves on HASC’s subcommittees for tactical air and land forces and military personnel, and received $34,500 from defense contractors for campaign races since 2013. General Dynamics [GD] is Mitchell’s fifth largest campaign contributor, providing $18,000 – including $17,000 in PAC funds – over his career.
Five days later, Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) confirmed he would step down in 2020 after hinting he would retire from Congress since 2012. He serves on the HASC Readiness and Strategic Forces subcommittees. Bishop, Utah’s longest serving representative, is retiring as his term expires as a leader of the House Natural Resources Committee – he became chairman in 2014 and now serves as ranking member. House members can’t serve in a committee leadership position for more than six years. The defense industry has provided $322,800 to Bishop’s election races since 2001, with Lockheed Martin [LMT], Northrop Grumman [NOC] and Honeywell International [HON] all included in his top 10 contributors.
Meanwhile, Politico first reported July 30 that Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) would announce he won’t seek reelection in 2020. He confirmed it July 31 in a news conference in Midland, Texas, where local reports said he cited the three-term limit on his leadership position on the House
Agriculture Committee as a key reason for his retirement. He became committee chairman in 2015, is currently is the ranking member since January, and would have to step down from his leadership position in 2020. A member of the HASC Seapower and Projection Forces, Conaway served for two years as an Army specialist from 1970 to 1972, and was an accountant before he joined the House in 2005. He also served on the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Defense companies have contributed over $370,000 to Conaway’s election campaigns since his first race in 2004. Lockheed Martin is one of the top 20 companies to donate to his campaigns, with nearly $54,000 contributed over his career. Other Republican House members who recently announced their impending retirements include Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.), who sits on the House Appropriations Committee’s military construction and veterans affairs subcommittee and whose district contains the Army’s Fort
Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, the headquarters of Air University. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas), a Navy veteran and PC-3 Orion pilot who retired in 2009 from the Navy Reserves at the rank of lieutenant commander, will also retire in 2020, he announced July 25. Each of the districts represented by these members are expected to be safely Republican in the 2020 elections. (Source: Defense Daily)
30 Jul 19. Office for Veterans’ Affairs. Johnny Mercer, who has been appointed Minister for Defence People and Veterans will work closely with the Minister for the Cabinet Office Oliver Dowden. Mr Mercer’s new role will be a joint Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office position, in order to allow the Minister to direct the work of the new Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The newly created Office for Veterans’ Affairs inside the Cabinet Office will be staffed by officials from the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence (and others as necessary).
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: People join our armed forces prepared to give their lives in defence of their country. In return, government and society owe them a debt long after their service is finished. As a veteran myself, I know the struggles that some people face. The Ministry of Defence welcomes the new Prime Minister’s appointment of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Defence People and Veterans to ensure the needs of veterans are addressed right across government.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said: For the first time in its history, the UK Government will have an Office for Veterans’ Affairs to pull together all functions of government to ensure that when our armed forces personnel leave service, they are looked after in the manner that they deserve. I am delighted with this role, and am resolutely determined to reset this country’s relationship with her veterans. I entered parliament to do precisely this; I am grateful for the opportunity this Prime Minister has given me to do this, and I look forward to getting on with the task at hand. (Source: U.K. MoD)
26 Jul 19. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) consolidated the NAVFAC Expeditionary Programs Office (NEPO) and the EXWC Expeditionary Department into one organization, Expeditionary Programs office (ExPO). It will be led by Director Capt. Jay Cavnar, who will report to the commanding officer of NAVFAC EXWC via the NAVFAC EXWC Technical Director. The Navy said this consolidation, announced July 24, is consistent with the Navy Secretary’s and Chief of naval Operations’ drives to make the service more lethal. “By consolidating both departments, the expeditionary branch of the Navy will achieve quicker delivery capabilities of expeditionary and technology solutions for the warfighter,” the service said. (Source: Defense Daily)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
30 Jul 19. The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced the appointment of Anita Friend as its new Head. Anita Friend comes from the Home Office where she was responsible for increasing our resilience to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive attacks. Accepting the role she said: “I am really excited to be taking on this role. DASA’s mission of maintaining strategic advantage over adversaries by innovating is one I’m passionate about delivering. I have seen first-hand the step-change that innovation can bring in keeping the nation safe and I firmly believe in the benefits of having diversity of thought as well as a collaborative approach.”
Welcoming Ms Friend, Director Defence Innovation Clare Cameron, said: “I am delighted that Anita has taken on this role. She will bring a wealth of experience to help DASA reach out across industry and academia and bring solutions to help protect the defence and security of the UK.”
She went on to thank the outgoing Head of DASA, Lucy Mason, for leading the organisation over the past two years: “Lucy has provided fantastic leadership to the DASA team since its infancy, helping it expand its remit and provide funding of more than £58m to suppliers. I wish her very well in her new role and thank her for helping DASA become such an integral part of defence and security innovation.” Ms Friend will be starting as Head DASA in September. (Source: Defence Online)
30 Jul 19. Russell to chair DE&S from November. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 30 July named Mark Russell as the new chair of Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), succeeding Paul Skinner. Russell will move into the non-executive role at DE&S in November. As chair, he will work with CEO Sir Simon Bollom to provide “strategic leadership” in the equipment procurement organisation, the MoD announced. Russell is currently CEO of UK Government Investments, and holds non-executive directorships in the Submarine Delivery Agency and DP World. He earlier held non-executive positions in the rail industry (including Eurostar), having previously worked with major auditing firms PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG UK. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
28 Jul 19. Donald Trump has moved to replace Dan Coats as US director of national intelligence after more than two years of strained relations, saying he would nominate John Ratcliffe, a Republican ally in Congress, for the post. Mr Coats, 76, had repeatedly challenged Mr Trump’s claims on some of America’s biggest national security matters — from Russia to North Korea and Iran — since taking the top job in US intelligence in March 2017, triggering angry reactions from the US president on several occasions. The departure of Mr Coats, a former Indiana senator and US ambassador to Germany, could raise fears of a loss of political independence at the top of the intelligence community. Mr Ratcliffe, a congressman from Texas, has been an ardent defender of Mr Trump, levelling harsh criticism of Robert Mueller, the special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, at a hearing last week. (Source: FT.com)
01 Aug 19. USAF LG Anthony J. Cotton for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as deputy commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Cotton is currently serving as commander and president, Air University, Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
26 Jul 19. USAF MG Glen D. VanHerck for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as director, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. VanHerck is currently serving as vice director, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
26 Jul 19. DHS Nominees Advance. The Senate last Thursday afternoon approved by voice vote the nomination of Joseph Cuffari to be the new Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security. Cuffari was nominated by President Trump for the position last Nov. 1 and had his confirmation hearing last March. Most recently, Cuffari served as policy adviser for Military and Veterans Affairs to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R). Separately, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last Wednesday approved the nominations for two DHS executives, including long-time acting Undersecretary of Science and Technology William Bryan to officially take on the job, and Chad Wolf to be the Undersecretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Wolf was chief of staff to former DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Bryan’s nomination was ordered favorably by a unanimous voice vote while Wolf’s nomination moved forward on a 9 to 3 roll call vote with Democrats Gary Peters (Mich.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.) and Jacky Rosen (Nev.) opposed. (Source: Defense Daily)
31 Jul 19. Statement From Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman on Confirmation and Swearing In of Deputy Secretary of Defense Norquist: Following a unanimous voice vote by the U.S. Senate, the President appointed Mr. David L. Norquist to be the 34th Deputy Secretary of Defense. Secretary Norquist has been sworn in and has the full authority and responsibility of the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has ceased to perform the duties of the Deputy Secretary of Defense and is serving solely as the Secretary of the Navy.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
31 Jul 19. Airbus Defence and Space announces top management appointments.
- Julian Whitehead appointed Executive Vice-President Global Business and Strategic Programmes
- Xavier Tardy to succeed Whitehead as Executive Vice-President Finance of the Division, becomes member of the divisional Executive Committee
Airbus Defence and Space has appointed Julian Whitehead Executive Vice-President Global Business and Strategic Programmes, effective 1 October 2019. Currently, he is serving as Executive Vice-President Finance for the division and is a member of the divisional Executive Committee.
Julian Whitehead will be succeeded by Xavier Tardy, also effective 1 October 2019, who currently serves as Head of Business Strategy within Airbus. In his future capacity as Executive Vice-President Finance for the division, Xavier Tardy will become a Member of the Executive Committee of Airbus Defence and Space.
In his new role in the division’s Executive Committee, Julian Whitehead will be responsible for driving operational performance, ensuring programme and project management excellence across the division and establishing a robust focus on efficiency improvement.
Julian Whitehead has served as the division’s Executive Vice-President Finance since 2014. Previously, as of 2012, he was working in the same capacity at Cassidian, former Airbus’ defence arm. From 2001 to 2012, Whitehead was Chief Finance Officer for MBDA, Europe’s leading missile systems house. From 1997 to 2001, he worked for BAE Systems (formerly British Aerospace) in various leading capacities.
Xavier Tardy joins Airbus Defence and Space with 14 years of experience in the company. Before assuming his present duties, Xavier Tardy was Head of Finance & Controlling Military Aircraft between 2013 and 2018, based in Madrid. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Airbus Americas from 2012 to 2013. From 2005 to 2012, Xavier Tardy was Vice-President Controlling and later Senior Vice-President Group Controlling at Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter). Before joining Airbus, Xavier Tardy among others worked for Eastman Kodak as a financial analyst, Allied Signal (now Honeywell) as a divisional financial controller and for Delphi as Chief Financial Officer of the Aftermarket Europe business.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
31 Jul 19. NGC Appoints Todd Ernst as VP, Investor Relations. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has appointed Todd Ernst, vice president of investor relations, reporting to Ken Bedingfield, corporate vice president and chief financial officer, effective August 5. Ernst succeeds Steve Movius, who will continue to serve as corporate vice president and treasurer until his planned retirement in early 2020. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Ernst served as vice president of investor relations at GE. Previously, he was vice president of corporate development at Raytheon, and led investor relations for seven years. Ernst joined Raytheon in 2010 as director, competitive assessment for corporate strategy. Ernst has also held senior positions at Balyasny Asset Management and Neuberger Berman, covering aerospace and defense and other industry sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He is a designated Certified Treasury Professional. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Aug 19. Schiebel Group announces expansion of its U.S. subsidiary, Schiebel Aircraft, Inc., with the appointment of Gretchen West as President and CEO to facilitate the growth of its unrivaled CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS in the United States with a focus on the tremendous opportunities in the U.S. defense, civil and commercial markets.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
01 Aug 19. Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced the appointment of John Fry as the general manager of the company’s Australian arm. Fry, formerly a director at Raytheon Australia, will be based at the company’s Australian headquarters in Canberra. Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, said Fry would be a valuable addition to the Kongsberg team. (Source: Defence Connect)
29 Jul 19. On 17 June 2019, Christian Petrasek was appointed as Managing Director of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (KMW Asia Pacific). The 48 yearold is in charge of the marketing, sales and aftersales activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2010, the headquarters of the KMW subsidiary has been in Singapore. Christian Petrasek joined KMW in 2007 and started as a project manager in the area of protected wheeled vehicles. In 2009, the engineer became Head of the Department Technical Project Management for Dingo and in 2015, he took on the role of Executive Manager of the Dingo Vehicle Program. Christian Petrasek has taken over the leadership of KMW Asia Pacific from Christoph Cords, who has become Managing Director of the KMW subsidiary Defence Service Logistics GmbH (DSL) in Freisen, Germany.