LOCATIONS
LAND
22 Aug 19. Raytheon expands $5bn Texas presence with new factory. Advanced manufacturing growth will add 500 high-tech jobs in McKinney. Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) announced today that it will build a 200,000-square-foot facility supporting 500 new high-tech jobs at its Space and Airborne Systems headquarters in McKinney, Texas. Construction will be completed in late 2020. The announcement comes on the heels of research from The University of North Texas Economic Research Group, which found Raytheon’s business operations in North Texas contribute $4.8bn to the Texas economy. In 2018, Raytheon directly employed more than 8,000 Texans. Supply chain activity and employee spending supported an additional 10,000 jobs throughout the state.
“This is an investment in the talented McKinney workforce,” said Roy Azevedo, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. “It shows we are serious about our presence in Texas and that we are here to stay.”
Local and state officials joined Raytheon for the announcement, where they learned about the construction project and the economic impact study results.
“Raytheon has a significant presence in the Texas economy,” said Dr. Michael Carroll, Director of the Economic Research Group at the University of North Texas and lead author of the North Texas Economic Impact Study. “When we examined employee wages and spending, supplier spending, tax revenues and other factors, we found Raytheon’s North Texas operations are a powerful economic engine.”
Raytheon’s McKinney facility specializes in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, including electro-optical manufacturing and the production of high-energy laser systems.
“Not only is Raytheon’s work in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems critical to the defense and national security of our country, its investment in our community helps drives our economy,” said U.S. Representative Van Taylor (TX-03). “Today’s groundbreaking foreshadows Raytheon’s continued innovation in space and airborne systems as well as its growing presence as a job creator here in McKinney.”
Raytheon is the top employer in McKinney with more than 3,000 employees.
“McKinney has always been proud to have the prominent presence of Raytheon as our largest employer and we are excited at the opportunity for new corporate expansion in McKinney,” said McKinney Mayor George Fuller. “We have worked hard to build strong business relationships and create an environment that not only allows these businesses to grow but provides their employees with an incredible place to call home.”
19 Aug 19. Embraer announced today, at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration, a US$ 30m investment in the expansion of its Eugênio de Melo unit, in São José dos Campos (São Paulo, Brazil). Through the construction of new facilities, the site will have capacity for over 4,000 employees. The site currently has 1,500 employees working in manufacturing, development, engineering, structural and system testing, and training, among other administrative and research activities.
“The future of the Brazilian aviation industry will be the result of what we dream and build together. We believe this is the best tribute we can pay on Embraer’s 50th anniversary,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. “By announcing the expansion of the Eugênio de Melo unit, in São José dos Campos, we reinforce our commitment to our people and the local community, which are both part of our strategic vision of continuous and sustainable growth.”
At least 600 temporary job opportunities were created for the construction of four new buildings. The buildings will be dedicated to the company’s global engineering and technology center, to customer service and training―housing flight simulators and other technologies to provide technical instruction to the company’s aircraft operators, to administrative areas and to the company’s historical center―dedicated to Embraer’s 50-year history and the advancements the company has created for the national aviation industry.
Embraer is also making improvements, as well as expanding the current facilities, such as the restaurant, concierge, bus platforms and parking. The improvements are expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year and will increase the facility from 754,000 square feet (70,000 square meters) to 1.2 million square feet (110,000 square meters). The unit is located on a 121 acre (530,000 square meter) site and began operations in 2001.
MARITIME
22 Aug 19. Philippine Navy welcomes Po Hang-class corvette home. Key Points:
- The Philippine Navy’s ex-South Korean Po Hang-class corvette has arrived in Manila
- Vessel will transition the service over to its new anti-submarine warfare-capable José Rizal-class frigates
The vessel, which is now in service as BRP Conrado Yap , was commissioned at its handover ceremony in Jinhae, South Korea, on 5 August, and arrived in Manila on 18 August.
It was previously in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the Po Hang-class, Chung Ju, and retired in December 2016.
Subsequently, an intergovernmental agreement to transfer the corvette to the Philippine Navy was made in 2017.
Prior to its transfer, the vessel was equipped with additional air-conditioning compressor units on its superstructure to improve crew habitability and had installed new cranes that can deploy larger rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).
Conrado Yap is equipped with two Oto Melara 76 mm naval guns, and four (two twins) 40mm cannons, equally distributed between its forward and aft sections. The vessel is also armed with six (two triple) 324 mm torpedo tubes, located on the port and starboard sides and racks for up to 12 depth charges. The corvette has been assigned to the Philippine Navy’s Offshore Combat Force and will take on ASW patrols in the country’s territorial waters, and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). (Source: IHS Jane’s)
20 Aug 19. New Kilo-class submarine begins sea trials. Russia’s latest Project 636.3 Varshavyanka (Improved Kilo-class) conventionally powered submarine (SSK) has begun shipbuilder’s trials in the Baltic Sea, ahead of its delivery to the country’s Pacific Fleet. The sailing of the SSK, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, from the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg was announced by the Russian Navy on 16 August.
“During the shipbuilders’ sea trials, some of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky ‘s shipboard systems will be checked, including communications and hydro-acoustics,” Navy spokesperson Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo was reported as saying by the Russian state news agency TASS.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the sixth Project 636.3 class submarine to be built and the first to be assigned to the Pacific Fleet. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
19 Aug 19. US delivers two additional Metal Shark Defiant 32s to Uruguay. The US officially delivered a second batch of two Metal Shark 32-ft (9.8m) fast patrol boats on August 14 to the Uruguayan Navy Comando de Infanteria de Marina (Marines). With the addition of the two new boats, Uruguay has four Defiant 32s in service with the Infanteria de Marina. The donation was sponsored by the Office of Defense Cooperation of the US Embassy in Uruguay and the boats were delivered at the Uruguayan Navy’s main naval base in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
15 Aug 19. Australia hands over Guardian-class patrol boat to Samoa. The Australian Government has supplied a Guardian-class patrol boat to Samoa under the Pacific Maritime Security Program. Nafanua II was handed over during a ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia.
Australia Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said: “The strong and enduring security partnership we have with the Samoa Police Service is evident as we deepen our defence cooperation through the exchange of the Guardian-class Patrol Boat under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.”
The delivery is part of the Pacific Patrol Boat replacement component of the A$2bn ($1.35bn) Pacific Maritime Security Program, which is designed to enhance maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific.
Under the programme, Australia will deliver 19 Guardian-class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island countries by the end of 2023. Two additional boats will be handed over to Timor-Leste in 2023.
The government has already delivered three vessels to Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, and Tonga.
The boat replacement project will help address issues such as fisheries protection, trans-national crime, and search and rescue.
Australia Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said: “The Guardian-class Patrol Boat programme supports 400 direct and indirect jobs here at Henderson, and is a great example of Australian industry coming together to support our Pacific neighbours.”
Under the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement, Samoa will gather surveillance information in Australian waters during Nafanua II’s return transit to the country. The second component of the programme pertains to integrated region-wide aerial surveillance. The contracted fixed-wing capability supports maritime patrols in the region to tackle illegal activity. The programme’s third component includes efforts to strengthen regional coordination. (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
22 Aug 19. Swedish Armed Forces receive last NH90. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced on 20 August that it had handed over the last Helicopter 14 (NH90) to the armed forces in July. The handover took place in Marignane, France, after which the helicopter was flown to F21 Luleå, where the Swedish Air Force’s Helicopter Wing is based. The FMV ordered 18 Helicopter 14s in 2001 – 9 HKP14D tactical troop transport versions and 9 HKP14F anti-submarine warfare variants with sonar systems and tactical radar systems. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Aug 19. Brazilian DESAER unveils plans for militarised version of ATL-100 aircraft. Brazil᾿s DESAER (Desenvolvimento Aeronáutico) plans to develop a multipurpose military configuration of its forthcoming ATL-100 (Aeronave de Transporte Leve) light transport aircraft for local and foreign customers. Beginning in 2022, the company plans to develop the military version for roles such as troop transport, logistics, humanitarian aid, search and rescue, maritime patrol, liaison and observation, medical evacuation, border surveillance and security, and special operations, the company told Jane’s . The troop transport configuration, for example, is envisioned to lift 19 personnel or twelve fully equipped paratroopers and two controllers. The company noted that it is finalising self-funded preliminary studies of the civilian version, and is in talks with five companies about potential collaboration with the goal of flight testing the first prototype in 2021. Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-65B and GE Aviation’s Catalyst turboprop aircraft engines are being considered to power the aircraft. DESAER is also in negotiations with Collins Aerospace and AEL Sistemas over the supply of the aircraft’s avionics and communications components. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
21 Aug 19. Rosoboronexport markets Il-112VE export version. Russia will unveil a market-ready variant of the Ilyushin Il-112V light transport aircraft at the 2019 MAKS aerospace show, which is to be held at Zhukovsky, southeast of Moscow, from 27 August to 1 September, according to Rostec’s Rosoboronexport company.
“We have cleared the export of the Il-112VE and will launch its marketing at MAKS 2019,” Rosoboronexport director general Alexander Mikheev told Jane’s on 16 August.
The Il-112VE light military transport aircraft is the export version of the Il-112V, which is designed for Russia’s Aerospace Forces (VKS) for the transportation and airdropping of cargo, transport vehicles, equipment, ammunition, and personnel. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
20 Aug 19. Rosoboronexport to unveil export Su-57E and Il-112VE aircraft variants. Rosoboronexport is set to unveil the export variants of the Su-57E fifth-generation multirole fighter jet and the Il-112VE light military transport aircraft at the MAKS 2019 International Air Show. The air show will be held between 27 August and 1 September at Zhukovsky International Airport in Russia.
Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov said: “MAKS is a traditional platform for aviation premieres. This year, Rostec’s display includes 250 plus new models of aircraft, avionics, aircraft engines and airfield equipment, including over 40 items that are being showcased at MAKS for the first time. I am sure these products will attract a lot of attention of our foreign partners.”
The Su-57E fighter from Sukhoi is manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KоAAP) and Ilyushin’s Il-112VE aircraft is built by VACM. Both aircraft have been awarded the required export permits, Rosoboronexport stated.
Rosoboronexport director general and Russian Engineering Union deputy chairman Alexander Mikheev said: “At MAKS 2019, Russian manufacturers will be unveiling the fifth-generation Su-57E multirole fighter jet and the Il-112VE light military transport aircraft, the hottest and most anticipated new products of recent years.
“Rosoboronexport is ready, at the request of foreign partners, to present these aircraft and turn a new page in promoting state-of-the-art aircraft systems in the world market.”
The Su-57E fifth-generation multirole aircraft system can support missions against air, ground and surface targets.
The aircraft is designed for operations in any weather during the day or at night and in a severe jamming environment.
A reduced radar and infrared signature enables stealth capabilities. The Su-57E also has improved supersonic cruise capability. Other key enhancements in the fighter jet include multi-mission capability, automation and AI technologies, all-azimuth and multiple target capability, as well as manoeuvrability. The Il-112VE transport aircraft can be used for the transportation and airdropping of cargo, vehicles, equipment, ammunition and personnel. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Aug 19. MG Peter J. Lambert, deputy director for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, to assistant deputy chief of staff, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
22 Aug 19. MG Jeffrey B. Taliaferro, director, operations, J-3, U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, to vice director, operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
22 Aug 19. BG James R. Cluff, director, remotely piloted aircraft and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, to deputy director for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
19 Aug 19. Pakistan’s prime minister grants extension for army chief. Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan on Monday renewed a three-year term for the country’s influential army chief till 2022, citing the “regional security environment” as the main reason for the rare move. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan’s army chief appointed in late 2016, was earlier due to retire in November this year. Senior government officials said the decision was taken in view of ‘ensuring policy continuity’ as Pakistan’s relations with India remain tense after prime minister Narendra Modi’s government earlier this month controversially abolished a constitutional provision that guaranteed special rights to Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim majority state. India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the division of Kashmir when the two countries became independent from British colonial rule in 1947. Pakistan responded to India’s decision by requesting a discussion at the UN’s security council on Friday as military tensions mounted in Kashmir between the two nuclear armed neighbours. General Bajwa has also spent the past year working behind the scenes to nudge Afghanistan’s Taliban militants to negotiate a peace settlement with the US that will help Washington end its longest running war in that country. Additionally, General Bajwa is widely known to favour a tough loan program of $6bn which Mr Khan’s government concluded with the IMF in July this year. The program is anchored on unpopular steps such as an increase in tariffs for domestic electricity and gas. (Source: FT.com)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
22 Aug 19. Leading safety partner to the defence industry Survitec, is supporting the restructure of its defence division with the appointment of Richard Mears. The new director for Global Defence & Aerospace Sales joined Survitec on 15 July and will take responsibility for the division’s sales and customer service. Richard was CEO and President at QinetiQ Inc (USA), a company he joined as Director of International Business Development. Prior to this he held various senior International business development director roles at Babcock and Northrop Grumman. Survitec has recently restructured its Defence & Aerospace division to further align the business to its key markets. This has involved close examination of its product lines and distribution channels, as well as a renewed emphasis on its international and regional customer service mix, for a consistently high client experience.